St Patricks Day

(altough some say St Pat brought the Roman Catholic faith) it is sad to report that it now just an excuse for many to indulge the flesh.He did bring RC to Ireland... is it any wonder that it's now just an excuse for many to indulge the flesh?But since my ancestors came from Ireland & Scotland, I have a special place in my heart for those countries... and yes ... I will join you in prayer, brother!Krispy

In fairness we are dealing with times before the reformation. This was also true for Columba. God was still using these means and men to spread Christ to other territories. The hand of God was with the people all the way to Wyclif and beyond. We can look back now and critique- but God was certainly at work. While this is true, lets not neglect to mention that God has always had a remnent of true Bible believers. The Waldensians come to mind... they had an incredible missionary impact on Europe, as well as translating the Bible. People tend to think that between 300AD and the reformation there were no Bible believers... just the RCC. But this is far from true. For 1200 years the RCC persecuted and murdered true Bible believers (especially the Waldensians!), but those believers were tried by fire and came out as refined gold.But history would have us forget about that.Any gospel that got spread by the RCC was purely God using what Satan meant for evil and turning it around for good. The gospel was spread despite the RCC... not because of it.Krispy

Please Explain?OK... the RCC has never taught the truth of the Bible. It is a false religion. So to say that the RCC spread the gospel can not be true, because the RCC itself does not know the truth.However, if the RCC came to an area of the world that had no contact or experience with Christianity, I believe God will use what little truth the RCC does teach to cause men and women to seek Him out. Therefore... it is not because of the RCC or it's teachings that men and women may get saved, but in in spite of it.Example, I just finished a book written by a former Jehovah's Witness. This man would probably not have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ if he had not gotten involved with the JW's. Because of his association with the JW's he was exposed to the Bible (a faulty and horrible translation, but still enough truth in it). He questioned the JW doctrines, did his own study of the Bible he had... then bought a real Bible to further study... and he got saved.Did he get saved because of the JW's? Absolutely not. He got saved in spite them.Krispy

I have to ask the question; who does God use that He does not use them, "in spite" of themselves? Is our doctrine so pure that God can now use us without having to overlook somewhat? What about our shortcomings? Does God not use a person "in spite" of their shortcomings? There is a huge difference between differing minor doctrines, and core beliefs. There is a difference between heretical teachings, and a persons shortcomings.It's not about what I believe... it's about what the Bible says.Salvation by grace alone thru the blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.We are not saved by sacrificing Christ over and over again in the mass. That is a blasphemous teaching. To say it isnt important is to downplay what Christ did on the cross.I will always take a firm stand on that.Krispy

Did Patrick or Columba teach this?I was answering your question about God using people in spite of their shortcomings.Krispy