Pope: Other denominations not true churches

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Secondly, my response about “faith” was directed at the kind lady that I quoted who stated that the Pope’s message was just reiterating the Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the RCC. I responded with a Galatians scripture quoted verbatim from the Catholic translation of the Bible. Vern rocked my world, and told me that this part of the Bible had been “long ago discredited”. To his response I replied:
That is disingenuous of you. I did not say that part of the Bible was discredited.

I said that your argument, which mis-uses that passage, has long since been discredited.

We weren’t born yesterday, you know – we’ve heard this attempt to twist that passage many times before, and refuted it before.
 
And speaking of respect, I have read some disparaging remarks about Protestants thinking “they are better than or superior to Catholics” along with some smarty comments and even bleeps!
It is no secret that many Protestants consider the Catholic Church to be apostate, preaches a false gospel, the pope is the anti-Christ, the Church is the Whore of Babylon, etc. etc. The publications are out there in plain view. That doesn’t mean that all Protestants feel this way, but the publications that state otherwise are multitude.
First, about papal infallibility, I was challenged on this by another member (sorry…no time to scroll up and figure out who it was) because the Pope wasn’t in his Chair (his capitalization, not mine) and “nothing new” was proclaimed. I’ll accept that Catholics would not take this as a proof of against papal infallibility (as I stated), as long as you accept that papal infallibility is not Biblical (I know, I know, tradition…I’ll tackle that in another forum).
Correct! This is not an ex cathedra statement, but it is infallible by virtue of the universal ordinary magisterium; i.e., this has always and everywhere been taught throughout the history of the Church.
Secondly, my response about “faith” was directed at the kind lady that I quoted who stated that the Pope’s message was just reiterating the Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the RCC. I responded with a Galatians scripture quoted verbatim from the Catholic translation of the Bible. Vern rocked my world, and told me that this part of the Bible had been “long ago discredited”.
Vern is either ignorant, deluded, or something worse. The Catholic Church has not discredited the Bible.
The passage James 2:24 that you used to proove that we are not saved by “faith alone” is somewhat incorrect. The passage reads that we are JUSTIFIED. The definition of “justification” from my biblical dictionary says “The act of God placing us in a right relationship with Him through his declaration of our innocence from guilt or blame”. This has everything to do with furthering our personal relationship with Him AFTER we have been saved through faith…it says nothing of salvation itself.
I have heard this argument a number of times… that this has nothing to do with salvation, but rather, maturing in a right relationship with God. However, the whole context of the discussion in which James opens this part of the discussion is with the question, “Can such faith save him?” - not “Can such faith justify him?” So actually, it has everything to do with salvation.

In Christ,
Irenaeus
 
This is not how you attain sainthood! This forces many ‘from the table’.
But that’s just it. They are not at the table in the first place. Non-Catholic Christians are not in full communion with the Catholic Church, and they cannot share in Holy Communion with the Catholic Church. JPII reminded us of this in his encyclical on the Church and the Eucharist. They cannot share with us and we cannot share with them because we are not in reality in full communion with one another. He also stated that Catholics do not fulfill their Sunday obligation by attending a Protestant service. And this coming from a very ecumenical pope. These are not new teachings, but are reaffirmations and reiterations of what the Church has always taught because of certain teachers and theologians within the Church promoting erroneous and ambiguous views.

In Christ,
Irenaeus
 
I’m sorry, I have been reading this thread, and I am REALLY having a hard time seeing why this is an issue. What our Holy Father has said is something the Church has been teaching for 2000 years.

It seems to me that if people are upset over what he stated - it says more about them than it does about the Pope.
 
Vern is either ignorant, deluded, or something worse. The Catholic Church has not discredited the Bible.
That’s an insulting remark!

Because someone lies and says I said the Bible was discredited when I said his argument was discretited, you say, “Vern is either ignorant, deluded, or something worse.”

You don’t even bother to read what I wrote before blackguarding me like that!
 
Yours is a long post and covers a fair bit of territory. I an only going to respond to one are on your post here.
Secondly, my response about “faith” was directed at the kind lady that I quoted who stated that the Pope’s message was just reiterating the Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the RCC. I responded with a Galatians scripture quoted verbatim from the Catholic translation of the Bible. Vern rocked my world, and told me that this part of the Bible had been “long ago discredited”. To his response I replied:

"WOW. I had no idea that ANY of the Bible had been LONG ago discredited as you claim! If this is so…what then is Catholicism based on!!! I am literally in disbelief that you would claim ANY part of GOD’s WORD has been discredited! This is the first time I have ever heard that God’s word CAN and HAS been discredited! WOW. That speaks VOLUMES. It begs the question…who has the power to discredit God’s word? Since the Bible is God-inspired (not some made up story) who has authority over God? I would really like to hear the Catholic view point on this…and from someone who can speak without eye-rolling me at the end…

FYI: From the Protestant view point, some derive their beliefs from the Scripture and others force their beliefs on the Scripture…and what doesn’t work out their way…I guess from what you are saying…is discredited.

“All Scripture (not some, not only the convenient stuff) is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every god work.” II Tim 3:16&17 (Emphasis mine)

Or…is this another one of those “discredited” passages…?"

My apologies if that seemed a little sassy.
I believe you misunderstood what Vern wrote. Here is the exchange you are referring to.
childofmary1143;2453365:
The Pope is only reiterating what is Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church.
Please read Galatians 2:11 through 3:25.

It is “by faith” we are saved as Paul says in this scripture at least a half a dozen times.
(Note: I altered the emphasis to bold because italics does not show up when quoting. The emphasis is the author’s.)
Not that tired and long-discredited old argument again.:rolleyes:
(Emphasis mine.)

Vern was not saying the Bible or a particular portion of the Bible has been discredited, but how these verses are commonly misinterpreted or interpreted in isolation to support a “salvation by faith alone” doctrine. In fact, I am sure Vern believes everything that Scripture passage says, just like I do. But he understands it in the context of all that the Church has taught for 2,000 years.

To properly interpret the passage you quoted, you must look at the entirety of scripture ans well as use logic. This thread is not in the Apologetics area and we are not discussing the doctrine of salvation so I will not go deeply into it except to point out James 2:14-26.
 
I read this in the paper the other day. It saddened me. Does the Pope want to cause divisions between Christians? My husband, who is a Lutheran read the article and he’s angry, what am I supposed to think…that he’s going to hell? What do I tell my sister and brother in law? They are both good people but of a Protestant demonination. Do I call my sister and tell her to go back to the Catholic church or you will rot in hell? Sure, I can do that but that will only cause ill will in the family and not produce much good.
What is wrong with the Catholic Church stating that ‘by our definition of church, we mean apostolic succession, valid priestly ordinations and the Eucharist’ and therefore since Protestants don’t have these, they are not ‘church’ in the proper sense’??? An intellectually honest Protestant should reply, 'okay, if that is your definition of ‘church’, then we are not properly called ‘churches’, but let’s now discuss why we have different definitions for ‘church.’ And the document never said that your husband, or brother-in-law, or sister will rot in hell because they are not Catholic. In fact, the document acknowledged that certain truths are proclaimed in these ecclesial communities and that they can have access to the grace of God. But let’s be intellectually honest here, if you have any conviction as a Catholic and truly believe that we are privileged and advantaged in that we are in the Church Jesus established, that we are privileged and advantaged in that we have access to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, that we are privileged and advantaged in that we have the fullness of the truth, then by definition, you have to admit that they are somehow disadvantaged.

BTW, are you upset by the Lutheran Church’s confessions against Catholics.

In Christ,
Irenaeus
 
[Q**UOTE=4HisChurch;2457735]I wanted to address two of your points.
  1. Papal infallibility and scripture.
    In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which includes the power to bind and loose.
This is a good passage, thank you. After reading it in context it appears that Jesus is giving the apostles the authority to *preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, but forgiveme if I can’t find sufficient information to backup your belief that this proves papal infallibility…it says nothing of the apostles (most directly, Peter) becoming LIKE Christ (as far as teaching imperfectly…my understanding of papal infallibility). Again, Galatians is so important…Paul is warning Peter that he has fallen away from the true Gospel and was allowing Jewish rituals to be practiced in his church.

On “faith”, “salvation”, and “justification”: My first post on this matter was simply declaring that salvation is derived through faith. Justification, therefore, is NOT salvation as James points out in Chpt 2:14-26. It seems clear to me that James is saying “don’t just receive Christ (faith) and then go about your life as usual. Instead, mature in your relationship with Christ through deeds (ministry, charity, etc) so that you can mature your relationship with Him.”
Your thoughts?
 
[Q**UOTE=4HisChurch;2457735]I wanted to address two of your points.
  1. Papal infallibility and scripture.
    In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which includes the power to bind and loose.
This is a good passage, thank you. After reading it in context it appears that Jesus is giving the apostles the authority to *preach
the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, but forgiveme if I can’t find sufficient information to backup your belief that this proves papal infallibility…it says nothing of the apostles (most directly, Peter) becoming LIKE Christ (as far as teaching imperfectly…my understanding of papal infallibility). Again, Galatians is so important…Paul is warning Peter that he has fallen away from the true Gospel and was allowing Jewish rituals to be practiced in his church.

On “faith”, “salvation”, and “justification”: My first post on this matter was simply declaring that salvation is derived through faith. Justification, therefore, is NOT salvation as James points out in Chpt 2:14-26. It seems clear to me that James is saying “don’t just receive Christ (faith) and then go about your life as usual. Instead, mature in your relationship with Christ through deeds (ministry, charity, etc) so that you can mature your relationship with Him.”
Your thoughts?
Let’s take your argument:
Originally Posted by childofmary1143
The Pope is only reiterating what is Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church.
Please read Galatians 2:11 through 3:25.
[It is “by faith” we are saved as Paul says in this scripture at least a half a dozen times.
Where is your faith when you reject His Apostles?
[/quote]
 
First, about papal infallibility, I was challenged on this by another member (sorry…no time to scroll up and figure out who it was) because the Pope wasn’t in his Chair (his capitalization, not mine) and “nothing new” was proclaimed. I’ll accept that Catholics would not take this as a proof of against papal infallibility (as I stated), as long as you accept that papal infallibility is not Biblical (I know, I know, tradition…I’ll tackle that in another forum).
Hi HJ, thanks for responding. Just to help you out with the Catholic jargon, the reason I capitalized Chair is because of the term ex Cathedra (which I believe translates to from the chair). It doesn’t mean the Pope is literally speaking from a chair but that he is speaking in his full authority as Pope.

I agree that papal infallibility is a topic for another forum. One thing that will help you in making your argument is to understand the different criteria between Catholics and Protestants for determining something is Biblical. Catholics believe that the Bible is materially sufficient for understanding the faith (all we believe is present but not necessarily explicitly explained in the Bible) while many Protestants believe the Bible is formally sufficient (all they believe is not only present but explicit in the Bible). Here’s a short explanation (warning: it has a pro-Catholic bias). Understanding this difference will help you to make your points more clearly.
 
Papal infallibility has to do with Christ’s promise that the Holy Spirit will “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13)and that “The gates of hell will not prevail against it”. ( His Church on earth that He established.) (Matt. 16:18.)

I think we agree on justification. Works are a natural expression of one’s faith. I didn’t mean to imply that works were all that is necessary.
 
[Q**UOTE=4HisChurch;2457735]I wanted to address two of your points.
  1. Papal infallibility and scripture.
    In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which includes the power to bind and loose.
**
This is a good passage, thank you. After reading it in context it appears that Jesus is giving the apostles the authority to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, but forgiveme if I can’t find sufficient information to backup your belief that this proves papal infallibility…it says nothing of the apostles (most directly, Peter) becoming LIKE Christ (as far as teaching imperfectly…my understanding of papal infallibility). Again, Galatians is so important…Paul is warning Peter that he has fallen away from the true Gospel and was allowing Jewish rituals to be practiced in his church.

On “faith”, “salvation”, and “justification”: My first post on this matter was simply declaring that salvation is derived through faith. Justification, therefore, is NOT salvation as James points out in Chpt 2:14-26. It seems clear to me that James is saying “don’t just receive Christ (faith) and then go about your life as usual. Instead, mature in your relationship with Christ through deeds (ministry, charity, etc) so that you can mature your relationship with Him.”
Your thoughts?

This is an important topic and worthy of discussion. You will find it has been discussed repeatedly. However, it is off topic.
 
I read this in the paper the other day. It saddened me. Does the Pope want to cause divisions between Christians? My husband, who is a Lutheran read the article and he’s angry, what am I supposed to think…that he’s going to hell? What do I tell my sister and brother in law? They are both good people but of a Protestant denomination. Do I call my sister and tell her to go back to the Catholic church or you will rot in hell? Sure, I can do that but that will only cause ill will in the family and not produce much good.
The POPE is not causing divisions with other denominations. That they have did to themselves in the Reformation.

Do people want to be PC or do they want everyone to go to Heaven? Speak the truth not the “feel good” un-truths. My husband is not Catholic. He knows what the Catholic Church teaches. 🤷 We all worship together on Sunday at Mass.😃

He hears it daily in our home. We pray that someday he will go to the priest of his choice and make his formal decision. This statement of traditional beliefs and truths seems to be bringing him closer. One of his old stands has been it does not make a difference if I join or not so why go through the formalities. I’ll still get to Heaven. 🤷 My arguement has been but you can’t take communion and his was I can take communion of desire. So stalemate.😦
 
Brian, thanks for the link…actually one of the briefest Catholic explanations I have ever read (I have been perusing the Catholic Encyclopedia–ZOIKS!!). However, it does leave something to be desired.

I have so much I want to say on this but I think I should take it to the apologetics forum. I don’t want to hijack this thread…

maybe see you over there!
 
Brian, thanks for the link…actually one of the briefest Catholic explanations I have ever read (I have been perusing the Catholic Encyclopedia–ZOIKS!!). However, it does leave something to be desired.

I have so much I want to say on this but I think I should take it to the apologetics forum. I don’t want to hijack this thread…

maybe see you over there!
I look forward to it. 🙂
 
In response to Vern’s claim that his statement was discrediting my argument, not the Bible…it certainly didn’t come across that way as I think others thought you meant the Bible as well. However, I would still like some backup on how/when/by whom this argument was discredited. I’m not sure how this passage could be misunderstood…it is pretty straight forward and repetitious of its claim.

On a side note, your passion is evident. However, it seems you are taking challenges to your beliefs very defensively (evident in your eye-rolling and bleeping). I only seek the truth. I know it is easy sometimes to become defensive when our core beliefs are challenged (trust me…being a lone Protestant in a Catholic forum and having married into a Catholic family is this X100). It would be beneficial to you argument if you honed your passion into constructive comments instead of destructive remarks (which destroy your integrity and the integrity of the church you claim to represent).
Just a thought…

Thank you to those who have been courteous in your responses. I think I will now dive into an apologetics forum…
 
Wow. So even Benedict XVI is President Bush’s fault.

:rolleyes:

Actually read the documents, please. The links have been posted in this thread. They have nothing to do with whom God loves more. The latest one, which I’ve yet to see the media report accurately, is little more than a extended dictionary entry. It answers a few questions, defines “Church” according to Catholic theology, and then explains the difference between a Church and a non-Church Christian community.

But I suppose jerking knees is easier than actual study.

– Mark L. Chance.
Read the documents? He should have figured out what 99.9% of people would have been reading the day after! It was all done very poorly. My protestant friends will not be reading the documents. Why on earth did he even feel the need to bring this up. Here’s what my Protestant friends revert to … ‘Martin Luther had a very good point, the church was way out of control then.’ And we were! Rather than emphasising ‘we’re number 1’, we should be repeating, ‘we were out of control back then and we’re sorry we caused you so much pain’. Then, maybe lead into how it is that we have this history but just to lay it out as it was, was nothing short of a giant step back! Yes yes, the documents are more than likely right, correct, we win; however, remember this: 'Your never right unless your psychologically ‘right’. No matter 'how right you are, if you don’t use common sense, you’re way out of control - again. No matter how ‘RIGHT’ you are, if you act like a fool, you’re a fool, no if’s - and’s or but’s. Just to lay out those facts doesn’t address the whole picture of this history and when laying out those ‘facts’ he should have been thinking more about how it all came about and our once but passed, protestant friends. If I hit you (speaking of knee-jerks) are you going to first sit down and say lets see now, what all has happen here? No your not, your going to first feel pain and anger. Well welcome to what we have now.
 
In response to Vern’s claim that his statement was discrediting my argument, not the Bible…it certainly didn’t come across that way as I think others thought you meant the Bible as well.
I didn’t see anyone who read what I wrote who thought I was talking about the Bible, and not your argument.
However, I would still like some backup on how/when/by whom this argument was discredited.
Go back and re-read the thread. Several people have answered you.
I’m not sure how this passage could be misunderstood…it is pretty straight forward and repetitious of its claim.
And it doesn’t say what you implied;

The post you were replying to:
Originally Posted by childofmary1143
The Pope is only reiterating what is Catholic Dogma that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church.
Your response.
Originally Posted by HJProtestant Please read Galatians 2:11 through 3:25.

It is “by faith” we are saved as Paul says in this scripture at least a half a dozen times.
Precisely how does this passage refute the proposition that outside the Church there is no savation? How do you interpret Paul’s words to mean "It’s okay of you don’t have faith?
I only seek the truth.
You would be best served, then, not to use out-of-context pericopes to advance ideas that the original writer did not advance.
 
That’s an insulting remark!

Because someone lies and says I said the Bible was discredited when I said his argument was discretited, you say, “Vern is either ignorant, deluded, or something worse.”

You don’t even bother to read what I wrote before blackguarding me like that!
Agreed I was just about to post the exact same thing!🤷
 
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