Posted on 01/05/2010 9:46:47 PM PST by 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?
So, do you believe in the Trinity or don’t you? You are Presbyterian, right?
And I strongly agree that jealousy has no place in heaven.
Of course that is way too broad a statement. Luther/Lutherans accept predestination of the saints. It IS the Word of God. Lutherans disagree with other doctrinal points of Reformed theology. I view Reformists that hold to salvation via Grace through Faith without merit as a gift from God, not of works; as a brother/sister in Christ. For that matter, a selfsame professing Catholic/Pentecostal/Baptist/etc. That view is Scriptural.
Luther's initial views were against material corruption
That is one way to put it, but if you read the 96 theses, it would appear that Luther's complaint was also against the corporate corruption, so to speak, that allowed that type of error to flourish. Subsequent actions by the Pope expanded the complaint opportunities.
To God be the glory, not man, never man!
No, I believe that is pretty plain from my earlier postings. You agree with me then, that the title 'Theotokos' tranlates as 'God-bearer'? If so, then we are of one mind. Jesus IS God. The Virgin Mary bore Him. So the VM is the bearer of God.
The Mother of God appellation is human reason equating bearer as Mother (without ascribing heretical ideas). The Incarnation was and will remain a mystery on earth. Like the Trinity, all we can do is read what Scriptures says and be confident that 'when we see clearly' these things will be clear. That is if we actually care about them in the presence of our Savior.
Amen sister!
However, that posting was a recognition of your HTML teaching. Some recogniton, not glory, to the two of you for your kind and sometimes contradictory and confusing effort in your lesson plans. I have filed the 'answer' and when I can post a link again, I will remember the two of you and your ministrations. Thanks.
we can lead to explanations to deny the Trinity The words the Trinity aren't mentioned specifically in the Bible either, yet the doctrinal point is clear and manifest.
by reading Scripture incorrectly
Which is a good reason to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance before one embarks on the reading of God's Word.
Your link did not work because it picked up the right hand quote two times. The first was in HTML code (a quote mark is represented by a & followed by quot followed by ;) and the second is the actual quote mark.
It looks like the extra right hand quote (the HTML coded one) was picked up with a cut and paste of the address.
Your link: www.lcms.org
Your link fixed: www.lcms.org
You can see the actual code by right clicking on this page, selecting "view source" and then searching for a key phrase - in this case search for "your link fixed" and scrolling back and forward.
A haughty soul before disaster.
Ha, I thought I did it right, and was happy when it showed up ‘red’. Okay, the clock will have to wait a couple of hours to be right. I’m not sure about the squirrel, he may be hosed.
I should have checked before the victory lap FAIL.
Well the clock must wait to be right. The squirrel is probably hosed.
As I said, "her successors").
and the term King of Kings was used by Cyrus the Great of Persia first in 500 BC (Shahenshah) and by gods in the Hindu and Egyptian pantheon.
And the term God of Light or Son of God is used by Mithra
And the term Messiah derives from Zoroastrianism terms for this.
Thanks for the reenforcement. ALL of the pantheistic types trace backward to Babylon, and forward to Rome. Research the Mystery Religion.
All of that means nothing beyond a term used -- the main term for Mary is Theotokos which translates directly as God-bearer. In non-Greek that is translated as Mother of God, just like Roamertokos means bearer of Roamer or mother of Roamer.
If that were ALL it meant, we would not have an argument. But the self-same titles projecting the very same ideas, are part and parcel of the Mystery system, and are notably *absent* from the Oracles of Jehovah...
...Except in their description of the Whore of Babylon.
Thanks for your kind reply.
One of the better posts amidst so much nonsense on the topic, imho.
Thx.
When I first encountered Reformed theology on this site I was shocked to hear about this. Instead of going back to Calvin and the Reformers, for who I thought would taint my theology, I went back to many of the early church fathers-particularly Augustine. The early fathers only confirmed what the Reformers were stating. Many of the people who have known me on this site for the last several years will give testamony to this evolution.
I don't just come from a "Calvinist" view but I understand both points of views very well. I'd suggest becoming familiar with the Protestant confessionals. You will find many of the very early confessionals of the Protestant religion give clear and detailed scriptural references of the doctrines I'm laying out. I have no hidden "Calvinist" agenda or some affinity for Calvin. In truth all I'm doing is reading the scriptures and the confessionals for what they say. Whether you accept or reject these is your decision.
In truth I know very little. What I do know I know very well. God is sovereign, holy and just; and He elects and choose His own.
I will point out that while I believe Augustine documented my arguments in "A Treatise of the Predestination of the Saints", everything can be summed up in the question the early church father Cyprian asked Augustine, "What do you have that has not been given to you by God." If you can answer this question truthfully, you will become a Reformer.
Amen, Harley! As I've told you before, each time I hear your faith journey it makes me happy. When we leave self behind, what remains is God's amazing grace and glory.
"(JESUS) answered and said to His disciples, 'Because it is GIVEN TO YOU to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is NOT GIVEN.'" -- Matthew 13:11
Not for anything in us or by us. For God's good pleasure alone He has brought us to Him. Grace is everything.
Without a due sense of predestination, we shall lack the surest and the most powerful inducement to patience, resignation and dependence on God under every spiritual and temporal affliction. How sweet must the following considerations be to a distressed believer! (1) There most certainly exists an almighty, all-wise and infinitely gracious God. (2) He has given me in times past, and is giving me at present (if I had but eyes to see it), many and signal intimations of His love to me--both in a way of providence and grace. (3) This love of His is immutable; He never repents of it nor withdraws it. (4) Whatever comes to pass in time, is the result of His will from everlasting, consequently (5) my afflictions were a part of His original plan, and are all ordered in number, weight and measure. (6) The very hairs of my head are (every one) counted by Him, nor can a single hair fall to the ground but in consequence of His determination. Hence (7) my distresses are not the result of chance, accident or a fortuitous combination of circumstances, but (8) the providential accomplishment of God's purpose, and (9) designed to answer some wise and gracious ends, nor (10) shall my affliction continue a moment longer than God sees fit. (11) He who brought me to it, has promised to support me under it, and to carry me through it. (12) All shall, most assuredly, work together for His glory and my good, therefore (13) "The cup which my heavenly Father has given me to drink, shall I not drink it?" Yes, I will, in the strength He imparts, even rejoice in tribulation. I will commit myself and the event to Him, whose purpose cannot be overthrown, whose plan cannot be disconcerted; and who, whether I am resigned or not, will still go on to work all things after the counsel of His own will.
(Jerome Zanchius 1516-1590)
INDEED, imho.
Thx.
The part about not being Presbyterian? Kidding Thanks.
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