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Carol Marie,
I have to echo what Teajay wrote. I think you are being exceptionally legalistic in regards to this Cardinal. You are making assumptions that may or may not have any basis in fact, and putting the worst possible spin on his actions. In fostering good relations with people of other religions in order to bring them to Christ, it is essential for them to respect you and to trust you. Telling them that they’re going to hell if they don’t accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour is probably going to lose you more converts than you gain. St Francis said, “Preach the Gospel constantly. Use words if necessary.” Telling someone right off the bat that their thinking is flawed is not going to benefit them or you.
That’s beautiful, Linda, and so true.In response to JeffReedy:
“Let our faith be like the mustard seed, nourished by the waters of our baptism, that it may grow and flourish in the love of God our Father.”
Linda Smith, 02/02/02
Jimmy the Council of trent does condemn me to hell for not believing in transubstantiation.He also said that noone will be in heaven who does not eat his body and drink his blood.
So all protestants are going to hell because they reject the eucharist.
Actually I don’t think they condemn you to hell but they do anathematize you.Jimmy the Council of trent does condemn me to hell for not believing in transubstantiation.
51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52: The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53: Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6
ExCatholic just give it up. This entire thread is stupid and you are entirely to blame. The John 14:6 quote doesn’t prove AT ALL what you want it to. It simply says that no one goes to the Father except through Christ - doesn’t say you have to KNOW it’s happening that way. Doesn’t even say it has to happen in this life. You’ve simply inserted your own beliefs and slandered a Cardinal with this weak attempt at discrediting the Church. How much time did you waste pulling this nonsense up? Rediculous…You should be ashamed, but your pride has you slashing out instead. Honestly…John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus also said: “Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.” **Luke 6:37 **John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Hi,Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999
Potential Pope Declares Jesus Is NotThe Only Way!
Cardinal Francis Arinze, who’s considered a possible successor to Pope John Paul II, has denied Jesus is the only way to heaven. In a recent interview the pope’s spirited 66 year-old deputy for outreach to other religions was asked, “So was Jesus wrong when he said he was the way, the truth and the life?” Arinze responed, “If a person were to push what you said a little further and say that if you’re not a Christian you’re not going to heaven, we’d regard that person as a fundamentalist…and theologically wrong. I met in Pakistan a Muslim. He had a wonderful concept of the Koran. We were like two twins that had known one another from birth. And I was in admiration of this man’s wisdom. I think that man will go to heaven. There was a Buddhist in Kyoto, in Japan. This man, a good man, open, listening, humble–I was amazed. I listened to his works of wisdom and said to myself, 'The grace of God is working in this man.” The interviewer then repeated the question, “So you can still get to heaven without accepting Jesus?” “Expressly, yes [he laughs with the audience].” (Dallas Morning News, 3/20/99) Read John 14:6 and A
Hi Edwin. Since you are quoting the article in the first post, I thought I ought to let you know (in case you haven’t read further) that this article is a fake. The contents misrepresent the actual interview (posted a few posts later) and is a scam to discredit the Catholic Church.Hi,
I am using this post as it is the first post in this thread.
“to be steeped in history is to cease to be protestant.”Ex-Catholic,
I suggest you study the history of the “church” you are in now. When was it founded, and who was its founder. And “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Pio
Wow!!! What a wonderful post. Superb exegesis. You gave me much to think on (and I gotta get off my duff and try harder to treat those around me with charity!) Thanks for the kick in the pants!John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
I believe this is true. But what does it mean to go through Jesus to get to the Father.
Do I go through Jesus to get to the Father by saying “I believe in Jesus.”?
Do I go through Jesus to get to the Father by partaking in the Eucharist with full belief in trans-substantiation (sp?)?
What did Jesus say about this?
He said this:
**A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them.**
He also said this:
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Another time he asked this question:
** “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
**
Jesus said many things that can be clearly interpreted to mean those who follow him are those who live lives in touch with God’s kingdom. Those who don’t live lives in touch with God’s kingdom are not following Jesus.
We go through Jesus to get to the father by living lives in touch with God’s kingom. Any person anywhere in the world, whether or not they have ever heard the name of Jesus, goes through Jesus to get to the Father by living a life in touch with God’s kingdom.
Jesus also said this:
** "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
**
I think that verse should give clear warning to those who assume that just because they have the keys to the kingdom of heaven that they are guaranteed entrance to that kingdom. They only get into the kingdom if they walk the path that leads them to it. Having the keys in their pocket doesn’t walk the walk for them.
When the question comes up about people who have never heard of Jesus being saved or not, some of us are comforted by the “loophole” about baptism of desire. Those who live good lives can hope to be saved. The fact is that this “loophole” is in fact the only way in for any of us. If we don’t live lives in touch with God’s kingdom, it doesn’t matter what sacraments we have received or how many times we have proclaimed that we believe in Jesus.
“Jimmy the Council of trent does condemn me to hell for not believing in transubstantiation.”
Regarding condemnation. Jesus repeatedly stated what can earn a person condemnation. A person is condemned for failing to practice forgiveness. A person is judged in the same manner they judge others. Only God has the power to carry out condemnation.
The Council of Trent and any other council, pope, bishop, or saint do not have the power to do such a thing. Anyone claiming to do so is absurd.
whew!!
Had to get all that off my chest. I read this thread last night and went to bed feeling frustrated. Woke up this morning with what seemed like a clear answer.
peace
-Jim
Hi excatholic, are you trying to tell us that you seem to know what the heart of catholicsm? Though I am not so much knowledgable of all the catholic teachings but I haven’t encountered this teachings that our popes are considered gods(?!!! ).…Jesus said it so I believe it, he is God and the RCC is not. However the RCC does teach the pope to be god on earth. Apostasy I say.