Posted on 04/13/2015 7:31:36 AM PDT by Salvation
Thank you, D, for your honest and courteous answer. I’m into the idea of context as well, because that’s how we’re taught, at least we were back then, and even if i don’t go to daily Mass, I still read the Scriptures for the day, and try to keep them in mind as I go along. The old and new testament, and psalm readings tie in with the Gospel, to put it all together in a theme and a context that connects them all. It’s something I look forward to reach day!
Thanks again, and God bless you, D!
Beautiful post, Dutchboy88! If the words “time past” “but now” and “ages to come” were paid attention to and understood for what they mean, Bible study would cease to be so “scary” and “hard to understand”. When “now”, “but now”, “henceforth”, etc. are written, there is an important change in what is happening as opposed to what HAS happened. Paul’s writings reflect this perfectly. And 2 Tim. 2:15 is the starting place for being effective workmen for Christ who will NOT be ashamed when they stand before God. God bless! smvoice
Thank-you and God Bless.
All this is about is on the beauty of prayer and devotion, that is all.
The beauty of the 3 year Bible cycle is that you get to know what scripture is all about and how to apply it to your life.
The title “Saints” such as St. Paul is because he is home with the Lord.
Better to just be called a “believer” or a “believer in the Lord” in this life.
Better in snippets (the Bible) than not to have it at all.
Thank-you for your wonderful sharing and God Bless.
Sorry for the delayed response...had to work late. But, yes, absolutely, I would place myself (and every believer) on the same level as Paul. I don't claim to have the same appointment as Paul (he was charged from his mother's womb to be an apostle; I was not), but I too am a sinner rescued by grace, through faith, and that not of myself...it is all a gift, not from anything I have done, lest I boast. And, I notice Paul says the same thing...
You, OTOH, are the one apparently hung on status because you call him "St." with a capital S. But, God is not a respecter of individuals the way you are. And, tragically, your remarks belie a gross misunderstanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and perhaps the largest of egos.
So, you believe the Catholic organization calls anyone who has left this earth and was a believer capital S, Saint Bob? Saint Herman? C'mon, now. Then why the hoopla about "canonization"?
I at least do not assume that my interpretation of Scripture is necessarily correct. For there are millions of people reading Scripture and seeking to comprehend its meaning, and they come up with many different interpretations—hence, the many denominations, with varying beliefs based on varying interpretations. They can’t all be right. There is only one truth, so somebody has to be wrong.
It was this realization that made me, a lifelong and deeply committed Protestant and Bible student, begin dipping my toes in the Tiber. Some of the most silly, or unintelligent, or wicked people I knew read and studied the Bible and came up with their own interpretations, which they sincerely believed to be of the Holy Spirit. What conceit would make me think that I was wise or intelligent enough to know best? How could I, untutored in ancient Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, dare to suppose I knew better than the most brilliant and holy men of the past two thousand years? Indeed, what arrogance gave men to think that after 1500 years of Christian history, their new ideas were superior?
So no, FRiend, it is not egotism but humility in the face of the Scripture that made me realize we cannot all accurately interpret what the Lord has gifted us with. This was the first step toward becoming a Catholic.
Similarly, I cannot in all honesty and all humility imagine that I am going to be as close to the Lord in heaven as those who were His better servants on Earth. Abraham was the friend of God; he has to be sitting closer to the Throne than I will. So yes, by grace surely Paul is objectively better than I am.
Thank you, and please pray for me!
Hate to break it to you, but you are still making the calls: You have determined that the group to whom you defer is correct...this is the judgment call that you deem true. Please explain how you determined that they were correct. This must be without them telling you that they were correct. And, then please describe the difference between your judgment and my judgment.
"How could I, untutored in ancient Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, dare to suppose I knew better than the most brilliant and holy men of the past two thousand years? Indeed, what arrogance gave men to think that after 1500 years of Christian history, their new ideas were superior?"
Well, you may have not studied Greek and Hebrew, but you certainly did not study history. The men who brought back the first century gatherings understanding of the Gospel were simply restoring the original message. It was the Roman cult that added unbiblical traditions, myths, fables and man-made (or demonic) doctrines. Apparently, these appeal to you.
And, "humility" is commendable...if it is true humility. Rome is not in that business. But, please, if that is where you are comfortable, then stay on that side of the Tiber. It is where Jesus has permitted you to stay.
Where's the authority for this private prayer tongue???
Obviously you would love for that to be the case but it never is...It was suggested that you 'read' the scripture to see for yourself...
Be careful of absolutes in discussion; also, of you read my post, I do read Scripture for myself.
Very good post.
Did you read the post? The answer is there. Google “Catholic Charismatic Renewal” if you would like more info than I gave.
Thus, just as Muslims sincerely believe that they are going to have 72 virgins when that chest pack goes off, RCs are living a delusion...
Just to set the record straight, by your comment below, I can see that you probably did not intend for it to come out as it did, but Muslims who are not extremists probably don't go around with explosive "chest packs."
Also, you may wish to read my posts... I did not say “Muslim extremists”. I said Muslims sincerely misunderstand, but passionately believe, that they are going to heaven and will have 72 virgins. Nearly all Muslims believe that if they die for Islam, this is available, not just the “fundamentalists”
And, many Catholics believe many things "sincerely"...but are incorrect according to the Scriptures. They, too, cling to the wrong authority: Rome over the Bible.
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