What's so amazing about God's grace?

[underdog]

What’s so amazing about Gods grace? Sinners are reconciled to God through Christ to the praise of His glorious grace. Therefore, please share what you have to say about God’s amazing grace.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. - Ephesians 1

 

[underdog]

What’s so amazing about Gods grace? Sinners are reconciled to God through Christ to the praise of His glorious grace. Therefore, please share what you have to say about God’s amazing grace.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. - Ephesians 1

Can a Catholic Christian sing this hymn, or is this famous hymn not in a Catholic Christian’s heart? We are sanctified by truth (John 17:17) to grow our affection for God… to the praise of His glorious grace. How much do we love God in Christ? Truth has implications which renews our minds and transforms our affections of our hearts. Jesus asked Peter 3 times, do you love me? Grace has an eternal depth that can never be exhausted., How’s your understanding of God/s grace in Christ comming along in your spiritual journey? How thankful are we in our minds and heart for what God has done in Christ for those who know Him?

“Amazing Grace”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oli*ver, 1779)

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

What’s so amazing about Gods grace? Sinners are reconciled to God through Christ to the praise of His glorious grace. Therefore, please share what you have to say about God’s amazing grace.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Familiar subject, new user.

Faith, like grace, is a gift from God. Because of our faith we receive the gift of grace from God. Faith is like an instrument. If we do not use it, do we still receive grace? If on the other hand, we use it well we receive an abundance of God’s grace.

Maybe, you’d like to take the opportunity to share what you have to say about God’s grace?

npatrol:

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Can a Catholic Christian sing this hymn, or is this famous hymn not in a Catholic Christian’s heart?

We sing Amazing Grace at our parish. Why would you think that would not be in a Catholic’s heart?

npatrol:

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I notice you like to post a lot of scriptures without sharing what they mean to you. Catholics do not believe in private interpretations of scriptures, because of all the different interpretations arrived at, evident by all the different doctrines, based on individual interpretations, of all the Churchs in the world today.

I have an idea. Maybe you’d like to share in a Catholic/Protestant Bible study together on the Apolotgetics forums, under Sacred Scriptures? I’d be glad to start a thread. Do you have a suggestion as to which scriptures you’d like to start with?

npatrol:

 

[TOP]

Can a Catholic Christian sing this hymn, or is this famous hymn not in a Catholic Christian’s heart? We are sanctified by truth (John 17:17) to grow our affection for God… to the praise of His glorious grace. How much do we love God in Christ? Truth has implications which renews our minds and transforms our affections of our hearts. Jesus asked Peter 3 times, do you love me? Grace has an eternal depth that can never be exhausted., How’s your understanding of God/s grace in Christ comming along in your spiritual journey? How thankful are we in our minds and heart for what God has done in Christ for those who know Him?

“Amazing Grace”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oli*ver, 1779)

A priest once told me to read Amazing Grace as a penance after confession. I see no division in it. Tim

 

[underdog]

We sing Amazing Grace at our parish. Why would you think that would not be in a Catholic’s heart?

npatrol:

Good afternoon Prodigal,

Are you familar with the author of the hymn, being a slave trader prior to conversion? He was also a very staunch Calvinst theologian and beloved pastor. Maybe John Newton understood amazing grace differently than Catholic Christians. Do you think that’s true? I mentioned that grace has an depth that is never exhausted. I think Catholic teaching on grace is only scratching the surface on the subject.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton

“Zeal without knowledge is like expedition to a man in the dark”.

John Newton

 

[underdog]

A priest once told me to read Amazing Grace as a penance after confession. I see no division in it. Tim

It’s interesting that Catholics see the hymn of “Amazing Grace” as an act of penance. Non-Catholic Christians sing the hymn as an act of worship.

 

[dzheremi]

So he should not have done it as an act of penance, even though that’s what his priest specifically asked him to do? Sorry, but you don’t get to defy priestly authority (confered by Jesus Christ, the Savior himself) just because you’d rather keep to your own little boxes, where confession is somehow conflicting with worshipping God. Confession is our path BACK to God, whereby we can return to the fullness of worship of Him that is found in His Catholic Church. That hymn is entirely appropriate, given this context.

Please read up a bit on the sacraments of the Church before you assume that we will receptive to your false dichotomies, in this thread or any of the others you’ve started which also present false dichotomies.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Good afternoon Prodigal,

Are you familar with the author of the hymn, being a slave trader prior to conversion? He was also a very staunch Calvinst theologian and beloved pastor. Maybe John Newton understood amazing grace differently than Catholic Christians. Do you think that’s true? I mentioned that grace has an depth that is never exhausted. I think Catholic teaching on grace is only scratching the surface on the subject.

I know the song very well. Last year I purchased the movie Amazing Grace on dvd. We had a special night where all from the Church were invited to attend a viewing of it. This was encouraged by the nuns of our Church and approved by our priest, whom all attended themselves.

Calvinists are reformers of the original reformers. Therefore, in my opinion, they have less than a fullness of truth than the original reformers had. Also, we know Calvinist beliefs themselves have been “watered down” through time as some of John Calvin’s views are no longer shared by current day Calvinists. But, I digress.

You seem to think, only Catholics have a lack of understanding of God’s full grace. I think this to be a mistake, as I know of no “man” who can grasp the fullness of God’s grace. It would seem to be boastful for any man to claim he knows the fullness of God’s grace that can never be exhausted.

John Newton, went through many phases of Christianity, or denominations. After his evangelical conversion, he accepted the doctrines of Christianity through his own private interpretations. Later he eventually became a priest of the Church of England. While he waited to be accepted as a priest, he also applied to the Methodists, Independents and Presbyterians, as well as directly to the Bishops of Chester and Lincoln and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. I’m not sure this represents seeking a real truth or an acceptance of opportunity. This also confuses a point of how exactly he viewed the song he authored. I do not mean any disrespect by telling this, as I do not know his heart. There is only one who can see anyone’s heart.

npatrol:

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Good afternoon Prodigal,

Are you familar with the author of the hymn, being a slave trader prior to conversion? He was also a very staunch Calvinst theologian and beloved pastor. Maybe John Newton understood amazing grace differently than Catholic Christians. Do you think that’s true? I mentioned that grace has an depth that is never exhausted. I think Catholic teaching on grace is only scratching the surface on the subject.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton

“Zeal without knowledge is like expedition to a man in the dark”.

John Newton

Ahhh, editing after posting. I knew another person who used to be on these forums that did that regularly. It’s a pesty habit of sorts as it seems to change the meanings of the responses to the original posted material. But, thanks for the link, I provided some information from that link in my previous response.

npatrol:

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

It’s interesting that Catholics see the hymn of “Amazing Grace” as an act of penance. Non-Catholic Christians sing the hymn as an act of worship.

It appears, that you might be presupposing what Catholics believe or are you a former Catholic? In any event, let me recommend that you ask what we believe and I’m sure Catholics will be glad to fill you in so there will be no mistake.

npatrol:

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

By the way, what do you think of my idea for a Catholic/Protestant Bible study? You seemed to have skipped over that somehow.

npatrol:

 

[underdog]

So he should not have done it as an act of penance, even though that’s what his priest specifically asked him to do? Sorry, but you don’t get to defy priestly authority (confered by Jesus Christ, the Savior himself) just because you’d rather keep to your own little boxes, where confession is somehow conflicting with worshipping God. Confession is our path BACK to God, whereby we can return to the fullness of worship of Him that is found in His Catholic Church. That hymn is entirely appropriate, given this context.

Please read up a bit on the sacraments of the Church before you assume that we will receptive to your false dichotomies, in this thread or any of the others you’ve started which also present false dichotomies.

Please help me understand the Catholic sacrament of penance. Singing hymns is more an act of worship and joy for the non-Catholic Christian. If I understand penance, reading the hymn of “Amazing Grace” doesn’t seem to fit so well. Maybe my view of penance is faulty?

 

[underdog]

I know the song very well. Last year I purchased the movie Amazing Grace on dvd. We had a special night where all from the Church were invited to attend a viewing of it. This was encouraged by the nuns of our Church and approved by our priest, whom all attended themselves.

Calvinists are reformers of the original reformers. Therefore, in my opinion, they have less than a fullness of truth than the original reformers had. Also, we know Calvinist beliefs themselves have been “watered down” through time as some of John Calvin’s views are no longer shared by current day Calvinists. But, I digress.

You seem to think, only Catholics have a lack of understanding of God’s full grace. I think this to be a mistake, as I know of no “man” who can grasp the fullness of God’s grace. It would seem to be boastful for any man to claim he knows the fullness of God’s grace that can never be exhausted.

John Newton, went through many phases of Christianity, or denominations. After his evangelical conversion, he accepted the doctrines of Christianity through his own private interpretations. Later he eventually became a priest of the Church of England. While he waited to be accepted as a priest, he also applied to the Methodists, Independents and Presbyterians, as well as directly to the Bishops of Chester and Lincoln and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. I’m not sure this represents seeking a real truth or an acceptance of opportunity. This also confuses a point of how exactly he viewed the song he authored. I do not mean any disrespect by telling this, as I do not know his heart. There is only one who can see anyone’s heart.

npatrol:

Calvinism has nothing to do with Protestant denominations. Have you read much of John Newton’s work, because he was quite the theolgian and pastor? He was clearly a Calvininst. I never heard of anyone disputing Newton of being a Calvinist.

desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1485_John_Newton_The_Tough_Roots_of_His_Habitual_Tenderness/

 

[TOP]

It’s interesting that Catholics see the hymn of “Amazing Grace” as an act of penance. Non-Catholic Christians sing the hymn as an act of worship.

This Catholic saw it as appropriate given the nature of the confession given, but not in all case’s. I think dzheremi summed it up pretty well and you should take his suggestion of brushing up on the Sacraments including reconciliation. Here’s a link to the CCC that may help you.Tim

 

[underdog]

By the way, what do you think of my idea for a Catholic/Protestant Bible study? You seemed to have skipped over that somehow.

npatrol:

I did not see that. I am neither a Catholic nor a Protestant. I’m just a Christian who is able to love the Lord because of God’s grace that was granted to me.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Calvinism has nothing to do with Protestant denominations. Have you read much of John Newton’s work, because he was quite the theolgian and pastor? He was clearly a Calvininst. I never heard of anyone disputing Newton of being a Calvinist.

desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1485_John_Newton_The_Tough_Roots_of_His_Habitual_Tenderness/

Did you read the link you provided? That’s where I got the information on John Newton’s spiritual search.

Sailing back to England in 1748 aboard the slave-ship Greyhound on the Atlantic triangle trade route, the ship encountered a severe storm and almost sank. Newton awoke in the middle of the night and prayed to God as the ship filled with water. It was this experience which he later marked as the beginnings of his conversion to evangelical Christianity.[4] As the ship sailed home, Newton began to read the Bible and other religious literature. By the time he reached Britain, he had accepted the doctrines of Christianity.

In 1755 Newton became tide surveyor of the port of Liverpool, again through the influence of Manestay and, in his spare time, was able to study Greek, Hebrew, and Syriac. He became well-known as an evangelical lay minister, and applied for the Anglican priesthood in 1757, although it was more than seven years before he was eventually accepted and ordained into the Church of England. Such had been his frustration during this period of rejection that he had sought also to apply to the Methodists, Independents and Presbyterians, as well as directly to the Bishops of Chester and Lincoln and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

npatrol:

 

[emarc]

What’s so amazing about Gods grace? Sinners are reconciled to God through Christ to the praise of His glorious grace. Therefore, please share what you have to say about God’s amazing grace."

i was walking in darkness and in sin. what’s amazing God did not give up on me. one Christmas i found a little book sitting on our center table in the living room. there was no name on it and my wife and kids did not own it so it just sat there for two weeks. when i picked it up i saw it was the NT. i had no idea i was in for a life changing encounter with God. as soon as i read i could not put it down. i’d take it to work and read through my one hour lunch break and read again when i got home till i read everything. the words burnt in my heart and could vividly see how Jesus died for me, despite me, a sinner. it was only then i understood his love, how it became personal to me. tears freely flowed from my eyes as i read how Jesus was scourged, spat on and humiliated. and when he was carrying the cross and passed by me, his words were very alive in my heart as he asked; “how can you doubt my love?” i was a lost sheep and he found me. i was walking in darkness and saw his light. i was in the shadow of death when his great light shined upon me. truly he transformed me. Glory to him. This is his grace to me.
God bless.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I did not see that. I am neither a Catholic nor a Protestant. I’m just a Christian who is able to love the Lord because of God’s grace that was granted to me.

Well, I apologize for assuming you were a Protestant. Since you’re not Catholic, that slims down the denominations of affliation with most Churchs I am familiar with. I was beginning to think you might be a Calvinist, but I believe they are Protestant? Are you by chance Mormon? Or are you saying there is no Church you are affliated with? I’m not sure I understand you on this point.

It does not matter though, we can all share and learn from a Bible study together, don’t you think? Would you be interested in a “joint” Bible study? If not, please tell me how you know your private interpretation is correct over all the other interpretations of scriptures in the many existing Churchs of today?

npatrol: