Sincerely,
De Maria
Washed, Sanctified and Justified in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Its not hard folks. Scripture says, "doers of the law are justified" Rom 2:13
Keeping the Law is the righteousness of Christ.
How many Protestant Bibles must I quote. It's in your Bibles. Why do you deny the Word of God?
Early Church Mothers
The Sacred Page has an excellent podcast today about a neglected portion of our Christian history. The great women behind the great men who are the foundation of our faith.
Go there and listen to it.
Go there and listen to it.
Query V
The final part of my response to the unanswerable query:
Quote:Ok.
RE: definition of death: I have no problem with your definition, let's go ahead and use it.
Quote:You are still providing Answer B: No sacrifice. God sent a man He created to go get himself killed. No negative effects reached God Himself. So what real sacrifice was there? No true sacrifice = no atoning death possible.As shown in my previous message addressing answer B directly, Jesus is either God or a mad man or worse, a liar. If Jesus is not God, then you are correct:
1 Cor 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen again. 14 And if Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God: because we have given testimony against God, that he hath raised up Christ; whom he hath not raised up, if the dead rise not again.
16 For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ risen again. 17 And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
However, the evidence of Scripture and the evidence of history which I did not address shows that Jesus was indeed God and that the eyewitnesses to His deeds believed He is God and went to their deaths proclaiming His Divinity.
And His Teachings are universally accepted as the wisest of teachings. Therefore, we believe that He is God and have literally bet our eternal souls on that fact.
Quote:I hope I have done so adequately. See the following links, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
If mine is a 'loaded question' you still have to show me what my incorrect underlying assumption is.
Sincerely,
De Maria
See Brian Robbins explain the Jewish roots of Catholicism
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The proof of love is in the works.
The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist. -- Pope St. Gregory the Great
Scripture says:
Look at these two verses closely.
Circumcision is nothing. Uncircumcision is nothing. They both say that.
But the second part of the statement seems to say something different in each.
In one, keeping the Commandments is what it is all about. In the other, faith working by love is what it is all about. That is because the keeping the Commandments and faith working by love are the same thing.
Jesus Christ tells us:
Scripture says:
1 Thessalonians 1:2-4
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Romans 13:8
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
God teaches us that love and faith are not simply words which we utter. We are supposed to live in accordance with those words. And they are both summarized in the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are the verbal expression of love and faith in God:
1 Corinthians 7:19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Galatians 5:6
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Look at these two verses closely.
But the second part of the statement seems to say something different in each.
In one, keeping the Commandments is what it is all about. In the other, faith working by love is what it is all about. That is because the keeping the Commandments and faith working by love are the same thing.
Jesus Christ tells us:
John 14:21-25
King James Version (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Continuing to handle the Query- IV
This is continued from here.
Quote:
Answer C) is:
If you say "It's a mystery" or "With God all things are possible" you are basically saying you have no answer and give up. You recognize the inherent contradiction but choose to pull the wool over your own eyes, and hope your brain never rejects the obvious, glaring logical incompatibility.
If you say "It's a mystery" or "With God all things are possible" you are basically saying you have no answer and give up.
Not so. It is a mystery of love. Why did God do something He didn't need to do. Why did He become incarnated and join the human race? Why did He enter Creation?
It is a mystery which is beyond human comprehension. But Scripture is clear that God did just that:
Philippians 2 5 For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. 8 He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. 9 For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names: 10 That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
Quote:
You recognize the inherent contradiction but choose to pull the wool over your own eyes, and hope your brain never rejects the obvious, glaring logical incompatibility.
What illogical incompatibility? Are you saying that it isn't possible for God to become man?
Well that is simply a statement made against the evidence.
1. That God would enter Creation and take the form of a man is prophecied in the Old Testament as previously shown.
2. That the Godman would be tortured and sacrificed for the sins of humanity is also prophecied in the Old Testament.
3. That Jesus fulfilled those prophecies is also documented by eyewitness testimony.
4. That Jesus produced many miracles to prove His Divine nature is also documented by eyewitness testimony.
So, your statement is simply an opinion against the evidence. Evidence which would hold up in court.
to conclude the query series, go here
Sincerely,
De Maria
Monday, June 25, 2012
Where's the Scripture, Protestants?
Where's the Scripture, Protestants?
Take any Protestant doctrine which disagrees with Catholic doctrine and prove it from Scripture.
Try to prove Sola Scriptura from Scripture. Or Sola Fide. Or Once Saved Always Saved. etc.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Query III
The Query response continues:
Quote:
Answer B) is:
If you say "The God nature left Jesus" then you are essentially saying that God did NOT die, and the death of Jesus was no important sacrifice at all. A human man was tortured for a weekend and died. How is this supposed to atone for all the sins of humanity?
Not to mention that human sacrifice is explicitly forbidden by Torah, and the manner of death runs afoul of at least a dozen laws regarding kosher sin sacrifice: The death wasn't by kosher shecht (slaughter), the offering was not made at the Temple, the offering wasn't
Made by Temple priests, the body wasn't without physical blemish, etc. This makes Christianity a religion based upon an unkosher, human sacrifice.
If you say "The God nature left Jesus" then you are essentially saying that God did NOT die,
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Query II-the Response
This is the response to my rebuttal of the unanswerable query to a Christian. Notice that he broke down my rebuttal the same way that I normally break down other peoples messages in order to isolate the main points. His words in red.
Query I-A query no Christian has ever been able to provide a satisfactory answer for
This question was asked on one of those question and answer forums on the internet:
Here's a question I've been asking that no Christian has ever been able to provide a satisfactory answer for that does not clearly violate simple rules of logic, or trinitarian Christian theology. I truly believe it's the kernel of truth that has the power to crack apart trinitarian Christianity.
The question is:
"If Jesus is supposed to be fully man and fully God, and died on the cross... Then WHO resurrected him?"
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Can one who does not keep the Commandments be saved?
What does Scripture say?
Revelation 22:12-15
King James Version (KJV)12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Now, what do you think?
Sincerely,
De Maria
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The wicked witch melted with a little water....
I was reading the Dustin cartoon in the funnies yesterday and I guess the little guys name is Dustin, he had just watched the Wizard of Oz for the first time and said,
In all my years of watching that movie, I never thought of that. But come to think of it, that's a great argument for infant baptism. ;)
Sincerely,
De Maria
"The wicked witch melted with a little water. That explains the green skin, the cranky attitude and that her only friends were winged monkeys."
In all my years of watching that movie, I never thought of that. But come to think of it, that's a great argument for infant baptism. ;)
Sincerely,
De Maria
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Against Faith Alone
How do you make your calling sure? By faith alone? Or by faith and works?
What does it mean to make one's calling and election sure? Aren't those who are called and elected already saved?
If they are already saved, why does Scripture say?
Monday, June 18, 2012
The True Gospel
Someone said:
Hi Catholic friends,She got the true Gospel. Yours is the false Gospel.
I heard a disturbing comment from a priest a few days ago that I can't get out of my head. ... and said he would try to comfort her by saying to her "just look at your works".... "just look at your wonderful children and grand children".
This might be the usual Catholic response... but to me... I thought it was tragic. She was crying out for the true Gospel
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Light House Catholic Media
I travel a lot. I spend about 8 days a month in my car, just driving long distances. You do a lot of talking to yourself in a situation like that.
Luckily, Lighthouse Catholic Media (LHCM) had long ago begun to provide our Parish with cd's by all those famous Catholics you see on the picture above. I would stock up every Sunday after Mass and then listen to them on my way to work.
These speakers are awesome! I'm serious. They make you laugh, they make you cry and they teach you the Catholic Faith.
If your Parish does not yet have the program which LHCM offers to parishes, you can click on that banner above and buy them for yourself at a great low price.
Better yet though, when you click on that banner and go to their website, search through and find the Parish program and maybe you can become instrumental in bringing these cd's to your Parish.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Steve Ray's, Defenders of the Catholic Faith
Probably, my favorite Blog is Steve Ray's Defenders of the Catholic Faith.
As much as he does, I don't know how the guy has time to post on his blog everyday. But he does and very effectively. Not only does he teach the Catholic Faith, but he has humourous articles and world news. As well as chronicling his adventures around the world walking in the steps of Christ and His Saints.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Friday, June 15, 2012
Will it be multiple choice or essay?
Neither. Someone was saying on the internet, "I don't understand doctrines and I don't have time to study. How can I be saved?"
The answer is:
Well, God isn't going to give us an exam. This is what is going to happen at the Judgment.
Catholic to Atheist back to Catholic
I was born into a Catholic family and fell away to atheism at around 13. I came back to faith in Christ about fourteen years later after my wife conceived our first child. It was that conception that made me realize that God existed and that I needed Him now!
Our child was coming into a savage world, during the time that so many horrible things were being done to children in child care centers and public schools. And I remember crying out in my soul, “God, if you don’t exist, I’m doomed. I need you to exist!”
Sincerely,
De Maria
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Believe me, not the Catholic Church?
Its always funny to me when people with whom I debate expect me to set aside the 2000 year authority of the Catholic Church and replace it with their own wisdom. Here's the argument I just confronted on another forum:
Here is the issue that I am seeing regarding the posts between you two. It all revolves around one major discrepancy and that is the assumption that the Catholic Church is The Church. Until that is nailed down I don't think we can continue to base all authority of what is and is not a law upon the ideals of this institution.
Here is what I said in reply. I parsed the argument so that I could confront each point more effectively:
Here is the issue that I am seeing regarding the posts between you two. It all revolves around one major discrepancy and that is the assumption that the Catholic Church is The Church.Non sequitur.
1. It is my informed and studied conclusion that the Catholic Church is the Church.
2. No one here has proven it to be wrong. Therefore, describing my assumption as a discrepancy, in other words, as an error, is an error in itself. Since no one has proved my conclusion false.
3. The opposite assumption, that everyone else is correct in assuming that the Catholic Church is not The Church is not proven either. Therefore, concluding that they are correct and I am in error is another error of logic on your part.
4. And I believe I have provided more evidence for the truth of my assumption than anyone else for the proof of theirs.
Until that is nailed down I don't think we can continue to base all authority of what is and is not a law upon the ideals of this institution.You may base your assumptions on whatever authority you wish. However, when you confront me, I will compare your assumptions and mine to Scripture to see which are actually in line with the Written Word of God.
1st. I use the Scriptures to explain that which I believe.
2nd. I happen to believe that the Catholic Church is right based upon the facts:
a. that I see Her Doctrines in the Scriptures and....
b. that I don't see any non-Catholic doctrine which contradicts the Catholic Church in the Scriptures.
c. In fact, I can trace those contra-Catholic doctrines to verses in Scripture which contradict them.
3rd. Those with whom I am debating want me to abandon the obvious authority of the Church and replace it with their personal authority.
a. That statement confuses many. But it is true.
b. The Catholic Church relies upon the authority of Scripture.
c. I rely upon the authority of Scripture to confirm the authority of the Church.
d. But, non-Catholics expect me to rely upon them as my authority to understand the Word of God. When I believe I am perfectly capable of understanding the Word of God and my understanding of the Word of God has led me to the Catholic Church.
4th. I'm not asking you or anyone else to believe the Teachings of the Catholic Church. I am simply explaining my beliefs. And I am explaining them, from Scripture.
So, there you go.
P.S. join me on my daily Rosary walk.
Sincerely,
De Maria
You are God and I am not, so....
...what do you want me to do?
Last night, I was watching the Journey Home again. This time it was Dan Burke's testimony.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Kicking kids out when they are 18, why?
Catholic Nick had some excellent articles today on his blog. One was about bikinis, I'll let you read that yourself.
The other about kicking children out of the home when they are 18 years old. I have definite opinions about that one. I don't doubt anything that he said in his article. But I always thought of this idea of kicking children out of the house at 18 years of age being an American phenomenon. I'm a first generation American and I know this idea was not prevalent in our family when I was young.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Why do they wave their hands in front of their face?
About ten years ago, more like 12, I had just been hired with the Company I work for today. As I got off the bus to go to my first project, I saw three fellows, one waving his hands in front of his face and making all kinds of sarcastic remarks. I was curious to hear what he was saying, because I suspected he was making fun of Catholics and the Sign of the Cross.
I was right. Two of my fellow employees, Catholics, had been accosted by an Evangelical and were being subjected to a tirade against "mindless" Catholic rituals. As I approached, I innocently asked what they were talking about. The Evangelical responded, "I was telling these guys about those @#$$ Catholics, with their mindless rituals." I said, "I'm a Catholic, to which rituals do you refer?"
"Do you have anymore questions?" He looked surprised, but he answered, "Yeah, why do they wave their hands in front of their face like they're swatting away flies?" "Hm? That's got me a bit stumped. I've never seen any Catholic do that. Unless you're talking about the Triple Cross which we pray before the Gospel, is this it?" And I traced a cross with my thumb on my forehead and said, "That the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ always remain on my mind"; then I traced a cross on my lips and said and continued, "and on my lips"; then I traced a cross on my heart and said, "and in my heart. That's what we pray before we listen to the Gospel."
For some reason, he wasn't too happy that I answered his questions. He stormed off in a huff. I turned to the other guys and asked, "who was that guy?" "Oh, that was your Foreman. I guess we know who's got all the fun jobs today." And they walked off laughing.
See also, Sign of the Cross.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Who is the Rock?
Scripture says:
Deuteronomy 32:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
And also:
1 Corinthians 10:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Now consider, God is our Rock and Jesus is the Rock, correct?
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Body and Blood of Christ, a test of faith
I answer that, The presence of Christ's true body and blood in this sacrament cannot be detected by sense, nor understanding, but by faith alone, which rests upon Divine authority. Hence, on Luke 22:19: "This is My body which shall be delivered up for you," Cyril says: "Doubt not whether this be true; but take rather the Saviour's words with faith; for since He is the Truth, He lieth not."(St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 3rd Part, Q75, Article 1)Before the Protestant Revolution, faithful Catholics such as St. Thomas Aquinas did not shy away from using the term "faith alone". But that term meant so much more than that to which Protestants have reduced it.
It is in the Sacraments that faith alone comes into play. The discerning of the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist is an excellent example of what St. Thomas and St. Paul and all the Saints in between and thereafter meant when they spoke of "faith" without deeds.
This faith is illustrated over and over in the Gospels. The Canaanite woman:
Matthew 15
King James Version (KJV)
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
The Centurion:
Matthew 8
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
The woman with a hemorrhage:
Mark 5:
King James Version (KJV)
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
And that is what we, Catholics, do today when we present ourselves to Christ in the Sacraments. And this is illustrated most clearly in the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Lord. Because, it is as St. Thomas Aquinas so clearly spoke.
The presence of Christ's true body and blood in this sacrament cannot be detected by sense, nor understanding, but by faith alone, ....
Sincerely,
De Maria
Socrates vs Sola Scriptura
One of the greatest arguments against Sola Scriptura was articulated by a pagan philosopher many centuries before the Protestant Revolution came along:
SocratesHe who thinks, then, that he has left behind him any art in writing, and he who receives it in the belief that anything in writing will be clear and certain, would be an utterly simple person, and in truth ignorant of the prophecy of Ammon, if he thinks written words are of any use except to remind him who knows the matter about which they are written.
Friday, June 8, 2012
One Mediator
Hebrews 12:24
King James Version (KJV)
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Christ is the "mediator of the New Covenant".
Frequently, Protestants insist that there is only one mediator and therefore deny the intercessory power of the Heavenly Court.
However, Christ is called the mediator of the New Covenant because God established it through Him. Just as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant.
Deuteronomy 29:1
King James Version (KJV)
1 These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
1 Timothy 4:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
James 5:20
King James Version (KJV)
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Just musing....
I was musing about Mary and the birth of Jesus when these thoughts came to me...
Did you realize that when a man and woman come together and conceive a child, the father puts in 50% of the dna and the mother puts in 50% of the dna which means the flesh, but God puts in 100% of the Spirit.
The Hail Mary and Scripture
I think most people know that the Hail Mary is directly from Scripture. But it is worth repeating.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Explanation of the Holy Trinity
Ha ha! This post is funny because I just got through telling someone that understanding the nature of the Holy Trinity and therefore explaining it, is impossible. Here and here. But on another forum, I find myself in the unenviable position of having to explain the Holy Trinity to someone who objects to the doctrine. God has a sense of humor. Here is the exchange, which is going on at this forum. His words in red.
Fides et Veritas wrote:Wow! I didn't notice the date. Thanks for reviving an interesting question.
Sorry it took me six whole years to think up a response!!
Quote:I disagree as I've already noted.
But you are one hundred percent correct.
Quote:I'll post my own response for comparison.
Let me copy paste what I just posted this morning on another thread about the Trinity. It doesn't cover all but yet covers some of the issues concerning this controversial (among some) doctrine.
How does Trinity work?I don't know. It is a mystery revealed by God. Tell me, how does Omniscience or omnipotence work? God is mystery folks and there are somethings about God which our little minds will never comprehend.
Quote:The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not Paganism. Although we don't know how it works, we do know what was revealed. God is a Trinity of Persons. God is not three human persons. God is three Divine Persons. That is a very big difference.
How does Trinity work? It doesn't nor can it ever. Paganism has no place with the Bible
We can't understand that idea because we are human and are constrained by time and space. But God is not. God is not constrained by time and space. So, lets compare God to man.
1. A human person is constrained to one place and one time. That is our nature. Therefore, you Fides and I are in two different places at the same time. But can't occupy the same space at the same time. Because we of our human nature. Therefore there are millions of us occupying our little space in time. But we don't overlap each other.
2. However, God is not constrained by time or space. God has a DIVINE nature which is not constrained by creation. Therefore, God is He in whom we live, move and are. God is HE WHO IS. Yahweh. All things exist in God.
That means that there can only be one God. One Divine Nature. There is no room for a second.
3. However, God has revealed that there are three persons who are God. Now, there may be three PERSONS in God. But they can't be three different Gods. They must share the same Divine nature. Therefore, three Divine Persons, One Divine Nature, One God.
Quote:There are three Divine Persons. And yes, God is a family of persons. God the Father, God the Son and God the Love which binds the Father and the Son.
How many God's are there? There is one God Family, currently composed of two God beings
Quote:The reference goes over my head. But God is the second Divine Person, that is true.
Is Jesus God? Yes. He is the second member of the Family, formerly known as the Logos (is that where Prince got that?).
Quote:Is Jesus human? When the Word (Logos) became flesh he divested himself of divinity. He was human.God became man but did not divest Himself of His Divinity. He simply concealed it in His humanity.
Quote:Can a human be God? NoEverything is possible with God.
Quote:Jesus did not cease to be God when He became man. He simply concealed His Divinity.
Can God be a human?.He can divest himself of divinity and become human. At such time He would cease to be God
Quote:Is Jesus the son of God? YesAgreed.
Quote:No, Jesus is the Divine Son of the Father. Jesus was generated in eternity. As was the Holy Spirit. Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father. The Holy Spirit also proceeds from Jesus.
Is Jesus the son of Jesus? No
Quote:He was talking to the First Person of the Holy Trinity, God the Father.
When Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”, was he talking to himself? No. He was speaking to the remaining member of the God Family, the Father.
Quote:Jesus raised Himself from the dead:
Did Jesus raise himself from the dead? No. God the Father did.
John 10:17-19
King James Version (KJV)
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
Quote:I'm afraid yours is a misunderstanding of what occurs in death.
Did God die? No. What took place was an extreme risk. As a human Christ risked everything. If he failed he would have forfeited not only his life but all of ours as the Death Penalty required for sin could not be paid. When he died it was a human that passed away, but due to his divine birthright it made him worth the sum total of all humans, past, present and future.
Death is not the same thing as annihilation. Death is the time when the physical body ceases to function. Even in humans, only the physical body ceases to function. But the human spirit continues to exist and to live. Christ said this of the righteous:
John 11:26
King James Version (KJV)
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Therefore, on the Cross, Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, died. His human body ceased to function, but His Divine Spirit continued to exist. Then His Divine Spirit exited the human body and death occurred. Then His Divine Spirit took over His human body again and transformed it into a Spiritual Body and Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Of His own power.
Quote:Yes. The Jews, although they did not know what they were doing, actually sacrificed Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, God Himself, to God the Father. It is a mystery of God's which is beyond our understanding. But St. Paul treats of it slightly here:
Was God sacrificed to God? No. Christ was human.
Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
God is the Testator. And in order for the righteous to receive the promises of the Old Testament, God had to die. And He did. On the Cross.
Quote:He is the Power of God, the other Comforter whom God has sent to us through the intercession of Christ our Lord.
Who is the Holy Spirit? Who? Nothing. What? The power wielded by the God Family to effect change and influence matter and spirit.
Quote:It is a great topic indeed.
This by no means a full explanation but it is yet a start. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
This is one of my most favorite topics.
Quote:You're welcome.
Thanks!!
Sincerely,
De Maria
Friday, June 1, 2012
Let me try another way....
... to explain justification.
Objection: So then, what are the kinds of works that are the "effect" rather than the "Cause" of one's salvation?In my opinion, works are neither the effect nor the cause of one's salvation.
Quote:What does only a Christian do that is a work that an Atheist wouldn't ?
I don't understand the question. In whom does an Atheist show faith?
Or another example, "the Sun is rising". The Sun doesn't rise, the earth rotates so that the Sun appears to rise. But its easier to say, "justified by works" and "Scripture is inspired" and "the Sun is rising" than to give the detailed explanation.
Anyway, I believe justification is by "faith and works" which is the Catholic Teaching. That is, as I said, so to speak. Because the Church also teaches that neither faith nor works merit the grace of justification (Trent VI, CHAPTER VIII).
I know that is confusing because the statements seem to contradict each other. Let me give you an example which I hope will clarify the matter.
Say for instance, that Bill Gates is in an emergency. He can't find a chauffer and has jumped in his vehicle and started driving because he has a deal to make which will make him the richest man ever in the world. He is driving through your neighborhood and has a blow out. You are standing there when this happens. He jumps out of the car and says, "hey, can you change a tire?" You say, "sure". He says, "I'll pay you a million dollars to change that tire. I'd do it myself but I have to make three phone calls right now!"
Obviously, you're a good samaritan, you would have done it for nothing. But Bill Gates has set the value. Your work is now worth $1,000,000.
So, in this example, Bill Gates is God. And changing the tire is "faith and good works". And the $1,000,000 is the gift of justification.
Changing a tire is worth nothing in dollars and cents. Therefore, the one million dollars amounts to a gift. Changing the tire did not "merit" or "earn" the gift. The gift was given "voluntarily" by Gates. He could pay $10 and be equally righteous. He need pay nothing at all, actually. Nor do you have to change the tire.
Our faith and good works amount to nothing in comparison to the gift of God's sanctifying grace washing us of our sins. God doesn't have to give us anything at all for doing that which makes sense for us to do anyway. Ask any atheist. The 10 Commandments are common sense practices which everyone should follow. But God gives us the bonus of washing our sins and a participation in eternal, if we continue to the end.
So, faith and good works are necessary, without those, we won't get the gift. Its not a matter of earning, nor of causing. If we were causing or earning, we would get nothing but a pat on the back.
Ok, so, those are the metaphors. Now, lets turn to Scripture. The Old Testament says:
Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
God shows mercy upon those who keep His Commandments. We don't save ourselves by keeping the Commandments. God saves us.
Again, that's like the folks who are on a shipwreck and put themselves in a positiion to be rescued. The rescuers will rescue them. But they must put themselves in a position to be rescued.
Romans 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Only those who first keep the Law of God, the Commandments, will be rescued. Not those who don't:
Revelation 22:13-15
King James Version (KJV)
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Finally, there are the Sacraments. The difference between Christians and Jews and others is that they must await the Judgement before they will enter heaven. However, Christians walk with the Saints while they are in this life:
Hebrews 12:22-24
King James Version (KJV)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
And they do so by the Sacraments:
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Sincerely,
De Maria
Quote:Oh! I think the reason I don't understand the question is because I don't subscribe to that teaching.
How do we determine a Christian who is showing the "effect" versus one who is not? Do such specifics matter to this view? If an Atheist or Buddhist is capable of doing these "works" which one may claim is the "effect" of being saved, does that render their argument void?
Quote:St. James is speaking shorthand. In other words, is the same as when we say, "Scripture is inspired." Scripture isn't and never was inspired. Holy men were inspired to write Scripture.
Such snags are not any problem at all to the face-value reading of James in that works are the cause rather than the effect.
Or another example, "the Sun is rising". The Sun doesn't rise, the earth rotates so that the Sun appears to rise. But its easier to say, "justified by works" and "Scripture is inspired" and "the Sun is rising" than to give the detailed explanation.
Quote:I don't know to what you refer.
So what are these "works" specifically that only Christians can do and no one else.
Quote:Perhaps that is a reference to the works of God, the Sacraments, before which we present ourselves in an attitude of faith. But I'm simply guessing.
I see this argument about the works being the effect rather than the cause so often all over the place, and 9/10 when asked what these works are specifically, the conversation ends or dodges and dives commence.
Anyway, I believe justification is by "faith and works" which is the Catholic Teaching. That is, as I said, so to speak. Because the Church also teaches that neither faith nor works merit the grace of justification (Trent VI, CHAPTER VIII).
I know that is confusing because the statements seem to contradict each other. Let me give you an example which I hope will clarify the matter.
Say for instance, that Bill Gates is in an emergency. He can't find a chauffer and has jumped in his vehicle and started driving because he has a deal to make which will make him the richest man ever in the world. He is driving through your neighborhood and has a blow out. You are standing there when this happens. He jumps out of the car and says, "hey, can you change a tire?" You say, "sure". He says, "I'll pay you a million dollars to change that tire. I'd do it myself but I have to make three phone calls right now!"
Obviously, you're a good samaritan, you would have done it for nothing. But Bill Gates has set the value. Your work is now worth $1,000,000.
So, in this example, Bill Gates is God. And changing the tire is "faith and good works". And the $1,000,000 is the gift of justification.
Changing a tire is worth nothing in dollars and cents. Therefore, the one million dollars amounts to a gift. Changing the tire did not "merit" or "earn" the gift. The gift was given "voluntarily" by Gates. He could pay $10 and be equally righteous. He need pay nothing at all, actually. Nor do you have to change the tire.
Our faith and good works amount to nothing in comparison to the gift of God's sanctifying grace washing us of our sins. God doesn't have to give us anything at all for doing that which makes sense for us to do anyway. Ask any atheist. The 10 Commandments are common sense practices which everyone should follow. But God gives us the bonus of washing our sins and a participation in eternal, if we continue to the end.
So, faith and good works are necessary, without those, we won't get the gift. Its not a matter of earning, nor of causing. If we were causing or earning, we would get nothing but a pat on the back.
Ok, so, those are the metaphors. Now, lets turn to Scripture. The Old Testament says:
Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
God shows mercy upon those who keep His Commandments. We don't save ourselves by keeping the Commandments. God saves us.
Again, that's like the folks who are on a shipwreck and put themselves in a positiion to be rescued. The rescuers will rescue them. But they must put themselves in a position to be rescued.
Romans 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Only those who first keep the Law of God, the Commandments, will be rescued. Not those who don't:
Revelation 22:13-15
King James Version (KJV)
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Finally, there are the Sacraments. The difference between Christians and Jews and others is that they must await the Judgement before they will enter heaven. However, Christians walk with the Saints while they are in this life:
Hebrews 12:22-24
King James Version (KJV)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
And they do so by the Sacraments:
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Sincerely,
De Maria