How would YOU respond to this statement?

[PJM]

no they are not.

There are a select group of dogmas that all christians believe in in order to be considered a christian, but we are not the same:

In reality, the only four things that all christians share in common are:
-the trinity
-the new testament

• virgin birth
• jesus died for us

other than that, there are a number of varying degrees of disagreements. Some things are almost universally agreed upon, but then are so many disagreements regarding why xyz happened.

thanks!

 

[PJM]

**Almost all of the various sects and denominations of Christian religions allow their members to accept employment at Lawrence Livermore in CA, Los Alamos in NM, the Nat’l Security Campus in MO, the Nat’l Security Complex in TN, the SSBN Ohio, the SSBN Florida, etc.

Working at any of these places constitutes a gross violation of our Lord’s admonition to always treat others as we would like them to treat us.
The few Christian sects that prohibit their members from accepting employment at the above mentioned places are different from the rest in regards to the observance of our Lord’s Sacred Teachings. **

I was NOT aware of this, thanks

 

[PJM]

It’s indifferentism disguised as insight.

AWESOME!

Thanks

BTW, are you going to respond to the page 1 poster who asked you if there was a difference between “redemption” & “salvation”?

God Bless,

PJM

 

[PJM]

It’s an oversimplification. Much of Christianity has much in common, but there are sincere differences and sincere difficulties as well.

As evidence for this we could list just a single example: the joint declaration by Lutherans and Catholics on justification.

While it’s true that this document might outline certain similarities between two theological schools in Christianity, it’s also true that the Catholic Church offered an official response to this document, which itself outlines certain impediments and clarifications which nonetheless continue to exist and which must be made in order to avoid confusion.

Examples of similarities and differences amongst Christian theologians could be multiplied.

Also, “basically the same” implies that there are certain doctrines which are essential to Christianity, and which distinguish the Christian faith from other religions. But how do we know which doctrines are essential and which aren’t? Who gets to decide and why do they have that authority?

I would use such questions to point a person in the direction of the Magisterium and the Papacy, using common apologetics along the way.

OK, so all are NOT the same, so WHY is that?

God Bless

 

[PJM]

The vast majority of Christianity are the same in the sense that they consider this presant lifetime to be the determining factor in an individual’s eternity. That this present lifetime is a test. They very somewhat on what is important in passing this test. For some it is beliefs, for others it’s rituals/sacraments. For others it’s not committing a particular sin.

And WHAT then ought one’s response be to this?

 

[HelenRose]

“ALL Christian-religions are basically the same”; RIGHT?

Easter Blessings,

Patrick

I agree that there are many similarities between all Christian Churches. Still, this is like saying that all little girls are basically the same or that all little boys are basically the same. Yet, parents and educators are quick to respond that each child is uniquely made.

It is the subtle differences that really matter.

 

[PJM]

Well, other religions have their “person”. Their god, their light, whatever you want to call it.

What distinguishes Christianity is the resurrection. No one else claimed to be God or resurrected from the dead.

Whoever does not believe the basic tenets of Christianity cannot call himself a Christian.
On this we should insist.

Understanding justification does not make one a Christian, for example. I could understand it a little differently from another church, but I’d still be Christian.

If I don’t believe Jesus is God, I cannot claim to be Christian.

IOW, maybe what I’m saying is that it’s not doctrine that makes us Christian, it’s Christ that makes us Christian. (little Christs).

No?

GG

So where in YOUR view does “truth” fit into this? Can there be your truth & my truth on the same DEFINED issues? Is this even important?

God Bless you

 

[PJM]

Short answer to the OP, No.

short question:

So WHICH ONE is Christ One True Faith and Church:shrug:

 

[Della]

Why?

Because in matters of faith and morals someone has to have God’s authority to teach us what they are. There are truths and there are falsehoods. Who determines which is which if not Christ’s Church founded on the Apostles?

 

[PJM]

I don’t think “someone has to be right and someone has to be wrong.”
Just because the different groups have different beliefs, it doesn’t mean they cannot all be considered “Christian.”
There were many varied groups of Christians in the first few centuries with varied beliefs. If one group could be proven to be “right”…not only would there be only one group of Christians, but there wouldn’t be any other religions, either.

.

OK, and JUST HOW do YOU define “truth”?

 

[Della]

AWESOME!

Thanks

:tiphat:

BTW, are you going to respond to the page 1 poster who asked you if there was a difference between “redemption” & “salvation”?

God Bless,

PJM

Assuming I have your blessing to do that in this thread, certainly. I didn’t want to take your thread off topic.

 

[PJM]

Wait.

Who are these people?

I can’t remember learning about any of them!

I’d have to ask Professor Google who they are!

BUT

If i say

JESUS

Everybody knows who I’m talking about!!

Can we put Him in the same category these people were in? Was He just a crazy man?

Acts 5:34-39

GG

OK,

So JESUS had how many sets of faith-beliefs:shrug:

 

[PJM]

What other Christian religion is there other than Christianity?

DEPENDS ON HOW YOU define the term “Christians”, so HOW do YOU define this term?

 

[PJM]

I agree that there are many similarities between all Christian Churches. Still, this is like saying that all little girls are basically the same or that all little boys are basically the same. Yet, parents and educators are quick to respond that each child is uniquely made.

It is the subtle differences that really matter.

Excuse me, BUT

Only I Key to heavens GATE Mt 16:18-19

One God, Faith and Church [noting else is provable]

The Eucharist [REAL-Presence] John 6:46-57

Actually KNOWN forgiveness of sins John 20:19-23

These are “subtle” differences:shrug:

 

[PJM]

:tiphat:

Assuming I have your blessing to do that in this thread, certainly. I didn’t want to take your thread off topic.

Go for it!

It’s a critical point in Christian Faith beliefs,’'THANKS for asking though:thumbsup:

 

[Della]

Thank you Della for explaining this a bit. I’m quite aware there are differences in beliefs especially when speaking of the eucharist. This is evident often on caf. I however had no idea there were the different beliefs such as you mentioned in your post regarding things I thought were basics and thus unifying.
I also would like if you don’t mind clarification between redemption and salvation. I may be a bit confused on that subject and didn’t know until I read your post that I may not understand these terms. I guess I am thinking they are the same. It’s probably off topic so I understand if you’d rather not. Thank you again. Blessings.

Hello puzzledtoo.

Since the OP has asked me to respond (I’m assuming in this thread) I will answer your question here.

It’s simple really. Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension redeemed all mankind from our sins. This redemption makes our salvation possible. To be redeemed isn’t to be saved. Everyone is redeemed in the sense that anyone may be saved in Christ. But we must cooperate with the redemption. St. Paul admonished the Philippians:

Phil.2[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…

We must be obedient to God in order to be saved. This teaching is throughout the Bible and taught by the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives a fuller teaching on this. I recommend it to your researches.

 

[GodsGrace154]

Hello puzzledtoo.

Since the OP has asked me to respond (I’m assuming in this thread) I will answer your question here.

It’s simple really. Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension redeemed all mankind from our sins. This redemption makes our salvation possible. To be redeemed isn’t to be saved. Everyone is redeemed in the sense that anyone may be saved in Christ. But we must cooperate with the redemption. St. Paul admonished the Philippians:

Phil.2[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…

We must be obedient to God in order to be saved. This teaching is throughout the Bible and taught by the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives a fuller teaching on this. I recommend it to your researches.

If I’m not mistaken, redeemed means “to be purchased back from”.
What are we purchased back from??

GG

 

[Della]

I don’t think “someone has to be right and someone has to be wrong.”
Just because the different groups have different beliefs, it doesn’t mean they cannot all be considered “Christian.”

Well, the statement the OP asked us to consider isn’t which ecclesial bodies are Christian and which aren’t, so that’s not even a consideration. However, I will address your points.

Firstly, I doesn’t matter what any of us think about who is right and who is wrong. The very definition of indifferentism is that what we think about it is the same thing as what is right. No one thinks they are wrong, after all.

Secondly, different beliefs do not define who is Christian and who isn’t according to the Catholic Church. It is baptism that determines that. Those ecclesial bodies that have a valid baptism are fellow Christians imperfectly joined to the Catholic Church by reason of their baptism. There are bodies the Church does not consider Christian who don’t have a valid baptism. This doesn’t mean the Church negates their faith, but it does mean they are not in union with the Church. The Church makes no pronouncements about anyone’s salvation based on their beliefs.

There were many varied groups of Christians in the first few centuries with varied beliefs. If one group could be proven to be “right”…not only would there be only one group of Christians, but there wouldn’t be any other religions, either.

Which is why the Church has held various Councils, starting with the First Council of Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15. Such questions came up and will come up as time passes. God knows perfectly well that human beings will come up with their own ideas. It’s why he founded the Church to sort out all such opinions and rule on them, so we can know what is the truth and what isn’t.

 

[GodsGrace154]

So where in YOUR view does “truth” fit into this? Can there be your truth & my truth on the same DEFINED issues? Is this even important?

God Bless you

Well PJM -

What do YOU think truth is?
It would be interesting to know…

And, would you be willing to list a few of those defined issues you keep talking about??
I don’t really know what you mean.

GG

 

[Della]

If I’m not mistaken, redeemed means “to be purchased back from”.
What are we purchased back from??

GG

Sin. In the OT sacrifices were offered for various things. The most important was the sin offering. St. Paul tells us that such offerings were the foreshadowing of the one sacrifice of Christ who paid for our sins with his blood, instead of the blood of bulls and goats. Having made that purchase we belong to Christ in baptism, but we are not saved. That is something we determine by our cooperation with God’s grace throughout our lives.