[zeeba neighba]

Pardon me if I misunderstand, but I get the clear impression from these guys, who are all too happy to diss the Calvinists, but do you get the idea from listening to them that only Catholics are among the elect? Of course, I'm just a dumb little old read the bible guy, maybe I'm imagining it.

[annalex]

do you get the idea from listening to them that only Catholics are among the elect?

That would be the wrong idea, and you would not get it from reading this thread (perhaps together with your longhorns). For one thing, it illustrates how much mutual respect and understanding exists between the Catholic and the Orthodox, and both these Churches comprise the true visible Church of Christ. But salvation is limited to the Church as the mystical body of Christ, as I took some pains explaining to you the other day, and we don't really know her perimeter as well as we know the perimeter of the visible Church. We believe that many, even the unbaptized, will be judged for their righteousness and mystically converted by Christ on their deathbed. The advantage that the Catholic and the Orthodox have is that they have access to the full sacraments and wisdom of Christ in their daily lives. If they abide in His Church they have assurance, not merely a chance, of salvation.

[Cronos]

Pardon me if I misunderstand, but I get the clear impression from these guys, who are all too happy to diss the Calvinists, but do you get the idea from listening to them that only Catholics are among the elect? Of course, I'm just a dumb little old read the bible guy, maybe I'm imagining it.

Missa zeeba neigha, youse are wrong. We think the "elect" are all of God's people in the sense that God wants ALL of humanity to be saved. Do you believe that God loves and wants ALL of humanity to be saved? Well, we do.

Secondly, we've had posters here from the Orthodox tradition and a Lutheran who agreed with the Church's point of view, so it's not really a Catholic-only fest. I think the only Catholics here are jo kus, Dion, NYer, annalex and me. Kolokotronis and Kosta are Orthodox while red's a Lutheran. I think you, P-Marlowe and Forest Keeper are Baptists (am I correct?) and Harley is, I guess a Calvinist?

[jo kus]

do you get the idea from listening to them that only Catholics are among the elect? Of course, I'm just a dumb little old read the bible guy, maybe I'm imagining it.

Perish the thought! Prostitutes and tax collectors are entering the Kingdom before some Catholics...Roman Catholics are NOT the only members of the Elect!

Regards