A poem to a friend
Destiny moved, and fades.
Life is still, it breaks, Wealth, but things,
Hope, now sings.
Smile, life swirls, and moves,
Yet, act and dance to God’s dear groves,
Sing, and move, not in our world.
Smile, obey, lead others his way
Yet, speak not a word,
your life in action still says.
We, at the distance can see,
And when the time come, and you know the time,
pray unceaswingly and say.
What you think,
You are a friend,
a person, for whom we care.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Personal Interpretation problem
The New Testament is even more so- notice that in acts 15- the Apostles and leaders tell the Christians to directly reject the interpretation of scripture of the time as to the Circumcision. Yes, the Magisterium can never be in conflict with tradition- but God is often misinterpreted by those who are untrained and pervert the scriptures. If the church interprets the scriptures to mean something- no matter how blind you are to the truth- they are not blind. It would appear wrong to many that the Apostles did not require circumcision. This is partly why they were persecuted- note what Paul says- that he is persecuted for such. -Marc Aupiais
Poem of site
"Always follow conscience, Words are twisted, Doctrine forced, yet Who can twist truth? To your death, follow conscience, Proof is no thing, Truth is true, Let intuition, conscience, value, guide you,. Always follow conscience, My friend. Copyright 2007 Marc Aupiais All rights reserved"
Do What You Can- it is noticed, my friend
"Indeed, with the little virtue you have, obey the Lord, for that little is much, considering what you have (Gospel of Mark verses 41 to 44). Many will come claiming His authority (Gospel of Mark chapter 13 verse 5 to 7), but follow only the familiar voice of God. And the righteous must be mocked in their own time." http://kindstuff. googlepages.com/ thecatholicequation
Ecumenical means (I don't think literally, but in context) truth
It is not goodness that divides the church. We need to talk openly, and boldly to one another, in humility, without pride. Only humility on both sides will bring us together. We must hope that Jesus reunites the lost sheep, and shows them the fullness of our truth. We must pray that our brothers may see our fuller light, and the necessity of our church, and as one join it, as testimony to the impossible, that Jesus shows miracles in it. Many are lost even further from the fullness, but seek the truth,Pray for those sheep also. - Marc Aupiais
Love
Defining love
Love is the action, and force behind such, which is credited as the very nature of God.
Charity- that love shown in I Corinthians 13, which is the focus of the Christian life, and a driving factor.
“Love is obedient to the command”. The state in which the Christian acts in the nature of God (”In his name” has references whereby one’s name and nature are intrinsically connected in the biblical society)
That which is demanded of a Christian, and demonstrated, via the actions of Jewish old Law, as well as the Law of Liberty.
Love is one of the three remainders after all else passes. The other two, are based on unseen things, and will either fade or change in nature when the time comes.
Commands in love
“The law is summed in love”, love is the point and nature of the commands. It is the universal command for all Christians, and involves justice (”Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth” from I Corinthians 13).
Love and Justice
Love acts in justice, placing all in their right place, and rendering onto others as is their due, so far as it is able. As “God is Love”, his actions are the blueprint of love, within his position. His nature, of love- is that which controls his actions. It is not that God is unable to do the impossible, rather- his action is based in love.
Love and discernment
It is not considered loving should one not attempt to aid the salvation of others, either via living as Christ did, or by testifying to him via words and deeds. While wrong judgement is condemned, which degrades another, by mere appearances, prudence and discernment are fruits of virtue. Prudence sees the situation, and uses it to aid his brother and himself.
Love is active and of God
The bible notes that both the liars in word and those in deed will find a place in hell. This shows that the testimony of love, must not purely be in words(1 John 3 v 18), but also deeds. The gospel is preached in action and in words (Luke 12 verses 8 and 9). A life of love is thereby (Luke 12 verses 8 and 9) vital to salvation.
Theological virtues
Love, hope and faith, are all elements and manifestations of the salvic process, and of God’s grace.
Retrieved from
scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/28/love/
Love is the action, and force behind such, which is credited as the very nature of God.
Charity- that love shown in I Corinthians 13, which is the focus of the Christian life, and a driving factor.
“Love is obedient to the command”. The state in which the Christian acts in the nature of God (”In his name” has references whereby one’s name and nature are intrinsically connected in the biblical society)
That which is demanded of a Christian, and demonstrated, via the actions of Jewish old Law, as well as the Law of Liberty.
Love is one of the three remainders after all else passes. The other two, are based on unseen things, and will either fade or change in nature when the time comes.
Commands in love
“The law is summed in love”, love is the point and nature of the commands. It is the universal command for all Christians, and involves justice (”Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth” from I Corinthians 13).
Love and Justice
Love acts in justice, placing all in their right place, and rendering onto others as is their due, so far as it is able. As “God is Love”, his actions are the blueprint of love, within his position. His nature, of love- is that which controls his actions. It is not that God is unable to do the impossible, rather- his action is based in love.
Love and discernment
It is not considered loving should one not attempt to aid the salvation of others, either via living as Christ did, or by testifying to him via words and deeds. While wrong judgement is condemned, which degrades another, by mere appearances, prudence and discernment are fruits of virtue. Prudence sees the situation, and uses it to aid his brother and himself.
Love is active and of God
The bible notes that both the liars in word and those in deed will find a place in hell. This shows that the testimony of love, must not purely be in words(1 John 3 v 18), but also deeds. The gospel is preached in action and in words (Luke 12 verses 8 and 9). A life of love is thereby (Luke 12 verses 8 and 9) vital to salvation.
Theological virtues
Love, hope and faith, are all elements and manifestations of the salvic process, and of God’s grace.
Retrieved from
scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/28/love/
Church as the Kingdom of Heaven on earth
Defining heaven
The domain of God.
The presence of God.
The rule of God.
Heaven’s has come
“3 How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Gospel according to st. Matthew- chapter 5; New Jerusalem Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=5
“4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Exinde coepit Iesus praedicare et dicere paenitentiam agite adpropinquavit enim regnum caelorum” Matthew chapter 4 verse 17 Douay Rheims bible
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat004.htm#17
The Kingdom of heaven is not considered as something that is only to come, but is already here on earth, and strengthening (Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18, Lk 10:1-9, Lk 17:20-25, Isaiah chapter 9 Verse 7, Book of Luke - Chapter 13 verses 18 to 30, John chapter 3 verse 3, Matthew 19 verse 12 and 29,Mattew 23 v 13).
It manifests itself in the Catholic Church( I Collosians chapter 1 v 3, 16-18, 24, 26, 28 ; I Corinthians chapter 15 verses 24, 25 ,26, 50,I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15, Ephesians 5 verse 24).
Eternal church
“669 As Lord, Christ is also head of the Church, which is his Body.551 Taken up to heaven and glorified after he had thus fully accomplished his mission, Christ dwells on earth in his Church. The redemption is the source of the authority that Christ, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, exercises over the Church. “The kingdom of Christ [is] already present in mystery”, “on earth, the seed and the beginning of the kingdom”.552
670 Since the Ascension God’s plan has entered into its fulfillment. We are already at “the last hour”.553 “Already the final age of the world is with us, and the renewal of the world is irrevocably under way; it is even now anticipated in a certain real way, for the Church on earth is endowed already with a sanctity that is real but imperfect.”554 Christ’s kingdom already manifests its presence through the miraculous signs that attend its proclamation by the Church.” CCC
http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c2a7.htm
The church is the kingdom of heaven on earth ( see quotes above). It is eternal, neither can it’s doctrine change(I Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 3), nor can its substance change(I Corinthians 15 verse 50), nor can it cede to corruption(Psalm 16 verse 10), nor can it ever loose it’s authority - doctoral (I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15), or physical (Luke 9;1 Corinthians 5;). It is protected and ruled by God (Ephesians 1 v 11-15;Matthew 16 verses 17- 20). This, despite the fact that the members of the church themselves are less perfect.
Safeguard of truth
The church is the safeguard of the truth, and defender of the Gospel (Acts 15;I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15). She is the final Authority on scripture, and cannot be judged by the world’s standards.
St. Mathew and heaven
The Gospel of Matthew is largely focussed on showing the kingdom of heaven is already come.
Taste of heaven
The church is a taste of heaven.
Retrieved from
scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/26/church-as-the-kingdom-of-heaven-on-earth/
The domain of God.
The presence of God.
The rule of God.
Heaven’s has come
“3 How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Gospel according to st. Matthew- chapter 5; New Jerusalem Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=5
“4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Exinde coepit Iesus praedicare et dicere paenitentiam agite adpropinquavit enim regnum caelorum” Matthew chapter 4 verse 17 Douay Rheims bible
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat004.htm#17
The Kingdom of heaven is not considered as something that is only to come, but is already here on earth, and strengthening (Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18, Lk 10:1-9, Lk 17:20-25, Isaiah chapter 9 Verse 7, Book of Luke - Chapter 13 verses 18 to 30, John chapter 3 verse 3, Matthew 19 verse 12 and 29,Mattew 23 v 13).
It manifests itself in the Catholic Church( I Collosians chapter 1 v 3, 16-18, 24, 26, 28 ; I Corinthians chapter 15 verses 24, 25 ,26, 50,I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15, Ephesians 5 verse 24).
Eternal church
“669 As Lord, Christ is also head of the Church, which is his Body.551 Taken up to heaven and glorified after he had thus fully accomplished his mission, Christ dwells on earth in his Church. The redemption is the source of the authority that Christ, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, exercises over the Church. “The kingdom of Christ [is] already present in mystery”, “on earth, the seed and the beginning of the kingdom”.552
670 Since the Ascension God’s plan has entered into its fulfillment. We are already at “the last hour”.553 “Already the final age of the world is with us, and the renewal of the world is irrevocably under way; it is even now anticipated in a certain real way, for the Church on earth is endowed already with a sanctity that is real but imperfect.”554 Christ’s kingdom already manifests its presence through the miraculous signs that attend its proclamation by the Church.” CCC
http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c2a7.htm
The church is the kingdom of heaven on earth ( see quotes above). It is eternal, neither can it’s doctrine change(I Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 3), nor can its substance change(I Corinthians 15 verse 50), nor can it cede to corruption(Psalm 16 verse 10), nor can it ever loose it’s authority - doctoral (I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15), or physical (Luke 9;1 Corinthians 5;). It is protected and ruled by God (Ephesians 1 v 11-15;Matthew 16 verses 17- 20). This, despite the fact that the members of the church themselves are less perfect.
Safeguard of truth
The church is the safeguard of the truth, and defender of the Gospel (Acts 15;I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15). She is the final Authority on scripture, and cannot be judged by the world’s standards.
St. Mathew and heaven
The Gospel of Matthew is largely focussed on showing the kingdom of heaven is already come.
Taste of heaven
The church is a taste of heaven.
Retrieved from
scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/26/church-as-the-kingdom-of-heaven-on-earth/
Curruption
Definition
State of decay.
Process, action or effect of moral decay.
The process whereby real spiritual beings and creation becomes less real, to the extent that over eternity, it loses the ability to exist in the presence of God. This decay is due to the perversion of good.
The natural decay of all visible, “physical” things after the advent of Original Sin.
Sacraments and The cure of corruption
God entered our world, and died, and rose again to “undo the work of the Devil”(1 john chapter 3 verse 8). By the hearing of the Gospel, and obedience to the church, which represents God on earth, we are given the grace to fight corruption via the sacraments, so long as we obey. The sacraments are about obedience. We obey God, and trust him, via the One True Church, and in return gain grace, which enables us to fight sin (Romans chapter 8 verse 13; I Timothy3 verses 14-16).
Reality to come
“when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13 v10)
Biblical Decay
Due to the work of evil-The bible mentions a resulting decay, whereby due to an ability to sin, and the enmity with God caused by both original and personal sin, man gradually becomes a lesser spiritual being, haven “fallen” from his original grace. Being cut off from grace, by sin, man comes under the Devil’s domain (1 john chapter 3 verse 1), having been perverted and corrupted beyond worthiness in heaven. The cure to this, both lies in Baptism, and the Sacrament of the church, which saves people from the corruption of the world, and reverses (in this life and purgatory) the process whereby man, over eternity would become utmost corrupt and evil, and utterly repulsive to God, thereby deserving hell, for what he is, and the infinitely corrupt being he is to become.
Integrity
Integrity is the lack of corruption. It is the maintaining and stability in such of a structure. To have integrity is to not give in to corruption.
God’s Name and Integrity
God’s name YHWH (Yahweh) is thought to mean “I Am Who I AM” this name has many meanings, one of which is shown by Jesus, in calling himself “I AM”.
God does not change, or cede to corruption. He cannot decay. It could also be thought that the name “I Am” refers to existence, and true reality. The devil is known as the deceiver and god of change, and Father of lies. God could be seen as reality,while the devil represents illusion. That which is in God becomes more real, to the extent that it exists as Holy and separate forever. That which follows the devil, will become less “real”, to the extent that the soul cannot exist in heaven. The fight between church and world is between that which is “fading away”(The world and all that is of it) and that which cannot fade (The goodness in the church, which is the foretaste, and embodiment of Heaven on Earth).
Angels or Demons
According to the views of some:
The human person thereby is on a process, either to become like the angels(Luke Chapter 20 verse 36), or like devils (Job chapter 11 verse 20;Psalm 48 verse 15) whereby he becomes utterly immoral(like a devil), or truly Holy(like the angels) in the end (See C.S. Lewis- Mere Christianity).
Saved from corruption:
“ Through these, the greatest and priceless promises have been lavished on us, that through them you should share the divine nature and escape the corruption rife in the world through disordered passion. “II Peter Chapter 1Verse 4 New Jerusalem Bible http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=59
Catechism on corruption
“77. What other consequences derive from original sin?
405-409
418
In consequence of original sin human nature, without being totally corrupted, is wounded in its natural powers. It is subject to ignorance, to suffering, and to the dominion of death and is inclined toward sin. This inclination is called concupiscence.” compendium
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
“401 After that first sin, the world is virtually inundated by sin There is Cain’s murder of his brother Abel and the universal corruption which follows in the wake of sin. Likewise, sin frequently manifests itself in the history of Israel, especially as infidelity to the God of the Covenant and as transgression of the Law of Moses. and even after Christ’s atonement, sin raises its head in countless ways among Christians.287 Scripture and the Church’s Tradition continually recall the presence and universality of sin in man’s history:”
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1C.HTM
“2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.”
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P80.HTM
Scripture and Corruption
God notes “My word will not fade away” and of the church it is the “pillar and foundation of truth” (I Timothy 3 verses 14 to 16) and “the gates of hades will not overcome it” the core message of Christianity can never change. While it can be expanded, it may never contradict the original message, or the interpretation of the original church. The church, also- cannot cede to the corruption of our world. It’s decisions are safeguarded when acting as Christ as to doctrine and morals (Acts 15) and God is the head of the church. Paul notes those “cut off from the head”, and that “divisions in the church are evil” of schisms, and so- the original church must still exist, for the righteous would never abandon it, but remain in it, for “it is wrong to do evil that good may result”, and it is the body of the church that fights heresy, and safeguards the truth(I Timothy 3 verses 14 to 16; 1 John 2 v 19), those who left it over so-called heresy left as those who are not of it. God would not cause one to steal from his original church to safeguard his word against and from it.
Resources
http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb51.htm
Retrieved from
scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/24/curruption/
State of decay.
Process, action or effect of moral decay.
The process whereby real spiritual beings and creation becomes less real, to the extent that over eternity, it loses the ability to exist in the presence of God. This decay is due to the perversion of good.
The natural decay of all visible, “physical” things after the advent of Original Sin.
Sacraments and The cure of corruption
God entered our world, and died, and rose again to “undo the work of the Devil”(1 john chapter 3 verse 8). By the hearing of the Gospel, and obedience to the church, which represents God on earth, we are given the grace to fight corruption via the sacraments, so long as we obey. The sacraments are about obedience. We obey God, and trust him, via the One True Church, and in return gain grace, which enables us to fight sin (Romans chapter 8 verse 13; I Timothy3 verses 14-16).
Reality to come
“when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13 v10)
Biblical Decay
Due to the work of evil-The bible mentions a resulting decay, whereby due to an ability to sin, and the enmity with God caused by both original and personal sin, man gradually becomes a lesser spiritual being, haven “fallen” from his original grace. Being cut off from grace, by sin, man comes under the Devil’s domain (1 john chapter 3 verse 1), having been perverted and corrupted beyond worthiness in heaven. The cure to this, both lies in Baptism, and the Sacrament of the church, which saves people from the corruption of the world, and reverses (in this life and purgatory) the process whereby man, over eternity would become utmost corrupt and evil, and utterly repulsive to God, thereby deserving hell, for what he is, and the infinitely corrupt being he is to become.
Integrity
Integrity is the lack of corruption. It is the maintaining and stability in such of a structure. To have integrity is to not give in to corruption.
God’s Name and Integrity
God’s name YHWH (Yahweh) is thought to mean “I Am Who I AM” this name has many meanings, one of which is shown by Jesus, in calling himself “I AM”.
God does not change, or cede to corruption. He cannot decay. It could also be thought that the name “I Am” refers to existence, and true reality. The devil is known as the deceiver and god of change, and Father of lies. God could be seen as reality,while the devil represents illusion. That which is in God becomes more real, to the extent that it exists as Holy and separate forever. That which follows the devil, will become less “real”, to the extent that the soul cannot exist in heaven. The fight between church and world is between that which is “fading away”(The world and all that is of it) and that which cannot fade (The goodness in the church, which is the foretaste, and embodiment of Heaven on Earth).
Angels or Demons
According to the views of some:
The human person thereby is on a process, either to become like the angels(Luke Chapter 20 verse 36), or like devils (Job chapter 11 verse 20;Psalm 48 verse 15) whereby he becomes utterly immoral(like a devil), or truly Holy(like the angels) in the end (See C.S. Lewis- Mere Christianity).
Saved from corruption:
“ Through these, the greatest and priceless promises have been lavished on us, that through them you should share the divine nature and escape the corruption rife in the world through disordered passion. “II Peter Chapter 1Verse 4 New Jerusalem Bible http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=59
Catechism on corruption
“77. What other consequences derive from original sin?
405-409
418
In consequence of original sin human nature, without being totally corrupted, is wounded in its natural powers. It is subject to ignorance, to suffering, and to the dominion of death and is inclined toward sin. This inclination is called concupiscence.” compendium
http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
“401 After that first sin, the world is virtually inundated by sin There is Cain’s murder of his brother Abel and the universal corruption which follows in the wake of sin. Likewise, sin frequently manifests itself in the history of Israel, especially as infidelity to the God of the Covenant and as transgression of the Law of Moses. and even after Christ’s atonement, sin raises its head in countless ways among Christians.287 Scripture and the Church’s Tradition continually recall the presence and universality of sin in man’s history:”
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1C.HTM
“2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.”
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P80.HTM
Scripture and Corruption
God notes “My word will not fade away” and of the church it is the “pillar and foundation of truth” (I Timothy 3 verses 14 to 16) and “the gates of hades will not overcome it” the core message of Christianity can never change. While it can be expanded, it may never contradict the original message, or the interpretation of the original church. The church, also- cannot cede to the corruption of our world. It’s decisions are safeguarded when acting as Christ as to doctrine and morals (Acts 15) and God is the head of the church. Paul notes those “cut off from the head”, and that “divisions in the church are evil” of schisms, and so- the original church must still exist, for the righteous would never abandon it, but remain in it, for “it is wrong to do evil that good may result”, and it is the body of the church that fights heresy, and safeguards the truth(I Timothy 3 verses 14 to 16; 1 John 2 v 19), those who left it over so-called heresy left as those who are not of it. God would not cause one to steal from his original church to safeguard his word against and from it.
Resources
http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb51.htm
Retrieved from
scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/24/curruption/
The Family structure relating to the degree of submission required of wives
Bible verse in question (often misrepresented)
Eph. 5:21-33 New Jerusalem Bible
“21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord,
23 since, as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife;
24 and as the Church is subject to Christ, so should wives be to their husbands, in everything.
25 Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her
26 to make her holy by washing her in cleansing water with a form of words,
27 so that when he took the Church to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.
28 In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself.
29 A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church,
30 because we are parts of his Body.
31 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.
32 This mystery has great significance, but I am applying it to Christ and the Church.
33 To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband. “
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=49&bible_chapter=5
Church Teaching on this issue
The church interprets this verse in context. One must first note the reply in Acts - “One must obey God above men”, no husband has the right to force his wife to act against God.
” Let me read to you what Pope Pius XI taught in 1930 which is still very relevant. He said (Casti connubii, 10 cf. The Navarre Bible — Captivity Epistles):
“The submission of the wife neither ignores nor suppresses the liberty to which her dignity as a human person and her noble functions as wife, mother, and companion give her the full right.
It does not oblige her to yield indiscriminately to all the desires of her husband; and his desires may be unreasonable or incompatible with her wifely dignity.
It does not mean that she is on a level with persons who in law are called minors. And minors are ordinarily denied the unrestricted exercise of their rights because of their immature judgment and not having enough experience. ” http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/wivesubmis.htm
Secondly, this must be taken in context of St. Paul’s general encouragement and appeal for holiness, and the imitation of God’s goodness. This appeals both to husband and wife, and should never violate the dignity of the person of the wife. Notice- the appeal to obedience is to the wife- addressed to her. It does not say “husbands control your wives”, but rather “ To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself” yet to the wives- a lesser appeal - “let every wife respect her husband”.
The Husband’s authority is there in order to minister lovingly to the wife- to act in sacraficial love, and caring strength- making his wife holy, by loving her, and immitating Christ. “The married man thinks of the ways of the world, and how he can please his wife”. Notice- he aims to please his wife. the church furthers this teaching, as EWTN elabourates-
“
A husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church! He is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church! And how does Christ loves the Church? He loves Her with a sacrificial love. And this must be the husband’s love for his lovely wife. It must be a sacrificial love! He must love her as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for the Church. It must never be a selfish love. Christ loved the Church, not that the Church might do things for Him, but that He might do things for the Church.
St. John Chrysostom wonderfully said to the husbands about this passage:
“Have you seen the measure of obedience? Hear also the measure of love. Would you have your wife obey you as the Church obeys Christ? Then you care for your wife as Christ cares for the Church. And if it is necessary that you should give your life for her or be cut to pieces a thousand times or endure anything whatever, do not refuse it. He brought the Church to His feet by His great care, not by threats nor fear nor any such thing; so that’s how you must conduct yourself toward your wife!”“
http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/wivesubmis.htm
This is furthered by Jesus treatment of women- not ignoring that they are different- and made from man’s bone- but at the same time- respecting them as creations made equal with man. Notice that it is the women who first see the tomb, and the Woman, who is called blessed by God, and sees the actual angel, as Joseph is given a dream.
Women are equally human and equally responsible and adult along with men. They must not compete in a marriage- but compliment one another. The man’s authority extends- only as far as he uses it for the upliftment of the family. He has no right to abuse his spouse- least he portray Christ- whom he represents to the world- as abusive. He should treat his wife with love- often this is hard to worldly men. The wife- should likewise compensate possible weakness- and actually respect her husband- especially should he love her. She should, first obey God, and then authority in order.
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/10/the-family-structure-relating-to-the-degree-of-submission-required-of-wives/
Eph. 5:21-33 New Jerusalem Bible
“21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord,
23 since, as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife;
24 and as the Church is subject to Christ, so should wives be to their husbands, in everything.
25 Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her
26 to make her holy by washing her in cleansing water with a form of words,
27 so that when he took the Church to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.
28 In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself.
29 A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church,
30 because we are parts of his Body.
31 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.
32 This mystery has great significance, but I am applying it to Christ and the Church.
33 To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband. “
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=49&bible_chapter=5
Church Teaching on this issue
The church interprets this verse in context. One must first note the reply in Acts - “One must obey God above men”, no husband has the right to force his wife to act against God.
” Let me read to you what Pope Pius XI taught in 1930 which is still very relevant. He said (Casti connubii, 10 cf. The Navarre Bible — Captivity Epistles):
“The submission of the wife neither ignores nor suppresses the liberty to which her dignity as a human person and her noble functions as wife, mother, and companion give her the full right.
It does not oblige her to yield indiscriminately to all the desires of her husband; and his desires may be unreasonable or incompatible with her wifely dignity.
It does not mean that she is on a level with persons who in law are called minors. And minors are ordinarily denied the unrestricted exercise of their rights because of their immature judgment and not having enough experience. ” http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/wivesubmis.htm
Secondly, this must be taken in context of St. Paul’s general encouragement and appeal for holiness, and the imitation of God’s goodness. This appeals both to husband and wife, and should never violate the dignity of the person of the wife. Notice- the appeal to obedience is to the wife- addressed to her. It does not say “husbands control your wives”, but rather “ To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself” yet to the wives- a lesser appeal - “let every wife respect her husband”.
The Husband’s authority is there in order to minister lovingly to the wife- to act in sacraficial love, and caring strength- making his wife holy, by loving her, and immitating Christ. “The married man thinks of the ways of the world, and how he can please his wife”. Notice- he aims to please his wife. the church furthers this teaching, as EWTN elabourates-
“
A husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church! He is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church! And how does Christ loves the Church? He loves Her with a sacrificial love. And this must be the husband’s love for his lovely wife. It must be a sacrificial love! He must love her as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for the Church. It must never be a selfish love. Christ loved the Church, not that the Church might do things for Him, but that He might do things for the Church.
St. John Chrysostom wonderfully said to the husbands about this passage:
“Have you seen the measure of obedience? Hear also the measure of love. Would you have your wife obey you as the Church obeys Christ? Then you care for your wife as Christ cares for the Church. And if it is necessary that you should give your life for her or be cut to pieces a thousand times or endure anything whatever, do not refuse it. He brought the Church to His feet by His great care, not by threats nor fear nor any such thing; so that’s how you must conduct yourself toward your wife!”“
http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/wivesubmis.htm
This is furthered by Jesus treatment of women- not ignoring that they are different- and made from man’s bone- but at the same time- respecting them as creations made equal with man. Notice that it is the women who first see the tomb, and the Woman, who is called blessed by God, and sees the actual angel, as Joseph is given a dream.
Women are equally human and equally responsible and adult along with men. They must not compete in a marriage- but compliment one another. The man’s authority extends- only as far as he uses it for the upliftment of the family. He has no right to abuse his spouse- least he portray Christ- whom he represents to the world- as abusive. He should treat his wife with love- often this is hard to worldly men. The wife- should likewise compensate possible weakness- and actually respect her husband- especially should he love her. She should, first obey God, and then authority in order.
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/10/the-family-structure-relating-to-the-degree-of-submission-required-of-wives/
Personal interpretation of scripture
Defining Personal interpretation
Views and perceptions of the individual person on any matter.
Personal likes, dislikes that together with societal factors, create perceptions of certain statements.
Views of peoples and individuals as to the meaning of the message of God.
Opinions that are not infallible.
Prophesy and personal interpretation
The bible clearly states that prophesy is not the realm of personal perceptions, but rather that the truth of God should be interpreted as he meant it to be.
“19 So we have confirmation of the words of the prophets; and you will be right to pay attention to it as to a lamp for lighting a way through the dark, until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds.
20 At the same time, we must recognise that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual.
21 For no prophecy ever came from human initiative. When people spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them. “
(II Peter Chapter 1 verses 19-21) New Jerusalem Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=59
Place of church
The Catholic church is considered the final authority and defender of the scriptures. It is considered the “pillar and foundation of the truth” (I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15).
(for evidence and expansion see our article on Authority of the State, Church God, Angels and others, or our page on the Scriptural Basis For Catholicism).
The gift of the saints
Not all Jesus’ words, in life and in three years of preaching, are recorded in the bible, but these are still divine. Tradition, the interpretation of the bible by the early church is fully beneficial in the study of scripture, and has been vastly expanded over time, via clarification, and much research.
The gift of church guided conscience
This is furthered by the gift of conscience, which aids in showing us the texts with prayer and guidance. This aid cannot contradict the truth, but must work in conjunction with the church (Acts 15). It is advised that one should use a Catholic endorsed bible, with the 7 books excluded by modern protestant versions(, many such bible follow the blueprint of the second version of the “King James” version, which excluded them), and that one receive the full training of the church as to the scripture, and that one buys a Catechism of the Catholic church. One should further attend mass every Sunday, and obey the church. If interpretation of a passage is unclear, then the Catechism should clear up the meaning. God gives grace to those reading the bible, and an indulgence has been given before, for those who read it constantly for more than fifteen minutes, however- while reading the bible is encouraged, this should be done with the original message in mind, and with meaning in mind (”hold the message you originally heard”). The bible is not considered a textbook for science and history. It is beneficial for our spiritual edification, and is useful. If one is considering joining the Faith, they should join either confirmation or Adult initiation, at a Catholic church, where a firm foundation will be laid as to the message of the bible.
Resources
New Advent (on prophesy)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12473a.htm
“Catholics For Truth” (dept. evangelism site Archdiocese of Johannesburg)
On Jehovah’s Witnesses
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12473a.htm
Eternal Word Television Network
Interpreting the bible
http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/PBCINTER.HTM
New Jerusalme Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=52&bible_chapter=3
Other Links
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/14/authority-of-the-state-church-god-angels-and-others/
retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/25/personal-interpretation-of-scripture/
Views and perceptions of the individual person on any matter.
Personal likes, dislikes that together with societal factors, create perceptions of certain statements.
Views of peoples and individuals as to the meaning of the message of God.
Opinions that are not infallible.
Prophesy and personal interpretation
The bible clearly states that prophesy is not the realm of personal perceptions, but rather that the truth of God should be interpreted as he meant it to be.
“19 So we have confirmation of the words of the prophets; and you will be right to pay attention to it as to a lamp for lighting a way through the dark, until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds.
20 At the same time, we must recognise that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual.
21 For no prophecy ever came from human initiative. When people spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them. “
(II Peter Chapter 1 verses 19-21) New Jerusalem Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=59
Place of church
The Catholic church is considered the final authority and defender of the scriptures. It is considered the “pillar and foundation of the truth” (I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15).
(for evidence and expansion see our article on Authority of the State, Church God, Angels and others, or our page on the Scriptural Basis For Catholicism).
The gift of the saints
Not all Jesus’ words, in life and in three years of preaching, are recorded in the bible, but these are still divine. Tradition, the interpretation of the bible by the early church is fully beneficial in the study of scripture, and has been vastly expanded over time, via clarification, and much research.
The gift of church guided conscience
This is furthered by the gift of conscience, which aids in showing us the texts with prayer and guidance. This aid cannot contradict the truth, but must work in conjunction with the church (Acts 15). It is advised that one should use a Catholic endorsed bible, with the 7 books excluded by modern protestant versions(, many such bible follow the blueprint of the second version of the “King James” version, which excluded them), and that one receive the full training of the church as to the scripture, and that one buys a Catechism of the Catholic church. One should further attend mass every Sunday, and obey the church. If interpretation of a passage is unclear, then the Catechism should clear up the meaning. God gives grace to those reading the bible, and an indulgence has been given before, for those who read it constantly for more than fifteen minutes, however- while reading the bible is encouraged, this should be done with the original message in mind, and with meaning in mind (”hold the message you originally heard”). The bible is not considered a textbook for science and history. It is beneficial for our spiritual edification, and is useful. If one is considering joining the Faith, they should join either confirmation or Adult initiation, at a Catholic church, where a firm foundation will be laid as to the message of the bible.
Resources
New Advent (on prophesy)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12473a.htm
“Catholics For Truth” (dept. evangelism site Archdiocese of Johannesburg)
On Jehovah’s Witnesses
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12473a.htm
Eternal Word Television Network
Interpreting the bible
http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/PBCINTER.HTM
New Jerusalme Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=52&bible_chapter=3
Other Links
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/14/authority-of-the-state-church-god-angels-and-others/
retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/25/personal-interpretation-of-scripture/
Tolerance- Religious, otherwise
Definitions
Tolerance is the allowance of an event to occur or a situation to exist.
Tolerance is the allowance of an event to occur or a situation to exist.
Limits of Tolerance
Tolerance and duty must never collide for the Christian. Tolerance can be and must be afforded in some circumstance, but can never be allowed and must never compromise the salvation of souls, or if afforded, the institutions of truth and Justice. Tolerance for certain things, however- such as the choice to with informed conscience, choose or reject grace, is given.
The Catholic View of tolerance- tolerance or intolerance, depending on the circumstance can both be either correct or incorrect. In their extremes- both can be evil. Tolerance of evil can itself be intrinsically evil- such as conniving. Intolerance can also be evil, as shown in the Pharisees naming Jesus the “friend of sinners”.
Tolerance can never be given in opposition to her mandate or duty to God (James chapter 4 verse 4). It may neither water down beyond meaning, the truth, nor hault in the telling of the gospel as it is, for merely human kindness. Tolerance must be based on love, which acts in obedience to the commands of God(I John 3), and cannot be purely out of fear.
Three types of tolerance
-theoretical dogmatic tolerance
- Practical civic tolerance
- Public political tolerance
Theoretical dogmatic tolerance
Tolerance of another’s error, because it is a mistake, and not an intentional harm against truth, or other factors. This is acceptance of the person beneficial.
Practical civic tolerance
“Love the sinner, not the sin”
-Acceptance and charity towards the sinner despite his fault. This does not mean not combating his error, or the consequences of his sin. It does not mean that retribution is not given should the case require such.
Public political tolerance
Tolerance given by states to religions, out of respect of equality.
Some manifestations of both beneifical and unbeneficial tolerance
Universal Religious Toleration- Allowance of beliefs contrary to what one considers to be truth- out of respect for the idea that religion, unlike certain aspects of morality is a choice which should be free from absolute coercion, or forceful conversion. This is an example of charity, and the acceptance of a person despite their faults.
Personal Religious Toleration- Toleration of the beliefs of others, without surrender of one’s own belief, in such a way as to respect their human person, and dignity. This should not extend to the allowance of open scandal, nor the allowance of diabolic, or hateful, or bigotrous views to be stated as loudly, or widely as the religion, or peoples or individuals in question should choose, as this damages the choice of others.
The tolerance of evils or damaging views contrary to truth, do to an inability to correct them.
The incorrect unwillingness to prevent evil.
Toleration of the views and beliefs of others out of respect for those following such religion, but not endorsement of their actions, or views- either due to the conscience of others and action of charity, or due to unwarranted and incorrect kindness.
Universal Religious Tolerance
This is an example of charity, and the acceptance of a person despite their faults.Tolerance of the choice of whether or not to become Christian, is both acceptable, beneficial, and in some cases demanded, however- should one claim to be Christian, this same person must submit to some core doctrines. This form of tolerance does not extend to allowing such persons to coerce others against religion, nor does it extend to only informing others of what fits their world view, or comfort zone. It does however demand the treating of other religions, especially Abrahamic Religions, with respect. As the Apostle Paul states in rebuke of some -”do you steal from temples?”. This respect is again shown in that the Christian must not eat foods dedicated to idols- out of respect for the conscience of those who could fall from such. Paul also shows this in becoming like the Gentiles among the gentiles and like the Jews among the Jews- that they may be saved, but in this, does not disobey the Law of Liberty. This tolerance does not extend to allowing grave, unjust harm to others, nor does it demand that the gospel not be preached, just the contrary. Rather- it demands degrees of respect of fellow human persons, as children of God, despite their private beliefs. In this, charity is shown, yet the example of the church in ecumenical works shows that this is best done in respect, humility, and truth. Humbly sharing the truth in love, without rejecting aspects of the truth that exist also outside of the fullness, nor treating non-Christians as lesser beings. This does not mean the watering down of Catholic truth for the desires of others, nor does this mean that God does not later judge all for their deeds on earth and their acceptance or rejection of church and gospel (Luke chapter 10 verse 16).
Personal Religious Toleration
Neither the body of the Holy Catholic Church, nor her members, may in any way coerce another into Christianity, via force, at the same end, the Christian must uphold his own faith, even publicly- “Should you accept me in front of men, I will accept you in front of the angels of God, but if you reject me in front of men, I will reject you in front of the angels of God” Jesus Of Nazareth(Luke 12 verses 8 and 9). The Christian’s life, and words, must testify as to the nature of God, and his truth. This does not afford others the opportunity to appose the church’s madate, nor allow foir these people to prevent justice and truth.
The tolerance of evils or damaging views contrary to truth, do to an inability to correct them
This is considered more as patience as any other thing. It is prudent action in not acting in unbeneficial ways. This toleration is acceptable (I Corinthians 13 verse 4), so far as it does not lend to the extreme of simple unwillingness to act.
The incorrect unwillingness to prevent evil
Should it be in the power of one to prevent evil, or the harm of souls, against scandal, or other, even in cases physical harm, and one should not act, this inaction is not acceptable. It contradicts love of neighbor, and risks punishment (James chapter 4 verse 4; “the good man who gives in to evil is like a muddy well” Proverbs) and testimony contrary to justice (”love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth” I Corinthians 13 verse 6).
Toleration of the views and beliefs of others out of respect for those following such religion, but not endorsement of their actions, or views- either due to the conscience of others and action of charity, or due to unwarranted and incorrect kindness.
Christians are obligated to treat every other person as another self. This extends to respecting their choice of religion, but does not mean that one is obligated to endorse incorrect views, or actions. This does not mean that one should allow evil, scandal or horrendous action to occur, but is rather a respect of the private beliefs of others, and treatment of such persons with the respect they are due, as fellow creations of God.The administration of Tolerance must never extend to allowing unjust harm to others within one’s own domain and ability to prevent such. Toleration, cannot contradict justice, but must be subject to the demands of love. Kindness to oppressors, can be cruelty to the oppressed, and result in harsh judgment (see James chapter 4 verse 4).
Intolerance against Catholics
Jesus noted that his followers would be persecuted. John, in I John said that Christians should not be surprised if they are hated, because they are Christian. It is noted that Christians are persecuted because of their inheritance. This is to be taken with Jesus’ statement in mind - “blessed are you when people persecute you”, and demonstrates that Christianity is in fact true. This in that such persecution is both illogical, and constant since the time of Christ against the church, and continues in almost every country. This however does not justify persecution, which should be apposed, and fought as best as possible in legitimate areas.
A place for Catholics to show intolerance
The Christian is not forced, nor in some cases permitted to tolerate certain actions of others. These include certain actions that harm the body of the church, cause scandal, or unjustly harm those who are innocent of crime. One example of this, is the right of the church to combat heresy within the church. ”But such intolerance is essential to all that is, or moves, or lives, for tolerance of destructive elements within the organism amounts to suicide.”
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm
Verses of note
Luke Chapter 16 Wrong use of goods, and power given to one’s self.
Luke Chapter 10 Rejection of church is punished.
James chapter 4 verse 4 Tolerance must never contradict the demands of love.
I Corinthians Chapter 13 All action must be done in love.
Resources used
Zenit news
http://www.zenit.org/article-19609?l=english
Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=42&bible_chapter=10
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5201
NewAdvent
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk016.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1co013.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14763a.htm
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/27/tolerance-religious-otherwise/
Tolerance is the allowance of an event to occur or a situation to exist.
Tolerance is the allowance of an event to occur or a situation to exist.
Limits of Tolerance
Tolerance and duty must never collide for the Christian. Tolerance can be and must be afforded in some circumstance, but can never be allowed and must never compromise the salvation of souls, or if afforded, the institutions of truth and Justice. Tolerance for certain things, however- such as the choice to with informed conscience, choose or reject grace, is given.
The Catholic View of tolerance- tolerance or intolerance, depending on the circumstance can both be either correct or incorrect. In their extremes- both can be evil. Tolerance of evil can itself be intrinsically evil- such as conniving. Intolerance can also be evil, as shown in the Pharisees naming Jesus the “friend of sinners”.
Tolerance can never be given in opposition to her mandate or duty to God (James chapter 4 verse 4). It may neither water down beyond meaning, the truth, nor hault in the telling of the gospel as it is, for merely human kindness. Tolerance must be based on love, which acts in obedience to the commands of God(I John 3), and cannot be purely out of fear.
Three types of tolerance
-theoretical dogmatic tolerance
- Practical civic tolerance
- Public political tolerance
Theoretical dogmatic tolerance
Tolerance of another’s error, because it is a mistake, and not an intentional harm against truth, or other factors. This is acceptance of the person beneficial.
Practical civic tolerance
“Love the sinner, not the sin”
-Acceptance and charity towards the sinner despite his fault. This does not mean not combating his error, or the consequences of his sin. It does not mean that retribution is not given should the case require such.
Public political tolerance
Tolerance given by states to religions, out of respect of equality.
Some manifestations of both beneifical and unbeneficial tolerance
Universal Religious Toleration- Allowance of beliefs contrary to what one considers to be truth- out of respect for the idea that religion, unlike certain aspects of morality is a choice which should be free from absolute coercion, or forceful conversion. This is an example of charity, and the acceptance of a person despite their faults.
Personal Religious Toleration- Toleration of the beliefs of others, without surrender of one’s own belief, in such a way as to respect their human person, and dignity. This should not extend to the allowance of open scandal, nor the allowance of diabolic, or hateful, or bigotrous views to be stated as loudly, or widely as the religion, or peoples or individuals in question should choose, as this damages the choice of others.
The tolerance of evils or damaging views contrary to truth, do to an inability to correct them.
The incorrect unwillingness to prevent evil.
Toleration of the views and beliefs of others out of respect for those following such religion, but not endorsement of their actions, or views- either due to the conscience of others and action of charity, or due to unwarranted and incorrect kindness.
Universal Religious Tolerance
This is an example of charity, and the acceptance of a person despite their faults.Tolerance of the choice of whether or not to become Christian, is both acceptable, beneficial, and in some cases demanded, however- should one claim to be Christian, this same person must submit to some core doctrines. This form of tolerance does not extend to allowing such persons to coerce others against religion, nor does it extend to only informing others of what fits their world view, or comfort zone. It does however demand the treating of other religions, especially Abrahamic Religions, with respect. As the Apostle Paul states in rebuke of some -”do you steal from temples?”. This respect is again shown in that the Christian must not eat foods dedicated to idols- out of respect for the conscience of those who could fall from such. Paul also shows this in becoming like the Gentiles among the gentiles and like the Jews among the Jews- that they may be saved, but in this, does not disobey the Law of Liberty. This tolerance does not extend to allowing grave, unjust harm to others, nor does it demand that the gospel not be preached, just the contrary. Rather- it demands degrees of respect of fellow human persons, as children of God, despite their private beliefs. In this, charity is shown, yet the example of the church in ecumenical works shows that this is best done in respect, humility, and truth. Humbly sharing the truth in love, without rejecting aspects of the truth that exist also outside of the fullness, nor treating non-Christians as lesser beings. This does not mean the watering down of Catholic truth for the desires of others, nor does this mean that God does not later judge all for their deeds on earth and their acceptance or rejection of church and gospel (Luke chapter 10 verse 16).
Personal Religious Toleration
Neither the body of the Holy Catholic Church, nor her members, may in any way coerce another into Christianity, via force, at the same end, the Christian must uphold his own faith, even publicly- “Should you accept me in front of men, I will accept you in front of the angels of God, but if you reject me in front of men, I will reject you in front of the angels of God” Jesus Of Nazareth(Luke 12 verses 8 and 9). The Christian’s life, and words, must testify as to the nature of God, and his truth. This does not afford others the opportunity to appose the church’s madate, nor allow foir these people to prevent justice and truth.
The tolerance of evils or damaging views contrary to truth, do to an inability to correct them
This is considered more as patience as any other thing. It is prudent action in not acting in unbeneficial ways. This toleration is acceptable (I Corinthians 13 verse 4), so far as it does not lend to the extreme of simple unwillingness to act.
The incorrect unwillingness to prevent evil
Should it be in the power of one to prevent evil, or the harm of souls, against scandal, or other, even in cases physical harm, and one should not act, this inaction is not acceptable. It contradicts love of neighbor, and risks punishment (James chapter 4 verse 4; “the good man who gives in to evil is like a muddy well” Proverbs) and testimony contrary to justice (”love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth” I Corinthians 13 verse 6).
Toleration of the views and beliefs of others out of respect for those following such religion, but not endorsement of their actions, or views- either due to the conscience of others and action of charity, or due to unwarranted and incorrect kindness.
Christians are obligated to treat every other person as another self. This extends to respecting their choice of religion, but does not mean that one is obligated to endorse incorrect views, or actions. This does not mean that one should allow evil, scandal or horrendous action to occur, but is rather a respect of the private beliefs of others, and treatment of such persons with the respect they are due, as fellow creations of God.The administration of Tolerance must never extend to allowing unjust harm to others within one’s own domain and ability to prevent such. Toleration, cannot contradict justice, but must be subject to the demands of love. Kindness to oppressors, can be cruelty to the oppressed, and result in harsh judgment (see James chapter 4 verse 4).
Intolerance against Catholics
Jesus noted that his followers would be persecuted. John, in I John said that Christians should not be surprised if they are hated, because they are Christian. It is noted that Christians are persecuted because of their inheritance. This is to be taken with Jesus’ statement in mind - “blessed are you when people persecute you”, and demonstrates that Christianity is in fact true. This in that such persecution is both illogical, and constant since the time of Christ against the church, and continues in almost every country. This however does not justify persecution, which should be apposed, and fought as best as possible in legitimate areas.
A place for Catholics to show intolerance
The Christian is not forced, nor in some cases permitted to tolerate certain actions of others. These include certain actions that harm the body of the church, cause scandal, or unjustly harm those who are innocent of crime. One example of this, is the right of the church to combat heresy within the church. ”But such intolerance is essential to all that is, or moves, or lives, for tolerance of destructive elements within the organism amounts to suicide.”
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm
Verses of note
Luke Chapter 16 Wrong use of goods, and power given to one’s self.
Luke Chapter 10 Rejection of church is punished.
James chapter 4 verse 4 Tolerance must never contradict the demands of love.
I Corinthians Chapter 13 All action must be done in love.
Resources used
Zenit news
http://www.zenit.org/article-19609?l=english
Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=42&bible_chapter=10
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=5201
NewAdvent
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/luk016.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1co013.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07256b.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14763a.htm
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/27/tolerance-religious-otherwise/
Jesus Christ
Note to reader
I would firstly like to state, that the information I can put on Christ here is less than the smallest summary. All the books in the universe could not cover the smallest fraction of the Redeemer, even with our historic notes.
Definitions
Jesus
Meaning God saves, or Yahweh is Salvation.
It is the Latin translation of the Greek: “Iesous” which in turn translated the Hebrew name : of either “Jeshua, Joshua or Jehoshua“.
It refers both to Jesus mission, and his nature.
A name, in the given society, within the context of the bible, is given by God- in order to covey the nature of a person. To ask something in Jesus name, could well refer as much to his nature, as to his actual name, as shown in the Book of James (James chapter 4 verses 3,4, 8, and 10), where the verse on prayer is clarified.
Christ
The title Jesus adopts, as a king gains the name king (name), or an emperor gains the name Emperor (name), or a doctor gains the name Dr. (name).
Meaning “Anointed One” or “Anointed Messiah“.
Anointed refers to the position of Priests, kings, and Prophets in the Old Testament times. This name shows that Jesus combined all three titles.
“The use of the definite article before the word Christ and its gradual development into a proper name show the Christians identified the bearer with the promised Messias of the Jews. He combined in His person the offices of prophet (John 6:14; Matthew 13:57; Luke 13:33; 24:19) of king (Luke 23:2; Acts 17:7; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Apocalypse 15:3), and of priest (Hebrews 2:17; etc.); he fulfilled all the Messianic predictions in a fuller and a higher sense than had been given them by the teachers of the Synagogue.” http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374x.htm
His position as the servant king, is again shown in God’s naming him, his son, with whom he is well pleased, a combination of the naming of a king (”son”) and the reference to God’s servant, as seen in Isaiah’s 53rd chapter, in verse 10, and the entirety of the chapter’s prediction.
Jewish Messiah- the Jews expected a great king to come, in the line of David, fulfilling prophesy. Jesus, was the expected “Messiah”, the Saviour of the Jews.
“Emmanual” or “God with us” (LLX : “Emmanouel“) is the prophetic name given to the child of a virgin in Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14. It already shows the trinitarian nature of the child, who is both God and man, fully both natures.
Messiah (Christ) is the name of Jesus, given in Daniel 9:26 and Psalm 2:2; it is the prophetic reference to the Jewish messiah.
Jesus name for himself
Jesus called himself the “son of man”, this is both a reference to the prophesy in Daniel (Daniel chapter 7 verse 13) and to God’s human nature, which is taken on.
It shows also, as is demonstrated throughout the bible, that God’s kingdom actually came with Jesus, and is already established in the church.
Lamb of God
This name, often used in Eucharistic ceremony, is used to denote Jesus’ innocence, and sacrificial nature, but also relates to the idea that the blood of such an animal was placed in a cross shape on the door frames of the Jewish people in Egypt, when the destroyer passed through the towns of Egypt, and killed the firstborn of the Egyptians, but spared the firstborn of the Jews, for the sacrificed blood on the door frames.
It is further a reference to Jesus’ perfection, in that the sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish.
“Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” this statement refers, not simply to the ignoring, or covering, or sweeping under the rug, of the sins of those who believe, but the actual freeing from slavery to the devil, and slavery to the actions of sin (I John chapter 3 verses 7 and 8), over a time, and payment for such (I Corinthians 11 verse 32;Hebrews 12 verse 4) - in such a form, that the Catholic, actually becomes righteous via the sacraments(reference), and purification (Hebrews 12 verse 4), which continues after death in purgatory. In this, all is righted, showing God’s justice, yet the punishment, due to Christ’s death, is not permanent, as God shows, he will not punish the blameless. It is noted, that the Jews, continued to offer sacrifices every year, because they continued to sin.
Sacrifice, timeless, once- only
The sacrifice, was, as the bible notes, only one sacrifice (Hebrews chapter 9 verse 26), which accounts for all sin, throughout history. For this reason, the immaculate conception of Mary was already via the salvation of the cross, and every Eucharistic service, in fact, does not repeat the sacrifice, but connect through time, into the original sacrifice, connecting all the saints, throughout history into this one event,whereby the entire body becomes united, by the breaking of but a single loaf.
Actual Presence in valid Eucharist
Paul himself says that the Corinthians were sick or dying because they did not recognize the Eucharistic bread as the Actual body of Christ. In fact, they were condemning themselves by not recognizing the actual presence, or even respecting it (I Corinthian 11 Verse 29) and would be answerable to harming his body (verse 27) should they take it unworthily.
Sacraments
The salvation of the cross, is thereby administered via the sacraments, which exchange obedient faith, in obeying the illogical, for grace, which purifies (Romans chapter 3 verse 25;I Peter chapter 3 verse 21;1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13), edifies, maintains, and saves(I Peter chapter 3 verse 21;Gospel of John chapter 6) the Christian, entering him into the church(1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13), uniting him with his fellow believers in the Eucharist (Corinthians 10:17) and conforming him to the very image of Christ, via the church, which is the pillar and foundation of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:14-16).
Jesus as the church
Jesus also exists via his church, which the bible calls his body ( Ephesians chapter 4 verse16; I Collosians chapter 1 v 3, 16-18, 24, 26, 28 ; I Corinthians chapter 15 verses 24, 25 ,26, 50,I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15, Ephesians 5 verse 24; CCC 669), with him at the head. This is shown especially in Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus, which shows that it is via the works of his servant on earth, that God saves others, and acts (I Corinthians chapter 9 Verse 16;and a passage where St.Paul speaks of people only hearing the Gospel, if people are sent to preach it) in the world.
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/12/01/jesus-christ/
I would firstly like to state, that the information I can put on Christ here is less than the smallest summary. All the books in the universe could not cover the smallest fraction of the Redeemer, even with our historic notes.
Definitions
Jesus
Meaning God saves, or Yahweh is Salvation.
It is the Latin translation of the Greek: “Iesous” which in turn translated the Hebrew name : of either “Jeshua, Joshua or Jehoshua“.
It refers both to Jesus mission, and his nature.
A name, in the given society, within the context of the bible, is given by God- in order to covey the nature of a person. To ask something in Jesus name, could well refer as much to his nature, as to his actual name, as shown in the Book of James (James chapter 4 verses 3,4, 8, and 10), where the verse on prayer is clarified.
Christ
The title Jesus adopts, as a king gains the name king (name), or an emperor gains the name Emperor (name), or a doctor gains the name Dr. (name).
Meaning “Anointed One” or “Anointed Messiah“.
Anointed refers to the position of Priests, kings, and Prophets in the Old Testament times. This name shows that Jesus combined all three titles.
“The use of the definite article before the word Christ and its gradual development into a proper name show the Christians identified the bearer with the promised Messias of the Jews. He combined in His person the offices of prophet (John 6:14; Matthew 13:57; Luke 13:33; 24:19) of king (Luke 23:2; Acts 17:7; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Apocalypse 15:3), and of priest (Hebrews 2:17; etc.); he fulfilled all the Messianic predictions in a fuller and a higher sense than had been given them by the teachers of the Synagogue.” http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374x.htm
His position as the servant king, is again shown in God’s naming him, his son, with whom he is well pleased, a combination of the naming of a king (”son”) and the reference to God’s servant, as seen in Isaiah’s 53rd chapter, in verse 10, and the entirety of the chapter’s prediction.
Jewish Messiah- the Jews expected a great king to come, in the line of David, fulfilling prophesy. Jesus, was the expected “Messiah”, the Saviour of the Jews.
“Emmanual” or “God with us” (LLX : “Emmanouel“) is the prophetic name given to the child of a virgin in Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14. It already shows the trinitarian nature of the child, who is both God and man, fully both natures.
Messiah (Christ) is the name of Jesus, given in Daniel 9:26 and Psalm 2:2; it is the prophetic reference to the Jewish messiah.
Jesus name for himself
Jesus called himself the “son of man”, this is both a reference to the prophesy in Daniel (Daniel chapter 7 verse 13) and to God’s human nature, which is taken on.
It shows also, as is demonstrated throughout the bible, that God’s kingdom actually came with Jesus, and is already established in the church.
Lamb of God
This name, often used in Eucharistic ceremony, is used to denote Jesus’ innocence, and sacrificial nature, but also relates to the idea that the blood of such an animal was placed in a cross shape on the door frames of the Jewish people in Egypt, when the destroyer passed through the towns of Egypt, and killed the firstborn of the Egyptians, but spared the firstborn of the Jews, for the sacrificed blood on the door frames.
It is further a reference to Jesus’ perfection, in that the sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish.
“Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” this statement refers, not simply to the ignoring, or covering, or sweeping under the rug, of the sins of those who believe, but the actual freeing from slavery to the devil, and slavery to the actions of sin (I John chapter 3 verses 7 and 8), over a time, and payment for such (I Corinthians 11 verse 32;Hebrews 12 verse 4) - in such a form, that the Catholic, actually becomes righteous via the sacraments(reference), and purification (Hebrews 12 verse 4), which continues after death in purgatory. In this, all is righted, showing God’s justice, yet the punishment, due to Christ’s death, is not permanent, as God shows, he will not punish the blameless. It is noted, that the Jews, continued to offer sacrifices every year, because they continued to sin.
Sacrifice, timeless, once- only
The sacrifice, was, as the bible notes, only one sacrifice (Hebrews chapter 9 verse 26), which accounts for all sin, throughout history. For this reason, the immaculate conception of Mary was already via the salvation of the cross, and every Eucharistic service, in fact, does not repeat the sacrifice, but connect through time, into the original sacrifice, connecting all the saints, throughout history into this one event,whereby the entire body becomes united, by the breaking of but a single loaf.
Actual Presence in valid Eucharist
Paul himself says that the Corinthians were sick or dying because they did not recognize the Eucharistic bread as the Actual body of Christ. In fact, they were condemning themselves by not recognizing the actual presence, or even respecting it (I Corinthian 11 Verse 29) and would be answerable to harming his body (verse 27) should they take it unworthily.
Sacraments
The salvation of the cross, is thereby administered via the sacraments, which exchange obedient faith, in obeying the illogical, for grace, which purifies (Romans chapter 3 verse 25;I Peter chapter 3 verse 21;1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13), edifies, maintains, and saves(I Peter chapter 3 verse 21;Gospel of John chapter 6) the Christian, entering him into the church(1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13), uniting him with his fellow believers in the Eucharist (Corinthians 10:17) and conforming him to the very image of Christ, via the church, which is the pillar and foundation of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:14-16).
Jesus as the church
Jesus also exists via his church, which the bible calls his body ( Ephesians chapter 4 verse16; I Collosians chapter 1 v 3, 16-18, 24, 26, 28 ; I Corinthians chapter 15 verses 24, 25 ,26, 50,I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15, Ephesians 5 verse 24; CCC 669), with him at the head. This is shown especially in Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus, which shows that it is via the works of his servant on earth, that God saves others, and acts (I Corinthians chapter 9 Verse 16;and a passage where St.Paul speaks of people only hearing the Gospel, if people are sent to preach it) in the world.
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/12/01/jesus-christ/
Infallibility
Definition
Infallibility- state of being - ability to be-
free from error in certain circumstances.
Catholic Definition
Infallibility- The ability and guidance given to the Pope, and promised to the church- by God- safeguarding all “From the Chair” decisions- so far as they relate to Doctrine and morals. Infallibility only extends as far as these statements go, and is only in relation to subjects pertaining our spiritual edification.
Infallibility is not- applicable to the every day decisions of the pope- and the pope’s actions are not infallible- though probably more protected than most. The decision must be an official “From the Chair of Peter” decision, or that of an ecumenical council in obedience to the pope.
Why it is needed
Peter notes in his epistles- that the untaught pervert the scriptures- to their own destruction. It is also noted that Jesus opened the minds of his apostles to the scriptures. God also told Peter to take care of his sheep. If we did not need to be taken care of- God would not have said so.
How we have the bible
The 73 books of the bible, were accepted by A.D. 393 at the council of hippo. This was decreed by the authority of the church as shown in Acts chapter 15.
Bible on infallibility
Jesus noted that some hypocrites searched the scriptures- thinking they held salvation- but rejected him- salvation- when he was standing in front of them. Clearly- the scriptures needed to be interpreted correctly. (John 5 v 36-40)
God is also noted as prophesying via the High priest who demanded his crucifixion (John 11 v 51) the bible states that this was because of his position. This is furthered by Jesus’ command that his disciples should do as the hypocritical Pharisees said, but not what they did. This because they held the seat of moses. One must note that they were only to be accepted because God ordained them. It is only because the church is validly Apostolic- and not just claiming to be- that Catholics obey the Pope.
The Apostles, further- replaced Judas- showing succession- which is also recorded in the church Fathers- hundreds of years before Protestants existed. The bible shows this in the following(Acts 1 v 20) where Judas is replaced using a “Lot”. It is important that they did not get others to vote him in, but relied on God to choose- as the modern church does.
The church is further aided, and claims to be aided directly by God- in dealing with the Circumcision heresy (Acts 15 v 19,22-30) - despite discussing it themselves.
Peter, and others in their words, or in the case of St.Paul- their letters- also seem to claim to be infallible. Peter said that someone who lied to him had lied to God- he was not claiming to be God- but to represent him- in his office (his doctrine- he could still sin) infallibly (Acts 5 v 4).
Quotes on bible courtesy of http://scripturelink.googlepages.com/scripturalproofs
Resources on Papal Infallibility
Vatican
www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c3a3.htm
www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19930324en.htmlwww.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19930317en.htmlEternal
Eternal Word Television Network
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/ORDIN.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/EXPLINFA.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/ORDIN.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/SHAWINFA.TXT
www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/papac2.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/MIRINFAL.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/SIPVAT2.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/TRIGINFL.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/INFALLIB.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/SUMMARY.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/CHRIST/CONFATAL.txt
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/PILSORD.TXT
www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/chura2a.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/HUMANITY/THEOTRAD.TXT
www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=518780&Pg=Forum6&Pgnu=1&recnu=7
New Advent- Catholic Encyclopedia
www.newadvent.org/cathen/05030a.htm
www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm
www.newadvent.org/cathen/15303a.htm
Catholic Online
Catholic Encyclopedia
www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6099
www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=3717
United States Council Of Catholic Bishops
www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2003/03-075.shtml
www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm
www.usccb.org/seia/southernbaptist.shtml
This Rock- www.catholic.com
www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0202sbs.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9007qq.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0109bt.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0010fea5.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9409fea2.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0212qq.asp www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0004qq.asp
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0510fr.asp
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/08/infallibility/
Infallibility- state of being - ability to be-
free from error in certain circumstances.
Catholic Definition
Infallibility- The ability and guidance given to the Pope, and promised to the church- by God- safeguarding all “From the Chair” decisions- so far as they relate to Doctrine and morals. Infallibility only extends as far as these statements go, and is only in relation to subjects pertaining our spiritual edification.
Infallibility is not- applicable to the every day decisions of the pope- and the pope’s actions are not infallible- though probably more protected than most. The decision must be an official “From the Chair of Peter” decision, or that of an ecumenical council in obedience to the pope.
Why it is needed
Peter notes in his epistles- that the untaught pervert the scriptures- to their own destruction. It is also noted that Jesus opened the minds of his apostles to the scriptures. God also told Peter to take care of his sheep. If we did not need to be taken care of- God would not have said so.
How we have the bible
The 73 books of the bible, were accepted by A.D. 393 at the council of hippo. This was decreed by the authority of the church as shown in Acts chapter 15.
Bible on infallibility
Jesus noted that some hypocrites searched the scriptures- thinking they held salvation- but rejected him- salvation- when he was standing in front of them. Clearly- the scriptures needed to be interpreted correctly. (John 5 v 36-40)
God is also noted as prophesying via the High priest who demanded his crucifixion (John 11 v 51) the bible states that this was because of his position. This is furthered by Jesus’ command that his disciples should do as the hypocritical Pharisees said, but not what they did. This because they held the seat of moses. One must note that they were only to be accepted because God ordained them. It is only because the church is validly Apostolic- and not just claiming to be- that Catholics obey the Pope.
The Apostles, further- replaced Judas- showing succession- which is also recorded in the church Fathers- hundreds of years before Protestants existed. The bible shows this in the following(Acts 1 v 20) where Judas is replaced using a “Lot”. It is important that they did not get others to vote him in, but relied on God to choose- as the modern church does.
The church is further aided, and claims to be aided directly by God- in dealing with the Circumcision heresy (Acts 15 v 19,22-30) - despite discussing it themselves.
Peter, and others in their words, or in the case of St.Paul- their letters- also seem to claim to be infallible. Peter said that someone who lied to him had lied to God- he was not claiming to be God- but to represent him- in his office (his doctrine- he could still sin) infallibly (Acts 5 v 4).
Quotes on bible courtesy of http://scripturelink.googlepages.com/scripturalproofs
Resources on Papal Infallibility
Vatican
www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c3a3.htm
www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19930324en.htmlwww.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19930317en.htmlEternal
Eternal Word Television Network
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/ORDIN.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/EXPLINFA.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/ORDIN.TXT
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/SHAWINFA.TXT
www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/papac2.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/MIRINFAL.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/SIPVAT2.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/TRIGINFL.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/INFALLIB.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/SUMMARY.HTM
www.ewtn.com/library/CHRIST/CONFATAL.txt
www.ewtn.com/library/ISSUES/PILSORD.TXT
www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/chura2a.htm
www.ewtn.com/library/HUMANITY/THEOTRAD.TXT
www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=518780&Pg=Forum6&Pgnu=1&recnu=7
New Advent- Catholic Encyclopedia
www.newadvent.org/cathen/05030a.htm
www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm
www.newadvent.org/cathen/15303a.htm
Catholic Online
Catholic Encyclopedia
www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6099
www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=3717
United States Council Of Catholic Bishops
www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2003/03-075.shtml
www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm
www.usccb.org/seia/southernbaptist.shtml
This Rock- www.catholic.com
www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0202sbs.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9007qq.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0109bt.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0010fea5.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9409fea2.asp
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0212qq.asp www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0004qq.asp
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0510fr.asp
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/08/infallibility/
extra ecclesiam nulla salus - “Outside the Church, no salvation”
Pope Pius IX of Vatican I on this doctrine
“Concerning this doctrine the Pope of Vatican I, Pius IX, spoke on two different occasions. In an allocution (address to an audience) on December 9th, 1854 he said:
We must hold as of the faith, that out of the Apostolic Roman Church there is no salvation; that she is the only ark of safety, and whosoever is not in her perishes in the deluge; we must also, on the other hand, recognize with certainty that those who are invincible in ignorance of the true religion are not guilty for this in the eyes of the Lord. And who would presume to mark out the limits of this ignorance according to the character and diversity of peoples, countries, minds and the rest?”
Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus
“The Catholic Church is “the single and exclusive channel by which the truth and grace of Christ enter our world of space and time” (Karl Adam, The Spirit of Catholicism, 179). Those who do not know the Church, even those who fight against it, can receive these gifts if they honestly seek God and his truth. But, Adam says, “though it be not the Catholic Church itself that hands them the bread of truth and grace, yet it is Catholic bread that they eat.” And when they eat of it, “without knowing it or willing it” they are “incorporated in the supernatural substance of the Church.””http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0512fea3.asp
The church dogmatically declares that outside the working of the church - there is no salvation.
The Catholic church has recently reaffirmed the need for the Catholic church in order for souls to be saved
Non-Christians can be saved?- but only by baptism of Desire of Martyrdom, or the mercy of God
Baptism of desire states
Every man who is ignorant of the gospel of Christ and of his Church but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity (CCC 1260).
“<Lumen gentium> #16 says: “For they who without their own fault do not
know of the Gospel of Christ and His Church, but yet seek God with sincere
heart, and try, under the influence of grace, to carry out His will in
practice, known to them through the dictate of conscience, can attain
eternal salvation.” ” http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/outside_the_church.htm
know of the Gospel of Christ and His Church, but yet seek God with sincere
heart, and try, under the influence of grace, to carry out His will in
practice, known to them through the dictate of conscience, can attain
eternal salvation.” ” http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/outside_the_church.htm
“Again, in his encyclical Quanto conficiamur moerore of 10 August, 1863 addressed to the Italian bishops, he said:
It is known to us and to you that those who are in invincible ignorance of our most holy religion, but who observe carefully the natural law, and the precepts graven by God upon the hearts of all men, and who being disposed to obey God lead an honest and upright life, may, aided by the light of divine grace, attain to eternal life; for God who sees clearly, searches and knows the heart, the disposition, the thoughts and intentions of each, in His supreme mercy and goodness by no means permits that anyone suffer eternal punishment, who has not of his own free will fallen into sin.”http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/outside_the_church.htm
But clarifying this- Pope John Paul II said
“For those too who through no fault of their own do not know Christ and are not recognized as Christians, the divine plan has provided a way of salvation. As we read in the Council’s Decree Ad Gentes, we believe that “God in ways known to himself can lead those inculpably ignorant of the Gospel” to the faith necessary for salvation (AG 7). Certainly, the condition “inculpably ignorant” cannot be verified nor weighed by human evaluation, but must be left to the divine judgment alone. For this reason, the Council states in the Constitution Gaudium et Spes that in the heart of every man of good will, “Grace works in an unseen way…. The Holy Spirit in a manner known only to God offers to every man the possibility of being associated with this paschal mystery” (GS 22).”
Those who reject the church
They cannot be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or remain in it (cf. LG 14).
Another way of putting it
Extra ecclesiam nulla salus, could therefore be seen, not as a declaration outside the church, but a declaration of the place of the church. “Outside the works, and existence of the Catholic church- there is no salvation” may be better wording, but the church clarified their position, by excommunicating a Fr. Feeney who declared that those not card carrying members of the church- would not be saved. This after Feeney relentlessly pursued his doctrine.
Why Evangelism is still needed
Even if some may be saved apart from the usual channels, these are the exceptions, and in great danger, not knowing how important their current state of unknown grace is. Pope John Paul II, states, that even though they may, on their deaths, for obeying conscience- be saved- they are in a place of darkness, and hunger. Charity obligates the Christian to aid those who are spiritually poor as these are, and we must not put the Lord, or his mercy to the Test. Even if there are exceptions to th rule, we must not be vain enough to rely only on the exceptions.
Resources
This Rock Magazine
Eternal Word Television Network
Vatican
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070419_un-baptised-infants_en.html
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/07/extra-ecclesiam-nulla-salus-outside-the-church-no-salvation/
Faith- the gift of
Faith- the gift from God.
Belief, the act on this ability given- the act of altering one’s entire life, because of the truthful message-
As one would alter their lives, and visit the doctor often, if one had cancer- as we visit the church every Sunday and on the Holy Days when the church requires.
As one does not stop their course of medication, knowing that if they do- that it may return even worse.
God has prescribed the sacraments. There is no honest way to doubt this. Should you honestly doubt it, which is possible, with all those voices and oppinions that so loudly speak against this, perhaps pray, and ask the truh of this- I dare not disobey the voice that my conscience follows. I know that this voice should inform you also, should you open yourelf in obedience and listening. We cannot be judged by that we did not know.
Should we obey our doctors with more zeal that the creator of the universe- than the being that controls the moment of our death?
We should not be ignorant of the message of God himself. If we say that we believe the message, are we to ignore the commands, which are there, to save our souls?
Faith- is hearing the soft voice that we know to belong to God, and obeying it. This is where even baptism of desire involves faith. They hear God in conscience alone, and obey him.
We recognise his voice in the servants of the gospel and the official doctrine of our spiritual mother- the church.
We should always seek the truth, and obey the Lord our God, that voice of conscience within- as best we can
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/05/faith-the-gift-of/
Belief, the act on this ability given- the act of altering one’s entire life, because of the truthful message-
As one would alter their lives, and visit the doctor often, if one had cancer- as we visit the church every Sunday and on the Holy Days when the church requires.
As one does not stop their course of medication, knowing that if they do- that it may return even worse.
God has prescribed the sacraments. There is no honest way to doubt this. Should you honestly doubt it, which is possible, with all those voices and oppinions that so loudly speak against this, perhaps pray, and ask the truh of this- I dare not disobey the voice that my conscience follows. I know that this voice should inform you also, should you open yourelf in obedience and listening. We cannot be judged by that we did not know.
Should we obey our doctors with more zeal that the creator of the universe- than the being that controls the moment of our death?
We should not be ignorant of the message of God himself. If we say that we believe the message, are we to ignore the commands, which are there, to save our souls?
Faith- is hearing the soft voice that we know to belong to God, and obeying it. This is where even baptism of desire involves faith. They hear God in conscience alone, and obey him.
We recognise his voice in the servants of the gospel and the official doctrine of our spiritual mother- the church.
We should always seek the truth, and obey the Lord our God, that voice of conscience within- as best we can
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/05/faith-the-gift-of/
Deeds and evangelism- 2 Corrinthians chapter 3
Preach the Gospel to all the world
“Preach the Gospel (good news) to all the world- if necessary- use words” - St. Francis of Assisi.
Bible on deeds of the saints and how this is God’s letter to all
“1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves to you afresh-as though we needed, like some others, to have letters of commendation either to you or from you?
2 You yourselves are our letter, written in our hearts, that everyone can read and understand;
3 and it is plain that you are a letter from Christ, entrusted to our care, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on the tablets of human hearts. ” II Corinthians Chapter 3 http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=3
We see, firstly, that God, primarily speaks via the acts of the church to the unbeliever. Through sin, weakness, or blindness, many have been blinded to God in nature. We also see, as Paul says- that in the distance, he makes great speeches, but in their presence, he lives his faith.
The effect of the Gospel, versus the effect of a false gospel
A second lesson that we see is this- there were others, who apposed the apostles, and who- for the ways of our world, were being accepted above their authority by some.
Paul noted, that they were a letter of recommendation as to the Apostle’s authority to all the world. They were the message the world understood. They, via their lives, were preaching the gospel. The Gospel has Jesus dying for his beloved spiritual “children” and his church- his “bride”, by the hands of those who hated him. The gospel shows kindness, and the ability to conquer sins, especially with the promises of God in the sacraments.
Our deeds prove our faith
How we respond to the call of becoming new creations, shows people that our faith is true. The false gospels have always had negative effects on their followers. Whatever their people preached, it was not beneficial, no matter how wondrous it seemed to the unstable.
Corpse in the closet, or Miracle
We are either corpses, or miracles to the world. Every time we do good, because it is often so rare, we are noted, and prove the gospel. When we stand firm, others see that our message has added to our wholes. When we look at the lives of those, whose gospel is not the Gospel of Christ, but a man made formula, we note that the followers of such are not free, as the bible promised, but often filled with spite, lies, hypocrisy, and with people who either pretend to be Holy, and seem to have all the right words, but are not. Or, with people who pride themselves in evil.
You know a good tree by its fruit.
You know the false profits, by the way in which their most loyal followers act.
We cannot save ourselves by deeds
“4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” II Corinthians chapter 3 NIV (Protestant bible)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=54&chapter=3&version=31
Only, if we have faith (reference) , or perhaps by Baptism of desire (Although such itself appears to require the standards of both faith and love), can we be saved, yet our faith is in the words of Christ, and in him, and God’s ability to make his own words come true.
With God’s help we become righteous. Our preaching of the gospel, which we cannot accept without the direct purpose of God (a miracle), is done by how it affects our lives. It is also done by our words, but these- we must be careful with- never saying too much or too little, but only what is required, and perhaps what God allows.
Gathering or Scattering
If we declare Jesus with our mouths, but hate our brother, our service is not to God.
If we declare Jesus with our deeds, but do not know the law, we declare Jesus to the world, for we declare his nature- which is Charitable love.
If we know the law, and do not obey our God, then we testify against him and scatter, this is a meaning in that those who do not gather, scatter, but it is not the only meaning.
The Christian represents God to the world
If we know what we must do, and obey God’s law, then we ourselves are miracles- testifying to others about our faith, and that the slander about the modern church, as with the slander against the apostles- is false. We testify to Jesus, and live in him, so far as we live our faith, but our deeds are worthless, unless they are based in God’s grace, and in our trust of his truth. Obedient goodness, is even required in Baptism of desire. Our deeds are only of worth so long as they are reflections of grace. No one is good, but God, therefore- all that is truly good, is of him. That is partly why we are called his children.
.
“Make No mistake- those who live evil lives are evil- those who live holy lives - are holy” - Adapted From The First Epistle of John
“7 Children, do not let anyone lead you astray. Whoever acts uprightly is upright, just as he is upright.
8 Whoever lives sinfully belongs to the devil, since the devil has been a sinner from the beginning. This was the purpose of the appearing of the Son of God, to undo the work of the devil.
9 No one who is a child of God sins because God’s seed remains in him. Nor can he sin, because he is a child of God.
10 This is what distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil: whoever does not live uprightly and does not love his brother is not from God.
11 This is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we must love one another, ” I John Chapter 3 New Jerusalem Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=60&bible_chapter=3
If we truly belong to God, he gives us the ability to obey him. In baptism, the Devil’s control over our lives is taken away from him.
If we consistently perform a single sin- this may be a sign of vice or mortal sin, which Catholic Christians have permission to destroy, via confession- where the Priest acts as a representative of God. We must destroy the flesh via the spirit- The sacraments that Jesus instituted- bring us back to God.
In effect- Faith saves the sinner, but God demands more that inactive faith. He desires to live through the lives of his servants. God is love- he lives via us in love. If we accept his message- that we must repent least we perish, then we should not shy from living such.
Faith and righteous deeds are miracles, and often signs of Grace. There is not considered to be such thing as faith without action. God predestined his saints for good deeds- and if we are his, he is our master, but to rely on deeds, instead of Hope, Faith and Love- in God’s grace- for salvation- is shown worthless in I Corinthians 13- in that I can give away all I own, and my body to the fire, but it is worth nothing outside of Charity (Biblical word can be translated as love). Likewise, I can have faith to move mountains, but without love I am nothing (From I Corinthians 13)(Nothing to whom- surely- human beings are impressed by moving mountains).
Conclusion
Faith, hope and love, are all signs of the Divine work of God.
Faith, without works- does not fit the mold shown through the ages (See our article on faith) and is shown worthless outside of Charity.
Works outside of Charity (A form of love- translated into Old English as charity) are also worthless, and outside of God, who is love- cannot gain salvation.
Because of our hope- to become like Christ- we act on our faith.
Faith and works, and hope- working in unity- testify as to our faith as reality.
Faith without works, is considered worthless faith, and such faith does not positively effect her followers.
The belief that deeds can gain salvation apart from faith, and such works focus does not positively effect her followers.
In Essence
God uses human beings- their lives, their love, their deeds- to show himself to the world at large. Christians are ambassadors as to God. If they live their faith, they show that they take the gospel seriously, and others may take it as more than philosophy. If they treat the words of God as worthless, and do not react to them- then they testify against God. We are also, not to be surprised if the world hates us- for being righteous- because they hate Christ first (see I John 3 Verse 13).
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/04/deeds-and-evangelism-2-corrinthians-chapter-3/
“Preach the Gospel (good news) to all the world- if necessary- use words” - St. Francis of Assisi.
Bible on deeds of the saints and how this is God’s letter to all
“1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves to you afresh-as though we needed, like some others, to have letters of commendation either to you or from you?
2 You yourselves are our letter, written in our hearts, that everyone can read and understand;
3 and it is plain that you are a letter from Christ, entrusted to our care, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on the tablets of human hearts. ” II Corinthians Chapter 3 http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=3
We see, firstly, that God, primarily speaks via the acts of the church to the unbeliever. Through sin, weakness, or blindness, many have been blinded to God in nature. We also see, as Paul says- that in the distance, he makes great speeches, but in their presence, he lives his faith.
The effect of the Gospel, versus the effect of a false gospel
A second lesson that we see is this- there were others, who apposed the apostles, and who- for the ways of our world, were being accepted above their authority by some.
Paul noted, that they were a letter of recommendation as to the Apostle’s authority to all the world. They were the message the world understood. They, via their lives, were preaching the gospel. The Gospel has Jesus dying for his beloved spiritual “children” and his church- his “bride”, by the hands of those who hated him. The gospel shows kindness, and the ability to conquer sins, especially with the promises of God in the sacraments.
Our deeds prove our faith
How we respond to the call of becoming new creations, shows people that our faith is true. The false gospels have always had negative effects on their followers. Whatever their people preached, it was not beneficial, no matter how wondrous it seemed to the unstable.
Corpse in the closet, or Miracle
We are either corpses, or miracles to the world. Every time we do good, because it is often so rare, we are noted, and prove the gospel. When we stand firm, others see that our message has added to our wholes. When we look at the lives of those, whose gospel is not the Gospel of Christ, but a man made formula, we note that the followers of such are not free, as the bible promised, but often filled with spite, lies, hypocrisy, and with people who either pretend to be Holy, and seem to have all the right words, but are not. Or, with people who pride themselves in evil.
You know a good tree by its fruit.
You know the false profits, by the way in which their most loyal followers act.
We cannot save ourselves by deeds
“4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” II Corinthians chapter 3 NIV (Protestant bible)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=54&chapter=3&version=31
Only, if we have faith (reference) , or perhaps by Baptism of desire (Although such itself appears to require the standards of both faith and love), can we be saved, yet our faith is in the words of Christ, and in him, and God’s ability to make his own words come true.
With God’s help we become righteous. Our preaching of the gospel, which we cannot accept without the direct purpose of God (a miracle), is done by how it affects our lives. It is also done by our words, but these- we must be careful with- never saying too much or too little, but only what is required, and perhaps what God allows.
Gathering or Scattering
If we declare Jesus with our mouths, but hate our brother, our service is not to God.
If we declare Jesus with our deeds, but do not know the law, we declare Jesus to the world, for we declare his nature- which is Charitable love.
If we know the law, and do not obey our God, then we testify against him and scatter, this is a meaning in that those who do not gather, scatter, but it is not the only meaning.
The Christian represents God to the world
If we know what we must do, and obey God’s law, then we ourselves are miracles- testifying to others about our faith, and that the slander about the modern church, as with the slander against the apostles- is false. We testify to Jesus, and live in him, so far as we live our faith, but our deeds are worthless, unless they are based in God’s grace, and in our trust of his truth. Obedient goodness, is even required in Baptism of desire. Our deeds are only of worth so long as they are reflections of grace. No one is good, but God, therefore- all that is truly good, is of him. That is partly why we are called his children.
.
“Make No mistake- those who live evil lives are evil- those who live holy lives - are holy” - Adapted From The First Epistle of John
“7 Children, do not let anyone lead you astray. Whoever acts uprightly is upright, just as he is upright.
8 Whoever lives sinfully belongs to the devil, since the devil has been a sinner from the beginning. This was the purpose of the appearing of the Son of God, to undo the work of the devil.
9 No one who is a child of God sins because God’s seed remains in him. Nor can he sin, because he is a child of God.
10 This is what distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil: whoever does not live uprightly and does not love his brother is not from God.
11 This is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we must love one another, ” I John Chapter 3 New Jerusalem Bible
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=60&bible_chapter=3
If we truly belong to God, he gives us the ability to obey him. In baptism, the Devil’s control over our lives is taken away from him.
If we consistently perform a single sin- this may be a sign of vice or mortal sin, which Catholic Christians have permission to destroy, via confession- where the Priest acts as a representative of God. We must destroy the flesh via the spirit- The sacraments that Jesus instituted- bring us back to God.
In effect- Faith saves the sinner, but God demands more that inactive faith. He desires to live through the lives of his servants. God is love- he lives via us in love. If we accept his message- that we must repent least we perish, then we should not shy from living such.
Faith and righteous deeds are miracles, and often signs of Grace. There is not considered to be such thing as faith without action. God predestined his saints for good deeds- and if we are his, he is our master, but to rely on deeds, instead of Hope, Faith and Love- in God’s grace- for salvation- is shown worthless in I Corinthians 13- in that I can give away all I own, and my body to the fire, but it is worth nothing outside of Charity (Biblical word can be translated as love). Likewise, I can have faith to move mountains, but without love I am nothing (From I Corinthians 13)(Nothing to whom- surely- human beings are impressed by moving mountains).
Conclusion
Faith, hope and love, are all signs of the Divine work of God.
Faith, without works- does not fit the mold shown through the ages (See our article on faith) and is shown worthless outside of Charity.
Works outside of Charity (A form of love- translated into Old English as charity) are also worthless, and outside of God, who is love- cannot gain salvation.
Because of our hope- to become like Christ- we act on our faith.
Faith and works, and hope- working in unity- testify as to our faith as reality.
Faith without works, is considered worthless faith, and such faith does not positively effect her followers.
The belief that deeds can gain salvation apart from faith, and such works focus does not positively effect her followers.
In Essence
God uses human beings- their lives, their love, their deeds- to show himself to the world at large. Christians are ambassadors as to God. If they live their faith, they show that they take the gospel seriously, and others may take it as more than philosophy. If they treat the words of God as worthless, and do not react to them- then they testify against God. We are also, not to be surprised if the world hates us- for being righteous- because they hate Christ first (see I John 3 Verse 13).
Retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/04/deeds-and-evangelism-2-corrinthians-chapter-3/
Evil
What Is Evil
Christians consider the devil, to be a fallen angel.
Evil, is a perversion of good. Power is good, but abuse of power is bad. Caring for others is good, but abusing those you care for is evil. This is why the idea of an equally eternal good and evil, does not make sense. If evil is the perversion of what is good, then evil came after good, and is even reliant on good for existence.
Sin
Sin, is essentially any act contrary to God, good reason, charity, and faith.
Sin, is the action of evil, of disobedience against God. Any action aimed only at selfish enrichment, and not of God, not of love, and faith that is, is evil. Evil is that in the world, that is contrary to the natural order.
Domestication
This does not make domestication of animals evil, as Man was given power over beasts, meaning, that animals are most real, as they relate with man. Therefore, the most natural dog, or cat, is not necessarily the wild cat.
Man, is most natural, so far as he relates to God.
Mortal sin
God is love, and so mortal sin is any act or state that one enacts, knowingly against God, and purposely in opposition to him, that is so contrary to Charitable (loving) lifestyle, that it cuts us off entirely from the saving grace of God. Mortal sin only applies, so far as the matter (nature) of the sin is grave (serious enough to deny salvation). A sin may be considered to be not Mortal, so far as it is forced upon the individual.
“Mortal versus Venial Sin
A serious, grave or mortal sin is the knowing and willful violation of God’s law in a serious matter, for example, idolatry, adultery, murder, slander. These are all things gravely contrary to the love we owe God and, because of Him, our neighbor. As Jesus taught, when condemning even looking at a woman lustfully, sin can be both interior (choices of the will alone) or exterior (choices of the will carried into action). A man who willfully desires to fornicate, steal, murder or some other grave sin, has already seriously offended God by choosing interiorly what God has prohibited.”http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/mortal_versus_venial.htm
Resource Quotations
“At its deepest level, evil is a tragic rejection of the demands of love(1). Moral good, on the other hand, is born of love, shows itself as love and is directed towards love.”
Pope John Paul II, on the I day of January, 2005
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20041216_xxxviii-world-day-for-peace_en.html
“It must be said that every evil in some way has a cause. For evil is the absence of the good, which is natural and due to a thing. But that anything fail from its natural and due disposition can come only from some cause drawing it out of its proper disposition. For a heavy thing is not moved upwards except by some impelling force; nor does an agent fail in its action except from some impediment. But only good can be a cause; because nothing can be a cause except inasmuch as it is a being, and every being, as such, is good.” http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1049.htm
“Evil can be said to be the attempt to achieve the same goal as good, but by the wrong methods, or in the wrong context. The way in which something is done, is often a lot more vital than what is achieved. Evil, the bible tells us, cannot create good. God himself works all for the good of his children. Those who are his children, are the saints and others who do good, for it notes that those who continue to live a sinful lifestyle, or to not love, but hate. These, it says do not belong to God. To belong to God is to know him, to not know him is to not know the truth itself.”
http://kindstuff.googlepages.com/whatisevangelism
“Confront evil with Lenten spiritual weapons, Benedict tells Catholics
2/21/2007
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
ROME (Catholic Online) – Confront evil, wicked passions and vices with the spiritual weapons of prayer, penance and fasting, Pope Benedict XVI said on Ash Wednesday.”
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=23115
retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/03/evil/
What Is Evil
Christians consider the devil, to be a fallen angel.
Evil, is a perversion of good. Power is good, but abuse of power is bad. Caring for others is good, but abusing those you care for is evil. This is why the idea of an equally eternal good and evil, does not make sense. If evil is the perversion of what is good, then evil came after good, and is even reliant on good for existence.
Sin
Sin, is essentially any act contrary to God, good reason, charity, and faith.
Sin, is the action of evil, of disobedience against God. Any action aimed only at selfish enrichment, and not of God, not of love, and faith that is, is evil. Evil is that in the world, that is contrary to the natural order.
Domestication
This does not make domestication of animals evil, as Man was given power over beasts, meaning, that animals are most real, as they relate with man. Therefore, the most natural dog, or cat, is not necessarily the wild cat.
Man, is most natural, so far as he relates to God.
Mortal sin
God is love, and so mortal sin is any act or state that one enacts, knowingly against God, and purposely in opposition to him, that is so contrary to Charitable (loving) lifestyle, that it cuts us off entirely from the saving grace of God. Mortal sin only applies, so far as the matter (nature) of the sin is grave (serious enough to deny salvation). A sin may be considered to be not Mortal, so far as it is forced upon the individual.
“Mortal versus Venial Sin
A serious, grave or mortal sin is the knowing and willful violation of God’s law in a serious matter, for example, idolatry, adultery, murder, slander. These are all things gravely contrary to the love we owe God and, because of Him, our neighbor. As Jesus taught, when condemning even looking at a woman lustfully, sin can be both interior (choices of the will alone) or exterior (choices of the will carried into action). A man who willfully desires to fornicate, steal, murder or some other grave sin, has already seriously offended God by choosing interiorly what God has prohibited.”http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/mortal_versus_venial.htm
Resource Quotations
“At its deepest level, evil is a tragic rejection of the demands of love(1). Moral good, on the other hand, is born of love, shows itself as love and is directed towards love.”
Pope John Paul II, on the I day of January, 2005
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20041216_xxxviii-world-day-for-peace_en.html
“It must be said that every evil in some way has a cause. For evil is the absence of the good, which is natural and due to a thing. But that anything fail from its natural and due disposition can come only from some cause drawing it out of its proper disposition. For a heavy thing is not moved upwards except by some impelling force; nor does an agent fail in its action except from some impediment. But only good can be a cause; because nothing can be a cause except inasmuch as it is a being, and every being, as such, is good.” http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1049.htm
“Evil can be said to be the attempt to achieve the same goal as good, but by the wrong methods, or in the wrong context. The way in which something is done, is often a lot more vital than what is achieved. Evil, the bible tells us, cannot create good. God himself works all for the good of his children. Those who are his children, are the saints and others who do good, for it notes that those who continue to live a sinful lifestyle, or to not love, but hate. These, it says do not belong to God. To belong to God is to know him, to not know him is to not know the truth itself.”
http://kindstuff.googlepages.com/whatisevangelism
“Confront evil with Lenten spiritual weapons, Benedict tells Catholics
2/21/2007
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
ROME (Catholic Online) – Confront evil, wicked passions and vices with the spiritual weapons of prayer, penance and fasting, Pope Benedict XVI said on Ash Wednesday.”
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=23115
retrieved from
http://scripturelinkencyclopedia.stblogs.com/2007/11/03/evil/
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