Protestant Cross

  • Thread starter Thread starter texstev
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Ok folks, let’s just relax…on both sides, ok? This is just a forum. We all have Our Lord and Savior in common. Pax†
 
Justy90 said:
Well, what does that supposed to mean? Is it a bigger stamp of approval than me saying that I am ANGLICAN so how could I forget??
Click to expand...
Because Catholics are the true Christians of Christ. The first and will be the last. We tend to focus on Christ’s Passion more then anything else.
 
AwGusTeen said:
For the same reason that people commit murder, adultery, or any other host of sins – it’s due to our fallen nature. Surely you don’t think that this specific sin can be attributed only to the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
You’re right - I do not.
AwGusTeen said:
The Catholic Church has sinners in it just like any Protestant church. And don’t give the excuse that you were pointing out someone’s hypocracy – as it comes across as an opportunity for a cheap shot! :mad:
Click to expand...
It’s not an excuse. It’s fact. Was it a cheap shot? Perhaps. Did it serve a purpose? Definitely! What was that purpose? Pointing out that generalizations and thinking the worst of other people because you disagree with them is plain dumb…and, more importantly, uncharitable.
 
lil_flower_luv said:
I thought us good, God-fearing people could rise above revenge. Obviously not.

God Bless.
Click to expand...
To a point, that’s certainly possible. We are, however unfortunate, still human. And humans can get fed up when demonized, badmouthed, being patronized, etc.
Sad, but true…
 
2nd_Adam said:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12

Protestantism is about rejoicing in our sufferings!

Philippians 1:29

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Click to expand...
Um…protestantism is about protesting the doctrine of Rome. I wasn’t sure if you knew that. Based on your definition, it never clicked. It’s ok, I’m behind ya each step of the way w. a broom & dust pan.
 
OneTrueCathApos said:
Because Catholics are the true Christians of Christ. The first and will be the last. We tend to focus on Christ’s Passion more then anything else.
Click to expand...
Have you truly ever stopped and wondered why you seem to make no traction with Protestants and Orthodox Christians in conversing here? I don’t believe you have and I truly think that you are so woven in self righteousness and memorized rhetoric that you truly don’t care. I believe that it is bestowed upon Catholics to be concerned about their separated brothers and sisters. You aren’t in the least bit which tells me that you are all about the pomp and circumstance and couldn’t care less about anything else.
 
As a free-thinking ‘big tent’ Protestant, who loves Christ and seeks as best I can to serve him, let me repeat my horrendous heresy.
Code: 
When I see Christ on the cross, I understand his physical pain and the anguish caused by his deserting disciples and the crowd yelling 'Crucify Him!' But he also knew that after this time of tribulation, he was going to rise from the dead and reign eternally in heaven. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is omniscient and omnipotent, ruler this vast universe, worshiped by a couple billion at least. 

 Millions of people throughout history have endured pain that often has gone on for weeks, months, years. Think of those in the concentration camps or those shipped off to Siberia, most in both situations to die miserable deaths. Think of those who suffer and die from chronic diseases that cause(d) misery that goes on and on and on. Think of a mother I know whose husband and all of their children were killed in a car accident, and she alone survived - only to be badly disfigured and unable to ever walk again. Think of other mothers who died in childbirth and the grief of those left behind. Think of the 60,000,000 slaughtered in World War II, millions loss annually by miscarriages and abortions. Think of those in Darfur, Rwanda, Indonesia, and numerous other places where so many have lost (and lose) their lives through civil strife, persecution, hunger, disease, tsunamis, earthquakes and other such disasters, man-made and natural. Then there are he lonely and depressed and rejected, often on our street.

  So, when I see Christ on the cross I admire his sacrifice, of course. But I see him as a symbol of all those who suffer, calling us to our best to serve him by serving them. When I see the empty cross it represents to me hope, the promise of ultimate victory for all who have a simple faith in God - whether Catholic or Protestant, Jew of Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu. There is one God, and may that God bless people of every creed, color and country. And may we as disciples of Christ rededicate ourselves each and every day to doing what we can to relieve the suffering that so many live with. Yes, we can focus on  the cross or the crucifix, whichever we prefer, but let it redirect our attention to brothers and sisters nearby and faraway who are in great need.

   The Christ I believe in would say to us that "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, ye have done it unto me." What I'm gently suggesting, perhaps, is that too often Christians substitute religiosity, adoration of Christ, Mary and the saints, when Jesus would call us to move beyond such pieties and become truly servant people. "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I ask?"
 
LutheranDK said:
Baloney.
Click to expand...
Baloney? You mean to tell me that you really don’t know what the term “Reformation” means? To “reform” the one true church of Christ. Protestanism to “Protest” the one true church of Christ. You cannot debate this any other way, although I love how you try to. :rolleyes: For to protest what Christ has already established is simply heresy.
 
LutheranDK said:
You’re right - I do not.

It’s not an excuse. It’s fact. Was it a cheap shot? Perhaps. Did it serve a purpose? Definitely! What was that purpose? Pointing out that generalizations and thinking the worst of other people because you disagree with them is plain dumb…and, more importantly, uncharitable.
Click to expand...
I am stating that you are using this opportunity, couched in irony, to trash Catholics. And in this endeavor, you do the very thing that you label as dumb and uncharitable in others. This is intellectually dishonest if not down right hypocritical.
 
OneTrueCathApos said:
Baloney? You mean to tell me that you really don’t know what the term “Reformation” means? To “reform” the one true church of Christ. Protestanism to “Protest” the one true church of Christ. You cannot debate this any other way, although I love how you try to. :rolleyes: For to protest what Christ has already established is simply heresy.
Click to expand...
What’s wrong with reforming the Catholic Church? Ever heard of Trent?
 
Time to unsubscribe to this thread. Now it’s turning into a you-know-what match. So “Christian”…on both sides.
 
Early this morning I was watching EWTN and the basic discussion theme was that Catholics should be more joyful, that too often they don’t exhibit happiness - at mass, for example.
Code: 
Then this thread came to mind. If I were to enter a church with a crucifix up in front of me - the 'man of sorrows' dying a slow, painful, bloody death on a cross - just how joyful would that make me? 

 In contrast an empty cross represents victory over adversity, pain, betrayal and death.

 But to 'each his own'. If the crucifix is what you favor, fine. If you prefer an empty cross as a symbol of your faith, as I do, fine. It doesn't seem to be a very important issue. It probably has a lot to do with how we were raised.

 How foolish for Christians to get incensed about such minor things. There are real issues, some concerning Mary, some concerning communion, some concerning the hierarchy, some concern freedom of individual belief etc. But even when discussing those, we should respect differences rather than exhibit arrogance and hubris, as too many  Christians are inclined to do. Our sinful pride makes us want to be right and the rest 'wrong'.  I'm ready to let God do the judging. My own view is that we all probably are way off the mark. Our finite minds are not likely to be able to absorb and understand the ultimate mysteries of creation and life, so we do the best we can with the brains and heart that we have. After all, we are not gods and humility is called for.

  May God bless Catholic, Protestants and people of every creed, color and country. May religion become a bridge rather than a barrier.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top