Posted on 11/02/2001 5:42:58 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
Funny, I had a conversation on FR just yesterday with a Lutheran minister, and he pointed out that the flaw in Calvinism is its reliance on humanly limited reason in building the doctrine of double predestination.
I agree on your main point. That is why I think that we won't see conversions to Christianity in any great numbers, but we do see acceptance of Western practices that are a consequence of Christianity: free thinking, tolerance of diversity, bourgeois work ethic, tolerance of small vice.
Vivat Jesus!
But, the position of a Christian missionary in an Islamic country is very perilous -- almost as dangerous as it was to be a Jesuit in Elizabethan England. Unless the radical governments, such as Saudi Arabia's, are compelled to renounce Sharia, the prospect of conversion through preaching and disputation seems very remote.The position of a Christian missionary has almost always been very perilous. It isnt just Elizabethan England or Islamic countries. Many other lands that are now Christian fought the missionaries tooth and nail, whether shrinking their heads or merely cutting them off.
There is something brutally consistent that the U.S., where it is illegal to pray on public property, supports a regime that imposes a death penalty for conversion to Christianity.Yes, and it doesnt bode well for the alleged superiority of Western Civ.
patent +AMDG
Today we no longer understand ecumenism in the sense of a return, by which the others would be converted and return to being catholics. This was expressly abandoned by Vatican II. - Cardinal Walter Kasper, Head of Pontifical Council for Christian UnityI would love to see the good Cardinal (or you, but I doubt you agree with him) prove that statement. I dont recall any such thing in V2, though I have quite clearly seen it in the so-called spirit of V2.
patent +AMDG
I loved the 'angles' who erased his blackboard for him.
At present, Christian missionary work seems impossible in countries such as Saudi Arabia. Yet with God nothing is impossible: perhaps He will open those countries to missionaries some day.
In the meantime, there are millions of Muslims living in Europe and North America. Why not send missionaries to them?
The high point of the ecumenical movement thus far has been the Joint Declaration on Justification signed by the Catholic Church and one of the largest Lutheran bodies.
The ultimate goal of the ecumenical movement is the re-unification of Christendom or the re-unification of the Catholic Church, the Church which Christ founded, the "pillar and foundation of truth," and the church which we should go to to settle disputes, as Christ instructed us.
he pointed out that the flaw in Calvinism is its reliance on humanly limited reason in building the doctrine of double predestination.
I would think the opposite would be the case. I think the unreasonableness of the doctrine explains its unpopularity. Unaided reason tells us that God is Good. Therefore, it would be impossible for Him to will damnation for some people from all eternity, particularly without regard to their actions and decisions for or against God.
The Lutheran - Catholic accord on justification was a complete disaster. In the end it accomplished nothing. How can a Lutheran be justified without professing the Catholic faith?
I don't see any other context in which the statement can be taken. It is completely straightforward. Your reference to the context is a weak attempt to dodge the issue.Then why dont you prove that this is what V2 said? It didnt say that, and you know it. The Cardinals opinion is no more then that, the Cardinals opinion. You can take it as Gospel all you like, it isnt.
patent +AMDG
How can a finite mind possibly fathom the thought processes of an Infinite Intellect?
At the present time, the hatred of the Moslem countries against the West is becoming a hatred against Christianity itself.
Hmmmm...fifty years later and we still have not realized the peril.
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