But as a self-professed agnostic, you can't tell us much of anything about God or Jesus Christ or faith or grace.
Mainstream Protestants agree on the basic, historic, orthodox beliefs of Christianity.
Basic beliefs which Roman Catholics deny, i.e. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men; Scripture is the revealed will of God and as such, remains our only rule of faith and practice; the priesthood of all believers and not a priesthood of "alter Christus;" salvation by grace and not good works; and a spiritual, symbolic participation in the Lord's Supper, rather than the cannibalistic repast conjured up by Rome.
And lest we forget, Rome has totally usurped the role and purpose of the Holy Spirit. What could be a greater error?
Over the years on this forum I've been strengthened to learn of the over-riding agreement Protestant churches have regarding their salvation by Christ, for Christ, through Christ, in direct and clear opposition to the traditions of men taught by Rome.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -- Romans 5:1-5"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Do you understand Paul? Do you see that he is telling us that even the love we have for God is given to us by the Holy Spirit?
Rome boasts of itself, while Protestants glory in the Lord alone.
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." -- Psalm 66:16
No one else.
And lest we forget, Rome has totally usurped the role and purpose of the Holy Spirit. What could be a greater error?
Over the years on this forum I've been strengthened to learn of the over-riding agreement Protestant churches have regarding their salvation by Christ, for Christ, through Christ, in direct and clear opposition to the traditions of men taught by Rome.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -- Romans 5:1-5
Do you understand Paul? Do you see that he is telling us that even the love we have for God is given to us by the Holy Spirit?
Rome boasts of itself, while Protestants glory in the Lord alone.
"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." -- Psalm 66:16
No one else."
Every word true.
Sure I can. Being agnostic doesn't mean you don't know what others claim, preach or believe, or for that matter what one used to believe; it merely means one is not sure.
Mainstream Protestants agree on the basic, historic, orthodox beliefs of Christianity
In terminology, but everyone has a different concept, even if slightly different.
Basic beliefs which Roman Catholics deny, i.e. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men;
See, this is what I mean. Catholics do no such thing. If you were as good at substantiating as you are at accusing, you'd be fantastic.
Scripture is the revealed will of God and as such, remains our only rule of faith and practice
I don't remember reading it is the "will" of God. And as such it remains only a conjecture.
the priesthood of all believers and not a priesthood of "alter Christus;"
The priesthood of all believers applies only to the Jews as God's chosen people, as per the Old Testament. Jesus never said otherwise.
Alter Christus refers to the priest in his liturgical role, leading the flock, making the bloodless sacrifice, preaching the Gospels, blessing, etc. The New Testament states that Christ said to his disciples "whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven".
That means the officiating priest acts in place of Christ, but only in his official role. It does not reflect on the priest's human character or nature; only in the performance of the sacramental duties.
salvation by grace and not good works;
Again, your own demigod Paul says otherwise, and I have shown you exactly which verses. And he says different things to different audiences. But you choose to pick and choose. See that's part of being a Protestant—they make up their own rules and religion.
and a spiritual, symbolic participation in the Lord's Supper, rather than the cannibalistic repast conjured up by Rome
That's what the early Church believed; that's what the Church still believes.
And lest we forget, Rome has totally usurped the role and purpose of the Holy Spirit. What could be a greater error?
Oh what nosnese! How can anything man-made usurp the role and purpose (sic) of the divine? Not even the Protestants can do that.
Over the years on this forum I've been strengthened to learn of the over-riding agreement Protestant churches have regarding their salvation by Christ, for Christ, through Christ, in direct and clear opposition to the traditions of men taught by Rome
It's a "feel-good" club where you are told if you believe you are saved, no matter what you do.
Do you understand Paul? Do you see that he is telling us that even the love we have for God is given to us by the Holy Spirit?
But your (Reformed) God is also the source of evil. Only the Gnostcis believed that before Calvin.
Rome boasts of itself, while Protestants glory in the Lord alone. "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." -- Psalm 66:16
Why should the Protestants "fear" God if they "know" they are "saved?" This is what I mean when I say Protestantism is sheer man-made nonsense.
"Being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that HE which hath begun a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT until the day of Christ."
(Philippians 1:6). What security we have that it is not us, but God who is performing every good work in us until the day of Christ! He began it, and it is He who will finish it.
Rome can make no claim. All it offers is man-derived hope, promises, and directions, and instructions for 'righteousness', all by fallen men for fallen men. Traditions and doctrines of doubters and unbelievers in the finished work of Christ.
Of course, I suppose it's difficult after basing an entire lifetime on things seen, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted, to look into an empty tomb and declare victory and salvation. Not understanding that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN, they rest their hope on the last visible sign, Christ on the Cross. So, there they keep Him. Hanging and suffering, hoping to carry out the remainder of His work for Him. "Suffering" for Him, eating and drinking His blood and body, attempting to bring in the Kingdom on their own, they stumble at the stumblingblock: The tomb is empty. That is God's proof to us that the wages of our sin has been paid IN FULL.