Why Is Atheism More Prevalent in the USA Than in Orthodox Countries?

[LanaPodesta]

What I would say is that you do need to study to understand scripture, and that includes historical context and also a good dose of media literacy (which is currently very much lacking in the younger generations, I've seen this in action). You do need a standard for that .... at minimum.

Otherwise you get chaos and confusion, people inserting their own meanings. Whiiich... is rather what Protestants have ended up with. Schism after schism after schism after.... you get the point. The only thing Protestants agree on is that they are against the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Or I could to go to the Church who are the most qualified to interpret scripture

 

[LanaPodesta]

you don't believe in sola christus
christ alone saves ?

sola fide ,only faith or by faith alone .

No.

 

[jasonc]

No.

how much good works have to be done for you to see redemption ?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Or I could to go to the Church who are the most qualified to interpret scripture

I don't think there's anything wrong with learning and studying on a deep level personally. But I also think most lay people won't have the discipline and structure to do so correctly.

I'm Catholic, though a recent convert.

 

[KV-44-v1]

Catholic

What differences do catholicism and normal Christianity have? (not talking about protestant, either.)

 

[evenifigoalone]

What differences do catholicism and normal Christianity have? (not talking about protestant, either.)

Catholicism is Christianity. So is Protestantism. There is no "normal Christianity".

 

[LanaPodesta]

how much good works have to be done for you to see redemption ?

Salvation is a daily process

 

[LanaPodesta]

I don't think there's anything wrong with learning and studying on a deep level personally. But I also think most lay people won't have the discipline and structure to do so correctly.

I'm Catholic, though a recent convert.

my point is one shouldn't rely on their own 'personal interpretation'

 

[evenifigoalone]

my point is one shouldn't rely on their own 'personal interpretation'

Well, agreed.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Catholicism is Christianity. So is Protestantism. There is no "normal Christianity".

I would define any tradition or denomination that affirms the Nicean Creed as Christian.

 

[KV-44-v1]

Catholicism is Christianity. So is Protestantism. There is no "normal Christianity".

By that "logic", so is Mormonism, JW, etc.
Confusion ensues and the term "Christianity" is tarnished in both unbelievers' views and some believers' views.

"Guys we cannot tell people apart, they are all identical! You must lump everyone under one term, stop differentiating!"

There are two sects of muslim, sunni and shia.

So why can't we divide believers into Biblical Christians and compromised/worLdly/ukewarm Christians and those who believe contraBiblical ideas?

Revelation 3:15-16.

Also, I repeat my question.

 

[evenifigoalone]

By that "logic", so is Mormonism, JW, etc.
Confusion ensues and the term "Christianity" is tarnished in both unbelievers' views and some believers' views.

"Guys we cannot tell people apart, they are all identical! You must lump everyone under one term, stop differentiating!"

There are two sects of muslim, sunni and shia.

So why can't we divide believers into Biblical Christians and compromised/worLdly/ukewarm Christians and those who believe contraBiblical ideas?

Revelation 3:15-16.

Also, I repeat my question.

Like i said in an above post, any tradition or denomination that affirms the Nicean Creed I would define as Christian. Catholicism is not distinct from "normal Christianity", we believe it is the historical Christianity. It may be different than the Christianity you practice, but it is not alien to Christianity.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Also, I repeat my question

Main difference between Catholic and Protestant. As someone who grew up baptist and converted to Catholic this year, this is how I'd describe it at its most basic.

Catholicism has three pillars: Magisterium, Sacred Tradition, and Scripture. The Magisterium exists to protect and preserve and define teaching and scripture, they have a line traced all the way back to the original Apostles. Sacred Tradition works alongside Sacred Scripture.

Would say all differences stem from this

 

[LanaPodesta]

So why can't we divide believers into Biblical Christians

The Bible isn't the ultimate authority; Christ is.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Right. My understanding as a recent convert is that Christ gave His Church authority to teach in His name. Scripture is of high importance, but it is not the only authority in Catholicism or Orthodoxy.

Now I'm not well versed on the differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, so I'm quite open to correction from someone more versed in it than I am. I know there was a schism at some point, that's about the extent of my knowledge on that.

 

[LanaPodesta]

Right. My understanding as a recent convert is that Christ gave His Church authority to teach in His name. Scripture is of high importance, but it is not the only authority in Catholicism or Orthodoxy.

Now I'm not well versed on the differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, so I'm quite open to correction from someone more versed in it than I am. I know there was a schism at some point, that's about the extent of my knowledge on that.

Our attitude toward the Church is the same, we just disagree on where it is. Orthodox see the Orthodox Church as the visible Church, but also believe in the broader invisible Church of all believers.

 

[miamited]

who interprets the Bible?

Hey LanaPodesta

Likely some 90% of the Scriptures don't need any special interpretation. A great bit of the old covenant is historical record that is just names and numbers explaining what God's people were doing as God was leading them to their Messiah, Savior. However, there are some places where interpretation may be a bit more difficult. For that, I recommend prayer and supplication and study. Study might include reading a number of explanations from theologians that have gone before. But ultimately, it's your mind that interprets absolutely everything that you read. It may base its interpretation on information gleaned from other sources, but you have to decide what any piece of God's testimony to you is saying to you. This is where, the Scriptures tell us, the indwelling Holy Spirit is our helper. If anyone of you lacks wisdom you should go before God with your requests, and He will answer anyone who comes to Him in faith.

Other than figuring out what a few of the parables of Jesus' might have been intending, I don't find much in the new covenant that needs any special interpretation, either. That does, however exclude the writings of John in opening up the revelation which God gave unto Jesus to share with us. Unfortunately, while we may know that something is going to happen in the future, how it actually comes to existence in time can be confounding to us.

For example, I know that there is coming a great tribulation of the saints. But the actual working out of life upon the earth as those days actually come upon us, we have no idea. I know that for me, I've come to believe that the Beast of the revelation that comes up out of the sea is the United States. Will that actually be who the Beast represents when that time comes, and we can clearly see all of the players on the world stage? All I can say is that we'll see.

 

[LanaPodesta]

I've come to believe that the Beast of the revelation that comes up out of the sea is the United States

This bizarre thinking is exactly why personal interpretation should be discouraged.

 

[miamited]

This bizarre thinking is exactly why personal interpretation should be discouraged.

Ok, who or what is the Beast mentioned in the Revelation account in chapter 13?

You claim my understanding is bizarre. That must mean that you know who or what the Beast is referencing in the account to know that my understanding is bizarre. So, who or what is being referenced in chapter 13's mention of John seeing a Beast rising up out of the sea.

 

[LanaPodesta]

Ok, who or what is the Beast mentioned in the Revelation account in chapter 13?

You claim my understanding is bizarre. That must mean that you know who or what the Beast is referencing in the account to know that my understanding is bizarre. So, who or what is being referenced in chapter 13's mention of John seeing a Beast rising up out of the sea.

A symbolic vision of worldly power in its most idolatrous and oppressive form.