/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>255009

God doesn't want you to be intoxicated in the first place

>>255011

I know that, so my question is if I sin and do get intoxicated is it wrong of me to pray to God in that state. I usually ask for the strength to resist temptation in the future. With prayer I've slowly been getting stronger in resisting pornography and I hope for the same result with alcohol.

>>255009

>Does God want to hear me when I'm in that state?

Think about it. God doesn't want you in that state, but would he want you in an even worse state, both drunk AND with him out of your mind?

So, you've asked a question that doesn't deserve its own thread … by making its own thread?

Existential, bro.

>>255025

Yeah that's how it works bro.

Is it ok to read the Bible while listening to pop music?

>>255082

Yes, but how can read something while listening to music that has alot singing? It's too distracting tbh.

My ex asked a question I struggled to answer in relation to only through Christ you go to heaven:

>How is fair for a bunch of people in far off places, or babies or kids, to go to hell when they never had a chance for Christianity to reach them?

>>255112

>How is fair for a bunch of people in far off places, or babies or kids, to go to hell when they never had a chance for Christianity to reach them?

Because Christianity did reach them and they rejected it. Do people really think Christianity is unheard of in far off places? Colonialism, global trade, and the Nestorians were all things. Also babies and children don't go to hell so it's a moot point.

>>255112

Look up invincible ignorance and read Romans 2:14-16.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07648a.htm

>When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

>>255009

There is nothing wrong with having a bit of wine but the Bible does have a lot to say about getting drunk. That being said, you ARE spiritually hindered while drunk. It is wise to be cautious of what you do regarding your faith while/when/if intoxicated.

>>255082

Isn't all music worship of something? Worship by definition is adoration of a deity. Adoration of money, fame, women or things is considered idolatry is it not? It's easier to rationalize what we want over what is right.

>>255112

Luke 18:16 - Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Make no mistake, children are not condemned to hell. Jesus said so himself! As for everyone else, God has no difficulty getting his word out. Everyone is given a chance one way or another. He instructed his people to spread his word but he is not limited by them.

Were the Christian monarchs of old throughout history actually put there as part of God's plan? To put it a better way, do the people who become rulers get literally put there by God, Himself?

>>255129

>Isn't all music worship of something?

How do you figure that? Music is art, which CAN worship, but does not necessarily.

Is it still a sin if God asks you to do it?

For example, God asked Moses to close the Red Sea over the Egyptians, killing them. And murder is a sin. But God asked him to do it, so it's not quite a sin. Although couldn't we also argue that the muslim terrorists are suicide bombing because they believe that God told them to do it. They're certainly not doing it out of selfishness, since they're giving up their lives.

Before the earth was created and before Lucifer fell he was a musician and many observers of scripture believe the lead musician of worship in heaven. Lucifer is often referred to as the morning star in the Bible. He is now of course known as the devil. He was given so much power that it went to his head and he thought he should be God and convinced 1/3rd of the angels to follow him which ultimately lead to their banishment.

Music was used to worship God before any other use for it existed. It's no coincidence that Psalms is the longest book in the Bible. Satan never lost his gift for music but he has found a new use for it. Music has proven to be one of the most influential tools in brainwashing and the lyrics found in most secular music are just that. Modern music is currently used to glorify drugs, sex, money, haughty attitudes and violent life styles. Suffice it to say, it is tainting.

>>255228

I understand that a lot of conventional modern music is idolatrous, but to say *all* music is worship seems strange to me. What does music without lyrics worship? What does a song that tells a story worship?

>>255217 God was instructing Moses to save the lives of his people so they could escape slavery. Who is enslaving the Muslims? Their own people… Who are the Muslims ‘defending’ themselves against when they suicide bomb? Women and children… Who do Muslims hide behind when really pissed off men show up to retaliate for their lost families? THEIR OWN WOMEN AND CHILDREN!!

I know all Muslims aren't like that but the ones that are really push my buttons. Also Jesus never had anyone killed during his time on earth. How many people did Mohammad have killed just for disagreeing with him? How many more during his ‘holy wars’?? Christianity and Islam include a few of the same names in their books but the similarities of the two end there.

>>255232

I cannot prove that all music is worship and could be wrong on that but I do know for a fact some satanic music have no vocals much of which is intended for use in meditation to 'opening your mind' to anything that wants in. That is to say meditation, new age, Illuminati and the like all belong in the witch craft category.

>>255217

You can rest easy, since Exodus never happened. There were never any Israelites in Egypt, save for some Canaanite raider tribes later on in the Middle Kingdom that settled in parts of northern Egypt that terrorized the local people (they certainly weren't slaves, as they made slaves out of the Egyptians).

>>255240

You know, you sounded quite knowledgeable until I had to read this post, at which point I lost most of my faith.

>>255217

>For example, God asked Moses to close the Red Sea over the Egyptians, killing them. And murder is a sin.

Killing =/= murder.

>>255343

Sorry I rushed my answer because I was really tired. I’m not old and wise nor knowledgeable, just a Christian that seeks to separate the truth from the lies. Shouldn’t we all?

To clarify the Bible doesn't specifically say all music is worship but we can deduce that all music glorifies something. Musicians who aren't performing for God (and unfortunately even some that are) seek glory and fame through their music, right? But to whom does all glory and honor belong? The reason I say I could be wrong is because it isn’t written but rather concluded. If anyone has evidence to the contrary I would wish to hear it though.

Catholics, why is it ok for the Pope to participate in the rituals of false religions and kiss their holy books?

Pics:

https://anonmgur.com/up/55f7bf6af04afc3fd57bc638af6062b1.jpeg

https://anonmgur.com/up/3c271022bdb96bbac0ceddd1247ea120.jpg

>>255521

Depends why he did it.

Might've done to show respect, not reverence.

Still, we don't really approve of this action of his.

>>255011

If drinking alcohol is a sin, then why do Orthodox fasts specifically prohibit the consumption of wine on strict fast days? Unless it's okay to drink alcohol as long as it isn't enough to get drunk, but that seems like kind of a sketchy distinction…

>>255532

Drinking alcohol while fasting would be an obvious disrespect. Fasting is abstaining from one or more indulgences in petition to God with prayer.

As for drinking some alcohol, there are several verses that make it clear that in moderation it's acceptable. But getting drunk just makes a fool out of people and in return could make a mockery of Gods people.

>>255538

Of course it's a sin while fasting, but my point is that if drinking alcohol is inherently a sin, then there would be no need to specify abstaining from wine on strict fasts.

But it makes sense to me if it's the intoxication and not the beverage that's a sin. I personally love alcoholic beverages (for the taste), but I don't particularly like getting drunk so I keep it to moderation. Thanks for the clarification.

Can I bring a rucksack inside the Church with me? I want to bring my Bible so I can read it on the train going there and coming back (it's a one hour journey to find a tridentine mass)

>>255233

>Who is enslaving the Muslims?

or, perhaps the extremist muslims aren't doing it out of love for their neighbour, but out of love for their god. They want to spread their religion all over the globe, by force, because they love their god.

>>255243

Pretty sure that's a reason not to rest easy, since if Exodus never happened, then that calls into question the accuracy of the bible, and if the Word of God (the same God who says "I am the truth, the way and the life") isn't truthful, then do we have any reason to believe that it's the word of God. if you're trying to convert me to atheism, you're preaching to the choir

>>255492

>Killing =/= murder

could you clarify?

googling the definition of murder provides it as "The unlawful killing of one human by another"

so did you mean that since it was sanctioned by God, it was no longer "unlawful".

but then, don't the extremist muslims think that when they kill non-muslims it's sanctioned by God, so it's not "unlawful"?

In any case, the commandment says "thou shalt not kill", so perhaps I should have said

>And Killing is a sin.

However wikipedia says that the "thou shalt not kill" commandment is a prohibition on unlawful killing, so I suppose that I was right when I initially said

>And murder is a sin.

I'm slowly becoming more of a /pol/lack as the days go by because of my bf, who's an agnostic. He says he's slowly growing more to Christianity and I can sort of see it happening, but I should probably be a better example to him and witness to him more. I'm worried that he might pull me completely away from God in the end if I'm not careful tho.

What do I do?

do you guys know anyone personally that has been healed by God? I've been suffering from a chronic disease for years now, and now that it has been becoming worse, and because the doctors are useless, I've been praying to God every night and asking for Him to heal me, to no avail. I realize I might not receive a reply, but I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if my faith is not strong enough.

I've been thinking that since God lets many people succumb to diseases, even people who are better Christians than me, then why would he heal me?

>Is it okay to talk to God when you are intoxicated?

Depends on what you call intoxicated.

If you are a little tipsy, there is no problem, but if you are drunk it could be hard.

I know of Unbelievers that got heard while they where high or drunk, then their life changed forever.

>Is it ok to read the Bible while listening to pop music?

what is the text that is sung? Yet as long as the music does not impair you reading skill there is no issue.

>How is fair for a bunch of people in far off places, or babies or kids, to go to hell when they never had a chance for Christianity to reach them?

At the beginning everyone was eternal and knew God. After the fall every man knew God, they still had his spirit in him, but the wickedness of man made God decide to withdraw His spirit, the Holy Spirit, from all flesh. After the Flood, every man was no longer born with the Spirit of God, they no longer knew God. Men now continued their evil works.

The knowledge of God even the presence of God, does not change their evil thoughts, man is evil and does not want to follow and obey God.

The people of Israel witnessed Gods wonders and power in egypt and in the desert, but yet no man believed in God but for Moses and Joshua, every one was damned to die in the desert for their unbelief. Wonders dont save people.

Those that are saved are predestinated by God, he knows their nature and selects those that are worthy. God will find a way to reach them with the Gospel, his arm is not to short.

Those that are selected will know the truth, but those that are dead could have never been saved. But we have to reach out to everyone because we are just messengers not knowing who God send us to.

the elect have been selected for their character and have been given the chance to obtain eternal life, if they decide to chose life they have saved themself. Dont be sure of your salvation but strife for good works so that you may be acknowledged.

oh forgot to link the people.

>>255009

>>255082

>>255112

go to

>>255893

for your answer

I find it disrespectful. Mohammed (who is a lying hereticical blasphemer, but even a broke clock is right twice a day) complained of people praying while drunk.

I feel the call to become a Priest, and have for years now.

How would I act on this, when my Priest is incredibly unapproachable, to the point regular confession is nearly impossible?

>>255887

I have a good friend who constantly talks about the people he has seen healed or people he has healed personally. It does happen.

>I might not receive a reply

God's will isn't neccessarily his plan. He wants you to be well but you experiences now may help others in the future. The trick is to trust God. If you trust him your faith is strong enough.

>Then why would he heal me

You. Yes you. You are just as important in God's eyes as Peter or Paul or John. In Gods eyes we are all his children. He loves every single one of us. Every. Single. One. What he wants from you may not be what you want from yourself. But that doesn't diminish his love for you. He wants what is best and if it is in your best interests to heal you he will heal you. Otherwise he will use your disease for his glory. It may not be obvious now, it may not be obvious in the future but be assured that God works through all of his children.

>>256030

thanks for the encouraging words, friend. I do trust God. I haven't started going to church yet though, I'm not sure how bad that is.

I've been thinking; if I had remained healthy all my life, I probably still would be an atheist, because I wouldn't have been pondering so much about life and death over the years. I went from atheism through agnosticism to Christianity, and I have become a better person as a result. maybe this has been God's way to return me to the right path. I'll just keep praising him, praying and hoping for the best.

>>255112

Children do not have a danger of going to hell, at least not until they have reached the age of accountability and recognized their sin nature, at which point they usually request baptism into their church. As for people in far off places >>255126 answered that already.

I just realized that some of the people who made me turn to Christ were unrepentant sinners. They were good people who went through a shit life that led them to death in sin (i.e. drug overdose of my uncle). Does the fact that their example helped me to find God help their souls in any way. It kills me to think they are eternally damned so that I can be eternally saved.

Fuck you Hotwheels

Yesterday I called my local Catholic Church and I'm now signed up for RCIA for this Fall. It took me 30 minutes to prepare myself for the call due to my social anxiety. Can anyone tell me what the RCIA sessions will be like? I'm both very excited and extremely anxious about my journey to join the Church.

>>256794

Also, is it a sin to have a wet dream?

Polite sage for forgetting this question to begin with

>>256795

I'm almost positive it's not a sin. If you don't directly will an action (knowing it is a sin) it isn't considered a sin as far as I understand. Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

>>256795

I heard that if you don't have sex and don't masturbate, then your body automatically increases the number of wet dreams you have to get rid of excess sperm.

>>256832

So then what about committing "sins" in lucid dreams?

>If you're aware that you're dreaming, and then in the dream hire a male prostitute to have gay sex with and then kill him afterwards, is it sinful?

>>257101

>So then what about committing "sins" in lucid dreams?

I'd say you are less culpable than actually committing them, but more culpable than when simply imagining them while awake, since the gratification is greater.

It's actually not uncommon for my wet dreams to become lucid, in which case I wake myself up, if only to avoid the nuisance of getting semen everywhere. I've actually considered looking into ways of encouraging lucid dreaming for this reason. Especially since they always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times, like when I have house guests or when I'm visiting someone else. I wonder why that is.

>>256795

>is it a sin to have a wet dream?

No.

>>257101

>lucid dreams

Myth.

>>257155

>Myth.

Explain.

>>257158

It doesn't exist. When we dream, it is our state of dreaming. REM, certain enzymes in our bodies are released, etc.

The notion of "lucid dreaming" isn't dreaming. It's fantasy, similar to "day dreaming". None of the dream state enzymes are released as well as the lack of REM sleep.

Lucid dreaming is not dreaming by any scientific definition of the word "dreaming".

>>256795

>Also, is it a sin to have a wet dream?

consider sin only in terms of those things you truely consider worth metanoia. and understand what metanoia is…to change the nous. that is, to change the general worldview of one's intellect to be that of God's law.

the nocturnal emissio is no more sin than is to be the degenerate legless cripple. neither of you can control your filth, by will or by Christ, and thus there is no sin…

for truely consider; what is there in thy nous to make a change upon to cease the emissio? naught is there at all, and thus naught at all can there be to experience metanoia upon.

and thus, you sin not.

>>257159

But even though lucid dreaming technically isn't dreaming, it still exists, so it's not a myth, it's just a misnomer.

>much like how koala bears aren't actually bears.

>>257175

Fair point.

I had heard that the Early Church Father and 3rd century apologist Origin was not sainted because of a heresy he had at the end of his life. Have NO idea what that heresy was. Anyone have insight?

>>257292

It's hard to know for sure since most of the writing in question was destroyed, but here's some speculation:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen#Anathemas_.28544.2C_553.29

We couldn't possibly judge his disposition at the hour of his death, and neither could his contemporaries. It might be just that they didn't find any cause for canonization rather than that they knew for sure he was in hell.

I was just listening to the radio, they were talking about auctions selling goods repossessed by the bailiff, and I thought it might be a good way to be thrifty. But is it permissible for Christians, or do you risk becoming culpable of usury?

I wouldn't want to have any part in paying back loan sharks, but a lot of people have legitimate debt too. And they need to follow the law of the land and pay up, and being there to buy their stuff helps them do that.

I have some friends on the extreme left who's always complaining about the bailiff constantly being on their asses, but I actually hold the bailiff in quite high regard. You have to pay back what you owe, and they do provide counselling, and they aren't supposed to repossess anything necessary to life, and in extreme cases they actually write people's debts off.

how am I supposed to interpret matt. 7:7 to 7:12? We're supposed to ask God for what we want. Clearly there are limitations to this, I cannot pray that a cake will appear infront of me out of thin air. Where are the limitations, then? Can I pray to achieve material things, like dinner tomorrow or a good grade? Can I only ask for spiritual things? Why doesn't he make a clear distinction if that is the case?

Help me please

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’b As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’c

1 John 5 – the key is 'according to His will ' and we must seek His will, definitely in scripture – 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

>>257398

You don't pray at all for the sole reason to attain things. It's already clear by what he meant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FI8ckNontw

I will be attending mass for the first time today. And this is also the first time attending any Church service.

Whats the best way to go about entering mass, and finding a seat which will distract the least amount of people? Or just in general how to mass without spaghetti spilling?

>>257441

>Whats the best way to go about entering mass, and finding a seat which will distract the least amount of people?

Get in 10 minutes early or so (mostly depending on how busy your local parish will be), be courteous to the welcomers and anyone else you meet, go up to the holy water font, dip the tips of your fingers, and bless yourself with the sign of the cross, find a place to sit.

Since it's your first mass, just follow along with everyone else on when to stand, kneel, or sit, and go along with the choir card and the missal for hymns, prayers, and readings.

Things not to do: unless you have gone to confession recently and haven't mortally sinned since then, DON'T partake in the Eucharist, just sit quietly till it's over. (it doesn't take that long) If you aren't part of the Catholic church yet, don't sign yourself on the forehead, eyes, and lips before the gospel reading. It gets easier and less awkward the more you do it, you'll be fine.

>>257465

Cheers anon.

Should I try to find a Christian wife or find a nice traditional wife and convert her?

not dating anyone from the West

>>257507

Thats the dumbest thing i ever heard. First, are you in the west? Becaus then its going to.be pretty hard. 2nd, for example, a hispanic tends to be more traditional yet theyre from "the west". Also, to answer your question, whichever one, just watchout for them heathens, theres no need to get involved with someone unwilling to convert.

>>257510

>Thats the dumbest thing i ever heard

You sound quite young.

>>257465

>If you aren't part of the Catholic church yet, don't sign yourself on the forehead, eyes, and lips before the gospel reading.

Why not?

>>257683

I don't see how the Latin American countries are more distinct from the Spanish and Portuguese than from each other. And if they make up their own, why not the Philippine?

That map is pretty arbitrary and in no way authoritative.

>>257683

Latin America is more similar to Spain than Estonia. Also why is part of Russia Western?

>>257772

>Also why is part of Russia Western?

Kaliningrad is actually pretty western, I've been there. The map is still bullshit, though.

>>257683

>Sri Lanka

>Hindu

fucking dropped.jpg

>>257507

NEVER marry a non-Christian. Being unequally yolked is a bad choice. If ahe converts before marraige that is fine. I married a Christian of another denomination and we are fine, but marrying a pagan, atheist, or muslim is a bad idea. (As if anyone ever Wanted an atheist woman, lol)

God being at the foundation of your marraige will make it strong. An unbeliever will just hinder your destiny in Christ.

>>257671

Also curious. What is the significance here?

>>257465

Well I went to mass for the first time and followed your advice. I felt very much at home there, aside from the fact I'm running a fever so it got pretty hot. And I didn't want to disrupt the service with coughing fits so I held those back as best I could.

>don't sign yourself on the forehead, eyes, and lips before the gospel reading.

>>257671

>>257843

Like these anons, I was also quite confused when I noticed everyone doing this. But remembered not to follow.

As for an update, I couldn't find the Father after the Church service. But I managed to contact him via email and I will be meeting him on Thursday to talk more about joining the Church. Thanks again for the help anon, god bless.

Going to a mass for the first time on sunday, I appreciate the advice posted before about that same topic, but I have a question which wasn't touched on before.

Is it appropiate to genuflect as a non-catholic? Are there any set times or situations where I should not genuflect as a non-catholic, where catholics would? Does it matter which knee goes where?

>>257986

>Is it appropiate to genuflect as a non-catholic?

I believe it is approopriate for everyone to genuflect, as its a sign of respect to the prescence of the lord.

>Are there any set times or situations where I should not genuflect as a non-catholic, where catholics would?

I don't believe there is. And I believe theres only one point where people genuflect and thats before they enter the pews. Or each time you pass in front of the tabernacle.

>Does it matter which knee goes where?

Everyone seems to drop their right knee straight to the floor. From the looks of things thats reserved for God himself, and dropping to the left knee would be a sign of respect for bishops and/or the pope.

Then again I only just went to mass the other day, but these were the observations I have made. Good luck brother.

>>257990

>as its a sign of respect to the prescence of the lord

I've not yet converted to catholicism, I'm not sure if I believe that. Should I still genuflect to show respect?

Thanks for your answer

>>257992

>Should I still genuflect to show respect?

Don't have an answer to that one I'm afraid Anon. If you're comfortable doing it to respect the Catholic Churches beliefs I would do it as long as it doesn't compromise your own.

>>257992

The idea is that you're entering the house of the Lord. Signs of respect are usually shown to people when you enter their house.

For example, if your friend wants you to remove your shoes before entering his house, then you generally tend to do so. Isn't the Lord a bit more important than your friend?

Genuflect, if you are able to do so. Right knee on the floor - unless you have a disability, etc.

Is it true that becoming a Catholic requires a full confession?

>>258085

Depends if you've been baptised or not. If you've already been baptised by a legitamate denomination eg. believes the Nicene Creed then you will need the full confession. Otherwise the baptism will clean your sin away.

I have a few very genuine questions.

Please do not for a second think I am a troll.

The older I get, the more and I start to think about my younger years of denying Christianity. Everywhere I look, I see Christian traditions being eroded and it bothers me greatly.

I haven't been to church for some 15 years and I feel like I need Christianity back in my life.

I want to confess to you all that I have sinned time and time again. I have had multiple sexual partners, taken drugs and denied God even exists.

I want freedom from my past, but I fear that it will not be forgiven. I cannot bring myself to confess to another person face-to-face, so I encourage you to offer me advice on how to deal with how I feel about everything.

I live in the UK and the more I see the news the more I realise how my traditions and the traditions of my parents and grandparents are being lost due to the influx of islamists.

Do you think, as Christians, my fear of losing what I have always considered to be right (our christian culture/life) is a genuine reason for actively following Christianity again?

I have my doubts about Christianity as a religion because for so long I have doubted what I was once taught as a child in sunday school.

I need help and i'd greatly appreciate any feedback you can give me.

Kindest regards,

Anon

what its the deal with >>>/christ/

do anybody here use it?

Does the Catholic Church provide RCIA classes in places and countries where the conversion rate is very low, take where I am from, Denmark? What can happen if I am the only one wanting to convert? Is it possible to join before the next course begins?

>>258190

Why would that reason not be genuine? You'd be surprised how some of us started to follow Christ again. Doubt is often the seed of faith planted within us.

Why don't you start by going to church? Ask around and find a decent one. The services in Latin are fantastic to sit through. I think it would be a great step to take. Go to church, read the bible and in time, I hope you'll find your place as a follower of Christ.

Why does life begin at conception, and not when the fetus is viable?

>>258239

I've often been told that life begins at 40.

>>258242

>a good amount of biology

Probably not more than the people who study sleep. REM and dream state are very real. Lucid dreaming doesn't happen in those states. Lucid dreaming is little more than Wiccan tarot waving nonsense created by people who think the human brain is somehow magical.

>>258239

Because unfertilized eggs are naturally discarded. That doesn’t mean countless babies are murdered just because you didn’t fertilize them.

>>258245

There's no real scientific proof for both sides as I already said, and the fact that you used enzymes in a hormonal sense was cringeworthy enough to invalidate any of your arguments.

>>258190

>my fear of losing what I have always considered to be right (our christian culture/life) is a genuine reason for actively following Christianity again?

No

Anything other than faith in Christ isn't a genuine reason for "following" (it's not following Christ if you don't have faith in him) Christianity.

>>258250

If I believe in the teachings of Christ, and think they are right….then do I believe in Christ?

>>258257

If you believe he's the divine Logos, the second part of the trinity and the savior of all men then yes. If not then no.

Two questions:

1. How many times should you pray in one day? I pray once, but I feel like I might be sinning because I don't pray at least twice per day.

2. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A21-23&version=NASB

>21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

So, what exactly are the "many" doing wrong here? I mean, isn't casting out evil spirits, prophesying and performing miracls in Jesus' name good? Why is Jesus angry at these people? I want to know so I won't do the same mistake.

>>258781

>So, what exactly are the "many"

They are the ones who did not preserver to the end. He is saying that you can fall away and that many who came to know Him will and have. Matthew 24:13

>How many times should you pray in one day?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

>>258257

>If I believe

James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder."

knowing isn't enough.

John 14:23 "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching."

1 Corinthians 13:1 "I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."

Matthew 16:25 "whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

Luke 9:24 "whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."

Mark 8:35 "whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."

>>258781

If you had a friend that was always with you, would you only talk to him once a day? Even one who was powerful enough to do anything imaginable?

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

What are good gifts to bring when visiting a Monastery (Orthodox)? Wine and Olive Oil are traditional, but because the great fast is coming up they're out of the question. I already brought incense the last time I was there. Any ideas?

>>257917

>Like these anons, I was also quite confused when I noticed everyone doing this. But remembered not to follow.

You really shouldn't put that much faith in the word of a random stranger on the internet who can't even back that claim up when asked. If it was true there should be no difficulty in providing a citation from Canon Law, the Catechism or the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

I'm called in for an interview about joining RCIA. The interview is gonna be with the priest. I assume it's gonna be about baptism and getting to know me etc. but is there anything that's good to prepare for? What could he ask me beyond those things?

>>255009

without being washed with the waters of Holy Baptism and not sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit: God cannot be expected to look at us; because we are ugly, of shabby lineage, beggarly and mindless like every person

>>259160

When I met with my priest last week. He just asked a lot about my spirituality.

>Tell me about how you found Christ?

>Why do you want to join the Church

>How is your prayer life? What are you prayers like?

These are the questions that he asked me when I met up with him. He was quite pleased from my answers I think, and my RCIA is going to be very short. Getting baptised after Easter Sunday.

>but is there anything that's good to prepare for?

I feel you shouldn't worry about such things like that. Its not a job interview, he just wants to gauge your understanding of Christ.

After chatting with the Priest for a bit we went over to the Church, he handed me a book and asked me to go through two chapters. Then we prayed in the Church together before going on my way. Hope this helped some Anon.

I need some verification for some simple questions, but every website is either written by die hard Protestants or devout Catholics.

What specifically is meant by "Good Works"?

Does this term refer to charitable/good/loving acts, or does it refer to traditions such as communion, baptism and others, or does it refer to both?

And if it refers to only charitable/good/loving acts, why do people get so bent out of shape about Sola Fide? Doesn't true faith inevitably lead to such acts through fear, or love of god or guilt?

>>260915

>What specifically is meant by "Good Works"?

Following God's commandments

Meaning doing more than just saying the sinner's prayer.

So both I suppose

>>256283

Reminds me of the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers in Genesis. It basically goes like this:

>Joseph dreams that one day his brothers will bow to him like he's a king

>his brothers get jealous and sell him to Egyptians

>they lie to their father and say Joseph was eaten by a beast

>Joseph ends up in prison after his master's wife falsely accuses him of rape

>Joseph sees the Pharaoh's butler and chef in prison and interprets some dreams of theirs accurately

>they get out of prison and a few years later when the Pharaoh doesn't understand a dream of his the butler tells him about Joseph

>they free Joseph and have him interpret the Pharaoh's dream

>the dream is a sign that there will be 7 years of prosperity, and 7 years of famine so Egypt needs to save food during the years of prosperity to prepare for the years of famine

>Joseph goes on to save tons of lives because of this

>his brothers eventually find out about this and feel horrible about selling him

>Joseph forgives them because he understands that God needed Joseph to go to Egypt to help them during the famine

>Joseph and the Pharaoh let his brothers move to Egypt and have anything they wish

Basically, you don't know if they repented on their deathbeds. They may have been secretly talking with God in their final days, who knows. What you do know however is that God wanted you to turn to him and he probably intends for you to turn more people towards him similar to Joseph saving the Egyptians during the famine. Don't look at it as losing multiple people to God for one you, but one you turning multiple people to God.

The pastor at my local catholic church is making me wait until january 2017 to inquire about RCIA. That's 2 years until I can become a member of the Church. As a believing christian in that period, under what obligations am I? Am I obligated to attend mass, go to confession etc?

>>261127

>How can I be saved?

>Do a bunch of these things

>Ok I'd like to start now

>Eh…maybe a few years from now

Really?

>>261127

As a European I don't know how RCIA works but if it works a bit like the normal children's catechesis then he trying to make you enter the newest group of catechumens next year.

In the meantime, go to mass every sunday, read some bible (start with the gospel, then the rest of the New Testament) and learn some more about the Church of Christ at the sides.

Just beware of temptations, the devil targets people who're getting out of his grasp.

Be aware of heretical ideas when you read the bible, other religious trying to persuade you and hedonism to lure you back.

>>255546

It's okay to enjoy the physical effects of moderate alcohol use as well as the taste. Wine 'maketh the heart glad', i. e. gives you a buzz, which can relieve a heavy heart.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+104%3A15&version=KJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31%3A6&version=KJV

It's when you drink enough to seriously impair judgement, making a mockery of you, that it's condemned.

>>261162

>If the Tanakh and the Old Testament are the same, then why do Christians and Jews disagree over whether or not Jesus satisfied the criteria to be the messiah?

Most modern Jews aren't even religious. The ones who deny Christ do it because they're jealous of the Gentiles.

>Do Christians and Jews believe in the same God?

Yes.

>What happens to the souls of children who die in infancy, and people who never heard the gospels?

Children are saved. Barbarians and tribes who've never heard the Gospel are saved.

>Did Christianity really cause the fall of Rome?

No, the Goths did.

>Is the Bible metaphorically or literally infallible?

Depends on who you ask.

>>261175

I'd argue it wasn't even the goths. It was the liberal decadence of roman culture collapsing on itself. If it wasn't the Goth's, it would have been someone else coming in and getting the easy kill.

It seems the fate of all prosperous civilizations.