Satan is smarter than you are

[Shlemele]

UKcatholicGuy:

Doctrine. if a priest says that the Bible allows for artificial contraception, I can absolutely prove him wrong by showing him official Church documents which condemn artificial contraception without exception. Now, on the other hand, if a Protestant hears something in a sermon which he thinks is incorrect, he has no definite authority-- other than his own interpretation of Scripture-- to appeal to in order to prove the preacher is wrong.

That would be true in a nondenominational church only. In my church it would be take up with the board of elders who would then take it up with the church counsel. If the doctrine was decided to be outside the church beliefs the pastor would be asked to leave. The articles of the confession of our faith can be found here . I know most Catholics have the idea that Us protestant have the right to turn the bible into whatever we like but that simply isn’t the truth, at least not in my church. Take for example abortion, If a pastor was to preach that is it ok the would be in violation of article 14.

Article 14: The Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life belongs to God. Each person is created in the image of God and ought to be celebrated and nurtured. Because God is creator, the author and giver of life, we oppose all actions and attitudes which devalue human life. The unborn, disabled, poor, aging and dying are particularly vulnerable to such injustices. Christ calls the people of all nations to care for the defenseless.

God values human life highly. Ultimate decisions regarding life and death belong to God. Therefore, we hold that procedures designed to take life, including abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide, are an affront to God’s sovereignty. We esteem the life-sustaining findings of medical science, but recognize that there are limits to the value of seeking to sustain life indefinitely. In all complex ethical decisions regarding life and death, we seek to offer hope and healing, support and counsel in the context of the Christian community.

UKcatholicGuy:

Again, the 2,000 yr old claim, which you appear to accept, is everything. Either the Catholic Church was founded in 33AD by Christ Himself or it wasn’t.

Yes the church has been around for 2000 years, but Jesus only paved the way, it was the disciples and more importantly the Holy Spirit that founded the church. Just because your church has been around that long doesn’t mean that it is correct on everything. You seem to want to put words into my mouth, all I was saying is that time does not equate to having the ultimate authority, otherwise we would still be in the times when the church endorsed the sale of indulgences, exploitation of indigenous peoples, and many other things that even though you call them “historical events” they ended in the change of the traditions you base so much on.

 

[Shlemele]

Sgt Sweaters:

I think what UKcatholicGuy was getting at, Shlemele, is that the interpretation to be trusted on matters like these is that of those who actually lived in the same culture as Jesus.

I agree that’d be great, if you find someone that old PLEASE let me know. Untill then we will only be able to know from the texts of the day what their culture was like.

 

[pacersFan]

J.W.B.:

You know, it’s strange to think about this, but Satan I’de imagine is probaly the most beautiful of angels there is, yet his heart is pure black. That’s kinds strange just to meditate on that. Like what was he like when he was good, when he obeyed God. But then the angel decided that he wanted to be God, like humans too I guess. But I’m sure he doesn’t have a tail and two horns but is very beautiful in appearence but pure darkness in heart.But then think about God, an UNCREATED being. If He is on your side (eyes filling with tears) WHO DO YOU FEAR? No one!!!

I am happy that you have noticed this and decided to meditate on it. Continue to do so and you will begin to more clearly see his presence in our mainstream society, where we put exterior beauty on a pedastal without any consideration for the interior.

 

[pacersFan]

Shlemele:

In my church it would be take up with the board of elders who would then take it up with the church counsel.

Just a quick aside, as this caught my attention as I was reading through this thread. I find it interesting that as other denominations continue to grow and further organize themselves, they are recognizing a need to have a group of leaders that establish the pillars of their faith. They are in essence, creating a tradition of their own to use for interpretation of Scripture.

I think that this is the beginning of the death of Sola Scriptura. Maybe not this generation, maybe not the next, but at some point it’s quite possible that their own tradition will be so firmly cemented and recognized that the argument will lose it’s luster, and we’ll all be one step closer to reunification under Christ.

Then again, maybe I’m just an idealist and dreamer…

 

[contemplative]

Psalm 63
Hear O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to thee: deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.
Thou hast protected me from the assembly of the malignant; from the multitude of the workers of iniquity.

For they have whetted their tongues like a sword; they have bent their bow a bitter thing,

To shoot in secret the undefiled.

They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: they are resolute in wickedness. They have talked of hiding snares; they have said: Who shall see them?

They have searched after iniquities: they have failed in their search. Man shall come to a deep heart:

And God shall be exalted. The arrows of children are their wounds:

And their tongues against them are made weak. All that saw them were troubled;

And every man was afraid. And they declared the works of God, and understood his doings.

 

[MonicaLyn]

grotto:

C. S. Lewis wrote “The Screwtape Letters”. Try to find a copy and plan on reading it with a lot of thought. It will scare the Bjabbers out of you and help you know what we are all up against! (Its not too long - but PACKED!)

I totally agree, it’s a great book, creepy, but good!!! :yup:

 

[MonicaLyn]

Shlemele:

Have you sinned? Guess what, he got ya!

can’t argue with that!

 

[CatQuilt]

grotto:

C. S. Lewis wrote “The Screwtape Letters”. Try to find a copy and plan on reading it with a lot of thought. It will scare the Bjabbers out of you and help you know what we are all up against! (Its not too long - but PACKED!)

It truly is an excellent book! It’s about the letters that Screwtape (one of Satan’s minions) writes to his nephew, Wormwood, one of the many tempters employed by Satan. Screwtape guides his nephew through the process of tempting a yound man in England during the 40’s.

It really makes you think about how Satan tries to get you on their side.