madeleine1

Two ways I see that God is divided. - God desires nothing but good for us. It is through this we are brought to His presence in heaven. Dividing heaven as Mormons do divides God's will. - There is but One God, and One Kingdom of God. I see in Mormonism a division of God into three gods, ruling over three kingdoms. Therefore, God is divided and is no longer One.

The ideas might be similar but Christian theology is that God cannot be divided, so "kingdoms" in the sense of Mormon teaching (as I understand it) requires that God is divided. My understanding of "many mansions" is that there is a place for everyone. The sick are healed, the sorrowful are comforted, the lonely are with God, etc. Any reward, I understand in light of the event where the blind man was healed, and Jesus said it was done so that others could see the glory of God manifest.

Probably because the term "the true born again Christian" is associated in the Phillipines to the cult Iglesia Ni Cristo. I say Catholic when asked what religion I am. I've only had one really odd reaction to that (by a Mormon) regarding lighting candles.

:) The important thing is, Salvation is a gift, which no one has or will earn. The Sacrifice of the Son is a divine act of charity, that is, perfect love. Peace.

jaiotu- I assumed I was not speaking to Catholics here, on a LDS board. :) Catholics walk a line in between assuming God will forgive them for everything, or, assuming God can't forgive them for 'X (or anything)'. The latter, an assumption that God cannot forgive, is a sin against the Holy Spirit. So that is indeed, very grave. We also don't assume, in our faith journey, that we can do whatever we like and just go to confession, as that in itself is the sin of presumption. We accept the graces of God, fully, and find healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But then we let it go, understanding and believing that God has forgiven us. (When a person is unable to believe they are forgiven, they may be suffering from scrupulosity. But that would be a different subject for another day.) We understand very well that when we sin, again, it is by the grace of God that we are forgiven through Jesus Christ. We need Jesus Christ, in our lives, as we cannot perfect ourselves. For non-Catholics, it is a different matter, since how can someone who has never been taught be culpable for something they do not know? How can a person be in a state of mortal sin if they are not aware that 'X' is a sin? As I said, it is Catholic doctrine that all will be judged according to their understanding of God and how they follow this understanding. This includes Catholics. This teaching is stated in the CCC. Last, I recommend this address from Pope John Paul II: All Salvation Comes through Christ Peace.

That is your thoughts on Romans. Not equivocating. It is clear that Christ established the Kingdom of God on earth. Entry is through baptism, yet, it is also clear that all we be judged according to what we know. ie, we can't be judged for something we are not aware of. It should also be understood that Catholics are very community centered. God has shown that he works through a chosen people. The Hebrews were saved as a people. Those who are baptized are the people of God, yet, we are clearly taught there is no such thing as "other". Christ died for all of humanity. Everyone. No one is exempt from God's love. This is Catholic doctrine. So the question then becomes one of judgment. With a view to the graces given to us by Jesus Christ, universal salvation is not that great of a leap. The Church takes a view that it cannot be ruled out, as seen on the statement on the possibility of salvation for infants who have not been baptized. There are tensions seen, such as, baptism is required for entry into the Kingdom of God, yet, the affect of Cross cannot be reduced to "rule following". Catholic doctrine is based on what has been revealed and what has been handed on from the Apostles through time. Jesus Christ is our definitive Revelation. The final thing for myself, since you ask is, I adhere to the teachings of the Apostles. Love God and love thy neighbor as thyself. No, I am not perfect, but I believe Jesus has given many gifts to us. I look to the Church He established and the Sacraments and graces of the Holy Spirit. So I rely on Him, seeking to do His will, as preparation for the day of my own judgment. Why reach out to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ? In order that people may be brought to the Love of God, and become part of His Kingdom, a chosen people, under the reign of Christ, our King. That is the great imperative, the building of the Kingdom of God on earth. Turning all hearts and minds to Jesus Christ. Peace.

We have been saved from death. The Christian doctrine of original sin: Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Christ died for all.... 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 2 Corinthians 14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. We are then called to be free from sin in order to stand clean before God. But we cannot do this alone. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of our sins, and strengthened by Him. Who will be judged to be with God in heaven? That is up to God, when we stand before Him at judgment day. Catholic theology certainly holds to the teachings of Jesus', that He will separate the sheep and the goats. However, there have been more than one Catholic theologian who held a well-thought out opinion that by the grace of Jesus Christ, hell would be empty. As an example, Jesus prayed that those who killed him be forgiven. Certainly we believe the Father gives what is asked of by the Son. In this, we see the abounding grace of Jesus Christ. But as I said, we can't say as we are not the Judge.

hi- All of humankind has been saved. All will be judged according to what they do know, understand about God and how they live according to their understanding. For the idea of "falling from grace". For Catholics we repent of our sins and ask for God's forgiveness and through the Mercy of Jesus Christ are reconciled. This is not a "re-saving", as Christ died once, for all. It is a reconciliation.

Catholic Bishops are successors to the Apostles, so, Peter was never a Bishop. The Bishop of Rome (aka the Pope) is the successor to Peter. Another example of Apostolic succession is the Archbishop of Constantinople (aka The Ecumenical Patriarch) who is the successor of the Apostle Andrew. All the Bishops of the churches, East and West, are successors to the Apostles. Together and in communion with each other they rule over the churches. The Great Schism (which ceased the communion of Bishops east and west) arose out of a disagreement. In this disagreement the West claimed primacy in the successor to Peter, and enforced a ruling based on this claim that the East did not agree with. The Eastern Orthodox churches accept the Bishop of Rome as the successor to Peter. They don't accept that he has primacy but rather take the view that there is a "first in honor among equals". This title/position is given today by the Orthodox to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. As to Clement, in his letter to the Corinthians the primacy of Rome is indicated. First, in showing that the Church in Corinth asked of Rome specific counsel, and second in a rebuke of the Corinthian Church by Clement.

We cannot save ourselves. Christ died for all, reconciling all of humanity to the Father. This is irrevocable. Jesus Christ is triumphant. We are commanded to love God, but this will never be forced, as what kind of love is forced? We have free will, and are free to follow Jesus Christ in truth and love, or not.

The Law was given in order to perfect the Jews. The Law also shows that we are not able to perfect ourselves. It is Jesus who fulfills the Law and we are perfected by Him. We aren't Jews, subject to Jewish Law. We are Christians, subject to the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Moses brought down the tablets, the written word of God. Jesus is the Word of God, Incarnate.

hi- Catholic understand that Jews are still God's chosen people under the covenant of Abraham. Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy and law. He is not the fulfillment of something false, but something very profound and the ultimate truth of God's Saving work among us. We call this "Salvation History", that is, God's work among us humans, which is Revealed fully in Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Also, we don't view Protestant churches as "false". We view them as our separated brethren, who by virtue of their baptisms, are members of the Kingdom of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. To Catholic churches.... There is a schism between most of the east and west, but the west does not deny the east is anything other than Catholic. We accept fully and completely that they possess the same Apostolic succession/authority as we do in the west. This includes all churches, Assyrian, Chaldean, Orthodox, Coptic etc. We, together, are the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Last to all other non-Christians, we don't view their religions as "false", only lacking in the fullness of truth. We don't deny God's work among all people, and all religions contain some level of the truthfulness of God. Imprinted with the desire for His Love, He calls to us and our hearts respond. The Holy Spirit searches the hearts of all, and calls them according to the Father's purpose. It is not ours to say we know the mind of God, but we don't fail to recognize His work among all Creation. Peace.

Origen had quite a few opinions that were condemned as anathema. Do you accept them all as doctrine? For example, is this now a doctrinal belief for you that the sun, moon and stars are fallen beings? "IF anyone shall say that the sun, the moon and the stars are also reasonable beings, and that they have only become what they are because they turned towards evil: let him be anathema." My belief is, that the ecumenical councils have at their head the Bishop of Christ's Church. Who, being led by the Holy Spirit, protect the faithful from what is false, and maintain the pure faith. In this instance, to protect against the heresies of Origen, who was preaching another gospel. That is, a different faith than that handed down from the Apostles. Yet, you have rejected the Eucharist, which is clearly taught by Origen, is taught the NT, and has always been believed. I don't say this as a condemnation, but only to point out that you haven't presented a clear argument for accepting one heresy over another, while rejecting truth.

The faith handed on, once and for all.

21. Origen. Among the early Church Fathers, the most notable proponent of the preexistence of souls was Origen (A.D. 182-251). Origen taught that the souls of man had a separate, conscious, personal existence in a previous state, and are sent to this world on account of sin, condemned to be born in a material body.29 The justice of God demands that “all rational creatures [be] of one nature, and it is only on this ground that the justice of God in all his dealings with them can be defended, namely, when each contains within himself the reasons why he has been placed in this or in that rank of life.” (De Principiis 3.5.4)30 Origen says this is his opinion. I thought Mormons were looking for supposedly lost doctrines? A pre-existence has never been a doctrine of the Catholic Church, east or west.

For what's worth, I didn't think that comment was aimed at me. But yes, I do hold the deuterocanonicals as sacred scripture. to LDSChristian: I am sorry for your loss. Catholics use the rosary to pray for the souls of the dead during vigil(s) held before their funeral. To what is a "favorite" prayer... There is no right or wrong. The Our Father is considered a most sacred prayer of the Church, given to us by Jesus. We pray it together, often. My favorite prayer changes, depending on what speaks to me. Lately it is the prayer at the ending of the "Angelus". Peace.

Hi, rosary praying person here. :) The rosary is comprised of several prayers, but I'm thinking you are referring to "Hail Mary"? Here is the scriptural basis for this prayer, and a response to the "vain repetition" worry: EWTN- The Holy Rosary :)