Subject: Disease or Bad Personal Choice?? |
Bible Note: Emmaus, Personally, I bear you no ill will, but theologicaly, I am opposed to your Roman Catholic view of Scripture. At times, one needs to be blunt in order to defend the faith. The battle that the christian soldier fights is not against flesh and blood, but, against wickedness in the spiitual realm. A bully is not concerned about the well-being of others. What really got me to sit up straight (no pun intended) was this statement from you: "You are right about one thing; "The way to God, I dont believe is being straight." It isn't being "gay" either. It is being holy. You then went on to advocate celibacy and chastity as means that he should employ which would provide him with the "way" to God First of all, if this were a way to God then why would we have needed a saviour? What, in essence, you recommended (and this to an unbeliever!) was that he should be as holy as he can be and that will lead him to God. Is that the gospel? No! It is a prescription of works righteousness. It could well describe every false religion on Earth EXCEPT Christianity! One might as well recommend to the dead that they would live if only they would breathe. The problem, friend Emmaus, is that you put the cart before the horse. The gospel alone has the power to raise the dead. After they are breathing, and only then, should they be exhorted to live a holy life which is pleasing to Him who saved them. But with that exhortation should come the reminder, "...without me you can do nothing." That is...after salvation we are still totally dependent on God's grace to be able to live a holy life. The greatest theologian the Catholic church ever had said: "I have not hope at all but in thy great mercy. Grant what thou commandest and command what thou wilt." (Augustine) Peace Emmaus, John PS I do not believe that Catholics are damned because they are Catholic, or that Protestants are saved by virtue of being Protestant. I believe that all those, who will be counted among the elect of God, will be saved because of God's mercifull grace alone. |