Christian hostages murdered by Somali Pirates

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

If this is where the Catholic religion left it, maybe I wouldn't be so sure in my view of them as IDOLATERS.


When praying to these "saints" to pray on one's behalf, there is the automatic response of reverence for these human beings-- a reverence that lends itself to rival the reverence deserved only for our GOD and Savior.

Furthermore, praying to these "saints" does very little to foster the Biblical truth of our abilities to "boldly approach the throne."

Instead of "asking our Father", trusting in Our Father, and believing in the ability and willingness of our Father to answer our call, the practice of praying to others to pray for us lends itself to asking, trusting, and believing in the ability and willingness of whoever we are praying to, that they might do something on our behalf.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

-James 1:17



To call Catholicism a religion of idolatry is not a stretch at all.

While we're at it, there is not much good we should say about the theology of the Mormons and JW's too.

The people may be nice, but their belief system is flawed, faulty, wrong, false.

The belief systems of the Jehovah Witnesses, Catholicism, and Mormonism will not lead anyone to eternal life with Jesus Christ as these belief systems do not encourage a biblical faith in, "the only wise God our Savior, {to whom be} glory, majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

-Jude 1:25

Great post.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Great post.

Thanks.

You know, I'm not even sure if the murdered Americans were Catholic.


It doesn't matter where we think they are. They are there already. It is pointless to discuss it now, on this thread, in this manner.


The Christian response to the murder of those Americans should be a response grounded in prevention. Our actions should further peace and stability in the region so that no one else dies a violent death at the hands of pirates.

The Christian response is an ACTIVE response.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Thanks.

You know, I'm not even sure if the murdered Americans were Catholic.


It doesn't matter where we think they are. They are there already. It is pointless to discuss it now, on this thread, in this manner.


The Christian response to the murder of those Americans should be a response grounded in prevention. Our actions should further peace and stability in the region so that no one else dies a violent death at the hands of pirates.

The Christian response is an ACTIVE response.

Sure...

but it's not a Christian response, it's an American military response. The Christian response is ours, and collectively as a community.

For some, Braveheart is a Christian film, I think...

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Sure...

but it's not a Christian response, it's an American military response. The Christian response is ours, and collectively as a community.

For some, Braveheart is a Christian film, I think...

The Christian response should be multi-pronged, involving much prayer, planning and MK-19's.



"Blessed are the peacemakers..." not the pirates.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Thanks.

You know, I'm not even sure if the murdered Americans were Catholic.

They were not. Again, the captain/owner of the yacht was a graduate of Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA, and he had even taught there on a part time basis before retiring to the sea.

The whole thread got off track because Toothseeker couldn't wait to imagine sending somebody to hell.

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

It doesn't matter where we think they are. They are there already. It is pointless to discuss it now, on this thread, in this manner.


The Christian response to the murder of those Americans should be a response grounded in prevention. Our actions should further peace and stability in the region so that no one else dies a violent death at the hands of pirates.

The Christian response is an ACTIVE response.

You are correct about the "response." I'm just afraid that given the state of things right now, there will be no response at all.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by pelathais

They were not. Again, the captain/owner of the yacht was a graduate of Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA, and he had even taught there on a part time basis before retiring to the sea.

The whole thread got off track because Toothseeker couldn't wait to imagine sending somebody to hell.



You are correct about the "response." I'm just afraid that given the state of things right now, there will be no response at all.

You must've missed Sec. Clinton's remarks on this already?

Civilians were killed in an overseas piracy episode by rebels and rogues... how that is resolved isn't simple. I liked some of the solutions you mentioned early.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

...You know, I'm not even sure if the murdered Americans were Catholic....

I don't know the religious affiliation or non affiliation of the 4 people.
I did see something on the news recently where a Monsignor (I assume he was the pastor of the married couple) talked very briefly about them distributing the Word of God. I thought he was their pastor but I may have been wrong.

[Sam]

speaking of idolaters, Colossians 3:5 speaks of "covetousness, which is idolatry"

Ezekiel 14:1-7 speaks of having idols in a person's heart

and check out 1 John 5:20-21 which says:

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen (King James Version)

20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
New Living Translation

20 And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).
The Amplified Bible

Martin Luther (the German reformer, Not Martin Luther King the American) is alleged to have said:
"Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his heart, he sleeps and wakes with it, be what it may-- wealth or self, pleasure or renown."

While we are criticizing and declaring the eternal fate of some who may kneel before a statue or icon or who may look at a picture while they pray, we need to look at our own hearts and see if we might be giving God's rightful place to something or someone else.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Sam

speaking of idolaters, Colossians 3:5 speaks of "covetousness, which is idolatry"

Ezekiel 14:1-7 speaks of having idols in a person's heart

and check out 1 John 5:20-21 which says:

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen (King James Version)

20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
New Living Translation

20 And we [have seen and] know [positively] that the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah). This [Man] is the true God and Life eternal.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).
The Amplified Bible

Martin Luther (the German reformer, Not Martin Luther King the American) is alleged to have said:
"Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his heart, he sleeps and wakes with it, be what it may-- wealth or self, pleasure or renown."

While we are criticizing and declaring the eternal fate of some who may kneel before a statue or icon or who may look at a picture while they pray, we need to look at our own hearts and see if we might be giving God's rightful place to something or someone else.

One idolatry act doesn't excuse another.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

One idolatry act doesn't excuse another.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" is about so much more than having the wrong religion.