Questions

[imamuslim]

Hello brethren !

Obviously as a non Christian I have an endless list of questions about Christianity,
Here are the questions:
Which part of Jesus died on the cross ?
Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ? Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?
Are only Catholics going to heaven ? I have been given the answer that some non Catholics can be saved as well however through the Church, against their will without them knowing. However I have been told that the chance of being saved as a non Catholic is pretty slim and can even be null. Which part is the truth ? I have been given many answers, I can’t tell which to beleive.
If I’m posting in the wrong section, let me know.
Thanks

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Hello brethren !

Obviously as a non Christian I have an endless list of questions about Christianity,
Here are the questions:
Which part of Jesus died on the cross ?

Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ? Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?
Jesus, was a man and had a name like every one else. We might also refer to him as God the Son. We use Holy Spirit when we are referring to that person and we do say “God the Holy Spirit”. The Trinity is three persons in one God so if we are talking to or about the Father that is the word we use.

Are only Catholics going to heaven ? I have been given the answer that some non Catholics can be saved as well however through the Church, against their will without them knowing. However I have been told that the chance of being saved as a non Catholic is pretty slim and can even be null. Which part is the truth ? I have been given many answers, I can’t tell which to beleive.
If I’m posting in the wrong section, let me know.
Thanks

Yes, you will read/hear different things. But no, Catholics are not the only ones going to Heaven.

Welcome to CAF.

 

[imamuslim]

imamuslim;11321234:

Hello brethren !

 

[Bruised_Reed]

If I understand right, if his body died not his soul that means only the flesh died, right ? If so, how can the flesh attone for the sins of te world ?

Because he was sinless and perfect and offered himself in place of us. Souls are immortal and so can’t be killed or die so his flesh was punished in place of our souls.

 

[Paddy_Walker]

Hello brethren !

Obviously as a non Christian I have an endless list of questions about Christianity,
Here are the questions:
Which part of Jesus died on the cross ?
Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ? Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?
Are only Catholics going to heaven ? I have been given the answer that some non Catholics can be saved as well however through the Church, against their will without them knowing. However I have been told that the chance of being saved as a non Catholic is pretty slim and can even be null. Which part is the truth ? I have been given many answers, I can’t tell which to beleive.
If I’m posting in the wrong section, let me know.
Thanks

Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ? Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?

Catholics call them God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Or just the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the name the angel said he would be called.

Are only Catholics going to heaven ?

No.
There was a famous early Irish monk who lived around 500ad who knew an old pagan whom he thought could go to heaven because of his natural inclination towards goodness.

Christianity in its original form is Catholicism, meaning the universal way [to heaven]. No matter what creed, colour or race, freeman or slave, the universal way was open to all men and women.
It is universal because the Truth is universal. The Truth does not apply to just one race or to one sex, but it is available to everyone.
The thing is, is that as Catholicism teaches the Truth, and if you find yourself in heaven, having being a muslim during life, then the only way you could enter heaven is through the Truth. Even if you never heard of Catholicism, if you had a natural inclination towards goodness there is always hope that the Truth will find you even after death when all your deeds during life must be accounted for.
And as there can only be One Truth at any one time, so to there is only One True religion, anything else must lead away from that truth to some degree or another.
So for a humans journey, the search for Truth must come before everything else because the only way into heaven that we know of is through the Truth, through the way, the Truth and the Life. So you can only be saved by the Truth, which makes sense if you think about it, only what is True will have the desired effect, in any walk of life.

 

[JRKH]

Hello brethren !

Obviously as a non Christian I have an endless list of questions about Christianity,
Here are the questions:
Which part of Jesus died on the cross ?

Well - All of Him in the same way that any of us die - “Jesus” being the incarnate Word died just as we would die. Our natural body ceases to function but our spirit, our soul, does not.

Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ? Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?

We do this for clarification of specific things. Yes they are all part of the one God.

Are only Catholics going to heaven ? I have been given the answer that some non Catholics can be saved as well however through the Church, against their will without them knowing. However I have been told that the chance of being saved as a non Catholic is pretty slim and can even be null. Which part is the truth ? I have been given many answers, I can’t tell which to beleive.

No one can be saved “against their will”.
That said, the Church does teach that there are those who are not within the visible confines of the Catholic Church who may, none the less, be saved.
Read HERE for more information on this

If I’m posting in the wrong section, let me know.

This section is OK…but a better one might “Apologetics”.

Thanks

You are welcome.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

Bruised Reed;11321252:

If I understand right, if his body died not his soul that means only the flesh died, right ? If so, how can the flesh atone for the sins of te world ?

Sin entered the world through an act of the flesh…Therefore the atonement was likewise made through an act of the flesh.

Because he was sinless and perfect and offered himself in place of us. Souls are immortal and so can’t be killed or die so his flesh was punished in place of our souls.

Yes - this…

Like Adam, Christ was born without original sin. This (I believe) is what the term “Son of Man” refers to.
Unlike Adam, Christ remained sinless. In His life, His ministry, His suffering and death, He set right the fall of Adam - and this was shown in His resurrection.

Peace
James

 

[Randy_Carson]

Hello brethren !

Obviously as a non Christian I have an endless list of questions about Christianity,
Here are the questions:
Which part of Jesus died on the cross ?

Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is one person with two natures: a human nature and a divine nature. All of Jesus died on the cross…not just part of him.

Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ?

Because Jesus was his name. Well, technically, it was Yeshua. But sometimes we refer to him as the Lord Jesus.

Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?

We do call the Holy Spirit God. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Are only Catholics going to heaven ?

No. But everyone in heaven will be Catholic…they just don’t know it, yet.

I have been given the answer that some non Catholics can be saved as well however through the Church, against their will without them knowing. However I have been told that the chance of being saved as a non Catholic is pretty slim and can even be null. Which part is the truth ? I have been given many answers, I can’t tell which to beleive.
If I’m posting in the wrong section, let me know.
Thanks

Some Christians believe that God predestines some to heaven and some to hell. Catholics do not believe the latter.

Here is an important article that you might read more than once:

The Necessity of Being Catholic
by James Akin
chnetwork.org/journals/nesschurch/ness_7.htm

 

[imamuslim]

Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is one person with two natures: a human nature and a divine nature. All of Jesus died on the cross…not just part of him.

Sin entered the world through an act of the flesh…Therefore the atonement was likewise made through an act of the flesh.

You guys have to make up your minds. Which to beleive ?
I have a problem with saying that only the flesh died because then it would mean that only the body died. And the body is but mere flesh, so it would not make much sense to say that the flesh like I said previously attoned for the sins, any flesh than can attone.
And if you say no actually God died, as a whole on the cross, it goes even further, how could God die ? If he died to take all of our sins, then God should spend an eternity in hell to clean our sins. Yet he only spend 2 nights dead.

 

[imamuslim]

imamuslim;11321259:

Sin entered the world through an act of the flesh…Therefore the atonement was likewise made through an act of the flesh.

Yes - this…

Like Adam, Christ was born without original sin. This (I believe) is what the term “Son of Man” refers to.
Unlike Adam, Christ remained sinless. In His life, His ministry, His suffering and death, He set right the fall of Adam - and this was shown in His resurrection.

Peace
James

The original sin for me a non Christian is a big stumbling stone.
I have read intensively about it for many months, I’m not even close still to try to at least grasp some of it’s logic. I failed miserably.

 

[imamuslim]

Because he was sinless and perfect and offered himself in place of us. Souls are immortal and so can’t be killed or die so his flesh was punished in place of our souls.

Thanks for posting !
So if he offered himself in our place, that mean we are clean now ?
We can go free ? Why does hell still exist ?
If Adam fell, and Christ pay for it, than that should be it, end of story. Why would still people get punished if Jesus died for humanity ?
I always get the answer that he died for us to offer us salvation, his death does not atutomaticaly erase the sins. If it’s true, why do you say that he died for humanity, obviously he didn’t die for the people who existed before, nor did he die for the people who have never eard of him in other parts of the planet, what about kids who die who still can’t grasp the religion yet ? What about the mentally severe ill people ? Did he also die for all of those people ?
Sorry about the multiple questions

 

[DevoutRabbit]

Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is one person with two natures: a human nature and a divine nature. All of Jesus died on the cross…not just part of him.

Sin entered the world through an act of the flesh…Therefore the atonement was likewise made through an act of the flesh.

You guys have to make up your minds. Which to beleive ?
I have a problem with saying that only the flesh died because then it would mean that only the body died. And the body is but mere flesh, so it would not make much sense to say that the flesh like I said previously attoned for the sins, any flesh than can attone.
And if you say no actually God died, as a whole on the cross, it goes even further, how could God die ? If he died to take all of our sins, then God should spend an eternity in hell to clean our sins. Yet he only spend 2 nights dead.

A good source for information about these fundamental beliefs is the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

It explains that Jesus died, (not just part of him), even though He is God.

624 “By the grace of God” Jesus tasted death “for every one”.459 In his plan of salvation, God ordained that his Son should not only "die for our sins"460 but should also “taste death”, experience the condition of death, the separation of his soul from his body, between the time he expired on the cross and the time he was raised from the dead. The state of the dead Christ is the mystery of the tomb and the descent into hell. It is the mystery of Holy Saturday, when Christ, lying in the tomb,461 reveals God’s great sabbath rest462 after the fulfillment463 of man’s salvation, which brings peace to the whole universe.464

You will probably find more accurate and clear answers in the Catechism than on this forum.

 

[Paddy_Walker]

Thanks for posting !
So if he offered himself in our place, that mean we are clean now ?
We can go free ? Why does hell still exist ?
If Adam fell, and Christ pay for it, than that should be it, end of story. Why would still people get punished if Jesus died for humanity ?
I always get the answer that he died for us to offer us salvation, his death does not atutomaticaly erase the sins. If it’s true, why do you say that he died for humanity, obviously he didn’t die for the people who existed before, nor did he die for the people who have never eard of him in other parts of the planet, what about kids who die who still can’t grasp the religion yet ? What about the mentally severe ill people ? Did he also die for all of those people ?
Sorry about the multiple questions

Yes to all. He died for all. But not all people want him to help them. Its a great mystery, there are people who refuse the helping hand offered to them.

 

[dronald]

Thanks for posting !
So if he offered himself in our place, that mean we are clean now ?
We can go free ? Why does hell still exist ?
If Adam fell, and Christ pay for it, than that should be it, end of story. Why would still people get punished if Jesus died for humanity ?
I always get the answer that he died for us to offer us salvation, his death does not atutomaticaly erase the sins. If it’s true, why do you say that he died for humanity, obviously he didn’t die for the people who existed before, nor did he die for the people who have never eard of him in other parts of the planet, what about kids who die who still can’t grasp the religion yet ? What about the mentally severe ill people ? Did he also die for all of those people ?
Sorry about the multiple questions

He died for everyone, but not everyone wants to accept His gift.

Pretend I tried to pay off your debts and you said, “No thanks.” That’s what happens when we don’t accept Jesus. We’re saying no thanks to what He is offering us and our sin remains in us, and nothing unclean can enter Heaven. All sin goes to Hell.

 

[imamuslim]

He died for everyone, but not everyone wants to accept His gift.

Pretend I tried to pay off your debts and you said, “No thanks.” That’s what happens when we don’t accept Jesus. We’re saying no thanks to what He is offering us and our sin remains in us, and nothing unclean can enter Heaven. All sin goes to Hell.

Maybe I’m understanding it wrnog, correct me.
But if you want to use that example of someone wanting topay your bedt and you say no thank you, it cant be used for Jesus though because he already died. Just like imagine someone pays for your rent already, and you tell them “no thanks” but too late they already paid rent, you don’t have to pay you either like it or not.
So Jesus’s death is obligatory, yet the acceptance of the death is optional ?

 

[dronald]

Maybe I’m understanding it wrnog, correct me.
But if you want to use that example of someone wanting topay your bedt and you say no thank you, it cant be used for Jesus though because he already died. Just like imagine someone pays for your rent already, and you tell them “no thanks” but too late they already paid rent, you don’t have to pay you either like it or not.
So Jesus’s death is obligatory, yet the acceptance of the death is optional ?

Of course it is, why would God force anyone to accept what is being offered? If I paid off every one’s credit card but someone refused to accept and decided to remain in debt that would be their choice; I can not force someone to take it.

The same applies to our Spiritual life, Jesus says, “Here is a gift” and we have every right to refuse it. Of course this is a simple analogy and like most analogies I’m sure it has holes so I’ll just explain it outright.

When Jesus died, He placed our sin on His back and left it in the grave, resurrecting leaving us spotless when we appear before God. It’s the sin that separates us from God and no sin will ever enter Heaven, the issue being is that we keep on sinning.

Jesus has given us a solution to the problem of sin and we can either accept it or reject it, He will not force us to do either. I’m interested to know what happens to your sin when you die as a Muslim? Does God allow sin into His perfect, Heavenly kingdom? Where does your sin go as a human being who has sin in you?

 

[imamuslim]

Of course it is, why would God force anyone to accept what is being offered? If I paid off every one’s credit card but someone refused to accept and decided to remain in debt that would be their choice; I can not force someone to take it.

The same applies to our Spiritual life, Jesus says, “Here is a gift” and we have every right to refuse it. Of course this is a simple analogy and like most analogies I’m sure it has holes so I’ll just explain it outright.

Hmm I suppose simply because I am not Christian, I’m unable to understand this point.

When Jesus died, He placed our sin on His back and left it in the grave, resurrecting leaving us spotless when we appear before God. It’s the sin that separates us from God and no sin will ever enter Heaven, the issue being is that we keep on sinning.

Again, I’m unable to connect logic to this.

Jesus has given us a solution to the problem of sin and we can either accept it or reject it, He will not force us to do either. I’m interested to know what happens to your sin when you die as a Muslim? Does God allow sin into His perfect, Heavenly kingdom? Where does your sin go as a human being who has sin in you?

Islam does not define sin the same way Christniaty does, we can write a whole book on this topic only. I will keep it very short, not all sin is equal in Islam. Every sin is forgivable before and after death, except ascribing other gods with God after someone died. When people die, it is only between God’s hands the sins of the person who died. We do not know wether that person goes to heaven or hell. However od can forgive all sins if he wills.
No there are no sins in the kingdom of God of course. Islam does not beleive that sin is build by force on humans, therefore we don’t beleive on original sin.

 

[dronald]

Islam does not define sin the same way Christniaty does, we can write a whole book on this topic only. I will keep it very short, not all sin is equal in Islam. Every sin is forgivable before and after death, except ascribing other gods with God after someone died. When people die, it is only between God’s hands the sins of the person who died. We do not know wether that person goes to heaven or hell. However od can forgive all sins if he wills.
No there are no sins in the kingdom of God of course. Islam does not beleive that sin is build by force on humans, therefore we don’t beleive on original sin.

Do you as a Muslim believe that sin is an actual “thing” that exists. As in, not just a word we use for bad deeds, but a literal, spiritual, evil thing that really does exist?

I’m not sure how Islam defines sin, but this is how we define it. Sin is an actual, evil, spiritual element that separates us from God.

 

[thenobes]

Hello brethren !

Obviously as a non Christian I have an endless list of questions about Christianity,
Here are the questions:
Which part of Jesus died on the cross ?

As a propitiation for our sins. A perfectly obedient life which went as far as death on a cross. This obedience will be considered ours by the Father when we have faith in His Son’s sacrifice for us.

Why do you call Jesus, Jesus ? Why not call him God ? Why also not call the Holy Spirit God ? They are all God, am I wrong ?

This has been answered. Three Divine Persons subsist in one Divine Being. The personal name of the Son is Jesus, literally, “Yahweh Saves”.

Are only Catholics going to heaven ? I have been given the answer that some non Catholics can be saved as well however through the Church, against their will without them knowing. However I have been told that the chance of being saved as a non Catholic is pretty slim and can even be null. Which part is the truth ? I have been given many answers, I can’t tell which to believe.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (available online) is a good source for Catholic belief. My understanding is that if one is carefully forming one’s conscience in Love and good Faith, one will be living the life that God desires. However, the fullness of the truth subsists in the Catholic Church, so one’s conscience ought to be moving one in that direction. However, there may be impediments to this journey not a fault of the person himself.

peace
steve

If I’m posting in the wrong section, let me know.
Thanks

 

[JRKH]

Islam does not define sin the same way Christianity does, we can write a whole book on this topic only. I will keep it very short, not all sin is equal in Islam. Every sin is forgivable before and after death, except ascribing other gods with God after someone died. When people die, it is only between God’s hands the sins of the person who died. We do not know whether that person goes to heaven or hell. However God can forgive all sins if he wills.
No there are no sins in the kingdom of God of course.

Actually - even though you say that Islam does not define sin the same way Christianity does…the above sounds very Catholic in it’s outlook.

Islam does not believe that sin is build by force on humans, therefore we don’t believe on original sin.
Yes - Original sin is a tricky concept and I struggle with it too.

Not wanting to give an answer I will refer you to the Catechism section on sin.

My understanding on original sin - in it’s simplest form - is that what we inherent is the effect of that sin rather than the sin itself. That is, we inherit the tendency toward sin.

And you are right…Entire books can be written on these topics.

Peace
James