Today’s question: Why do I deserve to burn in hell for eternity? If God is love, how can such a thing even be possible?

Question: Why do I deserve to burn in hell for eternity? Please explain how I deserve to burn in hell, from a human perspective and how can I possibly follow a religion that doesn’t make sense?

Answer: The problems related to “The Human Condition” are probably due as much to “circumstance” as to the personal “guilt” of we who are alive on earth, today.

That said, the problem of sin is and always has been, deadly serious!

Due to the Fall of Man (in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden) the default state of all humanity is to be born estranged from God; totally lacking the divine grace that is necessary to enter Heaven; perpetually enslaved to Satan, sin and death; having a natural attraction to sin, as well as an all too human propensity to commit sin.

The only known antidote to perpetual slavery and eternal damnation, is faith in Jesus Christ, the divine man who has demonstrated (as one of us and on our behalf) his total mastery over Satan, sin and death.

The fact that Jesus voluntarily took on flesh, became man, willingly sacrificed himself and then, rose again from the dead, in order to destroy Satan’s power over us (the power of death and hell) while asking nothing in return, except for our faithful allegiance, should be more than sufficient proof of God’s abiding love and tender mercies.

Christians typically swear faithful allegiance to Jesus Christ by being Baptized into his Holy Catholic (Universal) Church.

The Sacrament of Baptism, followed by a regular program of personal prayer and study, along with a lifetime of full, faithful participation in all the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Holy Catholic Church, is the time-tested, “Jesus Approved” method of first, being justified by the grace of God and then, proceeding to live a holy life that will serve to glorify God, while preparing us to (hopefully) spend an eternity with him, in Heaven.

The bottom line: Nobody “deserves” Heaven. An invitation to Heaven is a free gift from God, subject only to his divine will, his justice and his mercy.

God typically reserves the gift of Heaven for those who are (or who will be) faithful to Jesus Christ – the one who redeemed all of mankind from Satan, sin, eternal death and hell.

Absent faith in Jesus – or a great miracle/divine exception – there’s only one other choice available.

So what will it be: The Smoking Section or The Non-Smoking Section?

A Question about our redemption in Jesus Christ.

Question: So god required a sacrifice and then he sacrificed his son who was also himself?

Answer: Not exactly.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three divine and distinct persons who essentially constitute the one, true God.

1 X 1 X 1 = 1

The 2nd person of the Holy Trinity (the Son) took on flesh and became man, while never ceasing to be God. We know him as Jesus Christ.

Jesus did for the human race what Adam failed to do: He remained totally and completely obedient to God the Father, even unto death on the cross.

Since Jesus is the eternal God, it is impossible for him to commit any type of sin, so Jesus is immune to the wickedness and snares of the devil. Jesus’ act of total obedience to his heavenly Father, as one of us and on our behalf,  served to appease God’s wrath (due to our sins) redeem mankind and “make” the peace between man and God.

When Jesus permitted the forces of evil to unjustly put him to death, he became the perfect and spotless sacrifice for the sins of the world and the forces of evil became subject to divine judgment, subsequently forfeiting the dominion over all the earth that they enjoyed after “the fall of man”.

When he rose again three days later, Jesus defeated death and proved his claim to divinity, as well as his mastery over Satan, sin and death.

Jesus is now the King if Kings and Lord of Lords, wielding all power over heaven and earth, death and hell.

Fallen mankind does not have that type of power. Only Jesus does.

Through faithful allegiance to Jesus Christ, along with baptism into his church, the power to overcome death becomes available to all who truly seek it. This is primarily a function of divine grace, which is a free gift from God.

All we need do is accept God’s saving grace (which Jesus deliberately obtained for us by his life, death and resurrection) and make a free will choice to cooperate with that grace, as a full, faithful member of his church. Then, we hope for the best.

God will do the rest. His grace is sufficient.

Unexpected resistance to “The New Evangelization”

Once upon a time on a sunny Saturday afternoon during the New Springtime following the Second Vatican Council, a well-meaning Catholic man worked up the courage to invite his Methodist neighbor to join him for Holy Mass.

After Mass the following morning, while enjoying coffee and donuts in the multi-purpose room (sponsored by the Knights of Columbus), the Methodist talked about how at home he felt and how comfortable the entire “service” was for him.

The Catholic wasted little time in seizing the opportunity to suggest that perhaps his neighbor might wish to avail himself of the unity for which Our Lord prayed by converting to the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

The Methodist, unfazed, wiped a dollop of Bavarian cream from his chin and replied, “Thanks for the offer, friend, but as you know, I am validly baptized. In other words, I received the Holy Spirit just as you did in your baptism, and it’s the Spirit that brings us into intimate union with Christ, so that He is the principle of the Church’s unity. Clearly I am not lacking in unity!”

Disarmed but not discouraged, the new evangelist laid hold of the big guns, firing back, “Yes, but the Catholic Church is the solitary means of salvation established by Christ.”

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics believe there will be a bodily,
physical Resurrection of the Dead
and a General Judgment,
when Jesus returns, on the Last Day.
(1st Corinthians 15:51-52)

We believe that all the just will dwell eternally with God
on a totally renovated and fully restored, “new” heaven
and “new” earth, while the unjust will be sentenced
to an eternity, in Hell.
(John 5:29)

As faithful, Baptized members of the Holy Catholic Church;
the divinely designated, New Testament beneficiaries
of God’s powerful graces, inestimable love and tender mercies;
we hope to obtain eternal life.
(Hebrews 9:15-20)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Perfectly loving God and loving our neighbor
is the prescribed way of showing
our gratitude and respect for God,
while upholding the key, moral tenets
of his Divine Law.

But, even should we fail, all is not lost,
since, according to the New Covenant,
forgiveness, absolution and a fresh infusion
of Divine Life remain constantly
and freely available to us,
through Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ
and the grace empowered, merciful, work, worship,
sacraments and devotions of the Holy Catholic Church.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics are Eucharistic People.

Jesus Christ, our Divine Savior and Holy Redeemer
is really and truly present
in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist;
body, blood, soul and divinity,
through which properly disposed Catholics
faithfully, personally and communally acknowledge,
affirm, acclaim, worship and graciously receive him.
(1st Corinthians 10:16)

Joyously proclaiming our heart-felt,
everlasting appreciation, gratitude,
praise, honor, hope, love, fidelity and
benediction, we remember Jesus’
saving work on the cross, we profess
his glorious Resurrection and we
declare his total victory over death
and hell, until he comes again.
(Acts 2:21-24)

Supersubstantially fortified by the Risen Christ
in this way, we’re empowered and encouraged
to go out and actually, BE like Jesus.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics believe in the power of grace-giving Sacraments:
seven in number;
instituted for us by Jesus Christ, himself,
not the least of which
are the great Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation,
through which membership into the Holy Church is obtained
and all our sins are duly absolved and washed away.
(Mark 16:16) (John 20:23)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics acknowledge the existence of human corruption
at various levels, within the Holy Church.

But even Jesus had his Judas and God’s grace remains sufficient.

(Matthew 26:21-25)
(2nd Corinthians 12:9)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

On Infant Baptism and the Complete Gratuity of Salvation

It is a simple historical fact that the Church has always baptized infants. Even our earliest documents speak of the practice. For example the Apostolic Tradition written about 215 A.D. has this to say:

The children shall be baptized first. All of the children who can answer for themselves, let them answer. If there are any children who cannot answer for themselves, let their parents answer for them, or someone else from their family. (Apostolic Tradition # 21)

Scripture too confirms that infants should be baptized if you do the math. For example

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Luke 18:15-17 NIV)

So the Kingdom of God belongs to the little Children (in Greek brephe indicating little Children still held in the arms, babes). And yet elsewhere Jesus also reminds that it is necessary to be baptized in order to enter the Kingdom of God:

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5 NIV)

If the Kingdom of God belongs to little children and we are taught that we cannot inherit it without baptism then it follows that Baptizing infants is necessary and that to fail to do so is a hindering of the little children which Jesus forbade his apostles to do.

Read more

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

When Jesus becomes present
for us on the holy altar, at Mass,
his saving work on the cross
is remembered, renewed and re-presented
in a very special way,
but he is not crucified, again.
(1st Corinthians 11:24-26)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

For the Glory of God, who never fails
and for the edification of the Holy Church,
Catholics, in Communion with all the Angels and Saints,
honor and venerate (but do not worship)
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God
because Jesus honored her
and Jesus continues to honor her.
(Luke 1:26-55)

For much the same reason,
Catholics honor and venerate (but do not worship)
all the holy Saints who, loving God,
invoke the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ in every place
and whose prayers are offered upon the golden altar,
which is before the throne of God.
(Revelation 8:3-4)

Catholics acknowledge the Roman Pontiff: The Pope,
as the undisputed leader and earthly head of the Universal Church
because that’s the way Jesus personally set things up
and because the proverbial “buck” has to stop, somewhere.
(Matthew 16:17-19)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

How is a Catholic to respond when somebody asks, “Have you been saved?”

“Yes, I believe in Jesus and received his justifying (sanctifying) grace when I was baptized into his Church. Jesus saved me. And at those times when I have sinned gravely and lost this grace, I returned to the Lord to be cleansed again by him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) where I again received his justifying grace.

I am strengthened in my personal relationship with him by my worship of him and receiving him in Holy Communion at Mass; through my prayer, devotion and reading of the Scriptures; by my study of the teachings of the faith; through my good works prepared beforehand by him for me to perform while in his grace.

I have been saved, am being saved, and have supernatural hope that I will be saved.  I believe this because the Church, established by Jesus, through which this grace flows to me, teaches me that this is so.”

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

The Holy Catholic Church is the Authentic, Original
Universal, Evangelical, Bible Writing and Believing
Hymn Singing, Charismatic, Pentecostal
Jesus Declaring, Holy Trinity Worshiping, Apostolic
Holy Martyr, Full Gospel, Devil Crushing
Salvation Proclaiming, Mass Going, Eucharistic
Grace Dispensing, Devotional, Teaching
Preaching, Sanctifying, Civilization Building
Faith Affirming, Church Erecting, Sin Confessing
Sacramental, Rosary Praying, Holy Water Sprinkling
Sinner’s Hospital, Charitable, Fasting, Almsgiving
World Wide, Pray Without Ceasing, Divine Mercy
Mystical Body of Christ, Healing, Miracle Working
Commandment Keeping, Resurrection Proclaiming
Baptizing, Militant, Suffering, Triumphant, Exorcising
Holy Spirit Guided, God the Father Glorifying
Missionary Church, that was personally founded
authorized, empowered and perpetually guaranteed
by Jesus Christ, while he still walked the earth.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

C A T H O L I C I S M
enthusiastically accepts
and encompasses the fullness
of all God’s revealed truth
wisdom, power and grace
faithfully handed down
from Jesus Christ and the Apostles
and translated into a particularly
fruitful, holy way of life
both temporal and eternal.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

An open letter to “ex” Catholics – wherever they might be

by Doug Lawrence

Dear “Ex”,

There’s no such thing as an “ex” Catholic. When you were baptized you became an adopted child of God, a living temple of the Holy Spirit, a citizen of Heaven, co-heir with Jesus Christ, and a member of the church.

Your immortal soul received a special, indelible mark, identifying you as one of God’s very own. You also received a number of unique rights and privileges, the most important of which is the right to expect God to freely accept all your prayers and petitions.

None of this was merely temporary, or subject to revocation.

The corruption and hypocrisy of some who lead the church is shameful and scandalous, yet such things should no more keep you from being authentically Catholic than corrupt politicians and congressmen should keep you from being authentically American.

The most important thing at stake is the eternal salvation of your own personal soul, and for that you need to fully and faithfully participate in all of the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Catholic Church … the only church that Jesus Christ ever founded … for that express purpose.

If you’re old enough and intelligent enough to post opinion pieces on the internet, you’re old enough and intelligent enough to satisfactorily work through adult questions of faith, without merely throwing up your hands and walking away.

In any case, God loves you, and God will provide … but things begin to look much, much better once you take the time to discern your proper place in the whole scheme of things, stand up for God’s honest truth, and begin to properly pursue the high purpose for which you were created.

Of course, none of that really matters if you remain estranged and/or separated from Christ and his church.

There has always been a direct relationship between corruption in the church and the need for authentic, faithful Catholicity. The more corrupt the church evidently appears … the more good, faithful, well informed, mature Catholics are needed … in order to help turn things around.

I suspect the problem you have with the Catholic church is actually rooted some intractable, personal moral issue … and not something that is specific to any of the current public scandals. If that’s true, then you’re in denial and the only real barrier to effective reconciliation is your own personal pride.

When dealing with things of God, its typically left up to us mortals to first apologize and then ask forgiveness. Catholics … including voluntarily separated ones … typically accomplish that by going to confession, after which the subject will never be brought up again.

I speak from personal experience.

God is good. His Catholic Church is troubled, but still quite capable of saving souls and ministering to all the needs of the faithful, and Jesus Christ specifically set things up that way, just for you.

Why not give it one more try?

If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart. (Psalms 95:8) (Hebrews 4:7)

Love,

Doug

Recommended study: CATHOLICISM – explained

Many people think
Catholicism sounds too good to be true.
But, they don’t really know God.
– Doug Lawrence –

C A T H O L I C I S M – explained

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)
(Single 8.5X11 page, two sides)

Obtaining Eternal Salvation In and Through
Our Lord, Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church – PDF

QUESTION: Christians, If god didn’t sacrifice himself to himself to bypass a rule he made, then what did he do exactly? (REPOST)

ANSWER:

Jesus resolved a “structural” problem that occurred as a result of Adam being swindled out of his God given earthly dominion by Satan, the devil.

As a result of Adam’s fall from grace, Satan managed to enslave Adam and all of his offspring under an evil dominion, based on the power of death.

God permitted such a thing because Adam was properly and completely educated (warned in advance) by God and should have known better. Once Adam lost everything to Satan, there was no (natural) way of reversing (restoring) things. Hence, God stepped up to right the wrong.

True God and true man, Jesus is the sinless, fully authorized and fully qualified “kinsman redeemer” – the only one who has the supernatural power, as well as the “natural right” to step in and redeem mankind from perpetual slavery to Satan, sin and death. But it would not be easy and it would not be accomplished the way most would expect.

Because Jesus is God – and because Jesus is also a sinless man, Satan had absolutely no power (the power of death or otherwise) over Jesus – so Satan and his minions (the corrupt Jews and the pagan Romans of the time) had absolutely no authority to put Jesus to death.

They went ahead and crucified him anyway, even though they should have known better. They had been warned, all the way back in Genesis 3:15.

Jesus permitted it to happen, since when Jesus died on the cross, Satan’s evil dominion over mankind and the earth was forfeit and mankind now had a (perfect and sinless) new leader – the resurrected Jesus Christ, the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords – the one who Satan had absolutely no power over.

Now, all power on earth and in heaven (as well as everywhere else) was awarded to the New Adam – the resurrected Jesus Christ – fully God and fully man – who had effectively “crushed the head of the serpent” – freeing mankind from the power of perpetual death and hell – just as he promised, so long ago – and who, by his glorious resurrection, proved all that I claim here and more.

God the Father was pleased, freely bestowing grace, peace, divine adoption, protection from eternal death and much, much more, on all who choose to swear faithful allegiance to his divine son, Jesus – something that is typically accomplished through water baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as through faithful membership and regular, consistent participation in the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the only Church that Jesus Christ ever personally founded, authorized, empowered and perpetually guaranteed, for the purpose of our salvation – the Holy Catholic Church.

Asked and answered on Yahoo Answers

How Does Jesus’ Death, at the hands of men, pay a debt men owe to God?

The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross at Calvary forms the basis for what I like to call “The Peculiar Theology of Redemption”.

And there’s no doubt that the theology behind our redemption IS peculiar, because it had to be … in order to give Satan the devil just enough “rope” to hang himself. 

Here’s how it works:

The first sin had to be a very serious matter, Adam also had to fully understand that it was indeed very serious, and the sin also had to be committed with the full consent of Adam’s will.

Finally, the consequences of that first sin had to be such that a simple apology, a pledge of repentance, and God’s subsequent forgiveness, would still not be sufficient to make all things whole again.

Based on all of the above, we know that the first sin resulted in Adam’s total rejection of God, and his “throwing in” with Satan, against God.

Adam even went so far as to transfer dominion of the whole earth, which God had earlier given him, over to Satan.

And since Adam enjoyed free will, God permitted him to make these choices, and to suffer the eternal consequences.

Once all this was done, Satan turned on Adam, and made a slave of him and his descendents, because, as everyone knows, all the offspring of a slave automatically belong to the master.

This presented a serious problem, because man had no ability to overcome the supernatural dominion that Satan now exercised over him.

Furthermore, God was under no obligation to provide his supernatural graces to his enemies.

Deprived of God’s grace, Eden soon disappeared, Adam and Eve began to age, suffer, and die, and the world became an increasingly more hostile and forbidding place.

Mankind lived under constant threat from Satan, who was given the power of death over them, according to their free will choice, and according to God’s perfect justice.

But this is not what God had in mind when he created man, so God promised to eventually send a redeemer to destroy Satan’s evil dominion, forgive sins, defeat death, and restore all things.

That is exactly what Jesus did.

And the only reason Jesus could do it, when no other human ever could, was because Jesus was never “stained” by sin … and Satan had no power at all, over one without sin.

Under God’s most basic law, one without sin is not liable to die. (This was the flip-side of the same law that Adam broke, when he sinned.)

Jesus permitted Satan and his minions, the Jews and the Romans, to unjustly put him to death, knowing full well that this was the only way Satan’s evil dominion could be legally destroyed, as no one, not even the devil, had the authority to take the life of a sinless man, let alone the only son of God.

Once Jesus died, Satan was judged for his great sin, stripped of all that he had earlier gained from Adam’s fall, and left destitute.

Jesus was raised from the dead and appointed the new head of all mankind. God was now more than willing to forgive man’s sins, and our redemption was truly at hand.

Now, anyone who rejects Satan and swears faithful allegiance to Jesus (typically through baptism) is able to have their sins forgiven, become a living temple of the Holy Spirit, and among other things, also become a member of God’s own family.

The Church carries on Christ’s great work of redemption in the world today, and it will continue to do so, until the end of time.

We have Christ’s word on it.

Today’s Question: Why do Christians believe that those of us who are not religious won’t go to heaven?

Jesus Christ, the just and awesome judge, who knows all things

Today’s Question: Why do Christians believe that those of us who are not religious won’t go to heaven?

Answer: It’s complicated, but let’s just say that, absent a great miracle, an abiding faith in Jesus Christ and a charitable, grace infused soul is typically, necessary for eternal salvation.

The facts: It’s not easy to get through life, voluntarily separated from all the supernaturally powerful provisions that God freely gives to baptized, faithful, practicing members of his Holy Catholic Church and still come out on the “winning” side.

The miracle: Jesus Christ is the totally sovereign and all powerful God of all. Hence, Jesus has the power and authority to invite anyone into heaven – for any reason – or for no reason at all. So, Jesus might (or might not) choose to make exceptions, in certain cases.

The exception(s): Jesus might choose to make an exception for some of those who (truly) never had the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ and his Church. These persons would be deemed “invincibly ignorant”. Of course, there may also be other exceptions, known only to God.

But, if you are capable of reading and understanding this article, you are probably, no longer “invincibly ignorant”!

So … do ya’ feel lucky?

Today’s question: Is the suppression of the Catholic Mass and Sacraments a prelude to Antichrist?

The Antichrist, animated and empowered by Satan, claiming to be God

Today’s question: Is the suppression of the Catholic Mass and Sacraments a prelude to Antichrist?

Answer: The current situation is unprecedented.

Those at fault are the cowardly and corrupt Pope and Bishops, along with a good number of complicit, sycophant priests, as well.

This is precisely what needed to happen, in order to bankrupt the Church and force the parasitic liars, scoundrels, perverts and thieves who have been infesting the Body of Christ, to finally leave, so as to find “greener pastures” elsewhere.

It’s a lot like an exorcism, where demons are cast out, but only after they find it too painful to remain. It’s for this reason that I’m happy to endure this time of spiritual drought and famine.

Watch and pray. God is in charge. He knows precisely what he’s doing … and why. In the mean time, keep the faith. It’s yours, by divine right, as a result of your holy baptism. And nobody can take it from you.

About the Antichrist (PDF)

Asked answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for content and clarity.