Hello All

[MikeRusso]

I figured i would take this time to make my presence known here and tell a little background history about myself;

I was baptized at birth, and always followed what everyone told me....somewhere along the line, i got rebellious and decided to go against a lot of things in my life at the time....one of them being religion. I became Pagan for years and years, until recently when, a couple weeks ago, my grandpa died. At the funeral service, i became so enthralled by it all....and my eyes were open, i was being completely biased with the only way i backed up my dislike for God/Jesus and the Holy Bible, was what i heard from other people....so i decided to take a look for myself. The next day i got my bible out of storage and started reading the story of Job. I instantly felt a connection. I consider myself agnostic for now because i still have many questions, but i can tell in the future that this is the path for me...and God, Jesus, Mary and the Holy Bible will be my guides.

I hope to find the answers to some of my questions here, and to hopefully meet some nice people and possibly make some new friends.


(also, just a quick question, wondering....what is the difference between Catholic and Christian?)

 

[stovebolts]

Hi Mike,

I too enjoy the book of Job and it resonates with me as well. Anyway, I'm glad your here and I hope we can become friends.

It's ironic though that you would mention that your eyes were opened and you were able to see your own bias. You know, so many people walk around this earth not even realizing that they have a bias. It's almost like it's a dirty word or something. But I don't think it is. Actually, I think it's a good thing to understand what your bias is.

Your story reminds me of the Prodigal son. He was rebellious and insisted on his inheritance before his father was dead, which basically said he wished his father dead. He then squanders his inheritance and suddenly, his eyes are opened and he returns home.

His father is excited that his son has returned, and he even has a huge party for him. From his fathers perspective, he doesn't care where his son was, or what his son did. He doesn't even concern himself with the thought that his son is coming back with pagan influence. No, his father is just happy to have his son home. And with that, welcome home! Just keep in mind that in the story of the prodigal son, the older brother wasn't so happy about his younger brothers return, so if you bring in some ideas that he disagrees with, know that it's only out of concern for his father. But know that the Father has already accepted you home.

In closing, you asked about the differences between Catholic and Christian. From a secular view, Catholics are thought of in terms of the Pope etc while "Christian" has morphed into some protestant term. Both terms i would argue have strayed from their original intent.

Catholic, to the truest form of the word simply means universal, and denotes that the Church is a universal church, filled with all types and walks of life. In short, the Church isnt' a Jewish Church, and it's not a Gentile Church. It's a Church for all.

Likewise, Christian could be summarized as one who follows Christ as that's the way it was coined in the NT where it is first used by pagans criticizing those who followed in the ways of Jesus. Ironically, within that group of followers, they described themselves as "the way" because they lived the way of Jesus.

So it kind of saddens me that we've got this division and our identity is based on a label, and not a relationship. And to make my bias known, I believe ones identity in Christ is based on ones relationship with Christ first and foremost.

Again, welcome!

 

[MikeRusso]

Hi Mike,

I too enjoy the book of Job and it resonates with me as well. Anyway, I'm glad your here and I hope we can become friends.

It's ironic though that you would mention that your eyes were opened and you were able to see your own bias. You know, so many people walk around this earth not even realizing that they have a bias. It's almost like it's a dirty word or something. But I don't think it is. Actually, I think it's a good thing to understand what your bias is.

Your story reminds me of the Prodigal son. He was rebellious and insisted on his inheritance before his father was dead, which basically said he wished his father dead. He then squanders his inheritance and suddenly, his eyes are opened and he returns home.

His father is excited that his son has returned, and he even has a huge party for him. From his fathers perspective, he doesn't care where his son was, or what his son did. He doesn't even concern himself with the thought that his son is coming back with pagan influence. No, his father is just happy to have his son home. And with that, welcome home! Just keep in mind that in the story of the prodigal son, the older brother wasn't so happy about his younger brothers return, so if you bring in some ideas that he disagrees with, know that it's only out of concern for his father. But know that the Father has already accepted you home.

In closing, you asked about the differences between Catholic and Christian. From a secular view, Catholics are thought of in terms of the Pope etc while "Christian" has morphed into some protestant term. Both terms i would argue have strayed from their original intent.

Catholic, to the truest form of the word simply means universal, and denotes that the Church is a universal church, filled with all types and walks of life. In short, the Church isnt' a Jewish Church, and it's not a Gentile Church. It's a Church for all.

Likewise, Christian could be summarized as one who follows Christ as that's the way it was coined in the NT where it is first used by pagans criticizing those who followed in the ways of Jesus. Ironically, within that group of followers, they described themselves as "the way" because they lived the way of Jesus.

So it kind of saddens me that we've got this division and our identity is based on a label, and not a relationship. And to make my bias known, I believe ones identity in Christ is based on ones relationship with Christ first and foremost.

Again, welcome!

Thank you for such a very warm welcome....and what a wonderful story

 

[Mike]

From one Mike to another, welcome to CFnet!

 

[stovebolts]

Thank you for such a very warm welcome....and what a wonderful story

Glad to have you.

You can read the story yourself. It's found in Luke 15.

Take care!

 

[Gazelle]

Welcome and ask me any questions you wish

The main difference (to me) between the two: "Catholic" and "Christian" is that Catholicism is a man made religion; Christianity is a faith in Christ--trusting Him for salvation and winning others to Him.

A Catholic can be a Christian and some Christians are members of the Catholic Church.

Be well.

 

[MikeRusso]

Wow, everyone is so very kind here....thank you all so very much for the welcoming.