Thanks Terry,
Have to confess that I accidentally cross-posted, John Jenson is
a New
Zealander who was raised Protestant and later coverted to RC so
he is
quite committed - a nice fellow who takes a lot of flak. Hope
you don't
mind if I send your definition of Church to the other list
Terry, giving
you credit of course. I really like it. judyt
Judy Taylor wrote:
Jensen, John T wrote: [more snip]
Are you then saying you believe in an IT? A Church apart from
the
people.
[jj] Not at all. Actually, I am trying to be tactful with you
Prots - I
would normally have referred to the Church as 'she' - the Bride of
Christ, you see?
jt: Not everyone considers themselves a
Prot John - You mean
you don't call your church 'Mother?'
When you say the Church guides you...what are you referring
to?
To the rules and regulations of the Catholic Church guiding
you?
[jj] Well, in a small way, yes. Those 'rules and regulations'
are made
by people, you know. But 'The Church' is something more than just a lot
of people. It - she! - is Christ's body, His bride, his Kingdom. He
will not let her (ok, go whole hog, jj!) fail, you see. He guides her
into all truth. And that guidance is infallible.
=====================================================================
Perhaps a better idea of the Church is pictured when it is portrayed as
a living building still under construction.
Jesus Christ is the corner stone, the apostles are the foundation, and
every true believer is a living stone, added to that building when they
repent of their sin and turn to Christ as their Savior and their
master. Please note that there are no clergy stones and no pope
stone. Sitting on a throne in a dress and a funny hat does not make
you more holy than anyone else. The Bible says that all true believers
are priests. That does not include sexual perverts, in vestments or
out. True believers are also defined as Saints. Some group of clowns
in Rome do not decide that. It has been decided.
You seem eager to learn, JJ. I wish you luck. You face an uphill
battle trying to get past all that stuff you were taught, but others
have come out of it, and you can too if you get out your Bible and
study for yourself instead of taking someone elses word for it. Your
salvation is too important to leave in the hands of someone who may or
may not be a child molester.
Terry
