For some of us…we need a very simple message of grace and mercy…so it’s a good things Friends exist or I’d be sitting back scratching my head…I need simplicity.
Hi again, Publisher.For some of us…we need a very simple message of grace and mercy…so it’s a good things Friends exist or I’d be sitting back scratching my head…I need simplicity.
I don’t accept an “easy believism theology” either…so we both are in good company.
I agree…Friends seek to “live in that virtue and Power of life in which the apostles lived”…so we share a common belief again.
Friend Steve,
Well, I won’t go scriptural on you because you went “real world.” I will do the same…Think fast, what would you do…? You’re out doing street ministry, and you are talking to a young man(David), whom you’ve never met! He begins to tear up, and says, “I’m tired of trying to do this myself, I want Jesus in my life.” Just your luck, you’ve forgotten your Bible, and must rely on your knowledge of scripture to help lead this young man to Christ. This actually happened on October 18, 2007; the Christian who encountered David prayed an improvised sinner’s prayer with him, and David accepted Christ that day!!! Good thing this Christian was prayed up and knowlwdgeable about the Word. This past weekend, approximately 75 Christians from 10 churches, met at a city park to do an outreach for Chris. In the runup to the outreach, they were asked by pastors in the surrounding area, "What are you doing in “our"neighborhood”? The young man in charge, calmly replied,“this is God’s neighborhood”! When I heard this story, it made me think of how many churches have become territorial, and exclusive; laying down conditions and rules, to join their church. And it’s not just one denomination, or religion. This disease touches all Christian churches. Bickering about doctrine and shouting back and forth about, “we’re God’s church”! So what if somebody wants to have a “Jesus and me” relationship, or pray through Mary and the saints? Conversely, if someone doesn’t pray through Mary, big deal! And do you really believe that God cares whether you wear Levi’s, shorts, or a suit and tie to church? The woman or man in the next pew over might! It’ high time that we stop being divisive, and become the family God intended us to be. The only title we need is Believer!
Fair enough, Publisher. You’re very right. The fulfillment of our part of the simple message of the Gospel is anything but simple. And yes, poorly catechised and/or lukewarm minimalist “Catholics” also succomb to a sort of “easy believism” or, probably better put, “easy obedience” mentality. I admit I don’t know much about the Quaker faith.
from eating meat on Friday, and saying hailMarys; optional, mandatory or strongly recommended?As you appreciate the matter, what is the Catholic position that identifies the Lutheran Eucharist to be invalid? Do you know why this is the case?
In the same vein, what is the Catholic position that identifies Lutheran ordination to be invalid? Do you know why this is the case?
Conversion is a very personal and truly dramatic event in everyone’s life. What are often preceived as gigantic obstacles tend to be ‘average size’ concerns that are just out of perspective. The concerns must be addressed - no doubt about that - and I have every confidence in the Holy Spirit guiding you to the answers that will put your heart at rest in Christ.
Then I read in many places in Psalms, where David and others exhort us to sing praises, to worship with the cymbal and the lyre:thumbsup
salms 100:1 tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. All through the Bible, there are recordings of God’s people, filled with His Spirit, rejoicing, dancing and celebrating Him! I agree, that on certain occasions, ther should be reverence, but even a funeral should be a celebration of the deceased’s life, and not sorrow for his/her passing; especially if they were a Christian:thumbsup:Part of the reason that so many Catholics are opposed to contemporary music is tradition. Another part of it is one of quality. So many of the modern songs are basically not great. Another major issue is that some of them are borderline heretical, if that good.In an earlier post, I suggested the possibility of introducing contemporary Christian music(of which there is an abundance of awesome songs) into the service, at catholic churches:thumbsup:This was met with a sound “NO WAY”
Granted, some of the louder music by the younger artists is difficult to listen to, but “How Great is Our God”, is perhaps on eof the greatest praise/worship songs ever written:thumbsup: And I have heard contemporary Christian music played on catholic radio(in 2007). Listen, I grew up with all the old hymns, and still love them, but we need to loosen up and worship our God, with hands raised, and voices shoutingRemember the book of PsalmsI wish I could claim the line as my own, but most of it is third rate poetry set to fourth rate music. To me, it is not about loud, as I am a hard rock/heavy metal fan, but it is about content and style. Just because it is fine on the radio does not make it fine for Church. And if I hear that stupid song about God puttin on the Ritz one more time, I am going to hurt someone. Badly.Hate to disagree wit you Ralph, but contemporary Christian music is none of those
Hi Tom,
Just as an aside, would the situation in Sweden be that much different than the one in England with the Anglicans?
JL: If I am not mistaken Luther also wanted to remove Hebrews and Revelation
And brevity is to be the ‘soul of wit…!’ So, this will be Part 1 of 2. From what I read, it appears that you have provided your opinion about what the CC teaches, but no documentation. I am confident that if I were to be critical of your religion and never really looked at what it taught - you would have every reason to question how well I knew my subject.There can be no doubt that Mary is the Mother of God and that Christ honored His Mother. We are saved by the infinite merits of Christ (not Mary). So, as I see it, you really need to explain - using the Catholic Cathechism as the official teaching of he CC how Christ is diminished. because Mary is not our savior. Mary is the most favored creature that has ever existed - but, she is a creature. God is God. At no time has the CC placed Mary above Christ. Those who say so, do not know what the CC teaches.
The 6th Chapter of the Gospel of St. John is instructive from several different aspects. Here are three your consideration: 1.) Christ showed that he could feed over 5,000 people and satisfy their physical need for food. 2.) Christ walked on water and calmed the storm showing that He had control over nature, and 3.) Christ specifically told the Jews that they had to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood or they had no part with Him - and they understood Him (as evidenced by them saying this is a “…hard saying…” and walked away from Him - even after seeing the miracles of the feeding of the 5,000. Christ makes His meaning clear to the Apostles at the Last Supper - and here He honestly and clearly tells them to, “Take and eat this is My Body…this is My Blood…” Note, where the Jews were told that they had to eat the Flesh of Christ…they did not say, “this is a hard metaphor…” or “…this is a hard story…”. Christ spoke plainly and they understood … they simply refused to believe.
The CC has never taught that we can ‘work our way to heaven’. Our only hope of getting to heaven rests on the grace of Jesus Christ Who suffered and died on the Cross for our sins. And, He expects us to do something with the talents He has given us - look at Last Judgment as written in Matthew. Not once does God ask, “Who has faith?” Rather, who fed the hungry, visited the sick and imprisoned, clothed the naked… who did something?" Of course, there will be those who say, “Lord, Lord… we had faith alone…” but, you know about the warm reception that awaited that group!
Just Who do you think is guiding the Catholic Church…a bunch of wise old men…? No way. The Holy Spirit, promised by Christ before His Death and after His Resurrection and at His Ascension into Heaven is guiding the CC. This same HS Who appeared as tongues of fire on that First Pentecost has never left the CC. Remember how Peter denied with an oath even knowing Christ? If nothing else, this should surely show you that human nature is very frail and subject to error. The HS is protecting the CC from pronouncing any type of error in faith or morals. The HS is not protecting individuals - no matter how much authority they have - from making major errors in their own personal lives. The credit for keeping the CC on the straight and narrow of doctrine lies with the HS working through men and women He has chosen.
I have only to refer you to John 20:20-22 for a refresher in ethos. Christ clearly identified that only God can forgive sin when He agreed with the Pharasees on this point of theology - immediately before He cured the paralytic. Christ delegated this tremendous power to His apostles when he told them to either forgive or not forgive the sins of men. I have no idea how Christ’s own Words can be “alien” to any aspect of the NT.
It may not have started out that way - we know Peter had a Mother-in-Law. We do not know if his wife was alive at the time. We do not know about any of the Apostles having or having had a wife. But, so what? This is a discipline of the CC for those who want to fill the role of Priest. Remember that power that Christ gave to Peter about binding and losing? Well…until further notice, those who want to enter the priesthood are bound by this requirement. If they chose not to be bound, then they really do not have a vocation to the priesthood. And, that is the name of that tune.