Today the star asked, "what's the difference between Catholicism and Christianity?" I told the fundamental doctrine of salvation and she asked the standard question of "not being required to do good." And I also talked to Hyae about Destiny church and reasons for worship. She goes to church for blessings, but I said I'm not like that. So I think I want to clarify those things since they are actually closely related.
What separates Christianity? Simply, it is the risen Christ. Whatever religion or beliefs or belief system, that is the mark of a Christian: he believes in the risen Christ.
What do I mean believe? You could say that even demons believe in the risen Christ. But that's not the faith I'm talking about. It's hard to discuss in English; even James the servant of Christ dedicated a whole book to it and people still get confused.
In Filipino it's easier to understand. "Paniniwala" is different from "Pagtitiwala." The former refers to belief while the latter refers to giving of trust. Both in english is faith/belief.
When you say you have "paniniwala" in Christ you believe that He is God and He is the ultimate good and He is the Lord of all and He is the Savior. When you say have "pagtitiwala" in Christ you trust that His death on the cross is sufficient for salvation. You trust that whatever happens He is God in control of all and He is good. You trust Him as a Lord and obey all His commandments. You trust that He is the ultimate good and so you are willing to abandon everything in pursuit of Him.
Of course that's the tiny tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on about the attributes of God but it would take too long.
(From what I've read in Catholic doctrine Jesus isn't Savior per se because He only provides a way to be saved. It is still up to humans to save themselves.)
Which brings me to blessings. God is the ultimate good and to seek Him for His blessings is really missing the joy of it all. I really hope that God would reveal Himself to Hyae so she would see that. Probably not the same vision that I had but of course God is a creative and wonderfuk God.
Anyway faith is both "paniniwala" and "pagtitiwala." It's so much easier in Filipino. But I cannot think in Hebrew but I hear "faith" there means both as if it was only really one concept. The Greek concept of separating the mind from the body is really prevalent which makes reading the Bible so hard sometimes.
Anyway I'll read up more on Catholic doctrine sometimes. I believe that there are Catholics who are true Christians too. After all, if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved (Note the context of a Roman guard, who would need to commit treason for saying Jesus instead of Caesar. That's suicide. That's faith.) Faith in Christ goes beyond culture.
I also sent sir Jimievard a copy of the book Desiring God by John Piper. I hope he reads it. Well the bottomline there is AMDG but in a different perspective because it's not what we do or sacrifice for God, but what we enjoy that pleases Him. I'll read that book too after things are okay.
The GC Column is still not fixed. At this rate we really might not graduate hahaha :)). But "cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."
What separates Christianity? Simply, it is the risen Christ. Whatever religion or beliefs or belief system, that is the mark of a Christian: he believes in the risen Christ.
What do I mean believe? You could say that even demons believe in the risen Christ. But that's not the faith I'm talking about. It's hard to discuss in English; even James the servant of Christ dedicated a whole book to it and people still get confused.
In Filipino it's easier to understand. "Paniniwala" is different from "Pagtitiwala." The former refers to belief while the latter refers to giving of trust. Both in english is faith/belief.
When you say you have "paniniwala" in Christ you believe that He is God and He is the ultimate good and He is the Lord of all and He is the Savior. When you say have "pagtitiwala" in Christ you trust that His death on the cross is sufficient for salvation. You trust that whatever happens He is God in control of all and He is good. You trust Him as a Lord and obey all His commandments. You trust that He is the ultimate good and so you are willing to abandon everything in pursuit of Him.
Of course that's the tiny tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on about the attributes of God but it would take too long.
(From what I've read in Catholic doctrine Jesus isn't Savior per se because He only provides a way to be saved. It is still up to humans to save themselves.)
Which brings me to blessings. God is the ultimate good and to seek Him for His blessings is really missing the joy of it all. I really hope that God would reveal Himself to Hyae so she would see that. Probably not the same vision that I had but of course God is a creative and wonderfuk God.
Anyway faith is both "paniniwala" and "pagtitiwala." It's so much easier in Filipino. But I cannot think in Hebrew but I hear "faith" there means both as if it was only really one concept. The Greek concept of separating the mind from the body is really prevalent which makes reading the Bible so hard sometimes.
Anyway I'll read up more on Catholic doctrine sometimes. I believe that there are Catholics who are true Christians too. After all, if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved (Note the context of a Roman guard, who would need to commit treason for saying Jesus instead of Caesar. That's suicide. That's faith.) Faith in Christ goes beyond culture.
I also sent sir Jimievard a copy of the book Desiring God by John Piper. I hope he reads it. Well the bottomline there is AMDG but in a different perspective because it's not what we do or sacrifice for God, but what we enjoy that pleases Him. I'll read that book too after things are okay.
The GC Column is still not fixed. At this rate we really might not graduate hahaha :)). But "cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."
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