I have a feeling that, very soon, People of Faith are going to find themselves in "Fox Holes" and "Life Boats" with a great diversity of souls lead there by God's Direction & Design! Places of Refuge but places where day to day survival will make the finer points of this or that theological mindset of little or no importance. I've come to the belief that God is going to surprize all of us as He reveals His Plan for Humanity's Salvation!! GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!
Mac, your post is a fair one (apart from the heretic insult!). May I attempt to explain what I believe the Pope's position is. When he said these words to Tony Palmer he was speaking as one soul to another but also with the desire that he would bring his Catholic brothers with him. He was saying that he wanted to pilgrimage (or journey) towards Tony and his like minded Christians with a view to unity of heart and soul where one group did not consider itself better than the other. This is not about belief. On this forum there are hundreds of posts about what Catholics believe and what Lutherans believe etc etc but you know as well as I do that there are vast differences of belief between individual Catholics. Yes, many Catholics will say they believe the Creed etc but the truth is most would not be able to tell you what beliefs are listed in the Creed, let alone whether they really believed all of them! Pope Francis is trying to teach us that the Unity that Jesus asks for is of the heart, not of the mind. It is a call for humility and love from all Christians.
Thanks for your response Mac. I am glad we now know who this person is. We don't need the compromise of "meeting in the middle." Pope Francis leads us to Truth and shows us the Way of Jesus. You are welcome to join us at any time.
Y'know, CrewDog, I'm coming round to the notion that there might be something to this imminent Tribulation prediction. I watched a TV programme about France last night. It's about 100 years since they effectively enshrined Atheism as their official religion (they would argue otherwise but the proof of the pudding, etc.). After the Paris terrorist attack, their prime minister boasted about Paris being the new Sodom and their president has become something of a mourner-in-chief since every other day he seems to be attending some type of memorial ceremony. The "experts" on the programme were bemoaning that their young people are drawn to jihadism because they have no purpose in their lives. Their solution is an educational programme in junior schools to inculcate a love of French secularism. France is a basket case and the rest of Europe isn't far behind. Something's got to give. I get a bit confused trying to find my way around the forum. Is there a thread dedicated to predictions where I could ask specific questions, preferably one that concentrates on approved apparitions and the Book of Revelation?
Secular France most certainly is a basket case, and being one, is correspondingly devoid of irony. I cannot imagine a philosophy more devoid of meaning. To teach it is to propagate meaninglessness. However, I came across an opinion poll result this week which displayed a level of belief in God among the French that quite surprised me. Official France may be doomed, but "France"...maybe not. [I am no wiser than yourself regarding the thread you seek, but would be quite interested to find one, also].
As we know, there are Christians in name only and there are Christians who are practicing. Those in name only (the lukewarm) far out number the practicing Christians today. The problem I see, and that which I pray for, is that when the tribulation hits home the lukewarm as well as many of the practicing faithful will stop believing all together as they loose their wealth, jobs, homes and lack food and clothing. The lukewarm will blame God and turn completely away as they will not acknowledge a God who allows such suffering/misery. So it will not be only France, but every country. None will be spared.
You could also go over to Catholic Answers Forum and check out the End Times Speculation thread there. The thread has been running for over 7 years, so there's a fair bit of info in there.
Mac, what is the correct approach to bring unity among Christians ? ... Jesus prayer to the Father, that they all be one. You don't like papa Francis with Palmer, so whats your plan?
Believe it or not IJoP, I dont have all the answers. I do know what false Ecumenism is though. It’s fair to ask what kind of Catholic Church we as Evangelicals want to see. At lunch I asked Pope Francis what his heart was for evangelism. He smiled, knowing what was behind my question and comment was, “I’m not interested in converting Evangelicals to Catholicism. I want people to find Jesus in their own community. There are so many doctrines we will never agree on. Let’s be about showing the love of Jesus.” http://dispatchesfrombrian.com/2014/07/09/lunch-with-the-pope/ People cannot 'find Jesus in their own communities' . He is not there. I suppose the answer to your question would be here....Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you… (Matthew 28:18-20) That was the mission given to the Church was it not?
funny web link name....dispatches from brian...BrianK? lol http://dispatchesfrombrian.com/2014/07/09/lunch-with-the-pope/ I was asking what your approach to the Great Commision would be Mac ? Since Papa Francis gets it wrong by your ideological peers, im curious what the true way is to call back the lost sheep ?
From the link: "I know some will wonder if we lack discernment, dining as we did with the head of a church many see as heretical. As an Evangelical, I’m clear in the importance of the Reformation and the role our community plays in announcing the Good News. I celebrate our understanding of the Scriptures as our only and final authority, the priesthood of every believer, the life-giving moment of rebirth and freedom for churches and ministries to spring up under the inspiration of the Spirit. No one is interested in rewinding the clock. Also to construct a united church isn’t doable and neither is it in our interest. Such plans do not lead us to fulfill Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we be one in Christ." I'm shocked that you would attribute such heresy to a traditional minded Catholic ;-)
... Go Steelers!!!, a win tonight will bring us against Charlies Broncos next week....hopefully Charlie wont have the Angels mess with Big Bens passes! lol
Yes David is right; the unity we seek is unity in the heart, The Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart. That is the unity to which Pope Francis is calling us. "And when he was still a long way off the Father saw him and went out to him". He did not wait for him to arrive. The Father was in charge. Even as he went out to meet him all the preparations for a grand welcome are being made. As does our Pope in this Holy Year of Mercy. In the analysis of a sale there are 5 steps Introduction Inquire about the needs. Meet the needs. Overcome obstacles Ask for the order. Without the final request it comes to nothing. It is on the timing and the manner in which it is done that a successful outcome depends. There are many ways to ask for the order as there are many mansions in God's kingdom. As the old saying goes, more flies settle on a spoonful of honey than a barrel full of vinegar. Pope Francis is sweetening the deal. In this Year of Mercy Pope Francis is refining the invitation to buy as never before. He is trying, without reducing the quality of the product, to make the Faith as attractive a proposition as possible. I fear there will be a mad scramble for this bargain as the Doors of Mercy begin to close. And many may get crushed in the rush, too late to even get into the store. Neither the doors nor the arms of Holy Mother Church have ever been held more open and wide. From today's readings at Mass' '......in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him." Acts 10:35
Maybe the last days of this Holy Year will be like Black Friday here in the States. Everyone lining up outside waiting for the doors to open,then the MAD scramble...yikesss bad example...but its kinda true I think. As the saying goes, why do today what you can do tomorrow... err what
Yes that is the kind of scene I had in mind - Black Friday - but instead of a mad scramble at the start of the day it I will be at the end of the day as the doors are closing.People will be so traumatized by what they will have gone though and by what they will have been shown that they will wish they had been better prepared. Only the Power behind the Warning can force those doors open again for one last chance to get in. On a personal note I have tried so hard to overcome my own bad habit of procrastination IJOP. Now I have handed it over. (BTW I did edit the above post. The price can't be reduced. The product is free.)
I agree Joe. Its frightful to think of the doors closing with so many souls far away. Ive pondered latlely if Pope Francis would extend the Holy Year? probably not, I suspect. the liturgical feasts line up with St Faustinas revelation as the Holy Year stands now. But if a way can be found im sure Papa Francis will use it....lol
Tony Palmer was a hero in my mind. In fact, it is my opinion that there was foul play behind his death, likely involving Freemasons. The Devil fears unity under one Shepherd more than anything else.
