So, you can attempt to convert me if you like. Thanks for caring enough to try. If the spirit moves me, I may try to convert you. Regardless, it doesn't matter if you're strong in your faith. I can't condemn you and I don't think you can condemn me.

 

That's confusing. That should have read as long as you are strong

:thumb:

 

I'm probably going to have to disagree about what you assert is generally accepted. There are many Protestant who believe that Catholicism is a false religion and idolatry and they're going to hell. There are Catholics who get upset about that. Just like the opposite is true...there are Catholics who believe that Protestants are going to hell and salvation is impossible outside fo the Catholic faith.

 

I'm not particularly interested in getting into a discussion about what the church(es) teach and why these people believe what they do. It's irrelevant to me personally and my view is similar, if not exactly, like Pepper II stated in Post #25.

 

 

The bolded is one of the reasons I don't get into these as often as some. I have dealt with enough SBTS students who have that mentality to where I tend to avoid discussions with overly zealous types.

 

Of course I could always act contrary, claim to be a polygamous follower of the "true" God of the Universe Primus and that all sorts of thing they consider to be sins are actually acts of devout faith in mine.

 

Although I think my usual pattern of smiling, nodding and moving on is more useful. If less entertaining.

The bolded is one of the reasons I don't get into these as often as some. I have dealt with enough SBTS students who have that mentality to where I tend to avoid discussions with overly zealous types.

 

Of course I could always act contrary, claim to be a polygamous follower of the "true" God of the Universe Primus and that all sorts of thing they consider to be sins are actually acts of devout faith in mine.

 

Although I think my usual pattern of smiling, nodding and moving on is more useful. If less entertaining.

 

:thumb:

 

Which is why I disagreed with the idea that it's generally accepted that Catholics are the only group that believes the others are going to hell.

 

I don't agree with either side when they exclude the other group(s). I simply look at their core doctrine. Do they believe and teach that salvation is solely through faith in Jesus Christ alone? Do they teach that Jesus is fully human and fully God? Do they teach that there is one God in three persons (God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit)?

 

Those are essential. If the answer is yes, then I can disagree with some other beliefs and still view them as Christians. If they answer is no, then they may claim to be Christians, but they're not.

As a Catholic I agree with you totally. I do not think that Catholics have the sole claim to Christ's Church. I do not believe that the Pope is the head of all churchs....just the Catholic churches. Each church has a pastor and that pastor is the head of that church.

 

My church is not affiliated with any national denomination or church. It begins and ends at our 4 walls. So, the head of our church is technically Jesus Christ through the words that is spoken in the entire Bible.

 

But for the sake of this discussion, my local minister and elders as you described in the bolded is equilivant to the Pope. Leaders of our church.

That's great. I, for one, get ticked off when people who have a day job try and provide spiritual guidance for large congregations- I believe being a minister should be a full-time job.

 

I am not sure why you mention that he is the same age as the apostles.

 

Anyways, I like starting these threads to try and foster discussion, but if you actually don't see any difference between your local minister and the Pope, I guess I am not going to get anywhere.

 

 

It's a can of worms that I don't feel like getting into. What it boils down to is that it is untrue to say that Catholics believe all Protestants are going to Hell.

 

Most people that I tell that to, however, prefer to still believe that we Catholics are more exclusive because that is what they have been taught to believe about Catholics. I'm saying right now that Catholics don't believe that Protestants are going to hell, but is anyone going to listen? If anyone wants to discuss it, start a thread or PM me, although I'd bet no one will, because people would rather believe the lie...

 

On the bolded, why?

 

I believe my minister was called by God to be a teacher and leader. He was raised up to stand up in the pulpit and speak and teach the true Word of God as is spoken in the Holy Bible.

 

Does my description of my local minister not fit with the Pope?

The writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Paul were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Could the words of the Pope be inspired as well?

Why does it matter? It doesn't bother me what you think as long as you don't actually have the power to send me there. I've read a bunch of Catholics get upset because some Baptist told them they weren't going to Heaven. I'm sure there are some snake handlin', hemlock drinkin' little churches up the hollow that are sure I'm going to Hell because I won't do that stuff and that's fine with me that they think so. I think you should believe in whatever religious denomination you practice. Otherwise, what's the point?

 

So, you can attempt to convert me if you like. Thanks for caring enough to try. If the spirit moves me, I may try to convert you. Regardless, it doesn't matter if you're strong in your faith. I can't condemn you and I don't think you can condemn me. Why does everyone get upset?

If I believe that my faith is right, then I can not do otherwise but try and convert others. Hopefully, I don't do it in a rude manner. I just try to accurately portray what I believe and see what happens.

The writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Paul were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 

So did the Holy Spirit retire?

On the bolded, why?

 

I believe my minister was called by God to be a teacher and leader. He was raised up to stand up in the pulpit and speak and teach the true Word of God as is spoken in the Holy Bible.

 

Does my description of my local minister not fit with the Pope?

 

I do not want to discount the work done by any local minister, but IMO, the preception of the Pope is enhanced due to the fact that he is someone who has been a long time member of the clergy, and is appointed by his peers to the positon and is usually also well know and respected worldwide prior to his becoming the Pope.

 

 

As far as the bolded, so does Fred Phelps congregation. Just something to think about.

 

I do not believet that all ministers are on the same level, just as I do not believe that all priests are on the same level.

^^^Strike, I don't think so, but I did and he is right here with me.

Could the words of the Pope be inspired as well?

 

Yes.

 

So did the Holy Spirit retire?

 

No.

The bolded is one of the reasons I don't get into these as often as some. I have dealt with enough SBTS students who have that mentality to where I tend to avoid discussions with overly zealous types.

 

Of course I could always act contrary, claim to be a polygamous follower of the "true" God of the Universe Primus and that all sorts of thing they consider to be sins are actually acts of devout faith in mine.

 

Although I think my usual pattern of smiling, nodding and moving on is more useful. If less entertaining.

 

 

Please note that you must have experienced the new Al Mohler Drone version of SBTS students/grads. The old ones were not like these current storm troopers. ( Not that I have anybody in mind. :thumb:)

So did the Holy Spirit retire?

 

No. But the bible is complete now and tells us all we need to know (Jude 3).

 

Also check out 1 Corinthians 13 paying special attention to verse 10.

Could the words of the Pope be inspired as well?

 

QUOTE]

 

No, see my post 42.

No. But the bible is complete now and tells us all we need to know (Jude 3).

 

Also check out 1 Corinthians 13 paying special attention to verse 10.

 

How do these verses tell us the Bible is complete? How are we to know what should and should not be in the Bible?

Please note that you must have experienced the new Al Mohler Drone version of SBTS students/grads. The old ones were not like these current storm troopers. ( Not that I have anybody in mind. :thumb:)

 

hmmmm.....

 

Actually I have had mixed relationships with the inordinate number of them I have talked to. I have known a few that were actually verywilling to listen and understand my side things (being Catholic and all). A former student of the SBTS is actually a good friend of mine, and understands my problem with many of those I encounter there as they drove her nuts too.

 

Something about those "storm troopers" as you aptly called them, just never sits well with me. When someone seems so zealous into something or so "perfect" with something it just comes across as trying too hard and false and that is the vibe I get with many of the ones that I have dealt with. They probably just need to grow up, but that's just my experience with them.