Unity among Christians

[thomasbannach]

Its a good and fair question.

If by “unity” is meant comming to as Christ taught and Commanded; comming to a single set of Faith belifs [biblically provable:thumbsup:]; it’s a huge task that only God himself can make happen.

Mans ego; pride, hard-heartedness are HUGE obysticals:blush:

Because there IS only One God

There can be and IS only One set of Faith believes that God can [and does] hold as true. Our Perfect god simply cannot hold contrary views on the same defined issues. IMPOSSIBLE. And God certianly did not wait a 1,000 Years for the Great Eastern Schism; or longer for King henry; or even longer for Luther, Calvin and Smith to expoase His Singular truth.

“ALL Salvation Must and does flow through the CC” because its the only church taked about in the bible; the only church and only faith founded by Christ and God’s singular truth; all of which by using the entire bible is proveable.

I don’t mean to “rain on your sunny proposal” but it has to start with the truth. Singular

Its a good and fair question.

If by “unity” is meant comming to as Christ taught and Commanded; comming to a single set of Faith belifs [biblically provable:thumbsup:]; it’s a huge task that only God himself can make happen.

Mans ego; pride, hard-heartedness are HUGE obysticals:blush:

Because there IS only One God

There can be and IS only One set of Faith believes that God can [and does] hold as true. Our Perfect god simply cannot hold contrary views on the same defined issues. IMPOSSIBLE. And God certianly did not wait a 1,000 Years for the Great Eastern Schism; or longer for King henry; or even longer for Luther, Calvin and Smith to expoase His Singular truth.

“ALL Salvation Must and does flow through the CC” because its the only church taked about in the bible; the only church and only faith founded by Christ and God’s singular truth; all of which by using the entire bible is proveable.

I don’t mean to “rain on your sunny proposal” but it has to start with the truth. Singular

Yes there is a singular truth – – you might go on line and google the “truth Project”

The Truth Project
www.thetruthproject.org/
Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project is a DVD-based small group curriculum designed to communicate the Christian worldview.

this has alway been the conflict sense 315 ad - if you realize that you are a human “vessel” that can contain the Holy Spirit of YAWAH,

or a human vessel that can be inhabited by unclean spirits…

Jesus said his father was YAWAH and if you followed his commands you would be his deciple–

Jesus didn’t get along with the religious leaders because they had added to the TORAH or his commands–

just like today religion will add to the commands-- and deceive you in tellin you GOD made new commands-- or Jesus mande NEW commands-- BUT this is a lie.

if you do not actually have the Holy spirit as your guiding force than as saint paul said in romans 8 you are not of his…

as vessels we are no more than empty cups-- that can be filled with the spirit of YAWAH or the adversity …

and as Jesus said to Cesar- he cam to bear wittness to the Truth–? what truth – the Truth of Yawah 's TORAH or commands–

now each religion --claims the truth-- just looking to the immature question’s on this catholic forum is a reveling statement –

 

[aspirant]

Not all who call themselves “Christian” believe in it - at least not in the traditional meaning.

I understood the opening poster to be talking about this forum – the “Non-Catholic” forum. That includes some who are not Christian.

The post explicitly mentioned Methodists, Lutherans, and Episcopalians, however. All of these people are Christians and, if they believe the doctrines of their communities, believe in the Trinity.

People belonging to those faiths also post on this forum - and I for one certainly hope they keep participating even though our beliefs differ.

The problem isn’t talking about the differences in what we believe. The problem arises when we don’t do it charitably.

I agree with you about this.

 

[PJM]

=Monergistic;10626889]This is for PJM.

I’m going to say something, then re-post your comment, then say something else. First, the vitriolic Protestants. The most vitriolic ones believe Catholicism became apostasy at some point and can no longer legitimately call itself Christianity. The slightly less vitriolic are willing to grudgingly say that Catholicism is a kind of Christianity, but it has a lot of problems with teaching and praxis that make it hard for anyone to become a Christian or become a better Christian. So they’re not to the point where they say Catholics are beyond the pale, but they do believe Catholics come to know Jesus in spite of Catholicism rather than because of it.

Therefore. The overall conclusion for either kind of vitriol involves a commitment to bringing Catholics out of the Catholic Church. A decline in the presence and influence of Catholicism in any given country is equated with a win for Jesus, who weakens the CC so that people can be in a better position to know Him. And some of these people even dream of a day when the CC is destroyed, gone, no more. They certainly don’t dream of a day when their coalition of churches is on good terms with Catholics, working side by side for a common goal. They don’t want to build bridges. Why would you build a bridge and link up with something when the only thing you want is to see it burn?

But let’s say it is impossible. You asked a question which is generally geared toward opposition to ecumenism. (You know what I mean by ecumenism). But what are your particular conclusions, as … Do you feel that Protestantism is fundamentally broken, deficient, and guilty of putting people in a position where it’s much less likely that they will know Jesus, become better Christians, and attain salvation on the last day? Are you reluctant to build bridges with our churches …

I’m not really concerned with how reasonable you are in getting there- if this is where you have gotten. What I’m hoping for is a hard denial saying that you most certainly have not reached these sorts of conclusions, …

But that’s not really the point, is it. The point is- maybe you have reached some of those same conclusions. And even if they are better reasoned and better supported, they’re still the same sorts of conclusions that vitriolic Protestants reach concerning you, and I think you know there’s something hurtful in them that doesn’t quite have anything to do with logic, support, or the quality of argument.

One more question, if I may. You talk to some vitriolic Protestants who hate Catholicism and want to burn it down, and then you talk to some ecumenically-minded Protestants who believe in the same basic doctrines as their vitriolic brethren (Five Solas and so forth), but they have more of an interest in the history of Christianity and knowing something about their place in it. They also have less of an interest in converting Catholics to some form of Protestantism, but they have absolutely no plans to convert to Catholicism themselves. Additionally, they inevitably have a burning desire to join hands and sing Kumbaya, because that’s definitely a major goal for all persons involved. It just goes with the territory. …

Are you implicitly suggesting that there are legitimate reasons for you to prefer a more vitriolic Protestant to a more ecumenical one? Understand that I ask you this as a Protestant myself, and I’m almost not kidding when I say I can go either way.

Here my friend is the evidence of what you express as being virtually impossible; God
simply cannot abandon the Only Church and Faith that he Himself founded and warrants.

One queation for you: Can “truth” not be ONLY singular on defined issues? How can a Perfect God hold not only multiple; but even contradictiory position on the very same issues? Like God Himself; truth MUST be singular: [biblically provable]

Please, my friend look up and read:
Jn.6:15
Eph. 4:1-8
Lk. 11: 25-26
Mt. 7:21

Mt. 16:15-19

1. [and "I’ your perfect God proclaim] **Mt. 15:15-19 “**And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.”
2. *Jn. 14:16-17 & 20:21-22 ** "And I will ask [COMMAND] the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever. The spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, nor knoweth him: but you shall know him; because he shall abide with you, and shall be in you …He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost"
3. Jn. 17:15-19 "I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil. “Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. *** As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world***.** And for them do ** I [Jesus] **DO! sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. ** And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me”

Each of these is God speaking directly to, and ONLY about His Apostles from whom the CC gets and KEEPS its authority:thumbsup: I respectfully challange you or anyone esle to prove differently. Amen

May God Bless and GUIDE your journey to HIS Truth

 

[Monergistic]

Each of these is God speaking directly to, and ONLY about His Apostles from whom the CC gets and KEEPS its authority:thumbsup: I respectfully challange you or anyone esle to prove differently. Amen

May God Bless and GUIDE your journey to HIS Truth

I’m sorry, as good as that was, it didn’t answer any of the questions I asked you. You’re obviously opposed to ecumenism, but where does this leave you with Protestantism, do you want to burn it to the ground. And what do you want from Protestants when you’re talking to them, an ecumenically-minded individual who’s not looking to convert you or a more vitriolic and sheep-stealing kind of mindset. Those kinds of questions.

They’re not rhetorical. I understand that you also asked me a question, but besides asking you first, it makes more sense for my questions to be addressed first. You give me an idea of what I am to you and what you’re about when you’re talking to me, and then we have a more appropriate starting point. Please review the questions I put to you and let us know where you’re at.

Thanks!

 

[PJM]

=thomasbannach;10629199]Yes there is a singular truth – – you might go on line and google the “truth Project”

The Truth Project
www.thetruthproject.org/
Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project is a DVD-based small group curriculum designed to communicate the Christian worldview.

this has alway been the conflict sense 315 ad - if you realize that you are a human “vessel” that can contain the Holy Spirit of YAWAH,

or a human vessel that can be inhabited by unclean spirits…

Jesus said his father was YAWAH and if you followed his commands you would be his deciple–

Jesus didn’t get along with the religious leaders because they had added to the TORAH or his commands–

just like today religion will add to the commands-- and deceive you in tellin you GOD made new commands-- or Jesus mande NEW commands-- BUT this is a lie.

if you do not actually have the Holy spirit as your guiding force than as saint paul said in romans 8 you are not of his…

as vessels we are no more than empty cups-- that can be filled with the spirit of YAWAH or the adversity …

and as Jesus said to Cesar- he cam to bear wittness to the Truth–? what truth – the Truth of Yawah 's TORAH or commands–

now each religion --claims the truth-- just looking to the immature question’s on this catholic forum is a reveling statement –

The christian World view is nive and may make you feel good; but its not The Singular threuth of God. Dr. Dobsons a good man; but wrong.

How many Catholic Faiths are there? Just One [Eph. 4:1-8]

How many Christian faiths [sets of beliefs] are there?" A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN ONE

Truth is and must be singular. Amen:thumbsup:

 

[PRmerger]

Why can’t we focus on what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences? Why does t have to be Catholic vs. Protestant in this forum? I have been Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, and attend an Episcopalian church sometimes, and denominations do not matter to me. We are all Christians. All churches I’ve been to pray that the church of Christ will be one.

What do you think?

I often wonder, when Christians pose this question, why they don’t just extend the circle of unity to include Muslims and Jews?

Are they also not believers in One God? Can we not just focus on what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences?

What is the rationale for being able to exclude Jews and Muslims while objecting to Catholics for excluding Protestants?

 

[PJM]

=PRmerger;10631027]I often wonder, when Christians pose this question, why they don’t just extend the circle of unity to include Muslims and Jews?

Are they also not believers in One God? Can we not just focus on what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences?

What is the rationale for being able to exclude Jews and Muslims while objecting to Catholics for excluding Protestants?

Originally Posted by Lisa1967
Why can’t we focus on what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences? Why does t have to be Catholic vs. Protestant in this forum? I have been Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, and attend an Episcopalian church sometimes, and denominations do not matter to me. We are all Christians. All churches I’ve been to pray that the church of Christ will be one.

What do you think?

Please keep in mind that IF we choose to FOLLOW Christ that he Himself claims to be: [notable all singular tense]

John 14:6 “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

I dislike pot like this because we come across as being unchairitable when in FACT we are simply Emulating our God.

Did Christ allow the Paharisees to teach there errant positions with impunity? NO! And neither can we. It IS Heartbreaking; that the Fact that God is One ; So too MUST absoutely; God’s Faith beliefs be One. Amen:shrug:

Notice here that the very Same Paul of Romans who is oft quoted for Faith Alone and OSAS positions is clearly expressing; what our Perfect and unerring Gd proclaims in Mt. 16:15-19… “MY CHURCH” singular.

Catholics MUST defend Christ truth. Amen!
Mt. 16: 17-19 " because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. [And I say to thee: [singular] That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church,[singualr] and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee [singular] the keys of the kingdom of heaven

FRIENDS this is OUR Perfect unerring God proclaiming this singular truth. Amen:shrug: