Quote:
Originally Posted by candyprpl
Hi ceeboo/Carl,
I would really like to know how you interpret these scriptures. What does the Catholic church teach about these times? I'm not as learned as you and it's a little embarrassing asking you to explain. I know a little world history and it seems that the 'Dark Ages' explain a lot, and for me, give proof that something horrible happened after the death of the original apostles. What happened to the church after Peter?
I guess you can see that these are the questions I had in the thread I started, but more learned LDS have more experience with this kind of conversation, so I've popped in here.
Hope that's okay  |
Hello candyprpl,
Me ( ceeboo ) learned ??? thanks but I think more acurate to label me " slightly knowledgable with a hint of Catholic bias" )
Please do not be embarrassed to ask me to explain, I have asked you and others to explain about 645,982 times. ( I will add that my questions to you ( LDS ) were always answered with sincerity and kindness )
thanks.
CONTEXT AND DEFINITIONS ARE CRITICAL FOR THIS DISCUSSION:
Apostasy- a falling away from the Church Jesus built
COMPLETE OR TOTAL APOSTASY- JESUS' Church gone, lights out, no more authority
I do understand the commitment that LDS MUST have in a " total " or " Great " apostasy
but I must reply that it IMHO the complete apostasy claim does not exist.
First, regarding my interpretation of these scriptures. Many of them do indeed speak of apostasy ( people falling away from the Church ) NOT ONE of them speak of a complete apostasy, total darkness of the Church, lights out etc. In addition, when the scriptures do speak of apostasy they tell us that it will be in the end times ( IMHO the end times do not mean the year 200 or 300 or whatever " shortly after the original 12 apostles passed" implies.
I am not a Biblical scholar ( just a 40 year old sinner like the rest of us ) but since I was asked about my interpretation of scripture, I think I will suggest a few of my own that I feel is directly related to this " total apostasy thread " thus " restoration".
Matthew 16:18, ( Jesus' promise of his Church ) " on this rock ( Peter ) I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Matthew 28:20 ( Jesus' words to all of us ) " Behold I will be with you always "
( there are many many more )
If JS was right about a total apostasy then Jesus was a failure in regard to HIS CHURCH.
Jesus would also be not telling the truth and misleading us with his promises.
" What happened to the Church after Peter " IT IS STILL THE SAME CHURCH THAT JESUS PROMISED US ALL WOULD NOT EVER FALL". Yes indeed it is a FACT that there have been immoral members in the Church and still are there today. Jesus promised the Church would stand to the end and he also taught that there would indeed be good and evil members sitting side by side in HIS CHURCH until that end.
I think I will stop at this point to be fair to others who may want to contribute or rebute my crazy Catholic perspective.
I hope, candyprpl, I have answered your questions to me.
God bless,
Carl