I knew you were going to say that. That wasn’t my claim, I just quickly phrased it that way in order to differentiate Catholics from non-Catholics. That said, Catholic or non-Catholic, regardless of what denomination one belongs to, one still has to be saved, or else you’re just going through the motions, and that is not much different than a non-Christian. And my earlier point was that Jesus made it super clear, you must be born again. That is what salvation is!
This "saved" thing is part of your denomination, your specific theology in whatever Christian group you belong to. From what I've seen of the "saved" in the last few years, the entire thing is bogus since the "born agains" neither uphold the teachings of Jesus or seek to carry them out. It's some evangelical stuff led by frankie graham or focus on the family or somebody. It's your sect. Nobody else has to join it. It's not up to you to define the Christian faith.
I think that the country and the world might benefit from public readings of the Sermon on the Mount.
I'm sorry, but that is blatantly incorrect and demonstrably untrue. It has nothing to do with my "denomination"...The core teachings of Christianity, regardless of denomination, include salvation. You'd have to throw out most of the bible to claim salvation is not necessary.
As for the second thing you said, about the Sermon on the Mount, I completely agree.
But you insist on referencing "salvation" in terms of your own denomination. Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopalians, Methodists, etc. do it in all kinds of ways. I think that what you are really saying is that everyone must follow the leaders of your denomination, which apparently is a denomination that believes in biblical inerrancy and infallibility. You have no idea of what occurs in the minds of people of other denominations.
No, I'm not saying people should follow my denomination (I don't even have a denomination) but what I am saying is that all churches or denominations should teach what is biblical and what is in line with the actual truth, the true intent of God. Otherwise, what is the point?
THAT is what is important, and unfortunately most churches today don't do that. And when I say that, I'm not only talking about salvation and the Catholic church, I'm talking about other issues too.
The Creator did not write the bible. No one who actually wrote what became the various books of the bible had any contact with the Creator. No one can know the "true intent" of the Creator.
I just read a piece about frankie graham, who went to Jerusalem and babbled about his "end times" thing, making it sound before the world like he represented the American People, which was absolutely appalling, disgusting, and a disgrace to the American People. Stick to your cult, denomination, and your whatever.
In a lot of ways what you are saying is correct; once Humans are involved there is the Human Factor. But nit picking in order to throw away the TRUTH isn't what it's about either. God gave us HUMAN faculties so we make the best of them that we can; remember can't fool God. But the End Times stuff? Couldn't care less; we know NOT the hour!! So no goody two shoes last minute repentance because the end is nigh; just the hack stuff of Living your life IN FAITH.
Greg