“The issue is not Protestantism as defined as any “Christian” group outside Rome, but those who hold to its historical foundational distinctives, that being the supremacy of Scripture and salvation by grace thru faith,... And concomitant with this evangelical gospel are the other foundational salvific truths, which are stated in the Nicene Creed.”
But the denominations don’t hold all the same concepts.
Saying that all of them believe salvation by grace thru faith and omitting that some do not believe in the “Once Saved Always Saved” doctrine and the fact that many do not espouse the Nicene Creed skips over significant differences in those denominations.
Hence, arguments about Catholicism’s differences in doctrine keep hidden (I think deliberately) the many differences in doctrine in the Protestant realm.
I refuse to continue the game. Arguments by those who do not acknowledge the Nicene Creed and the Once Saved doctrine, and yet will argue in support of those who do against Catholicism is simply intellectual dishonesty.
Having someone pray in front of his tv from his armchair and claim to be saved since he claimed the Name, is another form of intellectual dishonesty. Christianity is not a simple relgion. Some have made it an insipid gloss of superficial spirituality and that is the shame of armchair rectories.
“Virtually all denominations (Southern and Fundamental Baptists, Assembles of God, Calvary Chapels, etc.) hold to the above.And on the pew-level where it counts, they show more unity here and in moral views than Catholics, though both are manifesting declension.”
And a survey of American religions is not a complete and exhaustive survery of Catholicism in the world. While Catholic Europe has problems, so does Europe in Protestant terms. Catholicism is thriving in other areas of the world even as it undergoes some of the worst persecution.
“This unity can also be seen by way of contrast with cults and groups they reject, which err in these fundamentals, which is usually due to formally or effectively holding men as a higher authority than the Scriptures. In addition these evangelicals manifest a remarkable transdenominational unity of the Spirit in worship, prayer, and other ministries and gatherings, because they were born again.”
Oh please. Christ is the head of the Catholic church. I’ve heard that absolute nonsense about Catholicism resembling a cult and that is more divisive propaganda worthy of Catholophobia comics of the louche variety.
“Catholics themselves have great liberty in interpreting the Bible, and even can disagree somewhat with teachings of the Ordinary and General magisteriums...”
But I thought Catholics don’t read the Bible. At least that’s what I’ve been told over and over again on these boards.
We can interpret, but Not in Dogma. I can disagree in several areas of bible interpretation, but I AGREE with DOGMA. I’ve studied enough and confirmed with the HS to know it is TRUE.
“Finally, unity based upon salvific truth and its fruits - even with some disagreements - is of a higher quality than unity based on error and its fruits, which Rome overall demonstrably manifests.”
Tell me that in 2000 years. As the Protestant sects keep splintering and splintering and splintering as they have done since 1600’s.
Unless people ‘fes up to what they are, no contact.
> ”This unity can also be seen by way of contrast with cults and groups they reject, which err in these fundamentals, which is usually due to formally or effectively holding men as a higher authority than the Scriptures.” <
“Oh please. Christ is the head of the Catholic church. Ive heard that absolute nonsense about Catholicism resembling a cult and that is more divisive propaganda worthy of Catholophobia comics of the louche variety.”
It is easy to see the shoe fitting here, and your response is the same they use. The question is, by what means can we know for certain that Rome is indeed the one true and infallible church, with Christ as its head?