Posted on 11/26/2001 2:49:05 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
Rhetorical Questions to myself and other Catholic Apologists here:
After reading numerous threads of what I term the "Freeper Wars," I'm going to state an assumption (which might well be terribly wrong) then ask a few rhetorical questions.
If a "Freeper Wars" thread (you know the type, starts out as a thread of interest to Catholic freepers, then turns into the standard anti-Catholic posts with attempts to defend the faith by the regular Catholic Apologists here) is several days old and several hundred posts long, the "undecided" will be few.
Your apologetics are not intended to convert those whose hearts and minds are closed (although, by the Grace of God it does indeed happen). They are intended to illuminate the intellect and soul of those still open to Truth, and still willing to learn. I doubt that many of those make it to that point in threads here, i.e., when threads are 200 to 300 posts or longer, several days old, etc.
Therefore, your time is being spent only on those you are directly responding to, when they do their own self search.
Is that an effective use of your time and talent? Or would prayer, not words, be more effective at this point? Are we trying to win souls, or points of debate?
Just a few thoughts I ask myself constantly on these types of threads, i.e., where is my time better spent, reading to my kids and spending time with my spouse, or trying to convert those late on a thread whose minds and hearts are hardened? Are there enough lurkers late in a thread to make it worth the amount of time and intense effort to defend the faith that these threads usually entail late in their usual progression?
I suppose there might be a few who call themselves catholic who are in fact Christians, but I am certain there are no Christians who are truly "catholic".
c.c.c.82. "As a result the church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, 'does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both SCRIPTURE and TRADITION must be accepted and honoured with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.
Is a lie.
The Bible presents the Trinity so directly that only willful blindness allows you to claim it isn't there.
I JOHN 5:6 ¶ This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
I JOHN 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
I JOHN 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
I JOHN 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
GENESIS 1:26 ¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
GENESIS 1:27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
GENESIS 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
As expected you make the pitch for your cult's continual quest for control.
So, if scriptural proof texts are inadequate to prove the doctrine of the Trinity as you and I accept it, then what authority DID define the doctrine of the Trinity as you and I understand it. It clearly is NOT clear from a reading of scripture alone.
Since you reject the Holy Bible which God inspired to be written, what then is the authority of your roman cult based on?
A few true words from you. That is rare these days.
This has been the standard of Christianity from the very start 2000 years ago. A little less than 500 years ago a few men came along with a new false gospel, called Sola Scriptura, that they used in their revolt against the order and authority Christ ordained for His Church.
but I am certain there are no Christians who are truly "catholic".
...but I am certain that only a person demonically deceived would make such an evil generalization.
For a self-proclaimed practicing Roman Catholic, your knowledge of Marian devotion is extremely lacking. In fact, I'd say it's non-existent.
If you're seeking answers in other denominations, I doubt that you can call yourself a practicing Catholic.
Since said "roman cult" determined which books should be included in the Bible, what leg do you have to stand on?
Ah, Catholics bashing thier own - that's a nice face to show to Protestants.
I was just expressing a thought, and instead of a gentle nudge I get a slam.
Thanks, brother.
I think you're correct in that. Some of my best friends, and most of my family are catholic. My heartburn is with the catholic church, not individuals.
FReep on
Good one.
Reckon that's why they call it faith?
Do dead babies go to heaven, or to hell?
Your uneasieness with Marian devotion shows a complete lack of knowledge of the true Catechism. In fact, I doubt that you are Roman Catholic, otherwise, you wouldn't have made such an ignorant statement.
Wear that as you like. But you aren't practicing RCC.
"I doubt that you are Roman Catholic, otherwise, you wouldn't have made such an ignorant statement."
Ah, the bashing gets worse.
As a Roman Catholic am I not allowed to even ask questions? Why do you react as if threatened by my question?
Are you really THAT insecure in your faith? How are you different from some of those here that bash Catholics?
This is not exactly a way to draw others. I pray that you someday find peace.
Ah, the traditional catholic hubris in play, GOD decided the canon of the Bible, not rome.
Holy Mother Church can dogmatize an invented doctrine (the Assumption of Mary) based upon texts from 500 AD, but HMC cannot accept justification by faith alone, a doctrine taught throughout the Scriptures.
So, Do dead babies go to heaven, or to hell?
Do you have support for your answer, whether reasoned or not?
No, they can't. No money in it.
I never mentioned indulgences, I was trying not to...
The discussions become factual in that they relate to what is, and is not, in the Bible. The resulting discoveries can hurt.
I want to get Bible based answers to where catholicism gets its' "theology", and I get brushed off because I'm too shallow.
Us right/wrong, light/dark, hot/cold, black/white types really can't get the relativist, dim, lukewarm, grey pearls you're trying to push.
I'll bet you are one of those that thinks the Constitution is a living document.
Oink, oink; I guess.
Enjoy my ignorance.
MATTHEW 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
This has been the standard of Christianity from the very start 2000 years ago. A little less than 500 years ago a few men came along with a new false gospel, called Sola Scriptura, that they used in their revolt against the order and authority Christ ordained for His Church.
c.c.c.1367. "The SACRIFICE of Christ and the SACRIFICE of the Eucharist are one single SACRIFICE: 'The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.' 'In this divine SACRIFICE which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an UNBLOODY manner.
Is in conflict with the Holy Bible.
HEBREWS 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
HEBREWS 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
HEBREWS 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
If Jesus offered himself as one sacrifice for sins for ever how can your cult presume to make "unbloody sacrifices" without rejecting Jesus' sacrifice?
Both I JOHN 5:6-9 and GENESIS 1:26-28 showed your catholic-cut-and-paste which you claim to be protestant is WRONG why can't you open your eyes and see that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.