tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post1435505493073678539..comments2023-12-31T03:56:05.988+11:00Comments on EQUIP book club: Nothing in My Hand I Bring - How does God reveal himself? Pt 1EQUIP Book Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151092103823699320noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-47833172886682982782008-07-14T22:36:00.000+10:002008-07-14T22:36:00.000+10:00I've found the book helpful, too, and have been sh...I've found the book helpful, too, and have been sharing parts of with my family. Ray's claim that being Roman Catholic is more about "belonging" than "believing" rings very true, and I think explains why it can be hard to witness to someone raised in that church - real cross-cultural ministry.<BR/><BR/>When I read Ray's conclusion that the fundamental difference between Protestant theology and RC theology is the latter's "unrelenting need to find a place for the human; to insert the church and its rituals and works into God's plan of salvation"(p99) it was bit of a "light bulb" moment: this explains everything! And it was a reminder to me, too, that I have no place in my own salvation but to accept God's gift with gratitude, and respond in obedience.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to give copies of this book to the RC members of my extended family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-27774055352785202952008-07-14T19:11:00.000+10:002008-07-14T19:11:00.000+10:00Here is Carmelina's response to Cathy's question a...<I>Here is Carmelina's response to Cathy's question about Vatican II:</I><BR/><BR/>Vatican II was the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican held between 1962-1965 (the first council had taken place nearly a century earlier). Protestant and Orthodox representatives were invited to attend and it's believed that about 2,540 'Council Fathers' with voting rights attended the first session of Vatican II. Vatican II issued doctrinal statements on issues such as liturgy, the Bible and revelation, the place of Mary in the Church, bishops, other religions and the relationship of other 'churches' to the Roman Catholic Church.<BR/><BR/>There is much debate about whether Vatican II was a progressive council. Some changes did occur, for example, there was some recognition that people who are not Roman Catholic are Christian, but as Ray Galea points out in the Appendix to this month's book (p.106), Vatican II still asserted that the Roman Catholic church is still the one true church. On the issue of non-Christian religions, Vatican II made some surprising statements. Since Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church claims that salvation is also open to people of other religions because they too contain some truth which can enlighten all people. (see pp. 108-110 of this month's book).<BR/><BR/>However, at its heart, a careful examination of Vatican II's decrees shows the inherent weakness and errors in the Roman Catholic Church. Namely, the role and place of the Bible against church tradition and who is able to interpret the Bible. Decisions made at Vatican II were not solely guided by the Bible. At Vatican II, the highest and sole authority was not the Bible.EQUIP Book Clubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151092103823699320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5957177247372917180.post-54195144740370324362008-07-14T14:07:00.000+10:002008-07-14T14:07:00.000+10:00As a person who is terribly ignorant about much of...As a person who is terribly ignorant about much of Roman Catholicism, I have been finding this book very helpful.<BR/><BR/>It has given me more interest in and concern for what is happening this week as lots of pilgrims flock to Australia from abroad (A lot of them seem to be visiting the Hunter Valley!).<BR/><BR/>Can anyone explain more about "Vatican II" please? I am hoping I am not the only embarrassingly ignorant person reading this blog!Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05897840230991332572noreply@blogger.com