Posted on 01/18/2015 1:45:26 PM PST by Faith Presses On
Your point is well taken. Studies have shown that only 7% of Catholics are actively involved in their faith. Steps are being taken to address this issue. I do not know how widespread this is, but our Archdiocese has initiated a program to encourage Catholics to become more dynamic in their faith. Each parish is called on to hand out a book to every family for them to read and act on. It is a four year program, starting with improving prayer life and bible study. It is a recognition that the Bible readings at Mass are only a starting point that we need to build on outside of Mass.
“I myself never give any thought to the 30,000 plus Protestant sects. I don’t care what they do.”
Yet here you are, having given enough thought to learn the “30k-plus” meme and parrot it derisively.
This is the FR Religion Forum. People come here to engage each other and contend for their respective faiths. In day to day life I don’t chase the skirt tails of the Catholics I know or obsess about them, and I seriously doubt anyone you know is doing that to you. Here we can hash things out freely and roughly, and I find that stimulating.
Engage? LOLOLOLOLOL! Curious that you are the one objecting, when you are not even known to me.
Once more, with FEELING:
YOU’RE HERE AIN’T YA?
I wouldn’t think Hebrews 6 causes the OSAS crowd any problems at all. It starts out warning about people like Michael Rood and the likes of the Catholic Church trying to put people back under Old Testament law.
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Its uncanny how you always mention Yehova’s servant Michael Rood when you have your foot in your mouth!
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Paul's expressed confidence in his sheep was based in the fact that he constantly rooted out the “dogs returning to their vomit.”
Really the dogs outnumber the sheep in every congregation; that is exactly why Paul and Peter issued those stern warnings to the sheep they loved.
Matthew 7:
[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
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Does Michael Rood still deny the deity of Christ?
Not really. I attended weekly RC Mass for many years and in the summers went with my mother during the week. 30-45 mins once a week for the average RC is not going through the Bible in one year. Not even close. Reading the Bible from cover to cover each year is an individual Christian's responsibility if they truly want to learn more about God's Words, Ways and holy living.
In a typical Protestant/Evangelical church one will have somewhere from 60-90 mins on a Sunday morning of a Worship/Lord's Supper service. Then about a 30 min break for fellowship in the basement and off to Sunday school for the youngsters and the adults go back upstairs for the Gospel hour (usually longer) which includes an indepth sermon on Scriptures. Of which the week prior you know what is coming up in the series and, wait...do some homework and read up before entering. After this the kiddos are rejoined with their parents, some more fellowship ensues and people depart for their homes and Sunday afternoons.
However, wait, it's not over...Most folks have an early Sunday dinner and then come back around 6pm for the evening Gospel hour. This is usually a slower paced Bible study led by a pastor, elder or teacher and the subject can span weeks or months.
It's not over! On Monday the ladies have a Bible study rotating locations from homes to sandwich shops.
Tuesday evening is the weekly Gospel hour (in the South this is sometimes on Weds. Never schedule baseball practice down here on Weds...NO GO).
Wednesday evenings starts out as the pastor/elders meeting to conduct church business and pray for the assembly members. The assembly I attend does not have a full time pastor so the elders have jobs save two who are retired and full time in caring for the needy of the flock. After the elders are done the rest of the men assemble and it's the men's weekly Bible Study.
Thursday the retired ladies and stay at home ladies visit the elderly shut ins and in nursing homes. They sing to them, read the Bible to them and tend to their needs.
Friday-Saturday no official functions. This is the time one should be reading up and taking notes, praying for understanding on the upcoming week of feeding on God's Word.
Taking note, the above is a lot more than 45-60 mins a week.
Kindly deal with the scripture that YOU posted and I addressed (Hebrews 6). Quote the warning, fine. Quote the encouragement too. That book is full of hope, the purpose of the warnings is to bring correction. The purpose of correction is to bring life and represents the love of God. “He is treating you as sons.” That said, i hope you have a blessed day. I’m at work and dreaming of being on my bike because the weather here in Dallas is lovely!
Going systematically through the bible is one way to prevent avoiding of any scripture.
The book, like all the rest of the books of the Bible, is full of hope for those that keep his commandments, and horror for everyone else.
Chapter 6 is descriptive of those that take Yehova’s offer lightly, just as 2Peter chapter 2.
Of course they are purposed in warning, as was Matthew Chapter 7, and the post to which you responded so sarcastically.
But warnings are never taken in the spirit in which they are offered. Instead attacks are always mounted at the messenger, as though they are the threat.
I was being genuine, editor-surveyor, about having a good day. And with that I bid you farewell!
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