I agree, but I think it goes deeper.-a If someone is wantonly sinning,
with little regard for their faith, then does that person even belong to Christ?-a Someone who is in a struggle with sin and dies before they've
been able to overcome it (and that's any sin, not just sexual), then I
don't think their salvation is in danger.
Maybe just me, I have never been one for tradition, so although if in a
CofE church I would take part in communion, I was much happier having a piece of real bread and a drop of wine or fruit juice. 1 Corinthians 14
sets a good example of church for me.-a I would also say 2 or more people sat in a kitchen at home could equally break bread and it be valid, it doesn't need to be performed by a Priest dressed in robes. However, I
hasten to add that for some people that works and I'm not saying they're wrong.
The inner voice of the Spirit is all too easy to ignore orThey would still have the voice of the Spirit convicting them of sin.
Exactly, and that's my point.
On 08/03/2026 13:28, John wrote:
The inner voice of the Spirit is all too easy to ignore orThey would still have the voice of the Spirit convicting them of sin.Exactly, and that's my point.
misunderstand. Something in writing is clear and definite.
On 08/03/2026 13:28, John wrote:
I agree, but I think it goes deeper.-a If someone is wantonly sinning,
with little regard for their faith, then does that person even belong
to Christ?-a Someone who is in a struggle with sin and dies before
they've been able to overcome it (and that's any sin, not just
sexual), then I don't think their salvation is in danger.
We agree.
Maybe just me, I have never been one for tradition, so although if in
a CofE church I would take part in communion, I was much happier
having a piece of real bread and a drop of wine or fruit juice. 1
Corinthians 14 sets a good example of church for me.-a I would also say
2 or more people sat in a kitchen at home could equally break bread
and it be valid, it doesn't need to be performed by a Priest dressed
in robes. However, I hasten to add that for some people that works and
I'm not saying they're wrong.
I agree with you over the bread and wine in a kitchen, but there are occasions when a more formal service is appropriate. One can think of
the Coronation or Remembrance Sunday, or even a wedding. Slinging a loaf
of Hovis on the table and saying, "Help yerself, chum" would be disrespectful to the occasion and - with a view to the occasion - to God
as well.
They would still have the voice of the Spirit convicting them of sin.
Exactly, and that's my point.
The inner voice of the Spirit is all too easy to ignore or
misunderstand. Something in writing is clear and definite.
I wouldn't dream of slinging a loaf of Hovis on the table and saying
Help yourself chum, even if the occasion was entirely informal.-a "Do
this in remembrance of me" so the utmost respect would be given.
ROFL Given the many different interpretations of what the bible says,
even on this newsgroup, I'd say the written word was equally unreliable, wouldn't you?
(just being written down does not preclude the possibility of ambiguityNo, but it makes it much more unlikely. More importantly, something
or misunderstaning)
On 09/03/2026 22:21, John wrote:
I wouldn't dream of slinging a loaf of Hovis on the table and saying
Help yourself chum, even if the occasion was entirely informal.-a "Do
this in remembrance of me" so the utmost respect would be given.
Quite so - which is all that is intended by the various rituals and ceremonies.
ROFL Given the many different interpretations of what the bible says,
even on this newsgroup, I'd say the written word was equally
unreliable, wouldn't you?
No, the written word is reliable; it is humans interpreting the word
which is dodgy.
For example, the 2nd commandment against worshipping or even revering images, is absolutely clear. Orthodox and Catholics get round it by splitting hairs over the exact meaning of "worship", but that is their problem. The written word is clear.
My girl-friend, formerly a Catholic, wrote to me the other day with this comment, which I found intensely interesting.
"By taking the Sacred Heart picture off my bedroom wall I had to look up
and not at the picture. It is a discipline that seems to work and I can
feel more reassured that God or the Holy Spirit have heard me. Does that sound odd?"
In other words, in her experience, such a picture was a hindrance to
true devotion, not an aid to devotion.
And every denomination interprets it differently. Your beliefs will be shaped by the denomination you're a part of.-a Surely, if the bible is intended as God's word to His people, it would have been written in such
a way that it couldn't be open to interpretation?
Maybe now you've taught her that an image isn't necessary, but as a Catholic, surely that was her connection to God?-a I'm not saying she was right to have the image btw, but if it brought her a connection is that
a good or a bad thing?-a If she was revering the sacred heart image, I
may agree, if it was the image that connected her to Christ, then maybe
not a bad thing (for a Catholic)
As an aside, does that apply to all Icony the churches display, forI see no problem with a cross or even a church-ful of religious art *so
eaxample most churches will display a cross, is hat right, or even an
image of Jesus displayed on the wall?
On 10/03/2026 12:57, John wrote:
And every denomination interprets it differently. Your beliefs will be
shaped by the denomination you're a part of.-a Surely, if the bible is
intended as God's word to His people, it would have been written in
such a way that it couldn't be open to interpretation?
And then we would end up with something as out-of-date and inflexible as Muslim sharia.
I was painting the interior of an SDA church once and rested my
paintbrush and tin of paint on the table at the front and was promptly
told off by the elder's wife because that was "the communion table". I apologised and removed the offending articles, but I deplored the
attitude which, in my opinion, turned the table into an idol.
I once rested a bag on a bench in the local Salvation Army place and the captain asked me to remove it as that was their "mercy seat". Again, I apologised and removed the bag, but I suspect the bench had become an idol.
I'm speaking more of the NT, The Jewish law set specific commands, with punishments meted out to those who disobeyed. Are some of them really
any different from Shariah law?
I agree with your point of view in regards to those two incidents.-a Out
of interest whats your view on genuflecting? It's not something I
practiced but CofE churches do (maybe not so much now)
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