Brian T
When you talk about hearing falsehoods from your Baptist lifeline and kind, scriptural, remarks from Catholics, I don't know what to say about that, although I can say that as a member of a Baptist church and someone who listens to what other people say, I hear alot of things said that do not necessarily go along with what I would expect someone of faith to say, we all have and have participated on occasion. But the comments of individuals, ignorant or learned, do not lead me to question my faith, or the path of worship that God has chosen for me. I am not saying that you are questioning your faith, although the idea of inclusiveness of my basic beliefs with that of Catholics seems foriegn to me. My only knowledge of Catholics is from my brother-in-law, he was raised in a strict Catholic home and is 65 yrs. old and recently accepted Christ. He has said that he is thankful that Jesus gave him the opportunity for redemption because he never got that opportunity from his previous experience. He was never taught that salvation was a personal relationship between yourself and Jesus.
Put aside all the words and comparison of scriptures and it comes down to the teachings of the Church. If a church organization can't teach salvation as the personal experience that it is, then something is not right about that church. I really have no desire to find out what that problem is, I am satisfied with my present home of worship. I can only hope that when the opportunity presents itelf, that the Holy Spirit will lead, guide and supply the necessary words for letting someone know that they too, can have a personal relationship with Jesus.
BrianT, you asked what do you do when you learn that your Baptist "lifeline" is giving you falsehoods about Catholics? Well, evidently they are similar to me in that they are ignorant of Catholics and have no desire to learn anything else about them. What the majority of us do know about them is so different, that it might as well be from another planet. We can't comprehend it. And to be honest, what I have read in this thread has not changed my views at all. If the Church you are in, supplies the necessary avenue for worship, it is open to the Holy Spirit for guidance, it teaches a sound scriptural doctrine, it is a good supportive church family and it is working for the souls of lost sinners, then why make a mountain out of a molehill? Look for the good in the church, not pick and choose things that you disaggree with and make it into an issue that for yourself challenges the validity of what you have believed to be TRUTH. If we all took the time, we could pick out things in our Church that we don't like and if we dwell on it then eventually it will overcome good sense and cause problems for yourself and your Church. Take a little time, pray about it, and ask yourself if the validity of someones statement about the Catholic Church is enough to cause you the doubt that it has? If it is, then take the time and start to rebuild the foundation, that your faith is built upon. If it isn't, then let it go and hang out that "Gone Fishin" sign and lets get back to work.
In Christ
RTB
When you talk about hearing falsehoods from your Baptist lifeline and kind, scriptural, remarks from Catholics, I don't know what to say about that, although I can say that as a member of a Baptist church and someone who listens to what other people say, I hear alot of things said that do not necessarily go along with what I would expect someone of faith to say, we all have and have participated on occasion. But the comments of individuals, ignorant or learned, do not lead me to question my faith, or the path of worship that God has chosen for me. I am not saying that you are questioning your faith, although the idea of inclusiveness of my basic beliefs with that of Catholics seems foriegn to me. My only knowledge of Catholics is from my brother-in-law, he was raised in a strict Catholic home and is 65 yrs. old and recently accepted Christ. He has said that he is thankful that Jesus gave him the opportunity for redemption because he never got that opportunity from his previous experience. He was never taught that salvation was a personal relationship between yourself and Jesus.
Put aside all the words and comparison of scriptures and it comes down to the teachings of the Church. If a church organization can't teach salvation as the personal experience that it is, then something is not right about that church. I really have no desire to find out what that problem is, I am satisfied with my present home of worship. I can only hope that when the opportunity presents itelf, that the Holy Spirit will lead, guide and supply the necessary words for letting someone know that they too, can have a personal relationship with Jesus.
BrianT, you asked what do you do when you learn that your Baptist "lifeline" is giving you falsehoods about Catholics? Well, evidently they are similar to me in that they are ignorant of Catholics and have no desire to learn anything else about them. What the majority of us do know about them is so different, that it might as well be from another planet. We can't comprehend it. And to be honest, what I have read in this thread has not changed my views at all. If the Church you are in, supplies the necessary avenue for worship, it is open to the Holy Spirit for guidance, it teaches a sound scriptural doctrine, it is a good supportive church family and it is working for the souls of lost sinners, then why make a mountain out of a molehill? Look for the good in the church, not pick and choose things that you disaggree with and make it into an issue that for yourself challenges the validity of what you have believed to be TRUTH. If we all took the time, we could pick out things in our Church that we don't like and if we dwell on it then eventually it will overcome good sense and cause problems for yourself and your Church. Take a little time, pray about it, and ask yourself if the validity of someones statement about the Catholic Church is enough to cause you the doubt that it has? If it is, then take the time and start to rebuild the foundation, that your faith is built upon. If it isn't, then let it go and hang out that "Gone Fishin" sign and lets get back to work.
In Christ
RTB
