Unfortunately, many people of today have lost the concept of what it means to sin against an infinitely loving and powerful God. Sin has been redefined as a "mistake", something that is no big deal. "Jesus is our buddy"! As to your question about a "forgotten" mortal sin, you can tell the priest that you also confess any sins that I cannot remember right now. Sins of omission or commission that have not come to mind. We are forgiven of those sins, although with the caveat that we confess them if we remember them. Obviously, this doens't count for those we remember but don't want to tell!
Based on my own standards which I have professed, I have always thought of Catholicism as a true faith with which I have some disagreement, as opposed to a false faith with which I have some agreement. I do truly believe there are many Catholics in heaven, and I do appreciate the opportunity to learn from my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ. :)
Thank you, you are very kind. It is my experience that most people are not aware of what Catholicism really teaches, so I try to explain what the Church teaches. It is up to God to do the conversion. I also enjoy learning about other people's faith, although I find it interesting the some people base their faith on contradictions. Religion can be an interesting discussion!
I read you, then, to say that man is born with "some" good already written on his heart (natural law). If so, then would you comment on the following very personal account of Paul, particularly regarding his assertion that "nothing good lives in [him]", in his sinful nature which is the nature he was born with? -
We are born without the life of God within us. Nothing good remains within us. However, God DOES instill within us the natural law, a knowledge of basic right and wrong. Without God's graces, we will not follow that law within us. In time, we will disregard it. Catholics believe that man is NOT totally depraved. From time to time, he might choose good. But his tendency is to choose himself. He won't be able to earn heaven. But the Spirit blows where He will, and from time to time, an "unsaved" man might choose to do good. However, it has no or very little supernatural value.
Does infant baptism count, by itself, as initial salvation?
We would say "yes" because it is God's grace that matters, not the acceptance of the baby. Recall that Jews also allowed infants into the People of God, as well. Christ said to not hold the children away from Him. Ancient writers of Christianity verify it as an Apostolic practice. Considering many of the first converts were Jews, it shouldn't be strange that they, too, wanted their infants to be allowed into the Kingdom, with the provision that they would teach them in the faith, and that the children would some day verify their own stance in the faith. Again, the idea is that Baptism is a gift from God, not something we receive because we have "x" amount of faith.
We would note the great commission, in which Jesus gave a particular order to the disciples of what should occur, belief first, then baptism
I suppose the commission to the infant Church was given to spread the word to adults, because THEY are the ones who would bring their families into the Church. With the second and third generation, families would naturally want to bring their children into the faith. I am satisfied with it because the Church had practiced it from the beginning. There is NO writing against the practice. As a matter of fact, in the 200's, their is complaints that children had to wait for 8 days to be baptised (as per circumcision)!
In our SB church, instead of infant baptism, we have something called a "baby dedication". In front of the whole congregation during a normal Sunday service, the pastor first explains the spiritual translation of the meaning of the baby's name, then he prays over the baby. The parents pledge to raise the baby in a Godly manner, and the congregation pledges to support the family toward that end. It's really quite nice.
Yes, it sounds nice. It is pretty supportive to the parents to know that the community stands behind them - it is a big responsibility to raise children in a Godly manner, especially nowadays. Sounds like the same thing we do, minus the actual water baptism.
LOL! Sign up one forest keeper for a ticket on that train! :)
If we persevere to the end, we can count on the Lord.
Brother in Christ
OK, very fair enough! :)
Religion can be an interesting discussion!
Indeed, yes, and thank you for your kind words. My two favorite topics of discussion just happen to be the "forbidden" ones. :)
There is NO writing against the practice [of infant baptism]. As a matter of fact, in the 200's, their is complaints that children had to wait for 8 days to be baptized (as per circumcision)!
I agree that I am unaware of any writing against it. I suppose it all goes back to whether it is ........ (quick, what's another word for "efficacious"?) :)
Thank you very much for your answers to all of my other questions. God bless.