G
guanophore
Guest
I am going to respond to this on the other thread because it does not seem entirely on topic here.
Protestants: How do you determine which denomination holds the truth?
- Status
F
FathersKnowBest
Guest
While debatable, you should also realize that it is YOU making a claim, and therefore the burden of proof is on you.
You have not provided any primary source evidence at all.
P
pablope
Guest
J
jrbowler022
Guest
I don’t imagine such a thing as proof exists. I am more interested in the journey than the destination.
J
jrbowler022
Guest
The more I study religions, the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself.
Richard F. Burton
Richard F. Burton
M
mackbrislawn
Guest
I believes you’re right. Hence all the discussion and argumentation here, which I believe many find interesting.
Absent proof, we need faith. That is why faith is important. And it is vital to where we place our faith. Faith in the works of the Mosaic Law? Not according to Paul. Nor faith in pagan gods. What we need is faith alone, faith alone in Jesus. “Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved.”
P
pablope
Guest
J
Jon_S_1
Guest
P
pablope
Guest
W
Wbuttrey
Guest
What church - only Catholic believe these under the headings of
Christ believers, bible followers, Unbroken History and Veracity of Witnesses
Which church only holds firmly the Churches initial direction to Not use artificial contraception big families are the most precious grace in a child hating world because we
are so selfish
Which church has the most gifts from God (sacraments) Christ body the finest gift and our
salvation
Which church has belief in miracles like (Eucharist) just like the awesome ones in new testament
Christ believers, bible followers, Unbroken History and Veracity of Witnesses
Which church only holds firmly the Churches initial direction to Not use artificial contraception big families are the most precious grace in a child hating world because we
are so selfish
Which church has the most gifts from God (sacraments) Christ body the finest gift and our
salvation
Which church has belief in miracles like (Eucharist) just like the awesome ones in new testament
U
ulickij2016
Guest
You brought out a wonderful topic! With over 30,000 different protestant denominations in the world, how do you p(name removed by moderator)oint the exact right one? You can’t. Protestant denominations can only trace their Church history back to the Reformation times at the earliest.
I
Isaiah45_9
Guest
T
Topper17
Guest
Hi ulick,
Welcome to CA. As you point out, Protestantism can trace it’s roots only back through the Reformation and the earliest Reformers. As such there is no unbroken line of succession back to the Apostles. In addition, certainly the doctrines of the Reformers are very different from that of the historic Church. Given that they all appeal to the same ‘authority’ (Scripture), which they all interpret differently, there really isn’t any way for any of those various denominations to make a claim that their particular doctrines are any more valid than those of any of the rest. This uncertainty I think leads to a reduction in the importance of doctrine overall.
The fact is that nobody knows the precise number of Protestant denominations. About all we know for sure is that the number is increasing exponentially. If the 30,000 number of a few years ago was actually correct (rather than being conservative), it would mean that, statistically, each Protestant denomination would split about every 27 years. That is what it takes to get to 30,000 in a little less than 500 years.
Given that mathematical relationship, it won’t be too many more years before Protestantism devolves into a ratio of less than 100/denomination. Logic dictates that with trend will lead to a very gradual weakening of Protestantism overall, until at some point it simply ceases to be as cultural force. Unfortunately we see this already occurring in Europe. Do you think there is any reason why we should expect to that American Protestantism will be any different?
God Bless You Jon, Topper
Welcome to CA. As you point out, Protestantism can trace it’s roots only back through the Reformation and the earliest Reformers. As such there is no unbroken line of succession back to the Apostles. In addition, certainly the doctrines of the Reformers are very different from that of the historic Church. Given that they all appeal to the same ‘authority’ (Scripture), which they all interpret differently, there really isn’t any way for any of those various denominations to make a claim that their particular doctrines are any more valid than those of any of the rest. This uncertainty I think leads to a reduction in the importance of doctrine overall.
Hi Jon,Welcome to CAF.
30,002, or if you count the OO, 30,003.
The fact is that nobody knows the precise number of Protestant denominations. About all we know for sure is that the number is increasing exponentially. If the 30,000 number of a few years ago was actually correct (rather than being conservative), it would mean that, statistically, each Protestant denomination would split about every 27 years. That is what it takes to get to 30,000 in a little less than 500 years.
Given that mathematical relationship, it won’t be too many more years before Protestantism devolves into a ratio of less than 100/denomination. Logic dictates that with trend will lead to a very gradual weakening of Protestantism overall, until at some point it simply ceases to be as cultural force. Unfortunately we see this already occurring in Europe. Do you think there is any reason why we should expect to that American Protestantism will be any different?
God Bless You Jon, Topper
Indeed, and every one of them is a splinter of the Church Catholic, everyone having its roots in the Catholic Church. But even though that is true, everyone of them, individually, holds a responsibility for their own actions, beliefs, and teachings. Everyone one of them hold a responsibility for being separated from their Christian brethren.
In the same way, the Catholic Church holds a responsibility for their separation, as well, from her Christian brethren.
So, the question posed by the OP applies to all of us, including Catholics. How does one determine which communion is correct in its teaching? One first has to consider if it is, in fact, an important question. For many in the pews, in all communions, it is not. They attend the church they were raised in, or their marriage brought them into, or the one they were evangelized into. And they do not consider the alternatives down the street. Further, many are emotionally tied to the church they attend. It is where their friends are, where they are spiritually attached. For these folks, the OP’s question is irrelevant.
For those of us who consider this an important question, a question of serious introspection and prayerful consideration, it isn’t simply a matter of polemical comments about who has authority, or who started your communion, or why do you worship statues, or anything of the sort. In fact, those kinds of comments usually push people back toward the communion they are currently a part of. No, people who care about doctrinal truth make this determination by prayer and study, and charitable discussion with those who treat their beliefs with respect and charity.
And if the one the choose to move to or belong to or remain in is completely correct in its teachings, then we rely on grace, just as much as we rely on grace for those infants who die without Baptism, or those in parts of the world where the faith is hidden from their view.
One thing is for sure, for myself, there are few communions that I would even consider, and virtually none are what are considered “protestant”. And from those that I would consider, I am not influenced in any way by its members who have little positive to say about their communion, and only focus on negative comments about others.
Jon
G
guanophore
Guest
I think this is a very biblical approach, Jon.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (I Peter 3:15)
Those who find a need to disparage other faiths, especially those who have been joined to the One Body through baptism, are not demonstrating gentleness and respect.
When I sojourned among my separated brethren for many years, this was one of the practices that I found offputting. It actually had a larger part in my reversion than the doctrinal issues. I do not find hatred, calumny, detraction, and disparagement fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Thanks, guan.
While without doubt, Father Martin was not consistent in following his own advice on the matter, his words regarding the 8th Commandment are worth considering, where he says in the Small Catechism:
I, frankly, need to do a better job.
Jon
P
pablope
Guest
- Status