How condescending of you.
For all Catholics complain about judging when they're on the receiving end, they sure are pretty adept at dishing it out.
Catholicism is simply a religious system which does not recognize Scripture as the final authority, but rather defers to Rome for that.
In light of that, it is simply not possible that Catholics have the proper criteria, nor the spiritual discernment, to accurately determine the validity of another's faith.
Anyone who cannot even be sure of his or her own salvation is in no position to pass judgment on another's.
“How condescending of you.”
How is that condescending? I am just stating that when Christians discuss with non Christians, that is normally not divisive for Christians.
“For all Catholics complain about judging when they’re on the receiving end, they sure are pretty adept at dishing it out.”
What are you talking about. I have not judged anyone. I have even refrained from stating my opinion on Mormonism, while others have felt very comfortable judging them. I refuse to state my opinion on Mormonism on this thread, not because I am embarrassed about it, but because it could cause more fighting on a thread that was never meant to have antagonism.
“Catholicism is simply a religious system which does not recognize Scripture as the final authority, but rather defers to Rome for that.
In light of that, it is simply not possible that Catholics have the proper criteria, nor the spiritual discernment, to accurately determine the validity of another’s faith.”
At the same time, you give judgment about my faith, when I have refused to judge any faiths on this thread. Also, this has nothing to do with anything else on this thread. Trying to figure out what someone’s faith is is not the same as judging it.
“Anyone who cannot even be sure of his or her own salvation is in no position to pass judgment on another’s.”
When have I ever passed my judgment on another’s salvation? Since I decided not to squabble with other Christians, I will only debate with those who I am not sure whether they are Christian or not. So I will ask you again if you believe that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human, since that is one belief that defines Christianity.
By the way, why do you feel the need to ping so many other people to this exchange. Do you want more people to argue with me.
Those who like to see divisions between Christians do no service to Christianity. I would not be surprised if a non-Christian would be turned off to Christianity by this thread.
Important points, I think.
“Anyone who cannot even be sure of his or her own salvation is in no position to pass judgment on another’s.”
Well, while there is a difference btwn knowing you are saved now, which 1Jn. 5:13 provides for, and faith that the Lord will keep you in the faith, (2Tim. 1:12) and bring one to repentance as needed, (1Cor. 11:32) and warning of falling from grace, (Gal. 5:1-4), the assurance of 1Jn. 5:13 - which refers to the characterization of faith which preceded it - appeals to that which is censured by Rome as providing assurance, that being private interpretation, as that is something the great infallible magisterium can provide.
Yet, in condemning those who believe in the classic Prot. belief in the perseverance of the saints (which is not the same as the saved can live like the devil), Rome’s special revelation clause allows for that a very subjective means of knowing, far more than interpreting scriptures:
CANON XVI.-If any one saith, that he will for certain, of an absolute and infallible certainty, have that great gift of perseverance unto the end,-unless he have learned this by special revelation; let him be anathema. - http://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct06.html