The protestant gospel

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I personally am very unattracted to sugenis’s work for he has some illogical interpretations that I was hoping were not representative of the catholic church.
 
Erick_Ybarra said:
…Paul’s instructions were deliver the man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. I’ve seen this happen and I’ve seen it produce a deep repentance in someones life.

Sometimes what we think is pride is actually humility
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Erick, I once got a pamphlet from a small Western Orthodox church in my hometown. It’s called “How to look religious without being religious: a clear, concise guide to contemporary hypocrisy”. Here is the very last part of it:
HUNT FOR HYPOCRITES. If you’re of the persuasion that the “tried and tested methods” are generally the best methods, this one’s for you. Complain that Mrs. Bunko only comes to Church to show off her clothing, that Mr. Habeeb always hogs the front space in the parking lot so he can show off his BMW, that Mr. and Mrs. Brown only converted because they couldn’t get along with anyone over at First Methodonian. “They’re all hypocrites,” you loudly proclaim. Of course, grossly overlook the fact that **one of the Church’s primary reasons for existing is to assist hypocrites in changing their lives! **Pray that no one accuses you of hypocrisy.
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(emphasis mine)

Now, I definitely think that if possible, this tract should be distributed in bundles to every Catholic church on the planet. It might help enlighten some people to their own hypocrisy.

But Erick, I’m sure you know more than the average Christian about your faith. Or you wouldn’t be here. And surely you must know that in EVERY Church there are hypocrites. It doesn’t matter what the per capita rate is. You’ll never find a Church without hypocrites of some kind or another. Whether they accept Christ or reject Christ in their lives is totally immaterial to YOUR faith life.

It seems to me that, even though the people around you seem to be unaffected by their own Church, you are.** You’re** affected by this Church - its sacraments, its liturgy, its history, its logic - in a way I wish many Catholics were. You want to follow Jesus. And part of that means obeying Him. You want to obey Jesus. Be an example to hypocrites instead of criticising the Church - the form and beliefs of it - they are a part of.

On the other hand… perhaps look for a local Eastern Catholic church? 😃
 
Erick,

You mentioned that not many Catholics read Augustine etc… That is because of a couple of reasons.
  1. Alot of Catholics just have a blind faith about it. They dont need proof, they just believe.
  2. Some arent of the reading sort. My Father in Law was born in Mexico and cant read. Some folks are the type that dont go to the library. There are those in all churches.
  3. Like my brothers said above, we dont go around telling everyone when we go to confession, how much we tithe, or whether I am fit to receive the Eucharist. I had a bible study in my house the other day and I dont go around with my collar up about it.
Also,
You are wanting to find out how to serve Christ. Why do you worry about what everyone is doing wrong. Look at the ones who are doing the right thing quietly. Those are probably true Practicing Catholics. Not the ones who boast.

I believe Protestant spend more time trying to find way to “de bunk” the Catholic Church so that is why they read more Early Fathers and mention them to the congregation therefore peaking the interest of some who go out and read the books and discuss them. Practicing Catholics are secure in their beliefs for the most part. But like on of our former Priest would say. “Catolico ignorante futuro Protestante” Meaning the people should do more reading and studying of their faith to defend her when she is attacked.
 
Erick_Ybarra said:
Thirdly, I sense a great deal of outward superstition. In other words, there are some people who are never really discipled who attend a Catholic Church, bow down to the statue of Joseph and Mary, look very serious during the Mass, but are not really lovers of God. I know that there are many in protestantism, but just not in my experience.
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One needs to be very, very careful about conclusions one makes when bowing is concerned.

Take this picture:



Do you think we should conclude that these Christian folks, who appear to be bowing to a box of kleenex, are actually worshipping it?

Of course not.

Neither should you conclude that folks who bow before a statue of Joseph or Mary are actually worshipping the statue.

Neither should se conclude
 
I thought about this thread while in mass today. The priest told a cute story during the homily.
It goes like this:

A man died and went to heaven. While there he was surprised by lot of the people that were there with him :eek:. He finally couldn’t help himself and asked Jesus. Lord I’m really surprised by all the people that made it here. I do have one concern though. Why are they all so quiet? They’re just sitting and staring, is there something wrong with them? Jesus answered him: No they’re ok they are just extremely shocked that You are here. 😛

Silly yes but I think it gets the point across 🙂
 
franc1sc0 said:
I believe Protestant spend more time trying to find way to “de bunk” the Catholic Church so that is why they read more Early Fathers and mention them to the congregation therefore peaking the interest of some who go out and read the books and discuss them.
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Hhmmm. That is interesting. I have observed the opposite: that Protestants do NOT read the Early Church Fathers. Most of them do not read anything between the New Testament and Billy Graham. Just kidding. 😉 But I think it goes to show that it depends on one’s experience. Mine has been with Protestant groups who do not read the Early Church Fathers, and I’ve always suspected it’s because they very much prove that Catholicism is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
 
stanncie said:
I thought about this thread while in mass today. The priest told a cute story during the homily.
It goes like this:

A man died and went to heaven. While there he was surprised by lot of the people that were there with him :eek:. He finally couldn’t help himself and asked Jesus. Lord I’m really surprised by all the people that made it here. I do have one concern though. Why are they all so quiet? They’re just sitting and staring, is there something wrong with them? Jesus answered him: No they’re ok they are just extremely shocked that You are here. 😛

Silly yes but I think it gets the point across 🙂
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👍
 
snarflemike said:
Is that not true?
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From the Lutheran view, I’ll let you decide.
  1. Accordingly, we also believe, teach, and confess that when it is said: The regenerate do good works from a free spirit, this is not to be understood as though it is at the option of the regenerate man to do or to forbear doing good when he wishes, and that he can nevertheless retain faith if he intentionally perseveres in sins.
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[bookofconcord.org/fc-ep.php#IV. Good Works.](http://www.bookofconcord.org/fc-ep.php#IV. Good Works.)

Jon
 
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