That is my understanding of Catholicism as it relates to salvation. God's sovereignty has nothing to do with it. Only man's sovereignty matters in the end. I realize the argument might be that God wanted it that way, but I can't accept it. :)
“When effort on our part is absent, then God’s help also stops.” Saint John Chrysostom
That sounds eerily similar to "God only helps those who help themselves". He didn't mean that, did he? :)
On a side note, I might be making a few more posts, but I'm sure they will be trailing off as Christmas eve approaches. So just in case, let me take this opportunity to wish each of you and your families a most blessed and merry Christmas. May the Good Lord shine His heart on all of your spirits as we celebrate our Savior's birth. God bless you all.
God's "sovereignty" has everything to do with it, FK. God is the "παντοκράτορα" the Almighty Ruler of All Existences, because He is the Creator of Existence itself and everything else on earth and in heaven, visible and invisible. What possible sovereignty can mankind have that does not have its origins in Him? "I realize the argument might be that God wanted it that way, but I can't accept it. :)"
Well, if God created us, as we are told, in His image and likeness, we would be endowed with the divine attribute of Free Will, would we not? The Church has always taught that mankind was created having the potential to become like God. That potential was lost in the Fall and restored by the Incarnation. But I would like to hear why you think God created mankind. Did He create some for theosis and some for damnation and if so, why?
The office is closed today...over my objection. I made the staff each give back one lump of coal!
And to all of you and yours,
Come, O faithful, let us raise our minds to things divine and behold the heavenly condescension that has appeared to us from above in Bethlehem.
May Christ our True God, whose Nativity we celebrate, through the intercessions of His holy and pure Mother, through the power of the life giving Cross, through the protection of the Angelic Powers, through the prayers of St. John the Baptist, the supplications of the Holy, Glorious and Most Honored and Praiseworthy Apostles, Martyrs, Fathers and Mothers of our Faith, and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us!
That's not fair, FK. In fact, God has everything to do with it. SFA states the orthodox doctrine that "Everyone is chosen to be God’s children", that everyone is invited and can be saved. If they are not saved it is because they rejected the invitation. This is in line with "God desires to save all men" and in agreement with Matthew 25.
The Protestant idea of "salvation" is not that Christ paid off your debt in full, but that he somehow owes you a limo ride too! The Church says, God bought everyone a ticket, so you can get on the train. If you don't get on the train, that's not God's doing.
FK-””That is my understanding of Catholicism as it relates to salvation. God’s sovereignty has nothing to do with it.””
Not true.We believe God is sovereign LOVE that is unchangeable,dear brother ,and in that sovereign LOVE we can ALL freely participate by denying ourselves.
The calvinist’s view of God creating some people for hell is dualistic and has nothing to do with sovereign LOVE
STF-quoting Saint John Chrysostom -”When effort on our part is absent, then God’s help also stops.” Saint John Chrysostom”
FK-That sounds eerily similar to “God only helps those who help themselves”. He didn’t mean that, did he? :)
I see it more like God loves us all, and all we have to do is deny ourselves and join in that love.This requires the EFFORT of self denial .
FK-””let me take this opportunity to wish each of you and your families a most blessed and merry Christmas. May the Good Lord shine His heart on all of your spirits as we celebrate our Savior’s birth. God bless you all.””
Thank you,dear brother. I wish you a Blessed Christmas as well