What radical step should be taken to restart the movement for christian unity

[Peter_J]

appreciate all the posts-

ovreall quite discouraging

referred to us a “Pharisees” there are many things that Episcopleans are but Pharisees are surely not one

Is it so shocking? I’m not trying to debate whether you guys are or aren’t; but if Catholics are called that at times, I don’t think it’s surprising that you are as well.

 

[KathleenGee]

I am going back to a little book that went out in 1973.

It is allegedly written by a communist who infiltrated a Catholic seminary in Canada…to take down the Church from within. One could stay at home and not go to Mass, just have mother and father bless the Sunday food, or that all religions are equal…and that Catholics are to feel guilty for being exclusive.

Being Catholic is not signing a paper or being baptized or being on the parish rolls. When you experience Christ in the Church…it is not in you, it is not created by you. Instead, becoming Catholic and drawing on the life of Christ in the Church, you are walking out into this living reality of God that transcends denominations, transcends people…to God Himself.

Catholic faith is always counter culture in some way.

In America, we are a sex obsessed culture, sexual issues rule the day here.

Christ transcends issues, all issues. When you become Catholic, you hear the Word of God at Mass, then you receive the Eucharist. You witness Liturgy pretty much as it was said a long time ago…100 AD…throw that date out there…

God is constancy…He is the Unmoved Mover.

You become Catholic, you enter the life of Christ that is separate from us but Who is calling us to be inheritors to His life and grace. Once you experience it, then all falls into place.

 

[guanophore]

the core beliefs of the mainline Protestants and the Rroman Catholic church really are aligned-it is the issue of human sexuality and the issue of authority that will for ever keep us from real Unity

I see the issue of human sexuality as a very recent issue. It had nothing to do with the separation that occurred at the Reformation. I think authority is the key issue.

The reason I think human sexuality is not major is because if people are going to reject God’s plan for humankind, it will not matter if it is this issue, or another one. In the case of human sexuality, people have rejected both Scripture and Sacred Tradition, so it will not respond to any kind of authority.

There is nothing to suggest that any movement is in the offing-I could think of a few good things that may point the way-it will take someone to make a radical move-ANY THOUGHTS?

I find myself wondering what you consider “movement” toward unity, as it seems clear to me that there is movement in progress.

What constitutes a “radical move”, and why is that more effective than the progressive and deliberate steps that are being made?

 

[Eric_Hyom]

SteveVH;
Don’t you think that, rather than make a list of man-made compromises, that it would be better for everyone to seek the truth instead? Christ promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to lead the Church into all truth. It seems to me that to compromise that truth for the sake of a false sense of unity is not what Christ intended.

If we are to be unified, then let us be unified in the truth.

Peace.

Steve

Christ said, two commandments are greatest, that must make these commandments a greatest truth. Unity has to put the greatest commandments above all else, all the law and the prophets hang and depend on these commandments.

The parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ seems to be a testimony against God’s chosen people and the order of priests. The Samaritan, who was God’s un-chosen; was seen to be the good guy.

Christ did not say the greatest commandments are that everyone should be Catholic, and follow the authority of the pope. The greatest commandments are about changing our self, they are not about us changing other people.

I believe we must be very careful when we seek truth.

Blessings

Eric

 

[Jamma]

Imho, there are 3 steps to be taken.

prayer. How many of you have prayed for Christian unity before seeing this thread?

Greater enthusiasm in Ecumenical Dialogue

And most importantly, removing misconceptions about each other. When non catholocs understand that Catholics dont worship mary and saints, that the pope sins, that indulgences and purgatory were not Invented by the church, We shall be parsecs closer to unity.

 

[guanophore]

    In my opinion, the distance between the Catholic Church and the Protestants comes down to three of the five solas.

The five solas:

1. Sola sriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
2. Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
3. Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
4. Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”)
5. Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

You are certainly on to something there. Each and all of these are what drove wedges during the Reformation.

The Catholic Church teaches:
3. Sola gratia (“by grace alone”) and I feel the Catholic Church has no problem with;

Can you provide a link or a resource for more information about this?

1. Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”).

To the extent that it denies the Apostolic teaching on the nature of man, and God’ s plan for man, it would be rejected.

I feel, from a Catholic view point the first radical step should be:

for the Protestants give up their belief in the following:​

1. Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)

What exactly does it mean?

1. Sola fide (“by faith alone”)

One of my confusions about the “sola’s” is that there are so many of them. If each of them are “alone”, should t hey not be “alone”?

 4. Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”).

How could this possibly be done for a Catholic or a Protestant? What other name under heaven is there by which we may be saved?

Also I feel, from a Protestant view point the first radical step should be:

for the Catholic Church to accept and teach the following:​

1. Solus Christus or Solo Christo (“Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”).

As opposed to what? I mean, how is this any different than what is already believed adn taught?

 

[Jamma]

You are certainly on to something there. Each and all of these are what drove wedges during the Reformation.

Can you provide a link or a resource for more information about this?

To the extent that it denies the Apostolic teaching on the nature of man, and God’ s plan for man, it would be rejected.

What exactly does it mean?

One of my confusions about the “sola’s” is that there are so many of them. If each of them are “alone”, should t hey not be “alone”?

How could this possibly be done for a Catholic or a Protestant? What other name under heaven is there by which we may be saved?

As opposed to what? I mean, how is this any different than what is already believed adn taught?

You might find the answers to your questions here.

 

[tonyfish58]

the core beliefs of the mainline Protestants and the Rroman Catholic church really are aligned-it is the issue of human sexuality and the issue of authority that will for ever keep us from real Unity

There is nothing to suggest that any movement is in the offing-I could think of a few good things that may point the way-it will take someone to make a radical move-ANY THOUGHTS? some I have heard

1. Pope revokes the excommuniction of Martin Luther
2. Protestants accept the Bishop of Rome as first among equals
3. Catholics ordain women to the Deaconate
4. the Church of England and the Church of Ireland gives back all the big Cathederals to the Roman Catholics
5. Catholic Bishops attend and ordain Anglican male Priests (in lieu of the Polish Pat or the Dutch touch)
   TEC and Anglican Curches & Luthreans condemn abortion
   no further female ordinations -put them on hold

any others?

How Radical are you thinking, I could most possibly offer you the answer you are looking for

God Bless and Regards Tony

 

[guanophore]

You might find the answers to your questions here.

Thanks Jamma, but that link does not enlighten me at all about what Christian50 is thinking.

For example, I have learned that there are a great many different interpretations or applications of “sola scriptura” and that one cannot assume which view is held by anyone. Even within denominations it is diffferent.