Hi
GodsGrace
Yes, and all of that is just another reason that I question the validity of the teachings of the Catholic organization.
You could question the validity. It's good to question everything.
I've found, however, that the CC seems to base things on scripture in one way or another.
Apparently, God has changed His mind about priests and bishops and popes being married and also whether we can eat meats on Friday.
The above are CHURCH RULES. I don't really care for church rules because it clouds that and biblical teachings for those that are not familiar with the bible. I just think they should be kept separated, but they're not.
Kind of reminds me of Jesus' caution to those who 'sway like a reed in the wind'. God's word is immutable truth. If it is against His will for us that we not eat meat on Friday, then it has and always will be, against His will. If it is His will that those serving His flock in the positions of leadership not be married, then that will always be the case. Unfortunately, what I'm seeing here is that I'm wrong. His will changes, maybe daily, with the strictures of the Catholic organization.
It has nothing to do with what God wants. It has to do with the CC trying to teach it's lay persons to have some kind of control over their appetites - literally.
I think when we depart from strict scriptural teachings something negative will happen.
This has certainly been the case for the CC.
The old timers were taught something very different from this new generation and the old timers are not happy about it and it also makes it difficult for the CC to change because of opposition to the old ways.
So, and I don't mean to 'bash' anyone for whatever practice of faith they choose to follow, but I see often, in the Catholic version of christian practice, much the same thing that I have read that Jesus condemned the Jewish leaders for in his day. They have established the laws of man to be above the law of God. It really seems just that simple to me.
I wouldn't say it's above the law of God.
It seems to me that they were trying to keep a reign on their people but, unfortunately, sans teaching them the love of God.
I can't find anywhere in all of Scripture that eating meat on Friday was considered any kind of sin or uncleanness. I can't find anywhere in all of the Scriptures that God ever places any restrictions on those who serve Him as leaders of His people that they shouldn't or can't be married.
And it's not in there.
The only mention of one not getting married is as a personal and individual decision that they would choose to make based on their ability to forego having sexual relations in their life. Otherwise, God's word tells us that everyone should be married so that sexual lusts don't lead them to sin. Which is exactly what is being modeled for us with so many of the Catholic organizations leaders falling into the many, many, many sexual sins that they do. God doesn't tell anyone that they can't marry!!! But the Catholic organization does. And again, God addresses that matter also.
I agree. But the priests I know accept the vow they've made. Maybe because it's a small place and everybody knows everything, but they seem to be on a steady course. One (quite a few years ago) asked to be transferred because one of the local girls was attracted to him.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times (that is exactly the time we have been in since Jesus ascended to the Father) some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
LOL
I wouldn't say doctrines of demons!
That's going a bit too far.
Catholics believe in all the tenets of Christianity.
After all, it's that church that kept the faith at the beginning and that gave us the bible we know.
Honestly, as I read that, it paints the perfect picture of exactly what the Catholic organization is doing. I mean, to me, this passage is pointing a direct finger to these issues that the Catholic organization has begun to teach. Just as the description in the Revelation of a woman riding a beast clothed in purple and scarlet. They are pursuing the doctrines of deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons and speaking lies in hypocrisy, by forbidding some to marry and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
There's a reason for each teaching.
And it IS a teaching.
Now I understand that you may not see it that way. But I'd just caution you to be very, very careful that you're not understanding as you do because that's how you've been taught to understand by an organization that claims of itself to be a Christ like organization; and not by understanding the truth of God's word on these matters.
The CC IS a Christ-like organization.
They taught the truth centuries before the Reformation.
The problem is that they added some teachings to the written word.
There are literally at least a dozen practices of that organization that are just not what God's word tells us on these matters. Just like Jesus condemned the leaders in Israel in his day. Be careful my friend and do as God's word tells you. Study everything with the mind of Christ. Watch out for deceiving doctrines established by men, even though they will tell you that it's 'their' interpretation of what God's word says. You don't know their hearts... but God does.
God bless,
Ted
Maybe this should be in the Catholic Forum, but what doctrines do you believe are so demonic?