Question for those who believe in Once Saved Always Saved

[homewardbound]

I’m not trying to debate here, if I was I’d have posted this in the Apologetics forum.

I am hoping to be confirmed Catholic ASAP. However, I was raised Baptist and was taught OSAS growing up. Now, as an adult who has found my faith in the Catholic Church, I do not believe in OSAS anymore. My family still makes a very big deal about it though. Calling me on my “second birthday” and such. Now, I believe accepting God into your heart and believing is a very very big deal. Every Christian at some point prays to God asking forgiveness and stating their belief. But, I don’t believe that one little prayer is what is going to assure me Heaven. So, here’s my question: How would you feel if your daughter/sister/whatever suddenly stopped believing in OSAS and what could they say to make you feel alright with it? Would you be angry or sad? Would you not like them anymore?

I’m just scared because I know its going to come up at some point and I feel so guilty for pretending I still believe I am 100% going to Heaven based on the prayer I prayed at 7 years old when I don’t believe that anymore.

So, anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation with my family? I don’t mean to offend anyone here, just a situation I’d hate to lose my family over.

 

[AgnosTheist]

So, anyone have any advice on how to handle this situation with my family? I don’t mean to offend anyone here, just a situation I’d hate to lose my family over.

cant you just play along? really if they believe in OSAS then it doesnt matter what you have become, you are still saved! amen! Once Saved Always Saved even if you become a Satanist! Explain that to them and they would probably be happy that you became a Cathlic instead of something much worst. You will all still meet in heaven.

 

[homewardbound]

cant you just play along? really if they believe in OSAS then it doesnt matter what you have become, you are still saved! amen! Once Saved Always Saved even if you become a Satanist! Explain that to them and they would probably be happy that you became a Cathlic instead of something much worst. You will all still meet in heaven.

I have thought about playing along, I guess I just feel like I’m not being true to myself, my faith,or God by doing that. Makes me feel guilty. But maybe that guilt is just because I know how important OSAS is to my family. And yes, my mom is finally coming around that she would much rather I still go to church and be a Christian then not go at all. Thank you very much for your reply. Gave me something to think about.

So, you would rather a loved one just play along that they believe if they didn’t anymore? Would that be better than telling?

 

[Della]

cant you just play along? really if they believe in OSAS then it doesnt matter what you have become, you are still saved! amen! Once Saved Always Saved even if you become a Satanist! Explain that to them and they would probably be happy that you became a Cathlic instead of something much worst. You will all still meet in heaven.

That won’t work. If homewardbound asked if one can still be saved after declaring to be a Satanist her loved ones would only say that sure a person was never saved in the first place. This is how they get around OSAS when someone strays from their OSAS beliefs.

For homewardbound, your family doesn’t know about your faith journey, by the sound of it. And you are under no obligation to say anything to them about it. But if the subject comes up, you can allay their fears by pointing out what your Catholic faith has in common with what they believe instead of focusing on the “negatives” (as seen from their perspective).

Let them know you deeply appreciate all you learned and experienced as a Baptist and that your new found faith is built on all the goods things they and your former faith tradition gave to you. Show them how much you love them and how much you love God and that you believe with all your heart that God keeps his promises to us.

Catholics believe in a moral certainty of salvation if we remain in a state of grace, which is nothing more or less than staying true to God and doing what he commands of us–to love him above all and to love others has he has loved us.

And pray, of course. For for your loved ones, for peace of mind, and for the right words to say at the right time. I will pray along with you.

 

[AgnosTheist]

So, you would rather a loved one just play along that they believe if they didn’t anymore? Would that be better than telling?

Im not saying that you should agree with them or them agreeing with you. You should instead play the positives in both views. Instead of debating with them that you are right and they are wrong, just admit the fact by saying “Mom, you know there is really no way of knowing the absolute truth. Its all about faith. But if you are right about OSAS then you have nothing to worry about me for I have already accepted Jesus as my lord and savior and becoming a catholic shouldnt change anything. Now I see that you, dad & my siblings are very good and loving people, so even if good works is required along with faith I dont think you will have any problem being saved”.

be the peacemaker, right? christianity is all about love!

 

[homewardbound]

That won’t work. If homewardbound asked if one can still be saved after declaring to be a Satanist her loved ones would only say that sure a person was never saved in the first place. This is how they get around OSAS when someone strays from their OSAS beliefs.

For homewardbound, your family doesn’t know about your faith journey, by the sound of it. And you are under no obligation to say anything to them about it. But if the subject comes up, you can allay their fears by pointing out what your Catholic faith has in common with what they believe instead of focusing on the “negatives” (as seen from their perspective).

Let them know you deeply appreciate all you learned and experienced as a Baptist and that your new found faith is built on all the goods things they and your former faith tradition gave to you. Show them how much you love them and how much you love God and that you believe with all your heart that God keeps his promises to us.

Catholics believe in a moral certainty of salvation if we remain in a state of grace, which is nothing more or less than staying true to God and doing what he commands of us–to love him above all and to love others has he has loved us.

And pray, of course. For for your loved ones, for peace of mind, and for the right words to say at the right time. I will pray along with you.

Thank you very much.

I will try to focus more on what we have in common. I definitely am grateful for my Baptist upbringing, it taught me a lot that I know I will always believe. We really aren’t as different in doctrine as many wanna believe. Its just so hard when sometimes I feel like I’m on the chopping block with all the questions I get thrown at me and I’m no apologist so I end up looking stupid when I can’t answer their questions to their satisfaction. I’m getting better though. And I never get angry or upset, even if they do, I just keep my focus on Christ and somehow my voice stays calm and I just answer whats going on the best I can.

I do hope this topic does not come up, I just get frightened around this time of year. My boyfriend, his mom, and his cousin come to my house for Thanksgiving and I’m so afraid I guess that my family is going to be disrespectful in some way and all of this is going to just start coming out.

I should give my family more credit though, they’re great people, and trust in God that whatever happens He is by my side and there to help me through.

Thank you for your post, very much

 

[homewardbound]

Im not saying that you should agree with them or them agreeing with you. You should instead play the positives in both views. Instead of debating with them that you are right and they are wrong, just admit the fact by saying “Mom, you know there is really no way of knowing the absolute truth. Its all about faith. But if you are right about OSAS then you have nothing to worry about me for I have already accepted Jesus as my lord and savior and becoming a catholic shouldnt change anything. Now I see that you, dad & my siblings are very good and loving people, so even if good works is required along with faith I dont think you will have any problem being saved”.

be the peacemaker, right? christianity is all about love!

Trust me, I hate hate arguing! Thank you, that is a good idea. Kinda like Della said, try to find the positive instead of focusing on the negative. Thank you so much for your help, both of you, has me feeling better about it.

 

[Della]

I take it your boyfriend and his family are Catholics? If so, enlist the help of your boyfriend for the holidays. Whenever someone starts to talk about differences in faith traditions/beliefs, gently steer the topic to something benign. And if that doesn’t work, just say that you’d prefer to discuss such things at another time and place. IOW, you be in charge of the situation instead of waiting helplessly for the situation to get out of hand. Yes?

 

[Marina14]

I used to believe the whole Once Saved Always Saved doctrine of the Protestants and put it into practice, against my better judgement, and ended up alone and pregnant at age 19. My daughter just turned 13 and still has never had a “real” father in her life.
I figure, if the earthly consequences of this doctrine are this bad (worse for others I’m sure) then I can’t imagine how much worse this doctrine is after death!
I firmly believe that the OSAS doctrine is a false doctrine, not only because of my personal experience with it, but also based on Sacred Scripture (aka: the Holy Bible).

 

[Rightlydivide]

I used to believe the whole Once Saved Always Saved doctrine of the Protestants and put it into practice, against my better judgement, and ended up alone and pregnant at age 19. My daughter just turned 13 and still has never had a “real” father in her life.
I figure, if the earthly consequences of this doctrine are this bad (worse for others I’m sure) then I can’t imagine how much worse this doctrine is after death!
I firmly believe that the OSAS doctrine is a false doctrine, not only because of my personal experience with it, but also based on Sacred Scripture (aka: the Holy Bible).

I am pretty sure that OSAS folks, Catholics, Hindus and even atheists get pregnant against their better judgement.
Get real.

 

[AgnosTheist]

I am pretty sure that OSAS folks, Catholics, Hindus and even atheists get pregnant against their better judgement.
Get real.

AMEN! In the Philippines lots and lots of catholic girls get pregnant in their teens. Our national novel (written by our hero Jose Rizal) is even about a priest impregnating a married woman. Oooh yeah!

And Marina, the OSAS only guarantees salvation, not contraception!

 

[Pwrlftr]

**I used to believe the whole Once Saved Always Saved doctrine of the Protestants and put it into practice, against my better judgement, and ended up alone and pregnant at age 19. My daughter just turned 13 and still has never had a “real” father in her life. **

So you are saying once saved always saved means you can sin all you want?

 

[homewardbound]

I used to believe the whole Once Saved Always Saved doctrine of the Protestants and put it into practice, against my better judgement, and ended up alone and pregnant at age 19. My daughter just turned 13 and still has never had a “real” father in her life.
I figure, if the earthly consequences of this doctrine are this bad (worse for others I’m sure) then I can’t imagine how much worse this doctrine is after death!
I firmly believe that the OSAS doctrine is a false doctrine, not only because of my personal experience with it, but also based on Sacred Scripture (aka: the Holy Bible).

I think I understand what you mean by incorporating OSAS. It is a dangerous doctrine because it makes young people think they are then free to do whatever they want without consequences because they are then “saved” no matter what.

 

[homewardbound]

I take it your boyfriend and his family are Catholics? If so, enlist the help of your boyfriend for the holidays. Whenever someone starts to talk about differences in faith traditions/beliefs, gently steer the topic to something benign. And if that doesn’t work, just say that you’d prefer to discuss such things at another time and place. IOW, you be in charge of the situation instead of waiting helplessly for the situation to get out of hand. Yes?

Great idea! Thank you very much, you’ve been very helpful

 

[homewardbound]

So you are saying once saved always saved means you can sin all you want?

I know thats not what OSAS is supposed to mean, but thats how it can come across at times, especially to youth.

 

[Rightlydivide]

I think I understand what you mean by incorporating OSAS. It is a dangerous doctrine because it makes young people think they are then free to do whatever they want without consequences because they are then “saved” no matter what.

Well…I dated a lot of girls from the Catholic high school and…well…
Once again people, get real.

 

[SORROWS]

Don’t be so hard on Marina14. Her intentions were good.

Homewardbound - you ask a very good question. My advice is to pray to the Holy Spirit that you recieve the best answers you can give to those who question you about what you believe.

I could never have the wisdom to answer so thoughffully without the Holy Spirit guiding me.

 

[Pwrlftr]

I know thats not what OSAS is supposed to mean, but thats how it can come across at times, especially to youth.

It shouldn’t.

For example, I have heard catholic friends joke that they could do pretty much whatever they wanted during the week, confess on Saturday and be back in good standing w/ the Lord and receive communion on Saturday night before going back out partying again later that night.

I realize of course your church doesn’t teach that this is what confession is for.

 

[AgnosTheist]

I think I understand what you mean by incorporating OSAS. It is a dangerous doctrine because it makes young people think they are then free to do whatever they want without consequences because they are then “saved” no matter what.

In (Catholic) Latin America, Teenage Fertility Rates Have Not Decreased, As Opposed to Overall Decreases Worldwide

According to data from surveys from most Latin American and Caribbean countries, one out of five women gives birth to her first child before reaching the age of 18

eclac.org/cgi-bin/getProd.asp?xml=/prensa/noticias/comunicados/2/27882/P27882.xml&xsl=/prensa/tpl-i/p6f.xsl&base=/prensa/tpl-i/top-bottom.xsl

Now where is your evidence that OSAS teens are worst than that?

Point is, teenage behavior is largely a cultural thingie regardless of religion. Even a muslimah girl would behave like a Ho under specific cultural settings. Get real.

 

[Jestocost]

Some believers in OSAS believe that you can later choose to reject God. If your family is among them you might be able to point out the similarities of that to the doctrine of mortal sin.