"Jesus died on the cross for us to have a relationship with Him, not a religion with Him"

[guanophore]

Just politely point her to Matthew 16:18 Most Protestants that I talk with don’t deny that Christ instituted a Church, but they DO attempt to call it the ‘Christian Church’ which, in their minds, is an entirely amorphous concept.

An amorphous Body of Christ…

I am not sure when the Church established by Christ was redefined as the “body of believers on earth” but that definition does abrogate any authority appointed by Christ.

You should tell your family that it’s impossible to have a relationship with Christ without religion.

One needs to know what God revealed, right, in order to have a relationship with Him, right?

Yes, but Adam did not seem to have a religion. Or Enoch. Maybe they did. Abraham did not seem to either. He certainly GOT one, though.

You should tell your family that it’s impossible to have a relationship with Christ without religion.

One needs to know what God revealed, right, in order to have a relationship with Him, right?

So how does one know what God revealed? By one way: through religion. Through the Catholic religion to be specific.

For there is no other way to know what God revealed except for what the CC preserved as the Word of God, transmitted from Christ via His Apostles, to His Body, the Catholic Church.

Although the fullness may be found in the CC she accepts that Truth is found in other religions as well.

Paul is also clear in the book of Romans that God has revealed Himself in everything that has been created, and in the human conscience.

 

[PRmerger]

Yes, but Adam did not seem to have a religion. Or Enoch. Maybe they did. Abraham did not seem to either. He certainly GOT one, though.

Although the fullness may be found in the CC she accepts that Truth is found in other religions as well.

Paul is also clear in the book of Romans that God has revealed Himself in everything that has been created, and in the human conscience.

You know, guanophore, I am getting frustrated with your posting style here.

It seems that, more often than not, you undermine my apologetics here.

This is odd, given the fact that I am quite certain that our theology is 100% orthodox and consonant with the Catholic faith.

So I am left wondering why it is you feel the need to post such remarks which don’t exactly refute my position (for that would make you espouse Protestant theology), but nevertheless are contrary to what I am trying to accomplish.

 

[Ignatius]

How do I/we as Catholics respond to this statement if at all “Jesus died on the cross for us to have a relationship with Him, not a religion with Him.” My Mom heard this on Christian TV this morning and thought she would “share” it with me tonight. It rubs me the wrong way like it’s taking a shot at the Catholic faith.,I haven’t replied to her email yet. I love my mother but we don’t agree all the time on all aspects of our faith. She’s a very “Born Again” Evangelical if you know what I mean. She likes to share her faith with me often and when it goes against the Catholic faith I try to respond in a loving manner, but at times it gets hard… Please pray for me. But back to the topic at hand, how do I respond or should I just let it go? Just some background about Mom. Born Catholic, raised Catholic, married my Dad (Luthern turned Catholic), raised 5 kids as Catholics. Divorced, became “Evangelical” in the 70s (the first time) because she wasn’t “being fed” and left Catholic Church. Became Catholic again to receive an annulment to get married a second time to a Catholic gentleman in the Catholic church. Her and husband then left the Catholic faith again to become Evangelicals once again? I’m the youngest sibling and the only remaining Catholic in my family and so defending the faith is very challenging with her, especially since she was Catholic and is now so Evangelical. I really need some advice and help dealing with my Mom. Thanks.

Properly understood, he correct definition of religion is the worship and service of God.
As a Catholic, our relationship with Jesus Christ is our religion.

 

[James82]

An amorphous Body of Christ…

**I am not sure when the Church established by Christ was redefined as the “body of believers on earth” but that definition does abrogate any authority appointed by Christ.
**

You are pulling my comment out from the context of the response to the question given. Quite obviously the question posed to the OP is regarding the Church Militant not the Mystical Body of Christ, which is I suppose, amorphous.

You are seemingly pointlessly deconstructing fruitful answers posed by someone who wants a clear and concise answer.

Yes, but Adam did not seem to have a religion. Or Enoch. Maybe they did. Abraham did not seem to either. He certainly GOT one, though.

Although the fullness may be found in the CC she accepts that Truth is found in other religions as well.

Paul is also clear in the book of Romans that God has revealed Himself in everything that has been created, and in the human conscience.

 

[guanophore]

You know, guanophore, I am getting frustrated with your posting style here.

It seems that, more often than not, you undermine my apologetics here.

This is odd, given the fact that I am quite certain that our theology is 100% orthodox and consonant with the Catholic faith.

So I am left wondering why it is you feel the need to post such remarks which don’t exactly refute my position (for that would make you espouse Protestant theology), but nevertheless are contrary to what I am trying to accomplish.

Sorry PR.

Just looking at the other side of your coin.

 

[guanophore]

You are pulling my comment out from the context of the response to the question given. Quite obviously the question posed to the OP is regarding the Church Militant not the Mystical Body of Christ, which is I suppose, amorphous.

You are seemingly pointlessly deconstructing fruitful answers posed by someone who wants a clear and concise answer.

Sorry James I was not trying to be contentious. I really like the term amorphous - I think it describes well what has happened to the concept of Church since the Reformation.

I thought the Church Militant was part of the mystical body?

 

[mattp0625]

An amorphous Body of Christ…

I am not sure when the Church established by Christ was redefined as the “body of believers on earth” but that definition does abrogate any authority appointed by Christ.

Yes, but Adam did not seem to have a religion. Or Enoch. Maybe they did. Abraham did not seem to either. He certainly GOT one, though.

Although the fullness may be found in the CC she accepts that Truth is found in other religions as well.

Paul is also clear in the book of Romans that God has revealed Himself in everything that has been created, and in the human conscience.

Although I have not specifically researched the origin of the concept of the invisible church, I can see the necessity for it if a) you want to deny the authority of the Catholic Church or b) you have 30,000 denominations in your church.

 

[PRmerger]

Sorry PR.

Just looking at the other side of your coin.

Ok.

I guess because I value your opinion so highly I am quite sensitive to your comments.

It does give me great satisfaction when you (oh so rarely :sad_yes reinforce my posts.

 

[guanophore]

Ok.

I guess because I value your opinion so highly I am quite sensitive to your comments.

It does give me great satisfaction when you (oh so rarely :sad_yes reinforce my posts.

I shall apply myself accordingly.:bowdown:

 

[James82]

Sorry James I was not trying to be contentious. I really like the term amorphous - I think it describes well what has happened to the concept of Church since the Reformation.

I thought the Church Militant was part of the mystical body?

Hi guanophore,

I for my part apologize for being cantankerous. I’ve spent a good time over this holiday season listening to extended family prattle on about climate change, population control, or whatever else this new Gaia religion contends. It’s just all so depressing…

In any case, glad to meet you and Merry Christmas!

 

[guanophore]

Hi guanophore,

I for my part apologize for being cantankerous. I’ve spent a good time over this holiday season listening to extended family prattle on about climate change, population control, or whatever else this new Gaia religion contends. It’s just all so depressing…

In any case, glad to meet you and Merry Christmas!

Someone posted a thread (I think in the sprituality section) looking for a hair shirt.

I told him he probably already had several relatives that would serve the purpose.