I have decided...

[belovedwolfofgod]

seems like your looking for fruit instead of right teaching. there is a difference. atheists can be good people yet have bad catechesis. you should focus on right teaching and then find a church that has that and then produces fruit.

 

[gingercat]

seems like your looking for fruit instead of right teaching.

You can memorize whole Scripture and caliming to be Christian. Just memorizing Scripture is nothing but lip servicing. Faith without deeds is dead.(Jas 2:26) There are many responsibilities Jesus gave us.

Any ways, I haven't met many Cacholics actually studing the Bible. I am a volunteer evangelist, so I have been talking to many, many people.

 

[gingercat]

Ok, well I could not find it, so could you provide a link please?

It is in aplogetics page 3

 

[belovedwolfofgod]

you see, the problem with a statement like that about Catholics is that catholics sometimes take the stance of jews. Atheistic judaism is a thing now. You can be jewish and not believe in God. Well, after being around for several thousand years, people start thinking of being catholic the same way as thinking about being German. When people say they are catholic, they may not actually be Catholic. Being Catholic requires that one actually follows after Christ. So saying that you havent seen many Catholics reading the bible... well, that may not actually mean anything. Chances are they just say they are Catholic. Now other religions have this too. But the methodists, episcopalians and various other sects dont make up 25% of the United States or 30% of the world. Protestantism only makes up 7% of the world, so 'catholics' are a little more noticeable.

Then there are people like me. I read the Bible on occasion. But I also read books by the saints, theological works, spiritual works, I read quite a bit. Just cause some people dont understand Tradition and wants to go Sola Scriptura and thus judge me cause I havent read the Bible 7 times over doesnt make me less Christian or less knowledgeable.

And as an evangelical volunteer, chances are the Catholics didnt bother attending your functions. I know I never used to til I decided to actually be open minded and charitable.

 

[Nocturnal_Principal_X]

Ok, well I could not find it, so could you provide a link please?

It is in aplogetics page 3

I wanted a link but I found it anyway. Ah yes, I remember that thread, I did read it, and I don't agree with your conclusions. No surprise there I’m sure. Anyway, just give some thought to the things I have told you. What you wind up believing is of course between you and God, as it is for me as well. I continue, and will continue, to talk about what I see as error in ones theology. I do that not for my own glory, I do that because I care about others and I desire for people to know the truth, not error. I do it out of love and with a desire to ultimately bring glory to God.

I know I am no better then a person who is in error for I have sin in my own life that God is still working on. In other words I don’t think I’m better then you, gingercat, or anyone else. Due to those realities I also know that I myself must be corrected of error from time to time. My theology, the doctrines I believe in, may in fact be in error and with loving rebuke I am open to change and growth.

I grew up in a “mainline church†and I came to know the gospel and its truth. Thanks to my salvation in Christ I have been enabled by His grace to overcome many trials and tribulations in my life: such as my parents’ marital problems, depression in High School, and my mother’s death. I can honestly say I am grateful the Lord has allowed me to go through various problems in my life. I’m also grateful for the congenital heart condition that He allowed me to have. In a sense it is “a thorn in my side†that reminds me of the awesome grace and love of God. God’s grace enabled the doctors to perform three open heart surgeries and ultimately fix my heat so I can live without a right ventricle, of which I was born without.

I share the above to testify to God’s glory and not mine. God is truly a wonderful and justice creator. I am thankful for everyday He gives me and the love He continues to show me through both the people I come in contact with and the various others things in my life.

 

[CatholicXian]

Nocturnal_Principal_X

Here is the link you're looking for: http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=21833

(thought I'd save you some searching through threads)


gingercat,

what was "strange and unbiblical" about my previous post?

 

[gingercat]

Nocturnal_Principal_X

Here is the link you're looking for: http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=21833

(thought I'd save you some searching through threads)


gingercat,

what was "strange and unbiblical" about my previous post?

If you are so against Christian churches because you believe they only bear bad fruit... yet you embrace the New Testament... isn't that somewhat of a contradiction?
[/quote]
Why is it a contradiction? Becasue I don't believe they are being unfruitful?

If we are following Jesus we will be fruitful. Not all claiming to be His followers are His.

The Bible tells us to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.(Eph 5:11)

 

[CatholicXian]

Nocturnal_Principal_X

Here is the link you're looking for: http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=21833

(thought I'd save you some searching through threads)


gingercat,

what was "strange and unbiblical" about my previous post?

If you are so against Christian churches because you believe they only bear bad fruit... yet you embrace the New Testament... isn't that somewhat of a contradiction?

Why is it a contradiction? Becasue I don't believe they are being unfruitful?

If we are following Jesus we will be fruitful. Not all claiming to be His followers are His.

The Bible tells us to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness.(Eph 5:11)

The contradiction is in the Scriptural examples I mentioned where biblical "greats" bore (for a time) very bad fruits... and yet you will accept the NT as Scriptural and inspired-- even though it outlines great biblical figures and men of faith as occasionally failing and bearing bad fruit.

My post had important context. The point of which was the last bit-- namely, that you are not going to find perfection in the Church on the earth before Christ returns. Period. We are all still struggling to "run the race" until Christ comes.

 

[Sothenes]

It is my hope and pray that you do join a Seventh-Day Adventist church instead of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Thank you for your concern but I believe God is in me too, so far God is not leading me to any main stream church. I have watched their fruit of Christianity for a long time. All we have to is watch churchgoers daily lives. Christians' lives should be clear in their lives as godly people.

I have been listening to Doug Bachelor's bible study and their interpretation is very close to JW's. They don't agree with the Trinity, they don't agree with the OSAS, they do believe Jesus is archangel Michael is Jesus. They don't agree with Calvin's doctrine. And I agree with all of them in those issues!!! They are very big differences!!! I believe God is with them too because they are showing a lot of fruit too. God will not cooperate with anyone who are not in line with Him.

I believe those early reformers were very Godly people but most of the churches whashed down to suit everyones' desires as time went by.

My thread is in Apologetics "love your enemy". :D

Charles Taze Russel came out of Seventh Day Adventism and N.H. Barbor was printing articles with him and they departed when they disagreed on a date that Jesus was coming back.

Should you decide to join, I would love for you to answer the questions that Jehovah's Witnesses won't answer before you become one:

http://www.macgregorministries.org/jeho ... tions.html

http://www.towerwatch.com/Witnessing/101_questions.htm

 

[gingercat]

Sothense,

I am in the process of becoming a member and I will certainly talk to them about all of the articles you listed. I printed them all. I have appointment with them a few times a week.

 

[belovedwolfofgod]

yeah, actually i meet with them once a week too. sharpen the sword, yknow?

 

[gingercat]

great biblical figures and men of faith as occasionally failing and bearing bad fruit.

I have been reading the Bible and I know catholic churches are much worse than protestants IMHO. With God we can do much better than what the churches are producing. This is my observation and I will not waste my time and my offerings to the Catholics.

that you are not going to find perfection in the Church on the earth before Christ returns.

I never ever said I am looking for perfect church. When we are doing our best even teen agers can be godly. Your statements are all lame excuses as Jesus' follower.

 

[CatholicXian]

great biblical figures and men of faith as occasionally failing and bearing bad fruit.

I have been reading the Bible and I know catholic churches are much worse than protestants IMHO. With God we can do much better than what the churches are producing. This is my observation and I will not waste my time and my offerings to the Catholics.

that you are not going to find perfection in the Church on the earth before Christ returns.

I never ever said I am looking for perfect church. When we are doing our best even teen agers can be godly. Your statements are all lame excuses as Jesus' follower.

You are mis-reading my posts. I'm not making excuses.

And you are painting Catholics with a pretty broad brush... to which I take offense. What proof have you of my "bad fruit"-- or the "bad fruit" of my parish? Yes, everyone has some "bad fruit"--that's part of living in a fallen world.. but who are you to weigh the scales of good and bad? Who are you to paint all Catholics as bearing "bad fruit"??

Lastly, ALL of us can ALWAYS do better with God...

 

[gingercat]

And you are painting Catholics with a pretty broad brush...

I have been seeking godly church. I have to make discernment according to over all assesment. I never talk about individual walk with the Lord. Whole church should be counted as one.

Lastly, ALL of us can ALWAYS do better with God...

The Bible tells us to watch out for false prophets. when I cannot trust the church I dont think I am counting them as true Christians IMHO. There is only one truth. There are thousands of denominations. Catholics are only one of them.

Let's not fool ourselves.

 

[belovedwolfofgod]

I have been reading the Bible and I know catholic churches are much worse than protestants IMHO. With God we can do much better than what the churches are producing. This is my observation and I will not waste my time and my offerings to the Catholics.

IMHO? what does that acronym mean?

And furthermore, you have little idea what you are talking about with the Catholics are worse than protestants thing. Real research would tell you of our massive social programs, that pedophilia is worse in the protestant churches, of our educational efforts and missions works.

 

[Novum]

IMHO? what does that acronym mean?

In My Humble Opinion. ;)

 

[Sothenes]

Sothense,

I am in the process of becoming a member and I will certainly talk to them about all of the articles you listed. I printed them all. I have appointment with them a few times a week.

Thank you but I know them well and I'm not going to get an answer because that is how they do business. I know what I'm talking about. You might as well give up asking.

 

[belovedwolfofgod]

thanks Novum! I am an acronym illiterate. And for the longest time I had no idea what a smiley was before AOL began making graphic smileys. lol, rofl, these were lost to me!

 

[Klee shay]

We all have to start somewhere but the understanding should always end with God. We need each other to fellowship and build each other up, that is for certain. I have seen this working in my friend who is a JW also, even though I do not agree with JW teachings. I'm quite happy to share with the JW's who come to my doorstep as well. I find them very nice people, willing to talk about how you're going and not just to push dogma onto you.

You will find such fruitful people in many churches around the globe.

I do urge you to test their truths through the authority of God however. If you find the best fellowship with the JW's because of their teachings then enjoy that, but as soon as it becomes about following only their understanding or you're on your own - then I urge you to return to God.

God is the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end - only his authority is enough to bring out the faith he has given you.

I'm not going to condemn the JW's; but whenever you're in doubt about whatever congregation you have chosen to fellowship in; return to God and his authority as set out in the bible. His authority is unconditional love and it is enough to carry us through our life.

 

[gingercat]

I do urge you to test their truths through the authority of God however.

Of course klee shay, thanks. I still have strong hesitation about the Sabbath. SDA's Saturday Sabbath makes sense. It seems that Sunday worship comes from pagan sun worshipping. Protestants carrying around many Roman pagan baggages. We should never make light of Ten Commandments.