Tattooed reverend gets hate online as Canterbury Cathedral defends her

[JonC]

Roman Catholicism is The Primary Extra-Biblical Philosophy and the one I’m most experienced with. It is also the one that taught me to carry my cross whenever a difficult situation happened so what are you going to do. Specifically, they teach a spiritual stoicism that helps one cope with difficult situations. However the RC has no real way to ferret out Regeneration that leads to Conversion, rather they walk you through 7 sacraments as the way to God….like going to Mass, Marriage, Communion, Confessing Sins to a Priest…blah blah.

I agree. But people, IMHO, sometimes leave those Baptist churches for RC congregations because they have found out those Baptist churches are just as theologically void as you know your past RC church to be. At least there is an appeal towards ritual.

I've spoken to Mormons who left Baptist churches for the same reason. They don't necessarily find Mormonism theologically appealing, but at least they have something in the form of works to offer.

When we preach what cannot actually be found in God's Word as the gospel itself we present theories or philosophies that are damming by creating stumbling blocks to those truly seeking salvation.

My view is that God will save those He will save. But those who are the stumbling block will face consequences for misleading people.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I have no idea. Others have become Catholics. Inconceivable.

Inconceivable indeed!!!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I agree. But people, IMHO, sometimes leave those Baptist churches for RC congregations because they have found out those Baptist churches are just as theologically void as you know your past RC church to be. At least there is an appeal towards ritual.

I've spoken to Mormons who left Baptist churches for the same reason. They don't necessarily find Mormonism theologically appealing, but at least they have something in the form of works to offer.

When we preach what cannot actually be found in God's Word as the gospel itself we present theories or philosophies that are damming by creating stumbling blocks to those truly seeking salvation.

My view is that God will save those He will save. But those who are the stumbling block will face consequences for misleading people.

What do you mean stumbling blocks!?! Who can be a stumbling block to the HS? God forbid! The real stumbling block is not providing answers to questions to the spiritually curious. And if you don’t know, then find someone who can provide.

 

[JonC]

What do you mean stumbling blocks!?! Who can be a stumbling block to the HS? God forbid! The real stumbling block is not providing answers to questions to the spiritually curious. And if you don’t know, then find someone who can provide.

We can be stumbling blocks (to the point Jesus warned us not to be).
I'm not saying those people will not be saved. But I am saying we are responsible for our part.

It is better not to provide an answer than to provide an answer that is not in the Bible as if it were.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

In my part of NJ, people go to The RCC because there are practically no alternatives. Try to find a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, EPISCOPAL ETC ( Mainline) that isn’t under acute distress. Wokeness is serving to put these churches down.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

We can be stumbling blocks (to the point Jesus warned us not to be).
I'm not saying those people will not be saved. But I am saying we are responsible for our part.

It is better not to provide an answer than to provide an answer that is not in the Bible as if it were.

If I ask a question then I expect an answer. If you don’t answer then I’d rather hear that with the caveat that you will do some research and get back to me. If not, then I’d question the persons sincerity… but that’s me, I’m direct.

 

[JonC]

In my part of NJ, people go to The RCC because there are practically no alternatives. Try to find a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, EPISCOPAL ETC ( Mainline) that isn’t under acute distress. Wokeness is serving to put these churches down.

That can be an issue. You need to move to Beaufort SC.

Here is an example of what I was talking about earlier.

A man goes to church and hears a sermon about how evil it is to drink a beer. The man goes home and reads a Bible. He does not find that it is evil and concludes the Christianity makes up rules and passes them off as God's Word. I believe that pastor is guilty of exceeding God's Word and if being a stumbling block. Perhaps that man gives another church a try years later and us saved (perhaps not). Either way the pastor is guilty of being a stumbling block to that man.

 

[JonC]

If I ask a question then I expect an answer. If you don’t answer then I’d rather hear that with the caveat that you will do some research and get back to me. If not, then I’d question the persons sincerity… but that’s me, I’m direct.

I'd say the answer should be biblical. If not offer an understanding but clarify it is your understanding.

Using the example I gave:

Somebody asks if it is ok to drink a beer. The pastor could say "The Bible does not prohibit it, but drunkenness is wrong. I believe it is wrong because of......, but others believe it is fine in moderation".

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

That can be an issue. You need to move to Beaufort SC.

Here is an example of what I was talking about earlier.

A man goes to church and hears a sermon about how evil it is to drink a beer. The man goes home and reads a Bible. He does not find that it is evil and concludes the Christianity makes up rules and passes them off as God's Word. I believe that pastor is guilty of exceeding God's Word and if being a stumbling block. Perhaps that man gives another church a try years later and us saved (perhaps not). Either way the pastor is guilty of being a stumbling block to that man.

I’m not moving to SC if that present gov is there… that character is an embarrassment to the people of South Carolina.

Next, I never ever heard any sermon by anyone in the RCC about the evil of drinking beer. But of course Bud Light may have changed things!

 

[JonC]

I’m not moving to SC if that present gov is there… that character is an embarrassment to the people of South Carolina.

Next, I never ever heard any sermon by anyone in the RCC about the evil of drinking beer. But of course Bud Light may have changed things!

I'm not sure that NJ has any better a Governor.

The beer thing was just an example. Substitute it for any teaching that is not actually in the Bible.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I'd say the answer should be biblical. If not offer an understanding but clarify it is your understanding.

Using the example I gave:

Somebody asks if it is ok to drink a beer. The pastor could say "The Bible does not prohibit it, but drunkenness is wrong. I believe it is wrong because of......, but others believe it is fine in moderation".

Saints preserve us, Whole nations have endorsed it! I’m told They bury the corpse with a pint in hand in Wales for sure … and a lads proudest day is when Da takes him to the pub for his first pint. So to even use this as an example

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I'm not sure that NJ has any better a Governor.

The beer thing was just an example. Substitute it for any teaching that is not actually in the Bible.

He is leaving office, thanks be to God.

 

[Salty]

That can be an issue. You need to move to Beaufort SC.

Here is an example of what I was talking about earlier.

A man goes to church and hears a sermon about how evil it is to drink a beer. The man goes home and reads a Bible. He does not find that it is evil and concludes the Christianity makes up rules and passes them off as God's Word. I believe that pastor is guilty of exceeding God's Word and if being a stumbling block. Perhaps that man gives another church a try years later and us saved (perhaps not). Either way the pastor is guilty of being a stumbling block to that man.

Interesting question/thinking

Let me add just a bit
Suppose that pastor had said at the end of the sermon - that Scripture has many passages showing how drinking - can be a major problem in our life - and I believe that we should avoid such temptation

So he is not saying that drinking is directly a sin - but rather a personal decision.

Thoughts?

 

[JonC]

Interesting question/thinking

Let me add just a bit
Suppose that pastor had said at the end of the sermon - that Scripture has many passages showing how drinking - can be a major problem in our life - and I believe that we should avoid such temptation

So he is not saying that drinking is directly a sin - but rather a personal decision.

Thoughts?

I think that is fine. Drinking can also damage ones witness (depending on culture).

The thing is we need to be very careful not to present our understanding as God's words.

I believe Paul's example is a good one to follow (when he gave his view but indicated it was not a command from God).

 

[David Kent]

As far as I can see the only people banned from drinking are Nazarites, and that for the duration of their vow. The were banned from wine or strong drink, and from any product of the vine, grapes, vinegar etc. They were also banned from vinegar from strong drink.