As Christians, it's true we believe we are not obliged to keep the Law.
But don't misunderstand. We don't mean it's okay to sin, or that serious, sufficiently understood, freely committed, and unrepented-of sin won't exclude us from salvation.
We just mean we don't observe the "Mosaic" aspect of the Law as practiced by ancient Israel (such as ritual circumcision, clean and unclean laws, or Israel's annual festivals).
Clearly that's different from moral laws that predate and surpass the Mosaic covenant, and that apply to all people regardless of nationality or what century we're in.
So yes, it's okay to work the Saturday shift and eat shrimp, but it's not okay to murder or commit adultery.
It's not hard to understand. If you don't see the distinction, dig deeper. Make sure you aren't just being obstinate.
#COG #sabbath #uncleanmeats
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Replies (5)
What’s your view that some protestants seem to have that salvation cannot be lost? Having grown up Catholic and then been exposed to Protestants I find it odd the way they speak about salvation and figuring out if they are saved.
Of course I'd say the idea is false (see James White vs. Trent Horn debate on the topic of "Can a Christian Lose Their Salvation?":
But I also say their "assurance" doesn't play out in real life. They say if you fall into serious sin or apostasize, then you weren't really saved to begin with, because a truly saved person wouldn't do those things. The problem is that they know they're *capable* of such sins, so they end up questioning their conversion experience. And even if they THINK they are saved, they admit a people can be deceived about it and shown NOT to be saved by their fruits.
It's as if they're guaranteed salvation no matter what...until shown otherwise -- which is another way of saying they can't have full assurance.
It's more reasonable and biblical and straightforward to say that, after baptism, we are in a saved condition unless we fall into mortal sin. If that happens, then we need sacramental Confession. We only go to hell if we die in a state of mortal sin.
"Once saved always saved" is self-deception and can be very dangerous to one's soul. In fact there have been preachers that said it truly doesn't matter what heinous sins you commit after you're saved -- you can't undo your salvation, they say, though you can miss out on certain heavenly rewards. That's a diabolical teaching.
Appreciate the response. Very well said. Even though I went to a Catholic school until I was 15, I’m just now gaining an appreciation for the traditions and sacraments, especially confession, of the Catholic Church in my 30s. I tried the nondenominational route, but it didn’t feel quite right. The phrase ‘Lex orandi, lex credendi’ captures what I think is missing from many such churches. Nothing quite like worshipping in a beautiful cathedral.
So true. An appropriately beautiful sanctuary beats a "worship space" anytime.
The Lex Orlando, Lex Credendi principle you mention is most evident to me in the liturgy itself.
Perhaps you go to a Traditional Latin Mass, but if you don't or live far away from one, you should make it a point to go -- even if it's an occasional visit.
We go every week. It's an hour drive vs. a 10-min. drive to the normie "New Mass."
I can see a clear difference in quality between the faith of people who go to the different liturgies.
There are a few "conservative" parishioners who go to the New Mass, but even they are adversely affected compared to their counterparts at the TLM.
I share this only because it has meant so much to me. While I'm not judgy (in a bad way), I believe in spreading traditional Catholicism more than Protestant-flavored Catholicism. Like you said, Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi.
Just finished it. The comments on youtube are telling