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Results from: Notes Author: reilly1041 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | reilly1041 | 98779 | ||
I think comparing the "Prayer of Jabez" to the "Prayer of Jesus" says a lot about our society. "Jabez" (not that I've read it) sounds like a program by which one can try to manipulate God -- say this prayer and your prayers will be answered. "Prayer of Jesus" says the secret to prayer is secret prayer, in other words, you have to have a prayer life, you have to do it, not just read about, not just repeat some brief prayer from a book, but you have to pray to God. And which book is on the best seller list??? So sad!! |
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2 | IS there any answers out there? | NT general Archive 1 | reilly1041 | 98653 | ||
Hank-- I have to second your wife's reading recommendation on The Purpose-Driven Life. I'm about halfway through it, my whole church is reading it and discussing it in small groups. I started this whole process VERY skeptical - it sounded awfully gimmicky. I was wrong - it really is a powerful book, each chapter an eye-opener. Within my group are new and old Christians and both camps are finding their eyes being opened and their lives changing. (I know, I'm sounding like an ad for Rick Warren, but it really is good.) Put it at the top of your pile. On the Prayer of Jabez, suggest to your wife that she switch QUICKLY to the PRAYER of JESUS by Hank Hannegraaf!! Reilly |
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3 | pray to God or Jesus or same?? | Rom 1:8 | reilly1041 | 94248 | ||
Radioman2, Thanks so much for that article, as a lifelong Catholic, the phrase "in Jesus' name" doesn't roll off my tongue. This article definitely explained a few things! Thanks, reilly |
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4 | Do Jesus and Paul agree on salv by faith | NT general Archive 1 | reilly1041 | 92743 | ||
Emmaus, I totally agree with TheLordsChurch's comments. May you never tire of being the Catholic voice on this forum, I'm sure at times it seems lonely! Are there others like you in your Church? reilly |
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5 | Denominations is shameful? | 1 Cor 3:4 | reilly1041 | 92554 | ||
Joyce, Please don't let your fire for God be subdued! I feel for your situation with your husband, perhaps consider this a test or a strengthening of your faith. Do you have children? My husband and I were both raised Catholic, but I wanted to switch to an evangelical Protestant church. I showed him how wonderful the children and teenage programs were at this church, and stressed how much better this church would be for the kids and their spiritual upbringing. He has agreed with me and we now all attend this new church, even though he still fully considers himself Catholic. Keep praying for your husband, I know others on this forum will as well. My husband is a hard nut to crack, but I keep praying that God keeps his heart soft and his mind open. Good luck, reilly |
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6 | What does this mean? | Ezek 8:17 | reilly1041 | 89687 | ||
mommapbs, Having been raised Catholic, I totally agree with you about the consuming devotion to Mary. My own mother says that she always prays to Mary, figuring "it's better to ask the mother for something rather than the father" (her quote). My mother-in-law says that "Mary conquered sin when she gave birth to Jesus". I believe that this will only continue to grow, as the current Pope is very devoted to Mary. The latest I have read from Catholic web sites is that he may name her "co-redemtrix" because she suffered so while watching her son being crucified. I know that Catholic doctrine does not include praying "to Mary" as if she were God, but include her in the communion of saints to whom we can all pray, asking her to pray for us. This is a fine line in the sand that is easy to pass over. I believe that Mary is a very "approachable" figure to Catholics - she is honored often throughout the year with Holy Days, the Hail Mary prayer is taught to every Catholic preschooler, the statues of her in church are of a lovely, loving mother-figure. In other words, she looks like us. Much easier to chat to somebody like yourself, than the Creator of all heaven and earth. This is my own personal opinion of why the Marian devotion can grow to overshadow devotion to Jesus. reilly |
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7 | Forbidden fruit represents sex? | Gen 3:1 | reilly1041 | 87937 | ||
Thanks for the answer. Her cousin is a priest and she's going to check w/him. I avoided a discussion about it because I was honestly so shocked to hear that interpretation, I had never heard that before. I had the same thought as you, there never was a couple more ordained by God to be a couple, He made her for him!! It made me chuckle though, my mother-in-law probably thought eating fruit was "just" a venial sin..... Thanks again, reilly |
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8 | What are Mortal and Venial sinis | Matthew | reilly1041 | 87432 | ||
Yet another opinion by a Catholic on mortal/venial sins. In my opinion, the problem with this classification is that one can conclude that they really aren't that much of a sinner, just some venial sins. Venial sins don't even have to be enumerated in confession, just say a few and then follow up with "for these and other venial sins, I am heartily sorry". (Not that that is Catholic doctrine, but certainly it's Catholic practice, IMO.) In my personal experience, mortal sins weren't a risk (except maybe missing Mass, especially on Holy Days that popped up out of nowhere), so I could conclude I was doing pretty well. What a horribly dangerous thought to entertain!! I know that many family members of mine feel the same way to this day. It is only through reading the Bible and other Christian reading that I came to realize that my sins were real sins that were separating me from God, and I finally became repentent. It is at that point that I was saved. As for scriptural reference, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, equated lust with adultery (Mt 5:27), thus equating a venial sin with a mortal sin. My study bible (Life Appl Bible, NLT), has the 1st John verse as follows: 1John 5:16 .. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it." With a note that commentators differ widely on what this sin that leads to death is, such as blasphemy against the H. Spirit, partaking in communion in an unworthy manner, people who left Christian fellowship and rejected their salvation, etc. |
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9 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | reilly1041 | 87167 | ||
Emmaus answered that question in another post today, please see his answer. I know nothing about Catholicism compared to Emmaus, I am simply a Catholic with plenty of questions! :) reilly |
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10 | What are Mortal and Venial sinis | Matthew | reilly1041 | 87166 | ||
The Catholic Church holds that there are two types of sins: mortal (deadly serious) and venial (lesser sins). If you search on this forum (via Quick Search, upper right of your screen) and type in "venial sin", you'll come across some more answers. Emmaus (a forum user) included a link in one of his answers to further information. reilly |
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11 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | reilly1041 | 87103 | ||
The Catholic Church most definitely still holds the doctrine of purgatory, where one pays the price of the *punishment* for their earthly sins, becoming cleansed and ready to meet God (we will become like Him when we see Him, 1 John 3:2). Whether one can be a Catholic and not believe in purgatory is an interesting question. As I talk to more and more Catholics (which I am currently one) about their beliefs, I find that there is a wide range of acceptance of the RCC doctrine. Yet they all fully consider themselves Roman Catholic. My experience has been that this is especially true with RCIA Catholics (adult converts), the many with whom I have spoken fully consider themselves Catholics, but do not believe in many of the RCC-unique doctrine such as purgatory, praying to saints, the rosary, etc. At first, I thought that this was appalling - how can one be a Roman Catholic without believing in all of the Roman Catholic doctrine? Shouldn't those people find a church in which they can believe all of its doctrine? I am softening my thinking now, as I learn and read more, I become more and more confused. reilly |
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12 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | reilly1041 | 87100 | ||
Flinkywood, I had the following book recommended to me by several members of this forum, and I found it very helpful in understanding the entire church history, including the Reformation: Church History in Plain Language Bruce Shelley The book purports to present the history in neither a Catholic nor Protestant light. reilly |
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13 | Divisions in the church | NT general Archive 1 | reilly1041 | 87099 | ||
Jman, Excellent note - I feel exactly the same way! Just on this forum, there are very learned and sincere believers who, to the core, disagree on issues. And you're right, both sides give Scriptural references for their position! As a new Christian, this is unsettling. Perhaps it is as the Bible Answer Man says, "in-house debates" -- debates for believers to engage in, while still agreeing on the "core" truths of Christianity. reilly |
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14 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | reilly1041 | 87053 | ||
Emmaus, I have been trying to read the Catechism (which isn't the mostly easily read book!) on the whole Catholic position on salvation, which I think is broadly misunderstood by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Here is what I have gleaned from the Catechism, and please advise if this is correct: (1) Justification is a free gift from God (as your previous post stated) (2) Because of the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves the graces needed for our sanctification and for the attainment of eternal life. It's the 2nd part that sounds like salvation by works, but in actuality, the Catechism seems to go to great pains to stress that our works are only possible by the Holy Spirit, the merit of our good works are attributed to God first. Below is one section of the Catechism to which I refer: 2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God's wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions. Is my "nutshell" representation accurate? I ask this in this forum because I think many of the non-Catholics here may be interested. Thanks, reilly |
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15 | Lent. Why don't Catholics eat meat? | Bible general Archive 1 | reilly1041 | 85525 | ||
New Creature, This may blow you away, but my grandfather (now deceased) defined "chicken as chicken, meat as meat", and would happily eat chicken on Fridays during Lent, while still honoring (in his mind) the Catholic doctrine of abstaining from meat. I think the important point to remember is that the Catholic practice to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent has a very valid and honorable purpose: to keep Jesus and his ultimate sacrifice of Good Friday in the hearts and minds of His followers. The Catholic Church has defined the abstaining of meat as Emmaus listed it. The details aren't as important, especially if you are not Catholic (as it appears you are not). The important point is that it is simply a means of keeping the focus on Jesus and His sacrifice during the important preparation period called Lent. I hope I explained it correctly, Emmaus! Emmaus, I may be almost ex-Catholic, but I'm not anti-Catholic!! :) reilly |
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16 | Who or what is the Tree of Life? | John 19:42 | reilly1041 | 85523 | ||
Earnest, You wrote "Jesus spoke of them", referring to Adam and Eve. I agree completely and Jesus' comments on the great OT stories are what convinced me to believe the Bible more literally. Jesus spoke of Jonah and his 3 days in the belly of the fish, and said that He was greater than Jonah (Mt 12:39-41). He didn't say He was greater than a figure representing God's anger at disobedience. Jesus spoke of Moses as the author of the early books of the Bible (numerous references), He would know! I concluded that if Jesus says it is so, it is so. This has been a somewhat recent conversion of mine, but it is powerful and makes studying the Bible even more powerful, because it takes away the doubt and questioning if this or that is literal or figurative. reilly |
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17 | Christians? | James 1:22 | reilly1041 | 85126 | ||
Scribe, I think your explanation was perfect. It is a very good question that jstrood raised, because it is often misunderstood. The minister at a revival says "come forward, accept Jesus and you are saved", but of course, he also means all of the changes that you wrote about. reilly |
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18 | Studying O.T. is creating problems. | Genesis | reilly1041 | 84870 | ||
itiswritten, As always, your comments are wonderful to read. Thanks, reilly |
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19 | Are we all descendants of Adam and Eve? | Genesis | reilly1041 | 84869 | ||
Radioman2, Thank you for that excerpt, I loved it. Our priest (R. Catholic) told us that the Catholic position is that all Bible text prior to Abraham is myth -- stories told to reveal certain truths. Perhaps Emmaus can shine light on whether this is actual RCC doctrine, or just the opinion of this particular priest. Either way, it seems dangerous to "throw out" or "recharacterize" sections of the Bible, because it does make it much easier to question the rest of it. reilly |
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20 | Studying O.T. is creating problems. | Genesis | reilly1041 | 84800 | ||
Thought I may jump in here on this very interesting thread. FreeThinker said: "If on the other hand, you are wrong, then you just wasted an hour or so every Sunday." referring to Hank's Christianity. I hope and pray that during FreeThinker's search, he realizes that being a Christian involves much much more than placing one's posterior on a church pew every Sunday for an hour!! I pray that the Holy Spirit softens his heart to accept Jesus, and he realizes that believing in Christ is not church attendance, but a life-changing event. With all of the Christians on this forum (those who post and those who read) praying for FreeThinker, I think we'll hear from him again. reilly |
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