Why I am not a Catholic - Romans 14:1-4

[gnosys]

“Unless [Luther] repented before he died (and we have no reason to beleive he did), he is in hell at this very moment. And those who follow his erroneous teachings will join him there for all eternity.”

According to John Paul II, Heaven no longer has a “Catholics Only” (or even “Christians Only”) policy.

For all its past persecutions and prejudices, the Catholic Church has in recent years been far more liberal than many other Christian sects in its openness to the truths of science and its pursuit of dialogue with other faiths.

 

[Mattheus]

Angainor:

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:1-4 (NIV)
The very nature of Catholicism is an affront to this principle. Catholicism takes a stand on very nearly every “disputable matter” imaginable and requires conformity of all Christians to its view. Who is Catholicism to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Four verses, that’s all that’s required to accuse the Church of judgment? Who was it who said, “Read the whole Bible, not just a few verses you like”? Ah, Gen. George Patton, who wasn’t a Catholic I’m informed. Before there was a Bible there was already a teaching Church, who was given authority by her Founder, Jesus Christ, to regulate, to admonish, to judge, to bind and loose, etc.

 

[keelmeister]

It really sounds like there’s more to your story. You seem to be using this one piece of scripture to justify your rejection of the Church. Study the Word, don’t just read it. Read does not equal Study. And pray for wisdom to understand and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. If you are truly seeking God, He’ll lead you home.

 

[bekalc]

Don’t you think that’s a bit much to say anyone is in Hell. It is not our place to say any person is in Hell, or isn’t in Hell. That’s God’s place.

 

[jimmy]

“Unless [Luther]
repented before he died (and we have no reason to beleive he did), he is in hell at this very moment. And those who follow his erroneous teachings will join him there for all eternity.”

According to John Paul II, Heaven no longer has a “Catholics Only” (or even “Christians Only”) policy.

For all its past persecutions and prejudices, the Catholic Church has in recent years been far more liberal than many other Christian sects in its openness to the truths of science and its pursuit of dialogue with other faiths.

It remains the same, if Luther did not repent of his errors then he is in hell. He caused many people to be led away from the truth. John Paul II changed nothing of the doctrine. It is possible that a protestant could be saved, but them being apart from the Church severely hurts the chances.

 

[jimmy]

bekalc:

Don’t you think that’s a bit much to say anyone is in Hell. It is not our place to say any person is in Hell, or isn’t in Hell. That’s God’s place.

That is why the person said unless he has repented. Only God knows if he has repented therefore God is the only one who can say someone is in hell. But it can be said that a heretic is in hell, unless he has repented, just like you could say it of any sinner.

 

[Jason_G.Hull]

The Catholic Church condemns false teachings, not people. For example, Martin Luther’s teaching on sola fide is condemned as heresy by the Church, however the Church never proclaimed that Mr. Luther is in hell. The Church has proclaimed many saints but has never proclaimed anyone to be in hell. This is a common parallel to love the sinner but hate the sin. You my friend have confused the sin with the sinner. The Catholic Church has never condemned anyone, just false teachings. Therefore your argument is invalid.