Posted on 11/06/2014 2:29:33 PM PST by NYer
In June of this year, the largest Presbyterian denomination in America voted to allow their clergy to perform same-sex “marriages” within the church, thus joining the ranks of other Protestant denominations, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Episcopalian Church, and United Church of Christ.
This “evolution” of theology and “modernizing” of church doctrine is a trend that I predict we’ll continue to see in non-Catholic Christian circles for years to come, and not just with marriage. Today, nearly all Protestant denominations support and even advocate the use of artificial birth control, and many allow at least some level of support for abortion.
Of course, not all Protestants are willing to “move with the times”, so to speak; there remains, especially among the more conservative groups, quite a bit of dissent. However, it cannot be denied that many modern day Protestant denominations are falling further into the depths of secularism.
While it pains me to see Christians turning their backs on the sanctity of life and marriage, I have to admit that whenever the media lights up with news of another Protestant church endorsing an otherwise wholly unchristian act, I find myself entirely unsurprised.
The reason for my utter lack of shock lies, interestingly enough, within two of the critical tenants of Protestant Theology: the doctrines of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and sola fide (faith alone).
As Catholics, the Bible is not our sole source of authority, nor was the Catholic Church based upon it. In fact, what we now call “The Bible” — the collected Old Testament and New Testament writings — was put together by the Church herself, and is meant to enrich and support our doctrine and Tradition.
(Consider too that the Gospel is the written testimony of the teachings of the apostles, which, due to apostolic tradition and the God-given teaching authority of the Church, precedes the written text. Thus, any authority of the Scriptures is derived from the recognition of the Church.)
Yet, the Protestant Reformation severed the Tradition from the Bible, and put all other authorities beneath it. By doing so, they created a type of religious relativism (unwittingly, I’m sure) that opened the door for an “anything goes” mentality. So long, of course, as it can be found — or not found — in the scriptures.
For years, sola scriptura was a major weapon against Catholic theology, claiming that our practices were either absent or directly forbidden by Sacred Scripture. However, since the latter part of the 20th century, the charges that “Jesus never said (x)” or “That’s not in the Bible” have turned on themselves and have now become, “Jesus never said (x) was wrong, so that means (x) must be okay.”
This idea blends well with many in my generation, the millennials, who wish to hold on to some shred of spirituality but cannot bring themselves to relinquish the desires of the flesh. It is also a base notion of “Progressive Christianity”, which is basically the feel-good parts of following Christ without any actual sacrifice.
The same problem goes for sola fide. Though the only place in the Bible where the words “faith” and “alone” appear next to one another is in James 2:24 (“See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”), it still remains a significant tenant of Protestant Christianity. However, much like sola scriptura, it has seemingly evolved into an even more bastardized version of itself that states, “As long as I’m a good person and believe in Jesus, I’m okay.”
Now, understand, I’m not among the ilk who believe that Protestants can’t go to Heaven, though the path is significantly more challenging (and not in a “take up your cross” kind of way). I do believe, however, that Christianity was never meant go in this direction. And I certainly believe that, should things continue in the manner they’re going for the modern-day Protestants, they’ll eventually have nothing left to call Christian at all.
Of course, perhaps that’s the only logical conclusion Protestantism could possibly come to. It is, after all, a theologically incomplete Christianity; and perhaps that is why it has such difficulty standing the test of time. Consider the continuous splintering Protestantism has seen since the days of Luther, that continues today. Sooner or later, it will be dust; and displaced Christians will be left with two choices: return to Holy Catholic Church or give themselves to the world.
Well why aren't you then??? John in his other letters says we Christians have overcome already...He also says we are saved right now...He says we WILL NOT come under condemnation...
If you can't reference ALL of scripture, you are wasting your time by cherry picking the verses you like because without the entire picture, you don't have a clue...
I didn’t see SBC mentioned, and there are more than just the American Baptists. There are the Paleo Baptists, CBC, TBC, etc.... You can look at the article for more details.
Most recently a pastor of a CBC (California Baptist Conference) has come out in support of his "gay" son. The CBC is also a large member of the SBC, and his congregation has chosen to allow the pastor to retain his position.
I am not trying to be disparaging and not looking down my nose on any religion/ faith.
It will not be long (25 years at most) before we see the SBC going the way of the Lutherans, PCA etc...
This is just my opinion, but it is based on observation of the human condition over a number of years.
Thank-you for the article and this posting. God Bless.
I’m sure Protestants will have an equally tough time getting to hell, the way obstructed by a fair number of Catholic souls, like this guy.
OSAS is an unscriptural doctrine derived from being "of Calvin" rather than following the Apostle John and the LORD Jesus Christ. There is a harmony of the Scriptures and OSAS is foreign to it. If one stubbornly insists on ignoring the testimony of the LORD and his apostles to imagine one can commit grave sins without repentance and reconciliation there will be no remedy to include one in the holy city and no access to the tree of life. Revelations testifies to us, as do these other passages. We must persevere in the faith and works required by the LORD. We have been warned over and over and over again. No one will have any excuse that they thought they were "once saved, always saved" and sin did not really matter after they responded to an altar call, said a sinner's prayer, and believed they were born again. One must believe and obey (do the works). There is provision for reconciliation but one must avail himself of it. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. All ten were virgins but five were foolish and should have bought something. What can someone who is already a disciple buy ? I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
It is a generally accepted principle that you note the Book, Chapter and verse when quoting from the Bible. If not, general readers who may not be as familiar with the Bible may not know if these are from the Bible or just your opinion.
So, do you think any of us need to do any repenting? Go back to our first love? Do you ever ponder what this means?
You are really stuck on your holy catholic churches. How do you address the issue that the founding churches you claim to so tightly WERE SO FAR OFF TARGET? Do you think if they were off target, we could be also?
This is not an issue of Roman Catholic church vs protestant. WE are all off target and need to do some repenting. Claiming “I ate at your table and heard you in the streets”, or “I cast out demons in your name” does not get one into heaven. Or I am a Roman Catholic or Reformed I would not want to hang my hat on either............
See below. If you are not impeccable, you cannot be infallible.
im-pec-ca-ble
[im-pek-uh-buh l] Spell Syllables
adjective
1. faultless; flawless; irreproachable:
“impeccable manners.”
2. not liable to sin; incapable of sin.
in-fal-li-ble
[in-fal-uh-buh l] Spell Syllables
adjective
1. absolutely trustworthy or sure:
“an infallible rule.”
2.unfailing in effectiveness or operation; certain:
“an infallible remedy.”
3.not fallible; exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment, or pronouncements:
“an infallible principle.”
4.Roman Catholic Church. immune from fallacy or liability to error in expounding matters of faith or morals by virtue of the promise made by Christ to the Church.
I can appreciate your frustration. Consider these verses.
Rev 14:9-10 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Revelation 18:4 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
In your haste to challenge Biggirl's statement, you bypassed the ANSWER.
True, and based upon actions - which testify to what one really believes - Rome sanctions this. It cannot use the sword of men as it used to, and few are born again.
As to 1.6 billion Catholics... Nah. There are whole nations where +85% never attend all year
But Rome counts and treats them as members in life and in death, regardless of the decrees of a few RCs who excom them.
Cc Daniel1212 - I seem to remember you posted extensive catholic survey results before...
Indeed, from here .
You are really stuck on your holy catholic churches. How do you address the issue that the founding churches you claim to so tightly WERE SO FAR OFF TARGET? Do you think if they were off target, we could be also?
This is not an issue of Roman Catholic church vs protestant. WE are all off target and need to do some repenting. Claiming “I ate at your table and heard you in the streets”, or “I cast out demons in your name” does not get one into heaven. Or I am a Roman Catholic or Reformed I would not want to hang my hat on either............
Funny how you failed to mention that the Southern Baptist Convention broke ties with the church because they voted to approve of homosexual behavior. In other words, the SBC took a stand AGAINST homosexuality, not for it as you claim.
http://baptistnews.com/ministry/organizations/item/29254-southern-baptists-oust-third-way-church
Without having read the thread I will say this:
Say what we will as Catholics about sola scriptura (and there are many errors with that ecclesiastical approach, if it can even be called an “ecclesiastical” approach) but as long as such adherants don’t go as far as this editorial claims is possible (which it is possible) then there won’t be among such people any slide into accepting “gay marriage” or abortion.
That is to say, so long as such Christians only say, “Jesus didn’t say X was RIGHT...” And don’t go so far as to say “Jesus didn’t say X was WRONG...” there is no way someone who believes in sola scriptura can say...
Gay “marriage” is ok. Or...
Abortion is ok. Or ...
Transgender operations are ok. Or...
Any host of social ills facing us today. It’s just not possible for those who subscribe to sola scriptura and only say “Jesus said/didn’t say X was RIGHT”.
Of course such a philosophy limits one to a faith limited to only what’s expressly in the Bible. Which IMO is a limited faith. But it will never be in danger of sliding into such errors as above. How can it be? It’s following only what’s written.
This is to only speak critically of the editorial in the OP. It’s not an endorsement of sola scriptura.
What??? Give me chapter and verse.
They are One, my FRiend. What is not necessary is the "organization cult" cooked up in Rome.
America is inconsequential in prophesy. The one world government and one world religion will have superseded.
It is a generally accepted principle that someone attempting to teach or evangelize from the Bible should disclose the denomination or fellowship with which they assemble. Bible. If not, general readers may be enticed into a cult.
If there is a passage one does not recognize, one but need ask about that passage, in sincerity and truth. If you search the scriptures you will find those instances where The Lord or Apostles referred to scripture with occasional mention of the book but none other. The target audience was expected to be affected by the scripture itself, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,
and
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
and
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
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