It makes a blogger happy when he can report that a Christian organization has held its standards higher than criticism from the outside world. Cornerstone University has fired a Roman Catholic employee for not fitting the University requirements of an evangelical Christian. (Of course my criticism would be why did they hire a Roman Catholic in the first place?)Way to go Cornerstone University!
Catholic Fired
14 comments:
I cannot agree that Catholics are pagans.My sister and her family are Catholics and they are saved by faith.Aspects of their belief system may be wrong but this doesn't keep them from salvation.
Actually I have know a number of Catholics may have been better Christians than my CRC pals.I also spent six weeks in a Catholic Hospital when I was 10.Most of the nurses were nuns!!!The Spirit Of God was with these people. I was definitly loved by them and they talked to me about God and prayed with me without hesitation.They provided spiritual care
I'm wondering if we can elevate our faith and belief system , ie our theology without damning the opponent.Christ was all about love.He also warns about condemning others.(Matthew 7)
I'm open to correction and wondering if as I learn more my heart will change. So far I'm focused on God's love and salvation through Jesus Christs death and resurrection.
Could it not be clearer which side channel 8 is on?
Droll,
You are very hot on the topic of Roman Catholics! I can feel the heat of hells fire roar from your condemnation!!!!!
My walk with God is different than yours. I've read and reread and prayed about your comments.I'm working with the Spirit of God that is in me and that is God's gift to me.As I pour over your comments and pray for my faith to be strengthened or changed if needed, my spirit IS NOT MOVED TO CHANGE MY BELIEF.
For me correction is a spiritual matter. God has and I trust will continue to move me with his spirit as it connects with my spirit. This happens through faith, and is a result of seeds planted by others and knowlege through the reading of scriptures.It is my walking by faith with God. Thank You God for this Gift!!!!!!
I do appreciate the exposure to your point of view and your understanding of how God works for you. My faith is only strengthened by our connections. Damnation, condemnation and judging others really is a matter of a persons heart. Again a spiritual, innate concept. My heart is a place God sees and knows and He judges this!! I spend time in prayer with God asking Him to come into my heart, empower my heart, protect me and to grow my faith and walk with Him.
Ellie
There are two kinds of religion:
1.A religion that attempts to be right with God through doing good works. (Example: going to church, praying, vows, rituals)
2. Religion that is by grace alone in which the religious person is relying fully upon God for the salvation as well as direction on how to please him.
Christianity is relying on the work of Christ on the cross 100% for remission of sins and being made right with God.
Catholicism acknowledges that God used the cross to make a way for sinners to come to him but they have to do these things as well to make their salvation effective:
1. baptism
2. conformation
3. holy communion
4. etc. etc.
Check out some books even BY ROMAN CATHOLIC theologians and you will see this to be the case. Christ's blood is not sufficient, it only made salvation possible.
That is blasphemy against the blood of Christ and the Spirit who applies that blood to the redeemed.
We need to look at these things through biblical glasses and not through the glasses of our own experiences.
I hope that this helps.
Nate,
I think that I am getting your point. Because of the additional requirements,salvation through the blood of the lamb is discredited. This evokes strong emotion in disciples of biblical history and theology.Because Christ is not given the total credit they are considered pagans?
Once again more to ponder and pray over.
Ellie
The point is not just for those that love theology, but for those that love the blood of Christ and the remission of sins!
Remember Jesus' reaction to the Pharisees. Also remember that many will say Lord Lord in that day and Jesus will say depart from me, I never knew you.
Sobering.
Droll and Nate,
There is the letter of the law, but there is also the spirit of the law.
In our court system we have lawyers who present the letter of the law and it is for the JUDGE or JURY to determine the spirit or application of the law in each case.
Then we get to the warnings about judging others. Why did Christ warn about judging others???? Because of the Spiritual aspects of the law?? Specifically the spirit of God connecting with the Spirit of man and the resulting connection. This is for God only to judge.
Your anti catholic sentiment has reached a pitch that is hateful. I'm convinced this is not from God and is not in line with Christs teaching.
So you may say that YOU BELIEVE catholics are pagans and unsaved. You should not be promoting that or inciting rage vs.Catholics. I don't see how you can possibly believe that your honoring God.
Matthew 5 vs 20 (NLT)
BUT I WARN YOU-UNLESS YOU OBEY GOD BETTER THAN THE TEACHER OF RELIGIOUS LAW AND THE PHARISEES DO, YOU CANT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AT ALL!!
I believe the point being made here is the Spirit of the Law being missed by the teachers of the law.
We must all be washed in the truth of the law. But when the spiritual application is missing, the law will loose it's intended effectiveness. We are to worship HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.
I am truely blessed to have such excellent teachers of the law and scripture as friends planting seeds as I grow in Christ.
Ellie
Providentially my pastor preached on some of the differences between Roman Catholic theology and Evangelical Christianity. He used a lot of the things that are said in the mass as well as some great texts. Galatians 2 and Hebrews 12.
If you want it I can email it to you (or anyone else). I could also burn it onto a CD and give it to you. I think that it will help to clear some of the air on this point.
This is not an easy issue...just ask my wife, she was born and raised in the Roman Catholic Church.
The gospel brings freedom though, this is our ultimate desire is to see these people freed from their opressive religious system and be eternally free in Christ!
Now, if Cornerstone accepts federal money, then they are wrong, wrong, wrong! Any private company or even school that accepts federal monies, have to abide by EEOC Laws, if they do not accept federal money, then they can hire, fire, and accept anyone they want. Federal money includes federal Student loans, medicaid, medicare. Do you get it now?
To this writer, some christian fundementalist are no different then the Taliban. I'm just waiting for the students to riot in the streets over some anti-jesus cartoon! Where I live in Byron Center I have had some bible thumper in tell me I shouldn't mow my lawn on Sunday. Last I checked, this is America, not Iran...OOps, west michigan, same thing!
"To this writer, some christian fundementalist are no different then the Taliban."
-And to this writer, flaming secularists are no different than the Taliban. Same coin, different side: Unbelief. Both positions hate God and His Word.
Why aren't you consistent in your worldview? Shut up and don't try to hold anyone accountable to your flaming secularist worldview.
"Where I live in Byron Center I have had some bible thumper in tell me I shouldn't mow my lawn on Sunday."
-Why, just today I had some foolish secularist ranting and raving about how he should be free to practice whatever he felt like without consequences and demanding it to be so. How inconsistent!
"Last I checked, this is America, not Iran...Oops, west michigan, same thing!"
-Yes, America, the land where you're only free to practice secularism ...and have to endure raving secularist lunatics like you.
I believe in God. I just don't believe in shoving my beliefs downs someones throat as is done here in West Michigan, also known as the bible belt of the north. I have never met a bigger bunch of kool aid drinking zombies in my whole life. People spend more money on their churches then they do their own homes.
I believe in freedom of religion and speech, would die for that freedom. Just please don't force feed me your beliefs. My beliefs are between my creator and me. Just because a person does'nt walk around west michigan with their hands held out in prayer 24/7, does not make them a bad person or a secular person.
Cornerstone U is probably missing out on one fine teacher but it has it's head so far up it's own butt to realize this because it's busy planning how to tear down some statues next.
I stand before God as witness, I have never shoved my beliefs down anyone's throat.
I did not come to Byron Center and type in this url. You visited here providentially.
I hope that your visits are fruitful and you find that you find repentance and life.
"My beliefs are between my creator and me. Just because a person does'nt walk around west michigan with their hands held out in prayer 24/7, does not make them a bad person or a secular person."
-However, you're demanding us to hold this view, no way around it. So what was this stuff about not forcing one's beliefs down another's throat?
-If your beliefs are between you and your creator, why are you so insistent on making us know what your wrongfully biased view of the nature of reality is? You're making assertions about life: that you're beliefs are so, and are (despite what you say) DEMANDING that we conform our minds to it. Your system of beliefs DEMANDS that we adhere to those beliefs that so you'd be justified.
-If shoving one's beliefs down another's throat means unto no edification, needless hostility judged ON GOD'S TERMS, then I agree. However, if that "shove down the throat" thing is a cover for asserting a nature of reality that is opposed to Jesus Christ's sovereignty in life, then NO WAY.
"I believe in freedom of religion and speech, would die for that freedom."
So what are religious beliefs behind the terms of this "freedom?" Does this mean you have unopposed sovereignty, without any accountability to God and men? That you can do whatever you arbitrarily want?
-I don't doubt that you'd die for your beliefs especially concerning freedom of religion and speech, but that's not the question at hand.
"I hope that your visits are fruitful and you find that you find repentance and life."
-I assert this as well, but no one will get this on any other terms other than that which God revealed in His Word. We believe as God has said in His word that our hope and very life is tied to that word, that is, all that we are is dependent on that word. You're not going to get anything else here. We will not bow to the religious whims of a raving secularist. Only to God/ Jesus Christ and His word. We will be more than willing to hear you out, but you won't get anything for a standard other than God's word here.
Any and all
Just a reminder that Salvation is not the result of goodness. Specifically, because you are good does not open the gates to Heaven. Salvation comes from Gods son Jesus, who died on the cross, so that by faith we believe this, request forgiveness of sin, receive salvation.It is the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ who saves us from the fire of hell. It is our response of awe, gratitude, and the working of the Holy Spirit that pour out the goodness and good works and deeds. If you think your getting to HEAVEN because your a nice guy, the Bible is clear, Jesus may say He never knew you. He wants to hear from you! His gift of salvation is free. You don't have to give money to the church, etc. You can be mean, ornery, envious, a murderer, etc. The gift is free for all who ask and the life changes that result are amazing!!!Don't be bitter in Byron Center!!!! Blessings to all!!!!
Post a Comment