This is being done in many places in Ohio. In large cities and small towns. As far as bible study goes, who leads it? I was invited to a bible study and went thinking it would be open discussion. When I tried to present the Catholic point of view on the study topic of OSAS I was told by the leader that it was his bible study. I never went back it wasn’t a bible study but an indoctrination of his interpretation of the bible.Exactly. When I started this post it wasn’t about someone giving up their church, or beliefs. It shouldnt have to be someone converting or returning home, and the word unity means so much more than church service, there’s 6 more days in the week. Could and I ask, **could we all not **partake in bible study together, help the community together, ect. The word unity means so much more than following one church! I did not mean in any way shape or form someone giving up their church or faith, more all of us use the common ground to achieve more.
If the study was to discuss doctrine and debate then your position would be fine. I have two small groups. One is made up of fellow Evangelicals and the other is a mix. It just depends on what type of a group it is and when it is welcomed.This is being done in many places in Ohio. In large cities and small towns. As far as bible study goes, who leads it? I was invited to a bible study and went thinking it would be open discussion. When I tried to present the Catholic point of view on the study topic of OSAS I was told by the leader that it was his bible study. I never went back it wasn’t a bible study but an indoctrination of his interpretation of the bible.
While I don’t disagree with you about community work etc…When we speak of “unity” among Christians…then it is good to see what Scripture says on the subject.Exactly. When I started this post it wasn’t about someone giving up their church, or beliefs. It shouldnt have to be someone converting or returning home, and the word unity means so much more than church service, there’s 6 more days in the week. Could and I ask, could we all not partake in bible study together, help the community together, ect. The word unity means so much more than following one church! I did not mean in any way shape or form someone giving up their church or faith, more all of us use the common ground to achieve more.
Well no one said their isn’t closed minded protestants either, I’ve met a few and have met a few close minded catholics, but that being said I’ve met many more open minded protestants and catholics.This is being done in many places in Ohio. In large cities and small towns. As far as bible study goes, who leads it? I was invited to a bible study and went thinking it would be open discussion. When I tried to present the Catholic point of view on the study topic of OSAS I was told by the leader that it was his bible study. I never went back it wasn’t a bible study but an indoctrination of his interpretation of the bible.
The Catholic finds it easier to understand the atheist than the Protestant, but easier to love the Protestant than the atheist. The fact is though now that the fundamental Protestants, as far as doctrine goes, are closer to their traditional enemy, the Church of Rome, than they are to the advanced elements of Protestantism. You can know where I stand, what I believe because I am a practicing Catholic, but I can’t know what you believe unless I ask you. You are right that enjoy is not exactly the right word for our talking about religion. As far as I know, it hurts like nothing else. We are at least together in the pain we share in this terrible division. It’s the Catholic Church who calls you “separated brethren,” she who feels the awful loss.I posted this in a separate thread. Over the course of the week I’ve learned about my brothers and sisters of different churches. So I thought of starting this thread this week, being holy week and all lol.
What’s everyone’s thoughts on unity? I think all of us should stop bickering and fighting. Its such small things we fight over. Its kinda like a family fued, in the end there is no winners… Unless, we all see we are the children of god, rather than point out our differences we point out each others strengths, and allow each others to build us higher. Catholics, I love how traditional your church is, its something I would love in mine time to time. I’ll share my outward thinking, bubbly energy with you! Lol
Just an example there, but seriously everyone, Any faith, let me hear your (name removed by moderator)ut, would us as Christians be better off together than divided? I don’t mean everyone converting, but our churches coming together. I believe and pray to my lord, God, Jesus died so that I may live, and the holy spirit is in my heart. Are we so different?
My point is when asked to a bible study one should clarify if there is discussion or just indoctrination. I am open anytime to discussion but will never sit by to indoctrination when I was invited to bible study.If the study was to discuss doctrine and debate then your position would be fine. I have two small groups. One is made up of fellow Evangelicals and the other is a mix. It just depends on what type of a group it is and when it is welcomed.
Yeah I hear ya. It is not fun. That happened to me at a Catholic one.My point is when asked to a bible study one should clarify if there is discussion or just indoctrination. I am open anytime to discussion but will never sit by to indoctrination when I was invited to bible study.
It has nothing to do with closed minded. It has to do with misleading people by saying bible study when you know full well you will be teaching your point of view and allow no other. That’s indoctrination.Well no one said their isn’t closed minded protestants either, I’ve met a few and have met a few close minded catholics, but that being said I’ve met many more open minded protestants and catholics.
Hehe this reminds me of the time I was denined rcia because I wasn’t willing to convert wanted to take it for education as my child’s being raised in both traditions. There is an example of close minded. Thankfully I found a rcia program in my city which was willing to acomidate lol
I would say that is most unusual from time to time there are those who go through RCIA and decide not to come into the Church.Well no one said their isn’t closed minded protestants either, I’ve met a few and have met a few close minded catholics, but that being said I’ve met many more open minded protestants and catholics.
Hehe this reminds me of the time I was denined rcia because I wasn’t willing to convert wanted to take it for education as my child’s being raised in both traditions. There is an example of close minded. Thankfully I found a rcia program in my city which was willing to acomidate lol
I’ve attended all sorts of bible studies in my life. I’ve attended protestant churches where its my way or the highway. I walked out. Why? Because close mindedness like that just isn’t fair. Like the bible studies. If its a mix then who’s ever hosting it should be aware and have proper teachings for both sides and allow debate. I attend one now ironicly through my church where we have catholics who come as well. I tell you I was blessed and loved learning about my separated brothers as the other poster put it. I felt privlaged to learn about the sacraments and our different ways.My point is when asked to a bible study one should clarify if there is discussion or just indoctrination. I am open anytime to discussion but will never sit by to indoctrination when I was invited to bible study.
If a bible study is presented by a church one can expect it to follow that church’s teachings. But when invited to a persons home as a friendly get together and study the bible you would hope there would be friendly discussion not indoctrination. But lesson learned clarify.Yeah I hear ya. It is not fun. That happened to me at a Catholic one.
The Catholic one I attended was a home one of a friend. It was said that all are welcome to attend. It was not really like that at all and became extremely awkward lol.If a bible study is presented by a church one can expect it to follow that church’s teachings. But when invited to a persons home as a friendly get together and study the bible you would hope there would be friendly discussion not indoctrination. But lesson learned clarify.
Doing it for a few different reasons. My sons a reason, his moms familys back ground is catholic, and his christian education is all on me, I want him to learn both, so I need to educate myself as well. Other reasons it interests me. I’ve said it before, why have only one piece of the pie when there’s a whole pie. Meaning why only learn one way and not the others? The church I contacted about rcia wasn’t a good church really. I had a priest from another tell me that. I asked my pastor for a reference and he was able to find one. Ironicly he knew a priest who’s actually a good guy as I posted in my last post lolI would say that is most unusual from time to time there are those who go through RCIA and decide not to come into the Church.
I totally understand, and I agree. That’s why I use the word unity and not unified. But honestly I think enough is enough. Yes we had wars against each other, yes we said things to each other. I think we all live in sin against each other. But should there not be a time where we say enough? That to come together for our common ground? Is a child the same as his brother? No they are different people, much like we are. But I ask are we not from the same family? I know our father is the same. I know the book we turn to is the same.As laudable as this desire for unity is, I doubt that it’s ever actually going to happen, simply because there are a lot of issues that go into the separation of various church bodies. There are also a lot of articles of faith that are at variance between different groups. Mennonites and Brethren, for example, baptize adults only upon confession of faith. Lutherans and groups such as the Moravians baptize infants and adult converts who hadn’t yet been baptized. I believe members of the Religious Society of Friends hold to no outward sacraments at all. Points of agreement, such as the truth of the Trinity and the points of the Nicene Creed there are among a vast majority of Christians, but history, theological expression and points of order and even a basic human sense of loyalty to one’s ancestral and/ or chosen Christian faith would militate against everybody coming together this side of Paradise. There are also historical hostilities that would prevent unity. Would a Mennonite, well grounded in his history and faith be eager to clasp hands with a Lutheran, whose writings declare the Anabaptist movement rank heresy and encourage combat against them? Have not Lutherans, Catholics and Reformed people warred against one another with weapons, words and decrees anathematizing each other? Should not these points be addressed? There are far too many issues to even go into right now, but as laudable as unity would be, everybody would want that unity to be on their own terms. I would pray for peace, yes, but unity I leave up to Our Blessed Lord, Who did indeed pray that all His People would be one. I do rejoice in our points of agreement, however and pray that as the Lord dispersed the people at Babel, that our own dispersions would carry the message of the Gospel to all the earth.
Well put friend, everything in that post I agree with, the bible says we should work as one, Jesus would love that if it happened before he came back. In the end brothers and sisters, this is a debate that my go on for years. LolWe do share a common Father and we do indeed cling to the same Scriptures ( although for us, the books are 66 and for the others, it’s 73 or more). I agree with you that we should accept each other for who we are and in doing that we also should respect the various differences that have gone into the makeup of their religious identities. " Enough" will be said, my brother in Christ, when Jesus returns and makes all our differences redundant. The dead will be raised, we who have been covered by Christ’s Blood will enter into an eternal fellowship with Him and each other. The flesh, the world and the Devil all conspire to keep us separated brethren, well, separated brethren. I do pray for revival in our land, where so many believe in nothing at all, that some may be brought to faith in Our Lord Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Where the Word is properly proclaimed, where the Sacraments are correctly administered, you’ll find the Church. What did Jesus tell the disciples who tried to stop somebody who wasn’t part of their group from casting out demons in Jesus’ Name? " Do not hinder him, for he who is not against you is for you." Right now, though, I think our efforts to come to a mutual understanding of each others’ differences is a huge improvement of the division you would have seen even fifty years ago.
But if neither side is willing to change their teachings even slightly, then how will unity be accomplished?The point is expressing our genuine concern that we should be united, even if we refuse to budge and inch and drag our opponents to us.
Unity is not changing our ways. That’s unified. Unity can be done by realizing and accepting we are different but the same. Are two people alike? No.But if neither side is willing to change their teachings even slightly, then how will unity be accomplished?
That is the problem I see.… as laudable as unity would be,* everybody would want that unity to be on their own terms.*.