Posted on 01/14/2011 5:57:52 PM PST by topcat54
Evangelical book catalogs promote books such as Planet Earth: The Final Chapter, The Great Escape, and the Left Behind series. Bumper stickers warn us that the vehicle’s occupants may disappear at any moment. It is clear that there is a preoccupation with the idea of a secret rapture. Perhaps this has become more pronounced recently due to the expectation of a new millennium and the fears regarding potential Y2K problems. Perhaps psychologically people are especially receptive to the idea of an imminent, secret rapture at the present time. Additionally, many Christians are not aware that any other position relative to the second coming of Jesus Christ exists. Even in Reformed circles there are numerous people reading these books. Many of these people are unaware that this viewpoint conflicts with Scripture and Reformed Theology.
(Excerpt) Read more at reformed.org ...
That’s a totally inappropriate photo for the RF.
I do not take or eschew action at your bidding.
Besides, don't you believe that the only ones Judged by God for their deeds are Catholics? I understand you to believe that the group that you belong to gets to bypass all that, or that it is reduced a mere formality, while you get to watch all those who oppose you condemned to hell, from your posts. How correct am I?
When did you go blonde?
Depends on how you’re defining things.
I’m not talking about what Paul was talking about in that case.
The problem, seen time and time again, is that RCs assume born again Christians are like Catholics and look to a man as a pope, and implicitly trust in the magisterium of a church, when in reality their spiritual live began not by being sprinkled as an infant but by making a transformative decision out of a poor and contrite spirit after hearing the gospel of grace, resulting in evident regeneration of the Spirit. They thus realize a basic instant bond with those who have also met Christ the same Biblical way, due to the essential unity of the Spirit.
How many times i experienced spontaneous fellowship when giving out tracts, etc, when all the other persons says with a glad smile says is something like, “I’m born again too!” And when we do, knowing one’s church denomination is largely irrelevant, and if asked, is more a curiosity factor, and such inevitably uphold basic core truths behind the essential gospel. Even in the past month on FR i have “met” other evangelicals and i am sure we could have some blessed fellowship with in person.
I do know the difference, as i became born again while still an RC, and afterwards was much different than before and than the other Catholics except a few, and those were usually in the Charismatic movement. But i remained in Rome for 6 years, seeking to serve God and find life therein, as i did not know of any born again Protestant churches i dared try. But God worked with me and led me, and after i dared pray to God that if He would have me leave for another church, then to show me, then the next day He answered that prayer in an evident manner as He had others prayers, and confirmed it clearly. While most of my years in church have been that of Baptist, my faith is basically “BaptaCostal,” and i could go (when God wills) to most any evangelical church.
As for divisions, while those of denoms which hold to the supremacy of Scripture (and the evang, gospel of salvation by grace thru faith, versus trust in the power of their church and one’s merits) do have disagreements, but with boundaries, and statistic show RCs being less unified in core truths and moral values than their evangelic counterparts, and who contend for core truths we both agree on, while opposing cults who deny them. And the reason for the latter is the same reason behind Rome’s false teaching, which is that of an assuredly infallible magisterium (AIM), implicit trust in which is the basis for whatever real doctrinal unity they both have.
In addition, despite all the talk about Rome’s AIM solving the problem resulting from Private Interpretation (PI) which the Bible actually appeals to and commends, if out of a Berean type heart, very little of the Bible has been defined, and the RC interpreter have much liberty to interpret the Bible. Of course, objectively seeking to verify from the Scriptures what Rome has officially taught is censured. And at least as one time her laity were forbidden to debate us “heretics.”
The ignorance so many RC’s seem to have about fallen angels/demons/UFO’s and the Vatican is shocking.
The level of ignorance such a perspective displays is potentially quite spiritually and otherwise dangerous.
I’m not going to be baited into giving out the answer either, just to prove that I’m not a “coward”.
You’ll notice what time it is and that people’s work days are ending and some of us don’t live on FR 24/7.
“We accept those differences as they are not critical to one’s salvation”
Yes, they are. The internecine battles are legendary.
“Protestants are far more willing to let the HS do the convicting of error in another person’s life ...”
Really? And the Holy Spirit apparently leads to error in the first place as the sola crowd claims sole authority of personal interpretations guided, they claim, by the same Spirit.
So the non-Trinitarian on the boards is perfectly heaven bound while the Catholic is going to hell.
Which brings us back to the point that by not disclosing one’s discrete beliefs thereby shielding them from rebuttal it is an inherently dishonest position.
Oh stop it.
You aren’t the only one who has seen spiritual warfare.
The interpretation of Apocalypse is screwy.
Yada yada yada
Anything that disturbs RC thin-skinned sensibilities is totally inappropriate, according to them.
And, often enough they wail and whine soooooooooooo effectively they get some pulled.
Real impressive.
Skins thin enough that organs tend to fall out willy nilly yet tough as nails wailing and whining at an Olympic class level.
Fascinating.
Y’all are good at another chronic skill—persistently lowering in my mind and understanding the respect I once had for some apsects of the Vatican Institution.
I’m nost sure how many sub-atomic particles of respect are left but y’all are zotting them quite rapidly into oblivion.
Why is it that Proddys get slapped down more frequently and harder about such excessive badgering? I don’t understand.
Is it because our genuflectors are broken?
Or is it our broken toe kissers?
“You’ll notice what time it is and that people’s work days are ending and some of us don’t live on FR 24/7.”
All you have to say is Goodnight.
That’s the usual way it goes to notify people you don’t care to continue.
And we Catholics have that same view of non Catholics. We have accord.
We don’t pronounce anathemas on people who disagree with our church doctrine.
No? You guys throw them out of your church; or split the church and form new churches; or enact novel and innovative theologies such as gay and lesbian bishops marrying other bishops. You guys staff Planned Parenthood. There are no Catholics on staff, are there? Have you ever looked at the spaghetti bowl that illustrates the strands of Protestant church forming?
Declared by the same folks who claim with a straight face that Jesus exited Mary without breaking her hymen.
What a pile of farce.
Most Catholics don't live in a world that is populated by the fevered imaginings of H.P. Lovecraft and flavoured by the stolid insanity of W. Herbert Armstrong either.
About a photo?
Yeah, it was inappropriate. It’s fine for chat, but if you think a young woman displayed with her modesty lacking is fine, you might want to check with ST. PAUL.
In fact, my MIL’s sister was a Pente and never would appear without a long skirt and modest blouse.
I respected her for that.
Any prod who refuses to put their church denomination on a Catholic/Prod thread is a dirty yellow coward. Privacy, baloney!
JA, to say that exhibits a certain sort of prejudice that Protestants have been rejecting for Centuries.
I know many displaced believers who attend a fellowship of a denomination that is not their first choice. I am one of those. Whereas my first preference would be Reformed Baptist I instead frequent an OPC for a variety of reasons. So harassing another FReeper is rather pointless unless you are trying to formulate an evil accusation.
And here is where you have a particular prejudice that needs to be considered. You seem to take to heart a team identity in that if a person doesn't belong to your team then there must be something wrong with that person because only good people are on your team.
Basically you are sinning.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Paul is calling you out.
Notice that Paul is demanding that the Corinthians be of the same mind and judgment - not necessarily in the same denomination, and clearly they had different flavors as some were arrogantly claiming to be better because of who was their teacher or baptizer. We can see that Paul is utterly frustrated by the childishness of those who berate others because they deem them to be of an inferior congregation and stock. He is frustrated at you, Judith Anne.
Granted some denominations need to be avoided by true believers, but to personally attack someone because of a denomination they attend is wrong. You may question why he or she remains at a place if that denomination is known for teaching error or one that is institutionally is apostate (such as some liberal Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran denominations). Another category that I invite you to take full swing at is those morons who followed that crack-head sodomite Ted Haggard who embarrassed his congregation, resigned and now, by popular demand has decided to be a "pastor" again. I'll help you collect stones to throw.
The neat thing about denominations are that one can go find one that fits their personality and theology while still honoring to God. I for one, won't break bread with a crowd that chants to rock-music, has communion open to unbelievers, lacks a Confession and is Free Will Dispensational (aka The American Religion). If a denomination caters to perverts, then the believer is obligated to leave and find one that is not contaminated by poor leadership that condones it. Unfortunately, the way Rome is organized, you are stuck with your perverts, criminals and degenerates along with your denomination's idolatry and paganism.
Luther and others left Rome because Rome left Christianity and became its own religion.
Thank you for stating this. I, too, have had in casual conversations with someone, either in person or even on the phone who I had never met before, about faith in Jesus Christ and there is a common bond almost immediately. It doesn’t matter to me, or them, what the name of my church is or what I call myself. It is the Spirit bearing witness with Spirit and you just know you have a spiritual connection with that person in the Lord. It’s happened so many times that I am convinced that this will be what is like in heaven. There will be a community of those who love the Lord and have obeyed his commands to love him with all our hearts, our minds and our souls. And we will love each other as he loves us. Labels and church membership and denominations will be forgotten and in there place will be the common connection of brotherhood in Christ. I even see glimpses of that here already!
Apparently, you have no idea why someone engaged on a religion forum thread would like to know the religious identity of a person they are having a comparative religion discussion with.
If someone criticizes Catholics, let them show how much better their own beliefs are by stating them, or let them hold their peace. Hiding behind generic “I believe the Bible” baloney is cowardly.
I’m slightly peeved at people who pretend to know why I don’t want to discuss anything with someone who hides their faith. I simply don’t. I think people who hide behind the generic Bible interpretation of “I believe the Scriptures,” are cowards. Apparently they fear having their dogma confronted.
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