Why Evangelical Leaders Love Pope Benedict XVI (And His Resignation)
Pope Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation Monday after eight years as head of the Roman Catholic Church, will leave a legacy of strong theology, cooperation with evangelicals and a hardline conservative stance on social issues, evangelical leaders and observers say.
As pope, the German Joseph Ratzinger championed a "culture of life" on issues such as abortion, encouraged the "new evangelism" of the church, and issued the first papal tweet. Benedict, 85, cited age and deteriorating strength as reasons for his resignation.
Benedict stepped into a difficult role as an intellectual and administrator following John Paul II, the first "celebrity pope," said Carl Trueman, professor of church history at Westminster Theological Seminary....
SteveR wrote: I support the organization only to the extent to acknowledge that there are Christians in that Church.
Your comments have been interesting.
The RCC magesterium, imo, is an extension of the Pharisees of the first century. The Pharisees, who believed in Christ and His resurrection, taught one can't be saved (justified) by believing in Christ alone but must also be circumcised in the flesh and keep the Law of Moses.
Saul (Paul) was a Pharisee's Pharisee and stated, regarding the righteousness of the law, before his calling he was blameless. After his calling he counted his own righteousness as dung that he might win the righteousness which is of God by faith.
The RCC teaches that one is justified by faith + keeping the moral law of their own merit (synergism). This effectively treads under foot the righteousness of Christ for He was sent to fulfill the law that His people may live by His righteousness.
There are a multitude of heresies within the RCC but the doctrine of justification is "the article by which the church stands of falls." Clearly, the RCC has always had this doctrine wrong and all who follow the blind leaders will fall together.
God calls His people out of darkness as Paul. They will hear His voice and follow.
Angela Whitman wrote : Responding to WWJD?'s first post: I've been where you appear to be spiritually and will pray for your knowledge and faith to increase; then you will understand why Reformed Christians are quick to defend the faith and correct faulty/false teaching. Who knows but that you will also join our ranks.
I want to thank you for a gentle response. My main point in saying what i did was to point out that a lot of reformed Christians come off as legalistic and condemning when talking about people they dont agree with. I am now in the reformed faith, and i am learning how we can't water down Christianity so that everyone feels comfortable. But like i said i think some reformed Christians, and all of us who are believers would do good to remember to speak the truth in love.
The Lord Jesus Christ said He is the way the TRUTH and the life. RCC teaching don't believe the truth that salvation is not by works of righteousness that we have done. They say the way involves keeping the sacraments. Therefore, the Jesus they say they believe is NOT the Lord Jesus of the Scriptures. It is one they made up. Our Lord warned us there would be those who would say they are Christ and are not. The one verse that describes them sadly, is that they know not God. You cannot serve two masters, either you follow the holy Word of God or the perversion of RCC teaching. I am not trying to be harsh just hoping you see, SteveR, that there is no hope in a false religion no matter how it is dressed up to mimic the reality of the God we serve. There is a reason we call Him God, because He decides what rule we are to follow. The apostle Paul reminded us that just a little leaven, leavens the lump, never mind a whole bunch. Cast out the bond woman and walk in the way of the faith once delivered to the saints. May God open your eyes to His truth.
'On this day ... In 1556, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer declared a heretic' bottom page of SA 14th Feb
'There is a voice in the blood of the martyrs. What does that voice say? It cries aloud from Oxford, Smithfield, and Gloucester, "Resist the Popish doctrine of the Real Presence to the death!"
Cranmer..declaring the Pope to be Antichrist, and rejecting the Popish doctrine of the Real Presence.
With a light heart, and a clear conscience, he cheerfully allowed himself to be hurried to the stake amidst the frenzied outcries of his disappointed enemies. Boldly and undauntedly he stood up at the stake while the flames curled around him, steadily holding out his right hand in the fire, and saying, with reference to his having signed a recantation, "This unworthy right hand," and steadily holding up his left hand towards heaven. Of all the martyrs, strange to say, none at the last moment showed more physical courage than Cranmer did' J C Ryle Why Were Our Reformers Burned
XXXI Church of England Articles. Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross...Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits.
SteveR wrote: As far as Im concerned, the writer of 1st John would consider their faith in accordance with his epistle. So I must not realize you know which words Catholics accept as truth from their catechism, and which they dont.
Steve, I could just as easily be speaking about the multitude of anglican adherents in this country, who also as part of their liturgy recite something along the lines of the apostle's creed. I guarantee you that if you interview any of them, they will have no inkling of what it is all about. They would not be able to define the word "Christ", they would not understand why Jesus was called Jesus - to "save his people from their sins" - they would tell you that they have been baptised in the Church of England, and that this assures them of safety. In other words, they are unregenerate but religious. And that saves no-one.
I have tried witnessing to Catholics, and all I ever get is aggression. This is because of brainwashing. They fear their priest. They fear being anathematised. They feel in their heart that "mother church" is a safe place to be. Cults all around the world are exactly the same, their adherents "feel safe" when within the fold.
John UK wrote: Steve, words are rather meaningless without the spiritual reality. For an example of this: 1 John 4:1-3 KJV 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
As far as Im concerned, the writer of 1st John would consider their faith in accordance with his epistle. So I must not realize you know which words Catholics accept as truth from their catechism, and which they dont.
Steve, words are rather meaningless without the spiritual reality. For an example of this:
1 John 4:1-3 KJV 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
It is far more than mere recitation, or a learnt parrot-fashion catechism. We're talking here about spiritual things, and these are things that the natural man cannot grasp, not until God quickens him in his mercy. It is not about religious liturgies, nor religious incantations, nor a religious sprinkling with water supposedly bringing the recipient to new birth. Christianity is a spiritual reality not mere forms. It is a work of God the Holy Ghost, not of magic-show priests.
Man can recite words, but without the Spirit, the words tally not with inner reality.
John UK wrote: Steve, if all Catholics accept that Jesus is the Christ, then all Catholics are born of God, are God's children, and on their way to heaven. Not true! Roman Catholics do NOT believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Untrue According to their Catechism
III. Christ Jesus — “Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation”25
God has said everything in his Word
65 “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.”26 Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one. St. John of the Cross, among others, commented strikingly on Hebrews 1:1-2: (102, 516, 2717) 103 For this reason, the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God’s Word and Christ’s Body.66 (1100, 1184, 1378)
104 In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, “but as what it really is, the word of God.”67 “In the sacred books,..
SteveR wrote: As for 2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: doesnt apply to Catholics as they accept Jesus as the Christ.
Steve, if all Catholics accept that Jesus is the Christ, then all Catholics are born of God, are God's children, and on their way to heaven.
Not true!
Roman Catholics do NOT believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God".
It is all down to meanings and words and understandings, of which the Catholics are very adept at cunning subterfuge, disguising their beliefs couched in evangelical language. We are living in the endtmes, and thankfully, God's people are a bit more savvy than you might think, because of God's grace upon them.
Ewrus wrote: SteveR. If you can't see that when the Son of God states, "If you are not with me, then you are against me" - MEANS in everything all circumstances and for all time and generations of the Church!! THEN boy do you have trouble interpreting the Bible!! What you are saying is that these verses don't apply to todays Church, and that by some strange quirk of time the centuries and culture has changed the rules??? 2John v10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
If you were paying attention, you would realize you need to reconcile Matt 12 with Luke & Mark 9
Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mark 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
Luke 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
As for 2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
doesnt apply to Catholics as they accept Jesus as the Christ. Jesus being the Son of God is the the issue there
Responding to WWJD?'s first post: I've been where you appear to be spiritually and will pray for your knowledge and faith to increase; then you will understand why Reformed Christians are quick to defend the faith and correct faulty/false teaching. Who knows but that you will also join our ranks.
Good for you, Michael. Boy, I wish I had the biblical knowledge for a position like that because I think it would be very fulfilling. I have no idea what my calling is but I don't think it'll be that. Maybe witnessing to drug addicts, dealers, the abused, etc, since I have a lot of experience in those departments and might be able to help some.
SteveR wrote: Matt 12 was dealing with an accusation far different than what we are discussing
SteveR. If you can't see that when the Son of God states, "If you are not with me, then you are against me" - MEANS in everything all circumstances and for all time and generations of the Church!! THEN boy do you have trouble interpreting the Bible!!
What you are saying is that these verses don't apply to todays Church, and that by some strange quirk of time the centuries and culture has changed the rules??? THAT IS WHAT THE RCC DOES WITH ITS "TRADITIONS".
What you are declaring is the LIBERAL method of theology whereby for some weird reason the LIBS teach that the Scriptures don't apply to today. They then can delete bits of Scripture which they don't like fabricating their own ungodly religion. By which they validate and legalize sins and transgressions - thus debunking the Laws and Doctrines of GOD!!
SteveR. You have identified yourself and convictions with the Roman Catholic organisation by defending them, which clearly is anti-God, antichrist and anti-Bible.
2John v10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
Christopher I am a preacher, I am called to that, part-time at present (I drive truck) and have been a volunteer chaplin in prison but at this time I am not serving as a pastor.
But I have had the priviledge of being pulpit supply (filling in for a pastor) from time to time.
Thanks for Asking
MOA Parade Psalm 2, with a lot of people doing some serious praying, is a goog text for such an event.
Christopher000 wrote: WWJD, I just wanted to stop by and mention that it was Steve who originally mentioned the kid with long hair and a cross around his neck...Michael was responding to his post.
Mike presented a video of the young man in question as an example of the type of Christian who 'John for Jesus' should aspire to be
I don't know...that's just how I see it. I know it's sooo difficult to be sensitive when you just can't seem to get through, but I just tend to hope that the seeds will sprout one day. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but they are in there just waiting for a little ray of sunshine to peek through one day and hit them...sort of like an a-ha moment that I always hope for down the road.
WWJD, I just wanted to stop by and mention that it was Steve who originally mentioned the kid with long hair and a cross around his neck...Michael was responding to his post.
Michael, you are a Pastor? I didn't know that. Are many of you Pastors?
Anyway, what I find sad, sad, sad, is how this particular conversation always seems to go...it turns into a flame war... I wish I could see Steve being more open minded, I wish Steve asked more questions as to why everyone says he is wrong, and I wish Steve would look at this topic as a case for him to prove biblically which should be very easy if he is correct in his views. For the rest, and I feel uncomfortable saying this because I'm a nobody who hasn't been here long, but I wish I would see more posts that didn't work so hard to drive him away. I try to be very careful with how I handle these situations, no matter what they might say, no matter what names they might call me, because I feel that if I were to drive them away, I've lost any chance I might have had to make an impact, and I'd probably be responsible for hardening them even more against the truth. Anyway, this particular topic frustrates me just as much as it does anyone else.
SteveR wrote: I support the organization only to the extent to acknowledge that there are Christians in that Church.
You reckon? And how did they become Christians, seeing as the gospel is not found, nor ever has been found, in that RCC organisation? By gospel, I mean the gospel message of free salvation freely given by the Lord to all that repent of their sins (NOT do penance) and put their whole trust (NOT part trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ, who at Calvary's Cross FINISHED the work of salvation for ALL them that would accept as a free gift, the eternal life God had planned for them since eternity past.
Now if you want to tell me that these so-called Christians believed the Catholic method of sacramental salvation, vainly working their way to heaven, then I must tell you before God that none of them will ever make it there; neither will they go to an imaginary purgatory to be cleansed from their sins. They must reject such false beliefs and come to Christ himself, as unworthy sinners seeking a worthy Saviour, and cast themselves upon his mercy unreservedly, bowing down to him, and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
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Dr. Alan Cairns | 8/3/2009
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john uk from wales: "
frank
i sure hope you're wrong! but it is a very..."
