Blogogetics » By Others

Six Issues of Separation

Guest Author — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:42:00 +0000

A Refutation of Roman Catholicism I. An Open Letter to Roman Catholics II. Six Issues of Separation III. Cults and Catholicism: Comparison Chart An Open Letter To Roman Catholic Scholars The New Catholic Catechism in Section 847 states that non-Catholics who “seek God with a sincere heart” and “try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience” will “ achieve eternal salvation.” The Catholic Catechism in Sections 839-845 says that sincere people from non-Christian religions such as Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists, animists, etc. will make it to heaven without the necessity of hearing of or believing in Catholicism. As long as they are sincere in their faith and live a good life, they will make it to heaven. Various modern Popes have also publicly stated that this means that sincere people who have no religious convictions such as agnostics, atheists, skeptics, etc. will make it to heaven without the necessity of hearing of our believing in Catholicism. As long as they are sincere and live a good life, they will make it to heaven. The Catholic Catechism also says in Section 838 that the Orthodox, Evangelicals, Pentacostals, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, [...]

Six Issues of Separation

Assurance

Guest Author — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:04:02 +0000

Once of the greatest aspects of true Biblical religion is that it puts forth the position that a believer can have a true and full assurance of his personal eternal salvation. We can know without a shadow of a doubt that we have been chosen by the Father, purchased by the Son and sealed with the Spirit. Blessed God three in One! That this is the Biblical position on assurance can be seen from the example, command, and precept of the Holy Scripture. We find many examples in Scripture of believers who possessed an absolute assurance of their eternal salvation. They knew that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth who were on their way to the celestial city of heaven. Did not Mary express her assurance that God was her Savior in Luke (1:46-59)? Didn’t Stephen face death with the absolute confidence that his spirit would ascend to heaven at death to be with Christ in (Acts 7:56-59)? Is it not true that the Apostle Paul give us in his epistles many expressions of his assurance in (Romans 8:38, 39; Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 1:12; 4:7, 8)? We not only find the above examples of assurance in Scripture, but [...]

Assurance

Orthodoxy Before There Was a New Testament

Guest Author — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:45:48 +0000

A lot of people argue against Dogma and Orthodoxy on the grounds that the early church had neither. To answer that position, Darrell Bock points to four areas of activity in the earliest churches and their worship services. Those four areas are Scripture (i.e., the Hebrew Bible, what we call the Old Testament), Schooling (Doctrinal summaries), Singing (early Christian hymns), and Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Table). Those of you familiar with my work known that I have discussed an alternative expression of Christianity I have called “Jesusanity.” (See Dethroning Jesus) It is a view that says Jesus’ teaching is an important religious guide, but his person and work are not central to Christian teaching. Such a view also argues that there was no such thing as orthodoxy in the earliest period of the movement Jesus started. Rather there were alternative views of Jesus that were not really compatible. Part of the argument goes that in the earliest period of the development of the movement, when theology was taught orally, there was room for a great deal of theological development because there was no functioning theological authority like the New Testament in place. Part of this argument is true, because [...]

Orthodoxy Before There Was a New Testament

Myth of Free Will

Guest Author — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:13:31 +0000

by Walter Chantry Most people say that they believe in “free will.” Do you have any idea what that means? I believe that you will find a great deal of superstition on this subject. The will is saluted as the grand power of the human soul which is completely free to direct our lives. But from what is it free? And what is its power? THE MYTH OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL FREEDOM No one denies that man has a will — that is, a faculty of choosing what he wishes to say, do, and think. But have you ever reflected on the pitiful weakness of your will? Though you have the ability to make a decision, you do not have the power to carry out your purpose. Will may devise a course of action, but will has no power to execute its intention. Joseph’s brothers hated him. They sold him to be a slave. But God used their actions to make him a ruler over themselves. They chose their course of action to harm Joseph. But God in His power directed events for Joseph’s good. He said, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” [...]

Myth of Free Will

Singleness is not a sin

Guest Author — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:13:48 +0000

To date or not to date? by Julia Where do you draw the line on if it’s okay date or not to date? To be set up or not to be set up on a date? I personally don’t think it’s wrong per say to have single friends gather and if there is a spark, then “go, God!,” but if not, so be it. Too many singles dwell and pursue meaningless relationships because they are lonely. They aren’t in it for the long haul. I think too many people want to “fix it” or “help out” instead of giving the reigns to God. It’s a trust issue in many cases. Ask yourself “do I trust God?”, “would I be okay if God chose for me to be single till my dying day?”, “would I compromise if I found a guy or gal that didn’t measure up, but fulfilled my loneliness right now?” Relationships can take our full, undivided attention off of God. When a person is single, they are able to fully focus 100 percent on God. There is no checking in with your husband, wife or boyfriend or girlfriend when you are single. The Bible even says that it [...]

Singleness is not a sin