? For Protestants and disunity

[Eric_Hyom]

We can do some things better together; than we can do on our own.

I had a profound evangelising experience about ten years ago, I went out door knocking in the style of the JWs. I introduced myself, as Eric from the Catholic Church, my partner introduced himself as John from the Anglican Church.

People seemed so confused, they asked us what we were doing together, a number of people wanted to engage with us and asked us questions.

This was truly a remarkable experience, I only had about ten minutes with John before we knocked on the first door, neither of us had any real understandings of the others thoughts. We just had to trust in our Lord and go.

 

[GaryTaylor]

We all should attend our church services regularly. Jesus alone saves me and not a church. That does not mean we forego church attending. We are to keep the Sabbath Holy. I do not believe OSAS. Not sure if you thought that or not.

If someone accepts the gift of salvation and then doesn’t attend services, I assume they would have a rough time building their faith and keeping it strong. Of course I will not judge their soul, but I would personally find it tough to build my relationship with Jesus if I did not attend or read the Scriptures. I in no way meant that we should not attend church. Sorry if it came across that way.

Why Evangelical and AoG? Because that is where I wish to worship and fellowship. Just as you or any other Catholic wishes to be Catholic.

I hear you. Only bought up AOG and Evangelical since they were already mentioned. I follow you, I don’t find anything here uncommon. Right, I wasn’t sure if you were talking Christ alone. Right, there’s unity in this sense in Christ and Church. I feel a bit different probably from here and I think always about interconnected intercession. To me its not really attending Church on Sunday, but taking Sunday Church with you the rest of the time. The sacramental’s and sacraments have an imperative relationship to Christ. No different than Baptism. Its more than faith and grace as its protection, aid and strength. To me the protection in the spiritual realm is the least spoken about and most imperative.

So how does faith and Church apply to sacred tradition? I see it like this…

Acts-19;13- But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”…

I am speaking from a Catholic perspective, but I do not discount other religions or their methods or beliefs. God works through all faiths and all who earnestly seek Him. If you have faith and are baptized and embrace the sacramental’s, they are known protection. Using the name of Jesus Christ is not a certainty, since that depends on faith and the sacraments, as you see above. As a Catholic, I pray directly to God, but I also pray to the Blessed Mother, Saints and Angels seeking their help too and asking them to intercede for us to God. So to me there is not only the very real identification and protection, but the intercession, and especially since we are interconnected in the final judgement.

Its sort of like saying do you think there is any value to holy water and blessing your home as an example. It interactive and interconnected with the spiritual and physical. The only protection is your faith and the sacraments and sacramentals are a blessing, a gift. Its like saying I’m going to fight evil and I only need Jesus. May be true, may not be as above.

So as you see unity imho takes on a wider spectrum.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Book of James … Even the Demons believed

I have been called worse before

 

[aidanbradypop]

I hear you. Only bought up AOG and Evangelical since they were already mentioned. I follow you, I don’t find anything here uncommon. Right, I wasn’t sure if you were talking Christ alone. Right, there’s unity in this sense in Christ and Church. I feel a bit different probably from here and I think always about interconnected intercession. To me its not really attending Church on Sunday, but taking Sunday Church with you the rest of the time. The sacramental’s and sacraments have an imperative relationship to Christ. No different than Baptism. Its more than faith and grace as its protection, aid and strength. To me the protection in the spiritual realm is the least spoken about and most imperative.

I completely agree with the state about taking the Sunday church with. What we hear on Sunday should remain with us throughout the week.

So how does faith and Church apply to sacred tradition? I see it like this…

I see fellow Christians (non Catholic) harp on tradition. Sadly they forget that their respective faith also has traditions. Many of their traditions stem from the RCC as well.

I am speaking from a Catholic perspective, but I do not discount other religions or their methods or beliefs. God works through all faiths and all who earnestly seek Him. If you have faith and are baptized and embrace the sacramental’s, they are known protection. Using the name of Jesus Christ is not a certainty, since that depends on faith and the sacraments, as you see above. As a Catholic, I pray directly to God, but I also pray to the Blessed Mother, Saints and Angels seeking their help too and asking them to intercede for us to God. So to me there is not only the very real identification and protection, but the intercession, and especially since we are interconnected in the final judgement.

Cannot fault a man for trying to strengthen his faith in Christ. We all us things that help us. It could be a daily devotional or a rubber bracelet that I wear that has the words “Experience God, Live Life”

Its sort of like saying do you think there is any value to holy water and blessing your home as an example. It interactive and interconnected with the spiritual and physical. The only protection is your faith and the sacraments and sacramentals are a blessing, a gift. Its like saying I’m going to fight evil and I only need Jesus. May be true, may not be as above.

So as you see unity imho takes on a wider spectrum.

Thanks for sharing

 

[GaryTaylor]

We all us things that help us. It could be a daily devotional or a rubber bracelet that I wear that has the words “Experience God, Live Life”

A comparison of Holy Water and sacraments and sacramental’s to a rubber bracelet? Interesting and an unknown to me. Never heard of a rubber bracelet as mentioned used in a exorcism or as a Sacrament. Right, cannot fault a man for trying to strengthen his faith in Christ.

I suppose, as mentioned, I don’t follow AOG of Evangelicals in this regard or know about their use of rubber bracelet’s used as sacramental’s

Thanks as mentioned…

I am speaking from a Catholic perspective, but I do not discount other religions or their methods or beliefs. God works through all faiths and all who earnestly seek Him. If you have faith and are baptized and embrace the sacramental’s, they are known protection.

Thanks, Peace.

 

[GaryTaylor]

However, I can’t help but think about Islam and the war within their faith, the very distinct thinking in regard to Saints, venerated Statues, prayer etc. I often think when I compare on the larger scale that while all this is worthy of a theological discussion, it should never escalate to the point as with Islam of what we see today. I’d like to think people of good will don’t think as such. Today, we as Christianity don’t like to be compared to Islam. We would like to think we have grown, learned to forgive and work and come together for the sake of the good. In this case, as it comes to my attention they serve as a reminder of ourselves. Something also to think about with unity.

 

[Tommy999]

However, I can’t help but think about Islam and the war within their faith, the very distinct thinking in regard to Saints, venerated Statues, prayer etc. I often think when I compare on the larger scale that while all this is worthy of a theological discussion, it should never escalate to the point as with Islam of what we see today. I’d like to think people of good will don’t think as such. Today, we as Christianity don’t like to be compared to Islam. We would like to think we have grown, learned to forgive and work and come together for the sake of the good. In this case, as it comes to my attention they serve as a reminder of ourselves. Something also to think about with unity.

I agree, Gary.

The last time I checked there aren’t many kamikaze Catholics, murderous Methodists, pernicious Presbyterians, or blitzkrieg Baptists who go around killing others who don’t agree with them and who insist – by force – that it’s their way or the highway.

Northern Ireland had some Catholic-Protestant clashes in the last century, but I think that conflict was more political but came with religious trappings. Also, I think the ethnic cleansing in the countries that used to be comprise Yugoslavia had religious and political overtones like the Reformation did as well, if I am not mistaken, but had their unique features and issues as well.

As to the topic of the OP, I think so many Protestant Christians have grown up in families who have been Protestant for several centuries (like mine), so our faith tradition is the norm for us. It’s all we know and it is engrained in us just like Catholicism is engrained in cradle Catholics.

Most protestants I know don’t think about Catholics or Catholicism much, if at all, even less the topic of disunity. If they come from an un-churched background, they generally tend to gravitate to the denomination of the person who led them to Christ, or at least that has been my experience.

Most protestants are more concerned with life’s daily struggles and seeking God’s help, presence, and insights in dealing with them as well as desiring to have a meaningful and fulfilling Christian life of faith with the help of the Lord.

 

[GaryTaylor]

I agree, Gary.

The last time I checked there aren’t many kamikaze Catholics, murderous Methodists, pernicious Presbyterians, or blitzkrieg Baptists who go around killing others who don’t agree with them and who insist – by force – that it’s their way or the highway.

Northern Ireland had some Catholic-Protestant clashes in the last century, but I think that conflict was more political but came with religious trappings. Also, I think the ethnic cleansing in the countries that used to be comprise Yugoslavia had religious and political overtones like the Reformation did as well, if I am not mistaken, but had their unique features and issues as well.

As to the topic of the OP, I think so many Protestant Christians have grown up in families who have been Protestant for several centuries (like mine), so our faith tradition is the norm for us. It’s all we know and it is engrained in us just like Catholicism is engrained in cradle Catholics.

Most protestants I know don’t think about Catholics or Catholicism much, if at all, even less the topic of disunity. If they come from an un-churched background, they generally tend to gravitate to the denomination of the person who led them to Christ, or at least that has been my experience.

Most protestants are more concerned with life’s daily struggles and seeking God’s help, presence, and insights in dealing with them as well as desiring to have a meaningful and fulfilling Christian life of faith with the help of the Lord.