The RCC says we can’t know that we have eternal life at any point before we die, nor will we actually have eternal life until some time after we die.
First of all, the Catholic Church is not “Roman”. Second, would you be so kind as to post the teaching that you are referring to here?
This passage was written by Catholics, for Catholics, so I think it is pretty obvious that it does not contradict the teaching of the Church.
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Yet John writes these things about God's testimony that we have eternal life, and he tells us he writes these things so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Scripture gives us many great assurances about our faith. There is much that we can “know” about our eternal life. However, as long as we are on this earth, we know only in part.
We have an unconscious part of ourselves that is not known by our mind, but is known to God. It is this hidden part of the heart that we cannot “know” in completeness.
1 Cor 4:3-5
I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
So our “knowing” about our eternal life is limited to what we can consciously be aware of, and does not extend to what is hidden from us.
1 Cor 4:5
5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
Remember that RCC doctrine is man’s testimony and 1 John is God’s testimony.
This is false.
The Teaching of the Church (though not “Roman”) comes from Christ, through the Apostles. The infallible word of God committed to them did not disappear when some of it was written down.
Now refer to verse 9 (the one in magenta). “We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.” I would strongly advise against denying God’s testimony so that you can continue affirming man’s testimony.
I strongly advise the same.
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That doesn't seem very sound. Instead, follow the example of the Bereans. When Paul was with them, they examined the Scriptures every day to see if what he said was true. They were praised for this. If the Bereans were praised for doing this when an apostle was physically present and talking right to them,
Actually, the reason that the Bereans were praised for being noble is for doing the opposite of what you are doing. They received the Apostolic word with joy and eagerness. You have degraded the Apostolic teaching preserved by the Church, calling it the testimony of man.
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you should definitely submit "apostolic tradition" to the authority of Scripture in the same way. Examine the Scriptures to see if what it says is true.
There are no contradictions between the Scripture and the teaching of the Church. They both come from the same Source.
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It should go without saying that I do not welcome protests about "private interpretation." The contents of 1 John are not the result of private interpretation. Its origin is in a man named John who spoke from God, and you will do well to pay attention to it. Deal with what is found there. That's twice now that I've addressed the issue, so if you truly think I want to make it three, whatever is wrong with you is no small thing.
Actually, I find it a bit cheeky of you to come onto a Catholic Forum and instruct us how we should practice our faith. The purpose of this site is to answer genuine questions about the Catholic faith. We have teachers appointed by Christ to instruct us in our faith.
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If you plan on posting on this thread, plan on answering that question. If you can't figure out what to do with the passage, don't post. Go away. If you do post, try to stay on topic.
kinda bossy, aren’t ya?
