Who are the Catholics: The Orthodox or The Romanists, or both?

Me

[the_conscience]

I just witnessed a couple of Orthodox posters get kicked off a "Catholic Caucus" thread. I thought, despite their differences, they had a mutual understanding that each sect was considered "Catholic". Are not the Orthodox considered Catholic? Why do the Romanists get to monopolize the term "Catholic"?

I consider myself to be Catholic being a part of the universal church of Christ. Why should one sect be able to use a universal concept to identify themselves in a caucus thread while other Christian denominations need to use specific qualifiers to identify themselves in a caucus thread?

[Iscool]

I think you should bring annalex into your conversation to offer some insight on the topic because he/she interpreted Hebrews 12:1 for us.

They're not allowed to do that...He had to have gotten that from an official Catholic approved publication...

[1000 silverlings]

I’m not supposed to be an expert on the Catholic Church teachings. Everything I understand about them are apparently lies and bigoted. So I can’t help you

[Dr. North]

Calvin’s sick, twisted concept of a sick twisted little god.

In what ways is Calvin's view like that?

[1000 silverlings]

lol

[RnMomof7]

Do you even read the scriptures in a systematic way? Do you study the word? Do you look to the greek and hebrew?Do you look to the history and form of the scriptures..

When you do come talk to me

[Natural Law]

"If this pope as his predecessor believe that Allah, the god of Mohammed is his god, then brother Benedict is lost as well."

I'm sure your position is based on vanity and a desire to claim spiritual superiority and that puts you in conflict with the 3rd Commandment.

The Pope's comments for his actions are based upon the acknowledgment that the Muslims worship the God of Abraham, however imperfectly. The position of the Catholic Church is that all are called to salvation, not just an elect or a chosen people and that there exists a plan for salvation for each. Redemption and Salvation are available to all, including the most vile up until the moment of judgment.

[1000 silverlings]

So whatever good fruits anyone may see in my life are not mine, they are God’s doing even though I physically and technically have expended energy.

Amen

[RnMomof7]

LOL...I make allowances

1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

[RnMomof7]

If annalex ever REJECTS Church teachings let me know

God forbid the Holy Spirit might teach him anything.. gotta keep looking to Rome

So what would YOU do if he did?

[wagglebee]

So, you WON’T be answering my questions?

[1000 silverlings]

It reminds me also of children. I don't know about the rest of you but as children of my parents, we weren't allowed to have "free will". In fact, we were strongly encouraged not to have any, lol

Did this cause us to love our parents less? Not likely, we loved them fervently.

Then our parents would give us ten dollars to buy a Christmas present. So we bought say our mother some cheap perfume and she acted all pleased with us. We gave back to her what she had given to us in the first place, we had nothing of our own to give. Were we forced to love her or give her presents? Were we "robots" in spite of their insistence that we do their will?

[wagglebee]

God forbid the Holy Spirit might teach him anything.. gotta keep looking to Rome

See, that's the thing.

The Holy Spirit NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL teach ANYTHING that is in conflict with the Church.

[esquirette]

Good one.

[RnMomof7]

Sure..Born again, saved, elect children of God share the same reading of all scriptures pertaining to salvation.. that we are saved by Faith alone in Christ no work..Any differences we have are on non essentials . Actually we probable have fewer differences that the people sitting at mass with you on Sunday have from the church and each other...

[Alamo-Girl]

we had nothing of our own to give

Precisely so.

The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. - Psalms 24:1

Thank you so very much for your testimony, dear brother in Christ, and for your encouragements!

[RnMomof7]

LOL

[wagglebee]

Sure..Born again, saved, elect children of God share the same reading of all scriptures pertaining to salvation.. that we are saved by Faith alone in Christ no work..Any differences we have are on non essentials . Actually we probable have fewer differences that the people sitting at mass with you on Sunday have from the church and each other...

If there was even a hint of truth to this, ALL Protestants would be in complete agreement with each other.

The fact is they agree on very little.

Here is a short list (and incomplete) list of things that Protestants don't agree on, perhaps you could tell me why they are "non essential":

- The Holy Trinity
- The Real Presence
- Confession and Absolution
- Infant Baptism
- Nestorianism
- Free will
- Ordination of women
- Sanctity of life
- Homosexuality

[Quix]

ABSOLUTELY INDEED.

[Natural Law]

"...and BTW I do not have a pope calvin :)"

Because Apostolic Succession, the process by which the Holy Spirit guides the selection of popes, would not permit that to happen.

[Forest Keeper]

I do believe the belief in predestination affects proselytizing and missionary work -- if you do believe in a purposeful elect then you do not go out to spread the word and do missionary work because the elect are pre-chosen by God. You then can close yourself up like many Mennonite groups. From what I've seen of Baptists, they are not like that -- .................. If Baptists believed in predestination, they would see no point in this activity as everything is predestined and there is no need for any activity. However, thankfully, they don't seem to and they spread the gospel in far-off lands.

I'd have to disagree. The above describes to me what is called "hyper-Calvinism". As you say, they would eschew sharing the Gospel for the reasons you gave. However, we "regular" Calvinists would strongly object to this belief because, for one thing, it is in direct contravention of the Great Commission, which we say includes all believers, and commands that we go forth making disciples of all nations. We are not given a list of the elect, and therefore we are to share the Gospel with all. God will sort it all out.

And note that this is never a waste, even though it is certain that some of those we preach to are not of the elect and will never come to faith. We have:

1 Pet. 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Every single time I witness, regardless of the outcome, I get better at it, and I get better at answering questions. So for just that reason it is not a waste. It is also not a waste since it is in direct obedience to God.

In addition, I can say that I have never met a hyper-Calvinist, I have never read a writing by someone purporting it, and that includes never having seen an FR poster supporting it. To my knowledge, NONE of the Reformed FR posters we are all familiar with around here are hyper-Calvinists. Indeed we would say that hyper-Calvinism is anti-Calvinist! :)

And to your first point, I would agree with you that one's views on predestination MIGHT influence how one witnesses, but it sure doesn't have to. I am certain that I can give a good and Godly presentation of the Gospel without ever getting into my position concerning predestination. In fact, to be honest, when talking to someone new for the first time I usually avoid it, unless a question is asked. I concentrate on more fundamental truths first. If God is working in a person then there will be plenty of time for development later. When I first came to faith my view on predestination was wrong, but that in no way meant that my faith wasn't true.