Lots of people think they're saved but it depends on who or what they are trusting to save them.
God always loves us. But sometimes, we don't love Him. Like when we sin.
A false dichotomy. No wonder Catholics get confused about stuff. They start out with wrong premises regularly.
My love for God does not turn on or off. I love Him always. My behavior doesn't always line up with what He or I would like, but my sinning is not an indicator of my not loving Him. Don't forget, Lot was called *righteous Lot* hardly a term I'd apply to a man who did what he did, but God knows better.
Who picked Judas to be an Apostle?
Jesus knew what He was doing. Scripture HAD to be fulfilled and Judas did that.
Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable.
What a cop out. We're not talking about impeccable. We're talking about gross, deviant immorality done by those who are supposed to be Peter's successors, Christ's representatives here on earth.
I find it ironic and hypocritical that Catholics blow off the abominable behavior of their popes and priest with a *well, nobody is perfect* flippant attitude and yet when a non-Catholic sins, they are all over him like white on rice. If any non-Catholic religious leader did half of what some of your popes have done, they would be rightly soundly condemned by non-Catholic churches and completely shredded by Catholics. Ted Haggard comes to mind and yet what he did pales by comparison to what some of your popes have been recorded as having done and from Catholics all we get is *well, nobody is perfect*? "Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable."
Give me a break.
All those examples of gross immorality that Catholics like to give and then ask that if a *Protestant* did, are they still saved, applies to Catholics as well.
And the same answer should be given.
It would probably be easier if you simply told me how someone can be certain that he has eternal security.
---God always loves us. But sometimes, we don't love Him. Like when we sin.---
A false dichotomy. No wonder Catholics get confused about stuff. They start out with wrong premises regularly.
My love for God does not turn on or off. I love Him always. My behavior doesn't always line up with what He or I would like, but my sinning is not an indicator of my not loving Him.
I love my wife, even though I beat her and her children regularly... See my point?
Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable. What a cop out. We're not talking about impeccable. We're talking about gross, deviant immorality done by those who are supposed to be Peter's successors, Christ's representatives here on earth.
What is the degree of sin that makes it impossible for sinners to be successors of the Apostles? Theft? Blasphemy? Lust? Greed? Fornication?
The Apostles were sinners, before and after Christ's death on the Cross. The successors to the Apostles have been sinners too, but also great saints. I don't understand why this point is supposed to be fatal to Apostolic succession. We see Apostolic succession in the Council of Jerusalem, where Matthias takes Judas' bishopric.
I find it ironic and hypocritical that Catholics blow off the abominable behavior of their popes and priest with a *well, nobody is perfect* flippant attitude and yet when a non-Catholic sins, they are all over him like white on rice.
Suppose that all Catholics do this. What's your point?
If any non-Catholic religious leader did half of what some of your popes have done, they would be rightly soundly condemned by non-Catholic churches and completely shredded by Catholics.
And... what? Catholics are hypocrites? Inconsistent in their actions? I suppose many are.
Ted Haggard comes to mind and yet what he did pales by comparison to what some of your popes have been recorded as having done and from Catholics all we get is *well, nobody is perfect*? "Catholics don't claim that popes are impeccable." Give me a break.
OK. Now what?
All those examples of gross immorality that Catholics like to give and then ask that if a *Protestant* did, are they still saved, applies to Catholics as well.
Of course. What we don't understand is how anyone can be certain of his salvation. Reasonably sure? Yes. Certain? No.
""Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall"
I agree. Winked at if it's their "guy" but dare someone like Martin Luther preach on the superabundant grace of Christ using hyperbole and their tender ears are grievously injured and the preacher is hell-bound!