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July 2, 2001

This is from a daily message sent by Robert J Pistella (Rjpistella@aol.com)

SOME CATHOLICS NOW SEE CONTRADICTIONS

Article from current National Catholic Reporter, June 26, 2001,:

""...Religious pluralism is an existential reality for many of us, and not just a theory or theological concept,"" said Edmund Chia, secretary of the Federation of Asian Catholic Bishops' Conferences, from his office in Bangkok, Thailand. Chia stressed that he was not speaking in an official capacity for the federation."

"Some of us have relatives, parents, spouses or children who are adherents of other religions. We see that these people are good and holy not in spite of but because of the God and religions they believe in. It would therefore be a violation of our conscience to even suggest that Baptism is necessary for their salvation.""

Some Catholic observers point to a gap between the tone of the Papal paper, Dominus Iesus (Jesus is God), and Pope John Paul II's ongoing efforts to forge ecumenical and INTERRELIGIOUS ties. For example, the pope has invited leaders of other world religions to prayer services in Assisi, Italy...the pope asked no one to convert, but rather used the common language of penance and prayer.

Paul Knitter of Catholic Xavier University in Cincinnati underscored what many see as a contradiction. ""Look at the way the pope conducts himself when he meets with members of other religions,"" he said. ""He makes no reference to Jesus as the lone savior or to Christianity as the fulfillment of every other faith. You cannot sustain that behavior with a theology that says we have absolute and full truth.""

"...Those who worship Him (GOD) must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24

Those of us who are drawn to the Lord, and desire to worship Him, must, as scripture teaches, 'worship Him in spirit and truth';

So,, my heart goes out to the many 'Catholic observers' here today, who are confused about the current Pope's actions, which are not in harmony with that scripture teaches us;

The first 'Catholic' comment above, which we understand is 'personal opinion', and not 'official doctrine' of the Catholic church, nevertheless speaks to the misunderstanding so many Catholics have about the nature of salvation, and how it is obtained;

'What does scripture say?

First, remember that the person who wants to know what God Himself has to say, must,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean NOT on your own understanding...He shall direct your paths" (Psalm 3:5);

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death..." (Psalm 14:12);

Mr. Chia's comments are filled with so much error;

He begins, "We see that these people are good and holy not in spite of but because of the God and religions they believe in...";

Scripture says 'There is none who does good, no, not one' (Psalm 52: 3) ; We observers only see the exterior of our fellow man; God alone sees his heart, which is, before regeneration, corrupted, wicked, and undependable for truth;

Accordingly, scripture teaches that good works don't get us into heaven; Salvation is a free gift given to us, gracefully offered by God, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone, because of the perfect work He completed, on the behalf of sinners who would only believe;

"And if (salvation is) by grace, then it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." (Romans 11:6);

Mr. Chia states, 'It would therefore be a violation of our conscience to even suggest that baptism is necessary for their that 'conscience' is salvation', not understanding that 'conscience' is insufficient to express the truths of God; He looks to his conscience, rather than to God, for truth, and in doing so, is led to error;

"We have turned, every one, to his own way..." (Isaiah 53:6);

Additionally, 'baptism' doesn't save, as Catholicism teaches ('Baptismal regeneration');

Christ alone saves; We are told to believe, and as a result of our belief, (already having salvation received through our faith), we are baptized, not the other way around;

Interestingly, the Catholic authored article is forthright enough to admit that some Catholic observers are confused;

They see a disparity between the biblical truth that faith in Christ is the only means of salvation offered to sinful men, and the Pope's contradiction of this biblical truth in his actions;

Christ, nor the prophets and apostles, didn't 'dialogue' with heathens, with unbelievers, nor did He try to find 'common ground';

When Paul Knitter of Catholic Xavier University in Cincinnati laments, ""Look at the way the pope conducts himself when he meets with members of other religions, ...He makes no reference to Jesus as the lone savior or to Christianity as the fulfillment of every other faith. You cannot sustain that behavior with a theology that says we have absolute and full truth"", he astutely points out the confusion that Catholics who would please the Lord must endure;

Certainly, the fact that the purported head of the Christian faith makes no reference to Christ as the sole way of salvation, and in doing so, contradicts the scripture that God has given man to know His will, exposes the lack of biblical truth in the actions and teaches of the Roman Catholic Church;

"You cannot sustain that behavior with a theology that says we have absolute and full truth"", says the aware Mr. Knitter, and I would encourage Mr. Knitter to search further for absolute truth; not in the words, traditions and false teachings of errant men, including the Pope, but to look to the Holy Scripture alone, where he will find:

"For the word of the Lord is right..." (Psalm 33:4); "In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust (Psalm 56:4); "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you...I will delight in your statutes, I will not forget your word (Psalm 119:11, 16);

Friends, if you desire to know the truth, ignore the teachings of men, ignore the tugging of your heart, when they contradict the teachings that God gave men, when He gave us His perfect, inerrant, full, and absolute truth, our Holy Scripture;

Roman Catholicism is filled with wrong teachings that contradict scripture, and God gave us all His word so that we might 'search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things (various teachings) were so' (Acts 17:11);

The Godly Catholic, of which there are so many today, who desires to know His Lord better, to serve His Lord better, and to truly enter into a holy, blessed communion with Him, must, regardless of what 'people, friends, and family' might say, come out of this biblically false religion, the false Christianity known as Roman Catholicism, and having put their faith in Christ alone, receive salvation, given to us through faith alone, and find a church that is led by men who fear God only, and desire to protect and expound the rich truth that is found in the bible, the word of God, which stands alone, ABOVE ALL MEN, as inspired, inerrant, infallible, sufficient, and eternal.

"Forever, O lord, your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

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