I don't get it...if you are a non-Catholic Christian, then why aren't you a Catholic Christian?

[1beleevr]

Prodigal_Son1:
All Christians who know and love God, know that He is the God of UNITY, not division! Satan works really hard to divide God’s people!

 

[1beleevr]

I just found this thread. There are many many pages, so I’ll have to pick through it slowly here and there. It’s a simple sounding, but deeply profound questions. After wandering in the desert wastelands of new age muckery for 40 years, Jesus rescued me, and brought me to the altar across the Tiber. It began life for me. In all seriousness, I died, and was reborn as a new creation into His Church. I don’t even understand why I wasn’t a Catholic now. I look back on my life, and don’t even know me. All I can come up with is that after a little taste of Church when I was a child, I had to get banged up enough to understand the need for Jesus and His Church, and to develop the humility and serenity necessarry for submission and obedience. Now I can’t understand not being Catholic. It will interesting to read this stuff. My guess is, there will be a lot of legalistic statements about little bits of scripture out of context, or failure to consider history and tradition, etc. That flows through this whole Forum, in every thread. But my guess is that the real reason is that people haven’t opened themselves up to possibility of Jesus Christ and His Apostles being who they said they were, and meaning what they said. That…and not wanting to submit to truth. To admit that some things one does are wrong and sinful, and that to not turn away from them is further sin. Rather than amend their lives, it is easier to find a relativistic exegisis of Christ’s teachings, and a church which is a democracy at it’s core. To want a church which adapts to us instead of wanting to adapt ourselves to The Church. We’re looking for the feel good shortcut to salvation. It’s natural. It really is. I feel for everybody not yet tapped. Or those who have been tapped, and declined. I understand. Yes…His yoke is easy and His burden is light, AFTER you have submitted to the life He wants for you, and chosen to ask for that life. Until that day, it’s the hardest and most incoceivable thing there is. May the Holy Spirit lead each and every one of us to the heart of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and His Church, so that we’re all standing ready to battle the real enemy on the last day.

There’s an altar across the Tiber? Really? W-O-W, I didn’t know that. I’m not sure what you mean by submitting to the truth What about those of us who submit to the Truth? I feel for ANYONE who does not share a personal reltionship with Jesus:thumbsup: I cannot even fathom going through life without His presence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

All Christians who know and love God, know that He is the God of UNITY, not division! Satan works really hard to divide God’s people!

Irony…

 

[1beleevr]

Irony…

Without a doubt! God’s people fall prey to the enemy’s tactics, and many times wind up, dragging someone else down with them! I have been to multidenominational gatherings(including a smattering of catholics), and have seen and heard so much senseless fighting over things tht for the most part trivial. But that’s this human condition! You know that the middle letter in pride is “I”.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Without a doubt! God’s people fall prey to the enemy’s tactics, and many times wind up, dragging someone else down with them! I have been to multidenominational gatherings(including a smattering of catholics), and have seen and heard so much senseless fighting over things tht for the most part trivial. But that’s this human condition! You know that the middle letter in pride is “I”.

You are proving the dissensions that exist in the ‘many’ Churches with your story…

 

[1beleevr]

You are proving the dissensions that exist in the ‘many’ Churches with your story…

Do you deny the existence of dissension, even within individual churches? Is the cc above it, or do members argue among themselves? From reading some of the posts in this forum, I would say, that on many an occasion, there has been trouble on the homefront!

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Do you deny the existence of dissension, even within individual churches? Is the cc above it, or do members argue among themselves? From reading some of the posts in this forum, I would say, that on many an occasion, there has been trouble on the homefront!

So if there’s dissension in one Church, it must be alright to dissent with all Churches? Is that the support for all the denominations?

1Co 14:33 For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.

There is no Church with 100% agreement and it’s faulty to look at the ‘people’. Next we’ll be looking at people like Judas Iscariot and Christ chose him. There is one authoritative Church, established by Christ and Paul taught the many Churches, of different locations, all the same, ‘…God is not the God of dissension…’ To break away from His Church is ‘dissension’. You are seeking a justification for dissension, or so it seems…

 

[tweetymom]

On another thread, I wondered how you would apply the authority being discussed there, to yourself. That authority was the authority to forgive and retain sins. Christ taught us the Lord’s prayer, which asks for us to be forgiven as we forgive others. He doesn’t teach us all to ‘retain’ sins. How do you apply that authority to yourself tweetymom?

I do not apply it to my self, it is the Holy Spirit who has the authority.

 

[tweetymom]

Do you deny the existence of dissension, even within individual churches? Is the cc above it, or do members argue among themselves? From reading some of the posts in this forum, I would say, that on many an occasion, there has been trouble on the homefront!

Going to a CC trust me that there is just as much dissension as there are in any Church, and now there is a lot of trouble on the home front.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Going to a CC trust me that there is just as much dissension as there are in any Church, and now there is a lot of trouble on the home front.

And that justifies multiple dissensions through many, many denominations?

I’m sorry folks, the way I see it, justifying many dissensions is like saying the scriptures are wrong, or you don’t care to make God a God of dissensions.

 

[tweetymom]

And that justifies multiple dissensions through many, many denominations?

I’m sorry folks, the way I see it, justifying many dissensions is like saying the scriptures are wrong, or you don’t care to make God a God of dissensions.

Who is justifing dissensions? Just saying that every Church has them .Not trying to make it right, it is everywhere,

 

[guanophore]

Noncatholic Christians are Christians, only lacking the title of catholic! And just because we don’t sit in a confession box once a week, or however frequent is required, does not mean that we do not confess our sins

Your disdain for the gift of sacramental confession may be in part because of your ignorance of it. I find it disdainful of you to describe this opportunity to receive His grace and healing as “sit in a confession box”. Is this what you think has been happening since the days of the Apostles?

Do you know why the Church switched to private confessions from public?

I never implied that non-Catholic Christians do not confess sins.

 We believe in 1John 1:9, which tells us that God will forgive our sins if we confess them to Him.

Actually, the text does not specify who it is that is hearing the confession. It was written by a Catholic, for Catholics. Confession had been going on for about 50 years when that was written. And there were no “boxes” in which people “sit”.

And I cannot in good conscience call anyone mortal, Holy Father; this is God’s domain!

I don’t think anyone asked you to do so, did they? There are many titles used all over the world for persons occupying an office of dignity. It is really more cultural than anything else. I would not feel comfortable calling the Pharoah of Egypt “Rah on Earth” either.

Yes, there are godly men in my life, but I do’nt call them Holy Father. I respect the pope, but he is just the leader of the catholic church!

No, beleevr, he is not. He has received the Petrine gift, and therefore, it is his duty to feed and care for the sheep. There is one flock, and the care of it has been given to him. the fact that you rebel against the authority appointed by Him does not make that authority any less valid. You are a rebellious subject.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Who is justifing dissensions? Just saying that every Church has them .Not trying to make it right, it is everywhere,

You were agreeing with someone who is justifying the dissensions and I assumed you were in full agreement.

Look, it’s this simple, some look at people and make justifications about dissensions. Many denominations, with slight to great differences in doctrines, is dissension. It’s like saying, oh they have sinners in their Church, so we can make many different Churches, even if scriptures tell us that God is not a God of dissension. Christ, God, established a Church, a single Church. Scriptures tell us repeatedly to be of the same mind and judgment, that the Church is ONE. Look at what Paul says carefully.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.

There are no examples of different Churches, without corrections being made, putting them all on the same path. But then as scriptures say you’d have to obey your prelates. Some want that authority, or more like ‘freedom’ to do as they like and not as He wills us to do.

Heb 13:17 Obey your prelates and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls: that they may do this with joy and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.

There’s more to serving Him, than a ‘warm fuzzy’.

 

[tweetymom]

You were agreeing with someone who is justifying the dissensions and I assumed you were in full agreement.

Look, it’s this simple, some look at people and make justifications about dissensions. Many denominations, with slight to great differences in doctrines, is dissension. It’s like saying, oh they have sinners in their Church, so we can make many different Churches, even if scriptures tell us that God is not a God of dissension. Christ, God, established a Church, a single Church. Scriptures tell us repeatedly to be of the same mind and judgment, that the Church is ONE. Look at what Paul says carefully.

There are no examples of different Churches, without corrections being made, putting them all on the same path. But then as scriptures say you’d have to obey your prelates. Some want that authority, or more like ‘freedom’ to do as they like and not as He wills us to do.

There’s more to serving Him, than a ‘warm fuzzy’.

You know what assuming means. There are sinners in every Church and I am one of them.

And really about the warm and fuzzies???

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

You know what assuming means. There are sinners in every Church and I am one of them.

And really about the warm and fuzzies???

So you’re dissenting from 1beleevr said?

It’s amazing that some cannot see the irony of their own statements.

Many go by ‘warm fuzzies’, or what feels good. That’s not following scriptures… People are supposed to ‘discern’ the spirits. To discern, one must weigh things intellectually and spiritually. .

 

[tweetymom]

So you’re dissenting from 1beleevr said?

It’s amazing that some cannot see the irony of their own statements.

Many go by ‘warm fuzzies’, or what feels good. That’s not following scriptures… People are supposed to ‘discern’ the spirits. To discern, one must weigh things intellectually and spiritually. .

Not dissenting from 1b, always agree with him, so I really do not know what you are talking. Sorry you have never had the Jesus warm and fuzzies, they are great, has nothing to do with scripture except it lets you know that Jesus prescence is with you.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Not dissenting from 1b, always agree with him, so I really do not know what you are talking. Sorry you have never had the Jesus warm and fuzzies, they are great, has nothing to do with scripture except it lets you know that Jesus prescence is with you.

See, there you go ‘assuming’ yourself. I feel the presence of Jesus, AT EVERY MASS. I know that was a ‘tweetymom’ jab at a Catholic.

Just as we’re to discern, we have to use our brains. That’s what ‘free will’ is about, that’s the distinction between man and animals.

In my opinion, someone who takes every opportunity to besmirch the Catholic Church, is spreading dissension…and Paul told us to take note.

 

[bluelake]

A street ministry, or preaching in the street, because the Church was just beginning and there was no building, is far short of an ‘altar call’. Yes, what a silly question. Catholicism has taken the message of Christ around the world. Don’t you know any history?

If you derive a private interpretation and then teach others according to your interpretation, you have assumed an authority position. Read Nehemiah 8 and tell me how the people were caused to understand the scriptures. I also notice you’re not going to touch on points like the two on the road to Emmaus, who knew Christ and scriptures, yet He had to open their hearts to what was written.

Just stop it, and show me where the doctrines of private interpretation is in scriptures. As you say, if it’s not in scriptures, it a man made tradition. It’s that simple. Show the me doctrine written in scriptures. I have shown multiple examples of scriptures teaching against it. How is it now justified?

See, more deliberate twisting of my points. I guess it would be just too much to understand, much less appear to agree with a Catholic. We, as Christians, are called to a ‘royal priesthood’, to share that ‘good news’ which is in us. This doesn’t mean we can perform sacraments, make eccumenical decisions, etc. I’m sorry, but you are deliberatly twisting most everything I say and I find that, in itself, to be most dishonest.

You don’t know, or understand, Catholicism well enough to tell anyone about it.

The Church was ONE when Christ built it. Man separated it. Again, I provided scriptures showing the Church was meant to be one, but you overlooked it somehow.

Most folks do not know much about the beliefs of what other churches teach. yet they are ready to jump into the fray and relate what they ‘think’ others believe.
Cathoilcs are no exception. They do not know what others teach either.
That is the way of man. I also think that is why the Lord allowed so many different ways to honor and love Him. God looks on the heart of us all. The Lord alone gives us His Spirit to guide us.
We can disagree on certian points, as this will go on forever I’m sure. Do this with love.
We all worship the same God and Savior.

God bless you,
bluelake

 

[tweetymom]

See, there you go ‘assuming’ yourself. I feel the presence of Jesus, AT EVERY MASS. I know that was a ‘tweetymom’ jab at a Catholic.

Just as we’re to discern, we have to use our brains. That’s what ‘free will’ is about, that’s the distinction between man and animals.

In my opinion, someone who takes every opportunity to besmirch the Catholic Church, is spreading dissension…and Paul told us to take note.

I did not say you didn’t feel the presence of Jesus at Mass. You are the one who is always critizing those that feel the warm and fuzzies. I was in no way besmirch the CC. Just because one does not agree with you and the Churches interpertation of what a Christian should or shouldn’t be does not mean I am causing dessension. I am extremely happy that you are a happy Catholic.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Most folks do not know much about the beliefs of what other churches teach. yet they are ready to jump into the fray and relate what they ‘think’ others believe.
Cathoilcs are no exception. They do not know what others teach either.
That is the way of man. I also think that is why the Lord allowed so many different ways to honor and love Him. God looks on the heart of us all. The Lord alone gives us His Spirit to guide us.
We can disagree on certian points, as this will go on forever I’m sure. Do this with love.
We all worship the same God and Savior.

God bless you,
bluelake

Being raised in Protestant Churches, Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of Christ (Pentecostal, not LDS), and a few others, I know a lot of the 'misconceptions towards Catholicism.

Where in scriptures does it allow for disagreements on ‘certain points’? There has to be an authority to let us know those ‘certain points’. Who gets to make that decision?

Scriptures teach us the Church was meant to be ONE.

I agree it’s the same God, but I am going to defend my faith when others come here and ‘slur’ against it, and I’ll do it using scriptures, with as detailed explanations as possible. Don’t take that as ‘without’ love. It’s not. It’s the truth, as I believe it and I feel the need to share that truth, because I firmly believe the Church was never meant to be many Churches.

Even though they won’t admit it, a lot of people come here to convert Catholics and I will share the Catholic truth for those who might question their faith, or who may not understand it fully, not that I do, but then I learn from other Catholics here. That’s what these forums are for, sharing our faith. It’s not exactly sharing when people condemn every Catholic practice, or belief, that they can.