What Role does Obedience have in your Faith

[JonNC]

Thanks, Pat for the clarification.

=PJM;7673659]I am profoundly Catholic and have invested a great deal of time and effort learning not just what we believe; but also why we can beleive it. So when I am Blessed to encounter someone such as yourself; I see it as a great opportunity to learn about other faith beliefs.

I have become quite aware of your strong faith, and value it.

I’m quite filmiliar with the Bible and use it extensively in both my post and in sharing my faith. Something that has puzzeled me for a long time is the [to me and my way of thinking]; the very obvious and huge amount of references to Only One Church and One Faith being founded by Jesus; a few of which I shared in my previous post.

If God only founded One Church; One Faith on On New Covenant; all positions that seem plainly evident in the Bible; on what basis; or what grounds are there competing Christian Faiths? I have struggled with this lack of understanding on my part for many years. Any light you can shed on the topic will be most appreciated.

I know this may sound odd to a Catholic, such as yourself, but the Lutheran confessions also express the belief in on true Church, and the Lutheran reformers did value unity. The conclusion to the Augsburg Confession states as much. For example, on Apostolic Succession, they strongly wanted to maintain it, but felt they were given the choice of AS on the one hand, and right doctrine on the other.

Now it is true however, that Lutherans may define the Church somewhat differently than Catholics, as we view the Church as the congregation of believers, where the word is preached and the sacraments administered. By that definition, Catholics are part of the one true Church, as are Orthodox, Lutherans, etc.
But none of this excuses schism and division, and I believe that for the Reformation to have any validity, it must seek and work and pray for unity with all Chritians, but notably the Bishop of Rome.

His blessings also with you, Pat.

Jon

 

[PJM]

=JonNC;7673898]Thanks, Pat for the clarification.

I have become quite aware of your strong faith, and value it.

I know this may sound odd to a Catholic, such as yourself, but the Lutheran confessions also express the belief in on true Church, and the Lutheran reformers did value unity. The conclusion to the Augsburg Confession states as much. For example, on Apostolic Succession, they strongly wanted to maintain it, but felt they were given the choice of AS on the one hand, and right doctrine on the other.

Now it is true however, that Lutherans may define the Church somewhat differently than Catholics, as we view the Church as the congregation of believers, where the word is preached and the sacraments administered. By that definition, Catholics are part of the one true Church, as are Orthodox, Lutherans, etc.
But none of this excuses schism and division, and I believe that for the Reformation to have any validity, it must seek and work and pray for unity with all Chritians, but notably the Bishop of Rome.

His blessings also with you, Pat.

Jon

THANKS Jon,

EXCELLENT reply! But also profound. I need to give this some thought. I do understand that Luther felt compelled; even forced out of the CC; and that there is some evidence that the CC was either unable or unwilling to enter into serious debte and dialog?

I’ve really enjoyed our conversation.

If you have any questions about the CC, I’d be happy to explain our positions and at least try to give the foundaton for them.

God Bless and sincere thanks again,

Pat

 

[hazcompat]

What a wonderful grace obedience.

peace

 

[JonNC]

THANKS Jon,

EXCELLENT reply! But also profound. I need to give this some thought. I do understand that Luther felt compelled; even forced out of the CC; and that there is some evidence that the CC was either unable or unwilling to enter into serious debte and dialog?

I’ve really enjoyed our conversation.

If you have any questions about the CC, I’d be happy to explain our positions and at least try to give the foundaton for them.

God Bless and sincere thanks again,

Pat

I’ll take you up on that, Pat. But know that your interesting posts are regularly read by me, and I learn from them. Know also the return offer stands.

His Peace,
Jon

 

[cheese_sdc]

I’d say that my own spirituality is more about authenticity than obedience.

 

[PJM]

=JonNC;7676715]I’ll take you up on that, Pat. But know that your interesting posts are regularly read by me, and I learn from them. Know also the return offer stands.

His Peace,
Jon

May God continue to bless Jon,

Pat