Can a Catholic be a Christian Universalist?

[Michie]

Just because I know about something doesn't mean that I believe in it or support it. I'm just trying to be informative.

Okie dokie then.

 

[Ceallaigh]

Whatever you say.

Good grief.

 

[HSong]

You do seem to at least know that this is not what the Catholic Church teaches.

Yes, there are teachings in the Roman Catholic Church about purgatory with the implication that there are those who go to purgatory and those that go to an eternal hell, which is false. As a Christian Universalist, I am, of course, against that belief. Salvation is through faith alone in Christ, that's the only way are sins are washed away. Purgatory does not wash away sins, only belief in Jesus.

Here's an interesting video I came across while trying to track down that other universalist priest, regarding the theology of Pope Benedict XVI.

Hmm, that's interesting. It's important to be hopeful about the salvation of everyone, just like how Christ hopes that all people will be saved, which will be accomplised, because God fulfills all of His desires.

Have you read about hopeful universalism

In terms of hope, we have the blessed hope that is Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that brings salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

And once this present age is over, all people will be given glorifed bodies

 

[Der Alte]

Yes, there are teachings in the Roman Catholic Church about purgatory with the implication that there are those who go to purgatory and those that go to an eternal hell, which is false. As a Christian Universalist, I am, of course, against that belief. Salvation is through faith alone in Christ, that's the only way are sins are washed away. Purgatory does not wash away sins, only belief in Jesus.

Hmm, that's interesting. It's important to be hopeful about the salvation of everyone, just like how Christ hopes that all people will be saved, which will be accomplised, because God fulfills all of His desires.

In terms of hope, we have the blessed hope that is Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that brings salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

And once this present age is over, all people will be given glorifed bodies

Why does Paul say, "we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," if it is guaranteed that "all people will be given glorified bodies?"

 

[chevyontheriver]

Yes, there are teachings in the Roman Catholic Church about purgatory with the implication that there are those who go to purgatory and those that go to an eternal hell,

Those are the teachings.

which is false.

In your opinion.

As a Christian Universalist, I am, of course, against that belief.

Of course. Otherwise you would follow the orthodox teaching.

Salvation is through faith alone in Christ, that's the only way are sins are washed away. Purgatory does not wash away sins, only belief in Jesus.

Purgatory is for sanctification, not justification. And it only works by the power of God's grace anyway.

 

[sparow]

I am not a Catholic but from what I know about Catholicism I don't believe that one can be a Catholic and also be a Universalist, despite the isolated statement being quoted from Pope Francis.

I am confused; Catholic originates from Greek and means universal; as I wrestle with the thread title, I feel like it boils down to: Is the Pope a Catholic; is the Pope all things to all men; is the pope broad minded; and the dictionary goes on and on.

 

[Der Alte]

I am confused; Catholic originates from Greek and means universal; as I wrestle with the thread title, I feel like it boils down to: Is the Pope a Catholic; is the Pope all things to all men; is the pope broad minded; and the dictionary goes on and on.

That the RCC chooses to designate itself as "Catholic," i.e. "universal" does not mean that the church believes that all mankind will be saved the righteous and unrighteous alike even after death as "Universal Reconciliation" teaches,

 

[sparow]

That the RCC chooses to designate itself as "Catholic," i.e. "universal" does not mean that the church believes that all mankind will be saved the righteous and unrighteous alike even after death as "Universal Reconciliation" teaches,

What you are referring to might be called Theology; it doesn't appear to have anything to do with salvation, God or the Bible.

 

[Michie]

What you are referring to might be called Theology; it doesn't appear to have anything to do with salvation, God or the Bible.

I’m sorry but that is a very funny statement.

 

[Der Alte]

What you are referring to might be called Theology; it doesn't appear to have anything to do with salvation, God or the Bible.

That sounds about right. I was responding to your post which did not have anything to do with "salvation, God or the Bible."

 

[parousia70]

Isn't "universal" the very definition of "catholic"?

 

[chevyontheriver]

Isn't "universal" the very definition of "catholic"?

But this seems more about universalists than being universal.

 

[Der Alte]

Isn't "universal" the very definition of "catholic"?

Not exactly. "Catholic" comes from the compound Greek word καθ᾿ ὅλης "kataholos." which means "according to the whole."
It occurs 6 times in the N.T.
Καθολης/kathole’s [1] Luke 4:14 [2] Luke 8:39 [3] Luke 23:5 [4] Acts of the Apostles 9:31 [5] Acts of the Apostles 9:42 [6] Acts of the Apostles 10:37

 

[sparow]

That the RCC chooses to designate itself as "Catholic," i.e. "universal" does not mean that the church believes that all mankind will be saved the righteous and unrighteous alike even after death as "Universal Reconciliation" teaches,

I am naive and simple; I do not know much about non Biblical stuff. What is "Universal Reconciliation", that it can teach; a doctrine of men perhaps. It is not a Person; doesn't seem to be an institution; to be a religion it would require some sort of structure like a constitution, or set of rules.

 

[sparow]

I’m sorry but that is a very funny statement.

That was intended to be funny; but it is also my opinion that theology is where God is pushed out of the way and men take His place.

 

[Der Alte]

I am naive and simple; I do not know much about non Biblical stuff. What is "Universal Reconciliation", that it can teach; a doctrine of men perhaps. It is not a Person; doesn't seem to be an institution; to be a religion it would require some sort of structure like a constitution, or set of rules.

I don't think there is an organized group which refers to itself as a Universal Reconciliation [UR] "church" or something similar. But there are several posters on this forum who believe in UR. UR is the belief that all mankind righteous and unrighteous alike will be saved, even after death.

 

[sparow]

I don't think there is an organized group which refers to itself as a Universal Reconciliation [UR] "church" or something similar. But there are several posters on this forum who believe in UR. UR is the belief that all mankind righteous and unrighteous alike will be saved, even after death.

Such would make Christ a liar when referring to the second death.

 

[parousia70]

Such would make Christ a liar

I don't think there is an organized group which refers to itself as a Universal Reconciliation [UR] "church" or something similar. But there are several posters on this forum who believe in UR. UR is the belief that all mankind righteous and unrighteous alike will be saved, even after death.

I find that to be the flip side of the coin that annihilationism occupies.

Both equally incorrect as the other.

They are two ends of the same stick.

 

[parousia70]

But this seems more about universalists than being universal.

You must have a super sharp scalpel to be able to split that hair.

 

[Der Alte]

I find that to be the flip side of the coin that annihilationism occupies.
Both equally incorrect as the other.
They are two ends of the same stick.

Is this supposed to make some kind of sense?