Posted on 01/26/2018 1:04:07 PM PST by GoldenState_Rose
We are in a time of the first ever mass conversions of Muslims,” Father Mitch Pacwa SJ told me in a phone interview. “God is doing a mighty work among them.”
Pacwa said that mass conversions are happening even in very fundamentalist countries. There is rapidly growing number of conversions especially on the edges of the Muslim world in the western and southern parts of Africa, he said. “Africa is now growing predominantly Christian despite crackdowns,” Pacwa said.
Some of the noteworthy countries he mentioned include Iran, reported to have 3 million Christians, and Indonesia with reports of 2 million a year converting.
“In Mongolia, the president opened the country to Christians and there’s even an archbishop,” Pacwa said. “They built a Catholic school there too. If I was younger, I would have gone.” He said that the desire for a Western education was the impetus to open up the country to the Catholic Church.
There are even conversions happening in many strict Muslim countries, according to Pacwa. He did not want to go on record with particulars for fear of increased retribution. Mass conversions are also being reported among refugees that are filling up the Christian churches left empty by Europeans. Many wonder if those are authentic conversions or just a response to improving their chances for amnesty, but time will tell.
Signs of this conversion are showing up in the U.S. too, Pacwa said. “I was about to celebrate Mass at a Maronite church in San Diego and I said hi to a man who introduced himself as Achmad. I asked if he was a Christian. He said: ‘Yes, I was recently baptized.’ He said he from Morocco. Christians do not have the name Ahmad—that’s a form of Mohammad.”
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
We do pretty much what I heard Hank Hanegraaf do years ago (pre-Eastern Orthodox conversion) when he hosted a debate on Calvinism vs. Arminianism. His point was repeatedly that it was an "in-house debate", and that we should understand that differing Reformers had differing views on the matter.
Where the Church Fathers are unanimous, we hold to the position vehemently and say it would be rash or heretical to assert the contrary. Where they may disagree, we tread more carefully and try to take the most sensible position. Like Augustine had some rather tough views on the fate of unbaptized babies that are not at all reflective of the Greek Fathers...I believe the consensus even in the West has tended toward the Greek position.
The Church Fathers were not infallible. But they are authoritative.
Exactly right! I am saved and therefore, I know I have eternal life. I am a saint.And no matter how many times you make this claim, it just ain’t so.Apparently, you do not agree with the Apostle John. OK, that is your right, but he says "if you do not have the Son of God, you do not have the life."
Without Him, you have a terrible future waiting. I urge you to act now, while you can.
You really do not like the Word of God, is how it appears... again, your call. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, but of course, men get what they choose. I chose Christ and eternal life.
What you’re doing unwittingly is negating the whole meaning of “faith”.
I appreciate you sharing your opinion on this, but again, I am going to continue believing God and thanking Him for His Indescribable Gift!
You need to ponder the meaning of the virtue of humility because Christ admonished those who simply cry out Lord, Lord and said His response would be that He never knew you. Pride goeth before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). You need to remember that.
I do and express it fully, but understanding no one can earn or be worthy of eternal life. If that was possible, Christ would not have died. My salvation and assurance of eternal life in His presence is based entirely on Him, His sacrifice, His forgiveness of all my sins. 100%. It is not based on me, my worthiness, works, or pleasant nature. It is Him.I have eternal life because I accepted His Indescribable Gift. Only that.
There is no other path to eternal life. Since you reject His provision, you are making your decision.
All Glory to Him alone.
>> Roman Catholics have told us we cannot know for sure if we’re saved and that to believe so is the sin of presumption which would be a mortal sin in Roman Catholicism.<<
You have it right, presumption is considered a sin in Catholic teaching, and rightly so since it is cited as a sin in the divinely inspired Holy Scriptures. However, you have incorrectly accused me of committing that sin because I haven’t expressed any such presumption.
The Orthodox just can't see the clarity of your argument... and never have.
“You have it right, presumption is considered a sin in Catholic teaching, and rightly so since it is cited as a sin in the divinely inspired Holy Scriptures.”
Paging Mark17!
Sure they can. Anyone can. They simply have chosen to deny it. I will not speculate on their motivations, but the motivations of Revisionism is perfectly clear.
>>I do and express it fully, but understanding no one can earn or be worthy of eternal life.<<
You are looking at the matter backwards. No one can earn or be worth of eternal life, BUT anyone can earn and be worthy of eternal and everlasting death in Hell, and this is why the entirety of the Holy Scriptures is meant to teach us what willful acts will cause our eternal damnation. Those who do not avoid committing those willful acts will pay for them in Hell for all eternity unless they have consciously and sincerely repented for their transgressions. Oh, and you cannot do that by a blanket repentance for transgressions not yet committed. Keep in mind that God will not be fooled by such insincerity and chicanery.
“Sure they can. Anyone can. They simply have chosen to deny it.”
You cannot read their minds friend.
They have never believed your claims - even in the days of the Apostles.
I will say I disagree with your claim.
If you want to turn up your nose at the gift of salvation, all that awaits you is hell. Why choose that??
We are all born separated from God because we all have the life of Adam. You don’t have to add to that to go to hell . You already are headed there. Of course we all sin because we are born sinners.
Sorry that you do not have eternal life. I do and I’m grateful.
You could have eternal life, if you turn to Him and away from yourself.
Sorry your sins aren’t forgiven. Mine are - past and future sins. Your sins could be forgiven, but you’d have to turn from inadequate works to Him alone.
I truly hope you do FRiend.
You are correct sir. Praise God, we saw the light. 😇👍
I don’t know bro. I must have said a million of them, and I was still lost as a goose. The key word being “was.” 😇
A sobering thought.
Ouch. That will leave a scar. People can follow man made false religions if they want, but they will one day, give an account at the Great White Throne. 😀😆😄
Roger that mom. I am perfectly willing to trust my salvation entirely to Christ, and enjoy my eternal security. If others want to trust in themselves, that’s on them. 👎
Of interest to all.
I commit the sin of presumption 5,000 times a day. I KNOW I am saved. I also keep saying I don’t care who knows it, or what anyone thinks about it. 🇵🇭👍 It’s not my problem. 😀
Project much?
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