I agree with you, but let us not use this as an excuse to not do ALL we can to destroy evil and all the works of satan, and to be there and help our fellow human beings! I am not accusing you of implying this. You didn't, but I fear some will read this and draw that conclusion for themselves. We are overwhelmed by the evil of Iran and Hamas, and for us all we wish we could just hide till it's over! We can't tho. We must, as Paul says pray unceasingly and do as the Lord calls each of to do.
What you say might all very well be true; not saying it’s not. I would currently identify as Protestant, but have considered Crossing the Tigris in the past couple years. I appreciate your passion for truth, but where is the grace? The humility to respect others journeys to coming to know the one Truth? Was your journey through Protestant traditions into the Catholic Faith one of grace and not your own superior intelligence?
I intend no disrespect. But, grace is conferred through the Sacraments. Understanding comes through instruction. Scott Hahn lit the spark for me. But, it was reading the early Church fathers - the first Christian writings of those who learned from the Apostles and their immediate successors that caused me to look for the church that they described. The Didache was very influential for me. But certainly no disrespect. God judges the heart in light of what the individual knows. Childlike faith is the ideal. The child knows nothing of doctrine and theology but simply believes and loves. Unfortunately, most of us cannot remain as children. We have to balance the loss of innocence with maturity in faith and learning, always remembering that all we are capable of understanding is a drop compared to the ocean of God.
Curious of your seeming disdain for your “Protestant” brothers and sisters. Numerous articles you talk down at a whole category of your fellow Christians. Arrogance? Pride? Ignorance?
“Protestant” a term you use in sweeping generalizations as if all Protestant teaching is in agreement and all who would identify as Protestant are in full agreement.
No, there are up to 50,000 Protestant denominations each of whom disagree with each other in doctrine and all of whom reject the Teachings of the, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. There is only one Truth, the same today as yesterday, and that Truth is only found in the one Church founded by Jesus. It is very simple. There is only one valid Church just as there is only one Truth. That isn't arrogance, it is the guarantee of Jesus that the gates of hell would not prevail against the one and only Church He founded and guaranteed against all error 2000 years ago. Luther wasn't right or valid 500 years ago, and all the thousands of denominations founded in the last few decades or even centuries are confusion and error, which is of Satan, not God. Sorry if that offends. But, Truth is a binary thing, one is right and all the thousands of others are wrong. All denominations outside of Catholicism are based on lies and are invalid.
I appreciate your willingness to engage with me and share a little of what influenced your journey to the Roman Catholic Church. God’s many blessings and mercy for you the rest of the way.
There are many types of grace in Catholic Theology. While the sacrament do confect habitual grace on the soul like food feeding the good of the body there is actual grace which is “temporary supernatural intervention by God to enlighten the mind or strengthen the will to perform supernatural actions that lead to heaven.”
Now, I am a cradle Catholic. I have Lutheran relatives & friends whom I value for the qualities of faith in our Lord & steadfastness. Do they inspire me in my own faith? Absolutely. I don’t think they quite get it right in some areas, but I do see them as brothers & sisters in Christ as the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains in CCC 818.
There is a pluralism of thought in the Catholic Church. May God be with you on your journey.
I agree with you, but let us not use this as an excuse to not do ALL we can to destroy evil and all the works of satan, and to be there and help our fellow human beings! I am not accusing you of implying this. You didn't, but I fear some will read this and draw that conclusion for themselves. We are overwhelmed by the evil of Iran and Hamas, and for us all we wish we could just hide till it's over! We can't tho. We must, as Paul says pray unceasingly and do as the Lord calls each of to do.
What you say might all very well be true; not saying it’s not. I would currently identify as Protestant, but have considered Crossing the Tigris in the past couple years. I appreciate your passion for truth, but where is the grace? The humility to respect others journeys to coming to know the one Truth? Was your journey through Protestant traditions into the Catholic Faith one of grace and not your own superior intelligence?
I intend no disrespect. But, grace is conferred through the Sacraments. Understanding comes through instruction. Scott Hahn lit the spark for me. But, it was reading the early Church fathers - the first Christian writings of those who learned from the Apostles and their immediate successors that caused me to look for the church that they described. The Didache was very influential for me. But certainly no disrespect. God judges the heart in light of what the individual knows. Childlike faith is the ideal. The child knows nothing of doctrine and theology but simply believes and loves. Unfortunately, most of us cannot remain as children. We have to balance the loss of innocence with maturity in faith and learning, always remembering that all we are capable of understanding is a drop compared to the ocean of God.
Curious of your seeming disdain for your “Protestant” brothers and sisters. Numerous articles you talk down at a whole category of your fellow Christians. Arrogance? Pride? Ignorance?
“Protestant” a term you use in sweeping generalizations as if all Protestant teaching is in agreement and all who would identify as Protestant are in full agreement.
No, there are up to 50,000 Protestant denominations each of whom disagree with each other in doctrine and all of whom reject the Teachings of the, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. There is only one Truth, the same today as yesterday, and that Truth is only found in the one Church founded by Jesus. It is very simple. There is only one valid Church just as there is only one Truth. That isn't arrogance, it is the guarantee of Jesus that the gates of hell would not prevail against the one and only Church He founded and guaranteed against all error 2000 years ago. Luther wasn't right or valid 500 years ago, and all the thousands of denominations founded in the last few decades or even centuries are confusion and error, which is of Satan, not God. Sorry if that offends. But, Truth is a binary thing, one is right and all the thousands of others are wrong. All denominations outside of Catholicism are based on lies and are invalid.
I appreciate your willingness to engage with me and share a little of what influenced your journey to the Roman Catholic Church. God’s many blessings and mercy for you the rest of the way.
There are many types of grace in Catholic Theology. While the sacrament do confect habitual grace on the soul like food feeding the good of the body there is actual grace which is “temporary supernatural intervention by God to enlighten the mind or strengthen the will to perform supernatural actions that lead to heaven.”
Now, I am a cradle Catholic. I have Lutheran relatives & friends whom I value for the qualities of faith in our Lord & steadfastness. Do they inspire me in my own faith? Absolutely. I don’t think they quite get it right in some areas, but I do see them as brothers & sisters in Christ as the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains in CCC 818.
There is a pluralism of thought in the Catholic Church. May God be with you on your journey.
Thanks for clarifying that, Phillip.
Thanks Phillip, I also very much appreciate the follow up, sharing of encouragement in faith from
your Lutheran family members and clarification of grace in Catholic teaching. God be with you as well.