Orthodox Christianity has indeed become radical and extreme in the minds of these liberal re-constructionists . . . . “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they...more

Orthodox Christianity has indeed become radical and extreme in the minds of these liberal re-constructionists . . . .

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4).less

This priest has totally missed the mark by saying it is morally justifiable for the poor to shoplift. By encouraging others to steal he is in fact breaking the eight, ninth, and tenth commandments: thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, and thou shat not covet. The poor have many charitable agencies that can assist them; one of them is the church. Most churches have a community s...more

This priest has totally missed the mark by saying it is morally justifiable for the poor to shoplift. By encouraging others to steal he is in fact breaking the eight, ninth, and tenth commandments: thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, and thou shat not covet. The poor have many charitable agencies that can assist them; one of them is the church. Most churches have a community service dept which do provide food and clothing for those in need; so there is no reason to shoplift.less

“If the Bible has a quote where the any other apostles said they were infallible, quote it for me since Sola Scriptura is also found nowhere in scripture” The burden of proof is on the one making the claim; Catholicism (Catholics) make the claim that Peter had primacy over the other apostles and claims that he was infallible when speaking of faith or morals, however, as already demonstrated...more

“If the Bible has a quote where the any other apostles said they were infallible, quote it for me since Sola Scriptura is also found nowhere in scripture”

The burden of proof is on the one making the claim; Catholicism (Catholics) make the claim that Peter had primacy over the other apostles and claims that he was infallible when speaking of faith or morals, however, as already demonstrated from the Scriptures this claim is erroneous.

Matthew 18:18 explicitly states that “ALL” of the apostles had power to bind and loose and the apostle Paul (Galatians 1:1) declared that he was not inferior to any other apostle; he said: “they added nothing to me” . . . .less

“What in the world does that mean, if not that Peter had power to bind and to loose something?” I am glad that you asked; when we take the collective witness of Scripture we find that Peter did not have primacy over the other apostles for we know that the same power to bind and loose was given to ALL of them (Matthew 18:18). dan, the explanations that you gave for why Peter missed the m...more

“What in the world does that mean, if not that Peter had power to bind and to loose something?”

I am glad that you asked; when we take the collective witness of Scripture we find that Peter did not have primacy over the other apostles for we know that the same power to bind and loose was given to ALL of them (Matthew 18:18).

dan, the explanations that you gave for why Peter missed the mark on those occasions only "prove" his fallibility ….I believe the point has been made.less

“Ask the first Pope and Jesus when you get to heaven” I do not have to wait until I get to heaven for an answer both Peter and Jesus have given their testimonies on this matter through the Holy Scriptures . . .

dan, Those passages that you posted do not “prove” Peter’s primacy over his fellow apostles besides if you wish to establish a position based upon “how many times” someone was mentioned or how much one accomplished I could very well bring up the apostle Paul to out trump Peter in that area . . . . Let’s slow down and address this one question: If Peter received infallibility why did...more

dan,

Those passages that you posted do not “prove” Peter’s primacy over his fellow apostles besides if you wish to establish a position based upon “how many times” someone was mentioned or how much one accomplished I could very well bring up the apostle Paul to out trump Peter in that area . . . . Let’s slow down and address this one question: If Peter received infallibility why did he miss the mark in these areas: Peter had to be rebuked by Jesus for trying to detour him from the cross (Matthew 16:23), he denied the Lord three times (Matthew 26:75), he needed to be restored to the ministry (John 21), and he was rebuked by Paul for deviating from the gospel (Galatians 2:14)?less

“Also, the Orthodox and Catholic representatives just got back from Cyprus where they discussed the reunified Church under the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome as it was in the first 1000 years of Christianity.” Sorry, but Romanism is built upon many false premises; like the fallacy of Peter’s primacy above his fellow apostles and his supposed position of infallibility. Rome’s fallible cla...more

“Also, the Orthodox and Catholic representatives just got back from Cyprus where they discussed the reunified Church under the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome as it was in the first 1000 years of Christianity.”

Sorry, but Romanism is built upon many false premises; like the fallacy of Peter’s primacy above his fellow apostles and his supposed position of infallibility. Rome’s fallible claim to infallibility is totally exposed by God’s inspired Word and history…..For example, Rome claims that Peter was given the keys of infallibility but upon closer examination we see that Peter had to be rebuked by Jesus for trying to detour him from the cross (Matthew 16:23), he denied the Lord three times (Matthew 26:75), he needed to be restored to the ministry (John 21), and he was rebuked by Paul for deviating from the gospel (Galatians 2:14).

To say that under the primacy of the bishop of Rome the church was in complete unity is another disingenuous assertion. Their supposed infallible magisterium did not keep the Roman Church from two major splits of its own: one with Eastern Orthodoxy and the other with Protestantism at the Reformation. Also, its magisterium has not kept itself from numerous divisions within its own ranks: specifically their anti-popes and heretical popes. On the other hand it is interesting that Protestants have essentially maintained orthodoxy without any authoritative tradition or magisterium.less

There are two books that I recommend that specifically address this prosperity gospel: Charismatic Chaos by John McArthur and Christianity in Crises 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff . . . . “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).

"...even the Bible got it wrong as Jesus was supposed to come back during that first generation and clearly didn't." Care to elaborate on this assumption?

“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5). This passage in no way suggests as do Roman Catholics that Mary here is speaking as queen of heaven or as co-mediatrix; in its proper context this chapter shows Jesus reminding Mary by addressing her as “woman” that though he is the Son of David and hers according to the flesh he is nevertheless David�...more

“His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5).

This passage in no way suggests as do Roman Catholics that Mary here is speaking as queen of heaven or as co-mediatrix; in its proper context this chapter shows Jesus reminding Mary by addressing her as “woman” that though he is the Son of David and hers according to the flesh he is nevertheless David’s Lord as well as hers. There is but "one" mediator between God and men; Jesus Christ.less

chicago24, Why are you so adamant about ignoring God’s definition for marriage? “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (Matthew 19:5).

mwalsh, By following the thread of discussion here you will see that I have been making a case for the Word of God above tradition. When I stated that the apostles defined the beliefs of the “original” church; I was simply saying that the apostles defined the early churches beliefs….That is the teachings of the early church can be read in the apostles epistles; contained in the Word of G...more

mwalsh,

By following the thread of discussion here you will see that I have been making a case for the Word of God above tradition. When I stated that the apostles defined the beliefs of the “original” church; I was simply saying that the apostles defined the early churches beliefs….That is the teachings of the early church can be read in the apostles epistles; contained in the Word of God. I hope this helps.

Peaceless

I realize that those Muslims who subscribe to violence are in the minority and do take the Qur’an’s call for jihad beyond self defense. The moderate view is that jihad is for self defense is it not; otherwise how can a faithful Muslim reconcile their personal beliefs with the command to “fight?”

AA, You should also be aware that Shariah law is NOT universal; there are many who reject it and do not believe that Islam is superior to all other religions . . .

If we wish to restore the “original” reputation of church we need not to look beyond the first century where the apostles defined the beliefs of the “original” church. This is not to say that other sources outside of the Scriptures are not beneficial for our reading, however, they are not to be placed in the same category with the inspired Word of God. In the Scriptures we have an objectiv...more

If we wish to restore the “original” reputation of church we need not to look beyond the first century where the apostles defined the beliefs of the “original” church. This is not to say that other sources outside of the Scriptures are not beneficial for our reading, however, they are not to be placed in the same category with the inspired Word of God. In the Scriptures we have an objective view of what the “original” church believed and taught; this is where we see the stamp of divine inspiration.less

"The time is now for the church to return to the sufficiency of Scripture" Amen....."Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him" (Proverbs 30:5).

“As they go, they demonstrate the love of Jesus by their actions, proclaiming the grace of God that comes through salvation” Amen; these young believers would do well to search the original writings of the earliest Christians by searching the writings of the Apostles themselves: God’s “inspired Word.” In them they will find the gospel of grace to proclaim as they also demonstrate the ...more

“As they go, they demonstrate the love of Jesus by their actions, proclaiming the grace of God that comes through salvation”

Amen; these young believers would do well to search the original writings of the earliest Christians by searching the writings of the Apostles themselves: God’s “inspired Word.” In them they will find the gospel of grace to proclaim as they also demonstrate the love of Jesus through their actions.less

Unlike tradition Scripture is “God-breathed” and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16): some fail to realize that “tradition” is never authoritatively quoted by Jesus or the apostles; therefore it does not have any binding authority. The Church is the pillar of truth so long as it remains faithful to God’s Word …. “...more

Unlike tradition Scripture is “God-breathed” and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16): some fail to realize that “tradition” is never authoritatively quoted by Jesus or the apostles; therefore it does not have any binding authority. The Church is the pillar of truth so long as it remains faithful to God’s Word …. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19).less

"Americans More Likely to Credit Obama for Verse on Justice than Bible" "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes" (Psalm 118:9).

Full, I agree; we need pastors who are courageous enough to lift of Jesus Christ who is the truth and to declare the truths of his word . . .