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InLight247
Guest
Thank you for your post.
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distracted
Guest
I totally agree. At Fatima the virgin Mary says that many people go to Hell… & few go directly to Heaven… Even if a person escapes eternal Hell, they have (so to speak) Hell to pay in Purgatory before entering Heaven… From what i have heard, Purgatory is excrutiating (depending on the level a soul finds itself in)…
I believe God takes into account a person’s ignorance… yet, when a person gets a wild idea to do something (such as harming or killing self), it would seem his/her conscience would kick in and tell him something isn’t right here… If that doesn’t happen, i would assume (hate that word) that the person has “seared his conscience” or something… in which case, he would not make it to Heaven… (blashphemy of the Holy Spirit)…
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distracted
Guest
Actually that’s not entirely accurate. At one time, he was anti-Catholic. When he ceased to be… Protestants (some) got on his case about it… even refused to listen to him anymore…
I think Billy Graham is awesome…
thank you for that.
I feelthe most annoying are the health, wealth and prosperity ones… No, wait, the worst ones are the ones who call the Church the whore of Babylon…
PPPLLLEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSEEEE!
Yeah, i can see where the great whore of Babylon would be pro-life, pro-marriage, pro- natural birth control… (etc…)…
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distracted
Guest
Thanks… as stated, i could not listen to it on the computer i was on… It didn’t sound like B Graham…I watched it several times and did not hear what you said Graham said.
What Graham said is very Catholic. I am very glad to hear what he said.
Where did you hear Graham plainly claim “Jesus is not the only way**??**”
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Zooey
Guest
Well, the clip won’t play for me…However, I have to say–
Whatever is wrong with that?? I mean, my grandfather used to say, “I am not in charge of who gets to Heaven & who doesn’t, and I don’t want the job!”
None of us know, whether someone is saved or lost. It is not something we can know–and I don’t want that job either.
I mean, there are good sincere, dear folks who have never even heard the name of Jesus-- How can I possibly say whether they are going to go to Heaven or hell???
All we can do, is to pray for others, and to live so that we may have the hope of getting to Heaven ourselves…which is all that I can manage. (Must be
taking after Granpa Mark–I wish!)
Pastor Graham has been much more conciliatory toward this (IMHO,perfectly sensible & profoundly Christian) way of looking at these kinds of folks.
I really do wish that the A-Cs would find something else to do with their time & money, besides
attacking other Christians.
Whatever is wrong with that?? I mean, my grandfather used to say, “I am not in charge of who gets to Heaven & who doesn’t, and I don’t want the job!”
None of us know, whether someone is saved or lost. It is not something we can know–and I don’t want that job either.
I mean, there are good sincere, dear folks who have never even heard the name of Jesus-- How can I possibly say whether they are going to go to Heaven or hell???
All we can do, is to pray for others, and to live so that we may have the hope of getting to Heaven ourselves…which is all that I can manage. (Must be
taking after Granpa Mark–I wish!)Pastor Graham has been much more conciliatory toward this (IMHO,perfectly sensible & profoundly Christian) way of looking at these kinds of folks.
I really do wish that the A-Cs would find something else to do with their time & money, besides
attacking other Christians.
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Brian_Millar
Guest
He sais in the full speach that there are many paths to God, do you guys think that there are many paths to God, not just one?
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InLight247
Guest
YES. There are many paths to the One.
This “many paths” does not mean Jesus is not the only way. Not at all.
Like I said in my earlier post, we never know how a person’s heart may be converted at the moment of death. Our Lord can certainly reveal Himself to a pagan and give the person a last chance of truth and the person may be saved.
Think outside the box, Do not confine your understanding to the literal words.
My spiritual director often says the same thing, “There are many paths to God.”
It means God uses different ways to call different people. Just because it appears to be a different way, it does not mean it is not one of the ways. God meets each of us at where we are.
Someone may take a direct path, someone else may have to travel on a twisted winding road. But with God’s mercy, they both arrive.
God does not want anyone to be lost. His way is not our way.
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redrosetea
Guest
FR Groeschel has said the same thing many times. What he said in essence is, that it is not up to us to decide how God reveals Himself to others…I don’t consider Fr Groeschel to be anything less than a saint
We are warned about judging other people in scripture
We are warned about judging other people in scripture
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tessi
Guest
I think you are wrong. It means exactily that. They don’t say many paths to Jesus, so they assume you can go to God without Jesus.
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Brian_Millar
Guest
The path to God is narrow, it’s written that way for a purpose. Sure, he works with us in the beginning, where ever we are at, even Paul having persecuted the followers of Christ was called and chosen in spite of himself. Yet his path was made quite clear once the Lord revealed himself to him.
This twisted path you speak of, this is meandering in and out of the true path, it also means that there will be plenty of things that cause you to stumble along the way, the lord does not put these there, yet he used them to benifet the one who he has chosen to test their faith and to strengthen it. This is not to say that one cannot repent at the last moment, that happens, but one who has led a sinful life and opposed the Lord all of their lives will not know how to repent for their ways are set and they have hardened their hearts to him.
This twisted path you speak of, this is meandering in and out of the true path, it also means that there will be plenty of things that cause you to stumble along the way, the lord does not put these there, yet he used them to benifet the one who he has chosen to test their faith and to strengthen it. This is not to say that one cannot repent at the last moment, that happens, but one who has led a sinful life and opposed the Lord all of their lives will not know how to repent for their ways are set and they have hardened their hearts to him.
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LambOfGod
Guest
Yes! I believe there are many paths. We are all Gods children, people take many paths to God. Some people pray. Some meditate. Some go to temples, churches, and mosques. Some do good deeds. Some read holy books. And some may help the poor, sick and needy rather then go to church, because they feel in their heart it is more important to help these suffering people, they do good works in the sight of the Lord.
While some may be born with a church up bringing and know they have God, other’s may find God through drug addiction, when it all comes falling apart and hell takes over and their is none to save them but God. Other’s may find God after many years in jail after doing a horrible act that bothers their self consience.
Their are many paths, not just one, but each path is very narrow because satan and temptation is all around and many fail. But God searches the heart of everyone and many find God in purgatory. People who don’t acknowledge God may find God through the prayers of others, such as family members or prayers from the universal church or from prayers from the poor souls in purgatory … People may find God in many ways that are hidden from our eyes, the same as those who suffer in Christ but it is a hidden suffering and even friends or other christians who know them, don’t see it.
Every person is different and unique, and everyone stands at a different crossroads in their own life - so what may be the better path for one person, may not be so for another. Perhaps a person needs to change paths many times before they find God - but eventually, every person, if they truly desire, will eventually find their way back to God.
Muslims and other religions have a different path to God then we christians. We know knowone comes to the Father except through Jesus. We know Jesus is God and God has understanding far beyond what we understand. But those of other religions who are true and good and have a clean heart, who acknowlege God and are true to Him in what they were born to believe, and in their faith do good works and have personal prayer time, praying for peace to please Him, to please God, as they know Him, surely, God the Father with all His mercy and understanding shall acknowlege their goodness and their faith, or, would He condem them to hell?
Catholic Catechism
839 "Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways."325
The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People,326 "the first to hear the Word of God."327 The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God’s revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews “belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ”,328 "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."329
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LambOfGod
Guest
841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day."330
842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:
All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .331
843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332
Mother Teresa who’s faith in God the Father is the perfect example of charity to all people, who was mentioned many times by Billy Graham in his sermons.
“Like Jesus we belong to the world living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
“There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic. We believe our work should be our example to people. We have among us 475 souls - 30 families are Catholics and the rest are all Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs—all different religions. But they all come to our prayers.”
“There are so many religions and each one has its different ways of following God. I follow Christ:
Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All;
Jesus is my Everything.”
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy.
I heard the call to give up all and follow Christ into the slums to serve Him among the poorest of the poor. It was an order.
I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.
When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her.
It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.
You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing.
Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.
Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little
child, you receive me.
Amen and Amen
842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:
All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .331
843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332
Mother Teresa who’s faith in God the Father is the perfect example of charity to all people, who was mentioned many times by Billy Graham in his sermons.
“Like Jesus we belong to the world living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
“There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic. We believe our work should be our example to people. We have among us 475 souls - 30 families are Catholics and the rest are all Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs—all different religions. But they all come to our prayers.”
“There are so many religions and each one has its different ways of following God. I follow Christ:
Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All;
Jesus is my Everything.”
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy.
I heard the call to give up all and follow Christ into the slums to serve Him among the poorest of the poor. It was an order.
I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.
When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her.
It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.
You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing.
Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.
Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little
child, you receive me.
Amen and Amen
I
InLight247
Guest
It is possible that a person’s heart is too hard to turn back.
Nonetheless, our merciful God will still provide a last chance because He wants no one to be lost.
The case of St. Paul you gave is a good example. When Paul encountered the living God, all his past evil passions were gone.
The dazzling love and light from our Lord is too overwhelming to ignore.
Who will not be convicted and repent while standing in front of this ultimate Love and Truth?
Since Jesus is in charge of life and death, He, not any other false god, will be revealed to a dying person. If the person believed in some false god all his life, the truth will be shown to him at the last moment. It is then his choice to turn back and follow the truth - Jesus, or stay stubborn and cling to his false belief. From there on, he chooses his place for eternity.
Suppose the person, though shocked, but quickly makes the right choice at this critical moment, he will be saved. It is such a person’s tremendous loss to know the Lord so late, but not too late.
If the person who believed in false god refuses to change, then he makes his own choice to the lost place. He sends himself there, not God.
No matter how and when a person is saved, there is only one gate, the sheep gate, our Lord Jesus. There are many paths. Out of free will, people take different path. But all paths lead to the only and same gate. At that gate, one is given a last chance.
And how long each person has to stay in Purgatory is another matter.
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distracted
Guest
Anyone can feel close to the Father… through nature… etc… but that doesn’t mean the person is purified enough to enter Heaven… and being purified is something only Jesus can accomplish for us… … In any case, God meets everyone where he/she is at… He doesn’t require something of a person he/she is not capable of… Meaning, if a person is raised in some remote area of the world and never hears of Jesus, God intervenes in his life in other ways to try to save him…
In any case, we don’t have to worry about it because we will never be able to see a person’s soul as God sees it… It’s kind of none of our business… except that we are obligated to always pray for others… that they get on that narrow pathway to Heaven…
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distracted
Guest
I believe there is only one way to the Father, that is Jesus, but there are many ways to Jesus…
Jesus is Truth… and those who seek truth find Jesus, whether they call it Jesus or not…
I don’t know if i agree with this wording… For one thing, what is meant by a “path”?
If you mean “way of life”… there are not many ways of life that lead to Heaven… Jesus said that He is the “way”… and the only wya to live is to live as He instructed… which can be sometimes pretty “confining” … even as it is freeing…
This is only true if you are talking about differences in vocations and that kind of thing.
.** I hope you are not saying that Jesus is good for one person but not necessarily good for another… (?).**
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