J
jane_doe
Guest
Why not guide?
- Status
S
steido01
Guest
The anathema was certainly the most hotly-debated, which suggests that the fathers wanted to provide some wiggle room for the sizable plurality of good Catholics (including folks like Cardinal Cajetan or Erasmus) who held similar views to Luther on the authority/inspiration of the Deuterocanon. No group would want to anathematize nearly a third of itself.Yes, I don’t want to derail either. I’m under the impression (without asserting as fact) that the anathema was more contested, while the actual books were nearly unanimous. And “previously accepted” is probably not the way to describe it, but maybe “without reprimandment”?
Anyway, I’m glad you brought to my attention, to look into. I wanted to call you out on that, but not cause I know for certain the level of disagreement on specifics at that Council.
Of course, I’m always open to more information if someone has translations of Session IV around…
But we’re both correct here; tradition had narrowed the contents of the canon to a general consensus. No one really disagreed there (not even Luther, had he still been alive, since he was very clear that he did not hold others to his personal academic opinion). It’s time to look at facts and stop blaming Luther for beliefs that long predated him or the actions of some English businessmen hundreds of years after his death.
S
SyroMalankara
Guest
Between Catholicism and the below:
Basic similarities between the Islamic and Mormon faiths include, but are not limited to:
-]A founding prophet who received visits from an angel, leading to revelation of a book of scripture;[14]
A founding prophet whose first wife was older than himself
A division of the religion into a minimum of two parties after the death of the founding prophet, with one party claiming that leadership should continue through the prophet’s descendants, and the other party rejecting this idea;[15]
Special reverence for, though not worship of, their founding prophet;
Belief that their faith represents the genuine, original religion of Adam, and of all true prophets thereafter;
Belief that the text of the Bible, as presently constituted, has been adulterated from its original form;[16]
Assertions that modern Christianity does not conform to the original religion taught by Jesus Christ;
Rejection of the Christian doctrines of Original Sin and the Trinity;[14]/-]
A belief that theirs constitutes the one and only completely true religion on the earth today;[16]
An active interest in proselytizing nonbelievers;
An emphasis upon family, and the family unit as the foundation for religious life and the transmission of values;
A clergy drawn from the laity, without necessarily requiring collegiate or seminary training;[17] (Sunni Islam only)
Insistence that their religion is a complete way of life, meant to directly influence every facet of existence;
Belief that good deeds are required for salvation just as much as faith;
Emphasis upon charitable giving, and helping the downtrodden;
Strong emphasis upon chastity, including modesty in dress;
Belief in fasting during specified periods of time;
Prohibition of -]alcoholic beverages, gambling and,/-]homosexual and bisexual practices;
Strong emphasis upon education, both in the secular and religious arenas;
Incorporation of a sacred ritual of ablution, though each religion’s rite differs in form, frequency and purpose;
Belief that one’s marriage can potentially continue into the next life, if one is faithful to the religion; and
Belief in varying degrees of reward and punishment in the hereafter, depending upon one’s performance in this life.
Islam believes that God is essentially and uniquely one. Mormons accept the Christian division of the Godhead into Father, Son and Holy Ghost, while rejecting the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Hence, Mormons believe that God is essentially and uniquely one as well.
Basic similarities between the Islamic and Mormon faiths include, but are not limited to:
-]A founding prophet who received visits from an angel, leading to revelation of a book of scripture;[14]
A founding prophet whose first wife was older than himself
A division of the religion into a minimum of two parties after the death of the founding prophet, with one party claiming that leadership should continue through the prophet’s descendants, and the other party rejecting this idea;[15]
Special reverence for, though not worship of, their founding prophet;
Belief that their faith represents the genuine, original religion of Adam, and of all true prophets thereafter;
Belief that the text of the Bible, as presently constituted, has been adulterated from its original form;[16]
Assertions that modern Christianity does not conform to the original religion taught by Jesus Christ;
Rejection of the Christian doctrines of Original Sin and the Trinity;[14]/-]
A belief that theirs constitutes the one and only completely true religion on the earth today;[16]
An active interest in proselytizing nonbelievers;
An emphasis upon family, and the family unit as the foundation for religious life and the transmission of values;
A clergy drawn from the laity, without necessarily requiring collegiate or seminary training;[17] (Sunni Islam only)
Insistence that their religion is a complete way of life, meant to directly influence every facet of existence;
Belief that good deeds are required for salvation just as much as faith;
Emphasis upon charitable giving, and helping the downtrodden;
Strong emphasis upon chastity, including modesty in dress;
Belief in fasting during specified periods of time;
Prohibition of -]alcoholic beverages, gambling and,/-]homosexual and bisexual practices;
Strong emphasis upon education, both in the secular and religious arenas;
Incorporation of a sacred ritual of ablution, though each religion’s rite differs in form, frequency and purpose;
Belief that one’s marriage can potentially continue into the next life, if one is faithful to the religion; and
Belief in varying degrees of reward and punishment in the hereafter, depending upon one’s performance in this life.
Islam believes that God is essentially and uniquely one. Mormons accept the Christian division of the Godhead into Father, Son and Holy Ghost, while rejecting the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Hence, Mormons believe that God is essentially and uniquely one as well.
R
rcwitness
Guest
Ok, thanks. Maybe a lot of Bishops were just tired of welding anathemas in general. But not because of their belief that the dueteros were questionable or that their was a significant amount of faithful who thought so. Maybe they did not feel it warranted it even if there were one person in the whole world who rejected them.The anathema was certainly the most hotly-debated, which suggests that the fathers wanted to provide some wiggle room for the sizable plurality of good Catholics (including folks like Cardinal Cajetan or Erasmus) who held similar views to Luther on the authority/inspiration of the Deuterocanon. No group would want to anathematize nearly a third of itself.
Anyway, they are either Scripture or not, and it was confirmed they are.
Me too. You obviously know more about it than me. I just thought you represented it more favorable to those who reject the Dueteros, or at least exaggerated the dispute of them.
That’s reasonable
R
rcwitness
Guest
Very good question.
R
RebeccaJ
Guest
In the context of the councils, I think “guide” can be misunderstood as the councils are waiting for new revelation. Whereas we accept Jesus Christ as God’s definitive Word, the councils seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to understand more fully what God has revealed. We ask the Holy Spirit to inspire our councils to lead the Church, using the guide (the Revelation of Jesus Christ) that we have already been given. This is rooted in our understanding that the Church that Christ established during His ministry exists for one reason, to bring people to Himself. The Holy Spirit gifted to the Church at Pentecost for the purpose of inspiring all the faithful to follow Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God’s Word, Revealed.
That being said, many/most/some/all
Catholics use the words “guide” and “inspire” interchangeably.
M
mackbrislawn
Guest
Yes, why not “guide”? Often it is convenient to use the term in a loose, colloquial, fashion, but there is a subtle distinction.
“Guide” has the connotation that the Holy Spirit leads, or nudges the church or council, etc, in the direction of the truth, the correct interpretation. But since there is no new revelation nor inspiration, that cannot be what happens.
So the term “infallible” is used instead. Infallibility is a negative guarantee. This way the Holy Spirit prevents the council or proclaimer from proclaiming error. The Holy Spirit does not cause the infallible proclaimer to announce truth, but instead, so to speak, nudges the proclaimer away from error.
A
ajcstr
Guest
I would disagree that these apply to Catholicism
J
jane_doe
Guest
How do you figure?
J
jane_doe
Guest
That seems… odd.
But your explanation was thorough and convey the message well… it’s just strikes me as an odd message.
Stephen168
New member
Except that Catholic clergy do require a college education and seminary training.
And whether Catholics have a “Strong emphasis upon education, both in the secular and religious arenas” would depend on ones understanding of “strong.” The Catholic Church is/was the leader in education for hundreds of years in the west.
M
mackbrislawn
Guest
I guess we’re all so used to using the term “inspiration,” where the Holy Spirit directly provides us the truth, or “revelation,” which implies the truth is there and is uncovered or revealed for us to see and look at, or “guiding” with the Holy Spirit actively leading or pushing us toward the truth, which are positives, that the idea a negative guarantee does seem odd.
Infallibility is a negative guarantee. The Holy Spirit in no way provides the content, nor even pushes us toward the truth, but allows us to seek the truth ourselves, on our own. However, when He sees us going toward a false understanding, He disallows it. When He sees us coming toward a true understanding, He allows it.
So from this point of view, ecumenical councils and the pope are not “inspired.” The Holy Spirit simply prevents them from announcing false conclusions. Only ecumenical councils and the pope when he speaks ex cathedra are infallible.
I understand that the president of the Mormon Church can receive and announce brand new material? I know with the JW’s, they are always awaiting “new light” from the Watchtower at each convention they go to. This can be new doctrine, or a change in old doctrine.
H
Horton
Guest
Since you wouldn’t answer my questions I’ll do it for you. Here are a few ways, not the much as you claimed.
An emphasis upon family, and the family unit as the foundation for religious life and the transmission of values.
The LDS like to claim they have the market on the whole “family values” thing but in reality Catholics had been doing it for 1800 years before the LDS ever started. But here’s the deal. Catholics accept everyone where they are. No one is telling them they have to have a family in order to obtain the fullness of God’s love or mercy. Along with great family values we believe there are those among us who are called to single life, either as a laity or religious, and those chosen people are as valued as any other in the Catholic Church.
Insistence that their religion is a complete way of life, meant to directly influence every facet of existence;
“Insistence” isn’t quite the right word. Being Catholic does not mean we just go to Mass on Sundays, it is a way of living for us and should influence our lives. However we are not forced by peer pressure or church leadership to live in a certain way. Again God meets us where we are.
Belief that good deeds are required for salvation just as much as faith;
We believe in faith & works but not in the same way the LDS do. There is no one keeping a tally of our financial gifts to make sure we give 10%. There is no score card of who did what in the way of works. We are asked to give of out time, talents, and treasure but only God knows what our works are. I know a wonderful lady who is a little older and has some physical disabilities. She isn’t able to get out of the house much let alone anything else so she prays for all of us. Her gift is the willingness to pray always.
Emphasis upon charitable giving, and helping the downtrodden;
The Catholic Church follows the teaching of Jesus Christ to help those in need far more than most other faith traditions.
Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry;
• To give drink to the thirsty;
• To clothe the naked;
• To harbor the harborless;
• To visit the sick;
• To ransom the captive;
• To bury the dead.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
• To instruct the ignorant ;
• To counsel the doubtful ;
• To admonish sinners ;
• To bear wrongs patiently;
• To forgive offences willingly;
• To comfort the afflicted;
• To pray for the living and the dead.
Strong emphasis upon chastity, including modesty in dress;
As we don’t believe in sexual activities outside of marriage this holds true. However when humans, being who they are fall, there isn’t a need of public shame and humiliation, they can go to their priest, confess their sins, do penance (privately) and receive absolution. If is it a problem in their life they can work with their priest or Spiritual Director for help. Yes we should be modest in our dress but again I think that has a different meaning for the LDS. We don’t believe there needs to be a special set of undergarments to guide what we can & can’t wear.
Belief in fasting during specified periods of time;
Yes we have fasting at certain times. At least an hour before Mass for most people although some fast from the time they wake up until Mass. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Prohibition of -]alcoholic beverages, gambling and,-]homosexual and bisexual practices;
We don’t have a prohibition of alcohol or gambling but do on the sexual acts of homosexuals and bisexual. However it’s not the person who may have SSA but the activity. Since it is outside of marriage they should behave as any other non married person, chastely.
R
rcwitness
Guest
I’m not sure I’m following this line of thought…
I understand Infallibility has a “preventative” nature. But where are you getting this detailed definition of Councils and ex-Cathedra?
I realize there are situations that are not necessarily “Holy Spirit” guaranteed, such as the selection of a pope, but you seem to be taking a legalistic approach and removing the guidance of the Holy Spirit as a rule. I think the Spirit is ALWAYS guiding AND enabling us to be led. Church Infallibility doesn’t mean His Stewards will always be led, but that, under certain circumstances, She will not lead into error.
M
mackbrislawn
Guest
Detailed…I’m puzzled as to what you mean by that. Everybody knows only ecumenical councils (as opposed to local) and the pope ex cathedra are infallible. No details there. We all know from experience that individual Christians and individual bishops can go into error, so the protection of the Holy Spirit must be a corporate protection, to the Church as a whole. And only ecumenical, that is world-wide or church-wide, councils and the pope represent the Church as a whole, therefore only ecumenical councils and the pope are protected by the Holy Spirit from proclaiming error.
Legalistic? I suppose I’m using the terms in the strict technical sense, whereas we often use them in a loose colloquial sense.
According to the Church, there is no new revelation, no new inspiration. That ceased with the passing of the apostles and evangelists. What we can have now, then, is greater understanding of previous revelation and inspiration which the Holy Spirit had directly provided to the early Church, or tradition.
J
jane_doe
Guest
I understand… it just seems inefficient and reliant on the “wisdom” of men. (I mean no offense by this).
Of course- God can reveal whatever He wants. This could be a change in practice, or an elaboration on our understanding of eternal Truth.
L
LivingWaters7
Guest
Here is some of what the official Catechism of the Catholic Church says on the matter of revelation, inspiration, the Holy Spirit, etc, taken from my blog:
On Private Revelation
66 “The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”28 Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.
67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.
Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations”.
On Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition
*77 “In order that the full and living Gospel might always be preserved in the Church the apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them ‘their own position of teaching authority.’”35 Indeed, “the apostolic preaching, which is expressed in a special way in the inspired books, was to be preserved in a continuous line of succession until the end of time.
78 This living transmission, accomplished in the Holy Spirit, is called Tradition, since it is distinct from Sacred Scripture, though closely connected to it. Through Tradition, “the Church, in her doctrine, life, and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes.”37 “The sayings of the holy Fathers are a witness to the life-giving presence of this Tradition, showing how its riches are poured out in the practice and life of the Church, in her belief and her prayer.”
79 The Father’s self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church: “God, who spoke in the past, continues to converse with the Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church—and through her in the world—leads believers to the full truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell in them in all its richness.
81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.”
“And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound, and spread it abroad by their preaching.”
Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions, born in the local churches over time. These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the great Tradition is expressed. In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church’s magisterium.
*
On the Magisterium, The Living Teaching Authority of the Chruch
*85 “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.”47 This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.
86 “Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication, and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith.
*
On the Sensus Fidelium, the Supernatural Sense of the Faithful
*91 All the faithful share in understanding and handing on revealed truth. They have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who instructs them53 and guides them into all truth.
93 “By this appreciation of the faith, aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth, the People of God, guided by the sacred teaching authority (Magisterium),… receives… the faith, once for all delivered to the saints…. The People unfailingly adheres to this faith, penetrates it more deeply with right judgment, and applies it more fully in daily life.”
94 Thanks to the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the understanding of both the realities and the words of the heritage of faith is able to grow in the life of the Church.*
On Private Revelation
66 “The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”28 Yet even if Revelation is already complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full significance over the course of the centuries.
67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.
Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations”.
On Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition
*77 “In order that the full and living Gospel might always be preserved in the Church the apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them ‘their own position of teaching authority.’”35 Indeed, “the apostolic preaching, which is expressed in a special way in the inspired books, was to be preserved in a continuous line of succession until the end of time.
78 This living transmission, accomplished in the Holy Spirit, is called Tradition, since it is distinct from Sacred Scripture, though closely connected to it. Through Tradition, “the Church, in her doctrine, life, and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes.”37 “The sayings of the holy Fathers are a witness to the life-giving presence of this Tradition, showing how its riches are poured out in the practice and life of the Church, in her belief and her prayer.”
79 The Father’s self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church: “God, who spoke in the past, continues to converse with the Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church—and through her in the world—leads believers to the full truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell in them in all its richness.
81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.”
“And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound, and spread it abroad by their preaching.”
Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions, born in the local churches over time. These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the great Tradition is expressed. In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church’s magisterium.
*
On the Magisterium, The Living Teaching Authority of the Chruch
*85 “The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.”47 This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.
86 “Yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication, and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith.
*
On the Sensus Fidelium, the Supernatural Sense of the Faithful
*91 All the faithful share in understanding and handing on revealed truth. They have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who instructs them53 and guides them into all truth.
93 “By this appreciation of the faith, aroused and sustained by the Spirit of truth, the People of God, guided by the sacred teaching authority (Magisterium),… receives… the faith, once for all delivered to the saints…. The People unfailingly adheres to this faith, penetrates it more deeply with right judgment, and applies it more fully in daily life.”
94 Thanks to the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the understanding of both the realities and the words of the heritage of faith is able to grow in the life of the Church.*
L
LivingWaters7
Guest
On Angels
*334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.
336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202 “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”203 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.*
On the Holy Spirit and the Church
*737 The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This joint mission henceforth brings Christ’s faithful to share in his communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God, that they may “bear much fruit.”
739 Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness, and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. Through the Church’s sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body.*
*334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.
336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202 “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”203 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.*
On the Holy Spirit and the Church
*737 The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This joint mission henceforth brings Christ’s faithful to share in his communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God, that they may “bear much fruit.”
739 Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness, and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. Through the Church’s sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body.*
H
Horton
Guest
How is it inefficient and reliant on the “wisdom” of men? I find this a very odd statement from a member of a church founded by a man.
Yes God can reveal whatever He wants, He is God after all. However those are private revelations that may change a person’s life but it does not change the Catholic Church. I think you are using ex cathedra and revelation as interchangeable and they’re not.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility#Ex_cathedra
In connection with papal infallibility, the Latin phrase ex cathedra (literally, “from the chair”) has been defined as meaning “when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, (the Bishop of Rome) defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.”
Unlike the LDS the Pope does not get “revelations” in which Church doctrine changes or reverses. The Pope can only more fully develop the deposit of faith left by Jesus Christ.
A
ajcstr
Guest
Agreed - the list said WITHOUT training
Now you are going to challenge my cut and paste skills…
An active interest in proselytizing nonbelievers; Unless referring to say third world countries, I don’t think that Catholics proselytize the general population around them like evangelicals, JW or Mormons.
A clergy drawn from the laity, without necessarily requiring collegiate or seminary training Clergy is a group separate from the laity requiring a fair amount of training.
Strong emphasis upon education, both in the secular and religious arenas; Don’t know that this would apply to Catholics either. I think Catholics are generally very uneducated in religious arenas.
Belief that one’s marriage can potentially continue into the next life, if one is faithful to the religion; I would think that Catholics would follow Matt 22:30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” Now a husband and wife may be together in heaven, but not AS husband and wife.
- Status