Why do Christians think God talks with them?

[Josiah]

CATHOLIC:

The RCC teaches that revelation of DOCTRINE ended with the death of the last Apostle (around 100 AD), so there is no more "revealed doctrine". IF God "speaks" to anyone, it's not to reveal any doctrine or anything "new." Protestants tend to agree. Mormons as well as cults generally, fundamentally (and passionately) disagree. Visions, etc. may (very, very rarely) continue - but no "message" at any variance with the Apostolic Faith can be genuine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_apparition

God especially and infallibly leads just one - the RC Denomination (insists the RC Denomination for it itself exclusively and individually), so God only "speaks" to it itself in any authoritative sense. This is not to reveal NEW things but to continue to teach the Apostolic Faith (as Jesus promised that the RC Denomination specifically and exclusively and infallibily would be taught and lead by God). God MAY speak to you, but such would be irrelevant since God ONLY authoritatively speaks to ME insists the RC Denomination itself for it itself.



PROTESTANT:


"First Wave" Protestantism (Luther, Calvin, developed Anglicanism) generally were very cautious of the whole claim of: "God Told ME - Just Little 'Ole Me - And Told ME _________." And stressed even more than the RC Denomination that God's revelation ended with the Apostles (around 100 AD); they stressed that God's "message" is corporate (to all humanity) and written (in the inerrant, written Scriptures of God to US).

Some forms of later Protestantism stressed emotionalism and continuing revelation (although rarely of dogma, per se). God speaking to SELF (as determined by self) tended to be equal to Scripture. Such SHOULD be very embracing and excited by St. Bernadette of Lourdes (etc.) but ironically aren't. Today, we'll find some Protestants (a very small minority) stressing quite foundationally "God told ME" this or that - at times something quite new or quite at variance with apostolic, orthodox, traditional Christian teachings, but this is not characteristic of Protestantism in general.


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Catholics rarely claim that God spoke to them

The RC Denomination does. Foundationally. It holds that it itself is the object of God's leading, teaching and protection.... to the extent that it itself uniquely and individually is (conditionally) "infallible" and the "Voice of God" and when it itself alone speaks ergo God agrees and also is speaking. This, as we all know, is the very foundation of the RC Denomination. So, yes - the RC Denomination DOES claim that God speaks to it (although this is understood not as an audible thing, the Denomination not having ears, but one of teaching, leading and protecting.... and granting it itself uniquely and individually "Authority"). And yes - the claim has one (uber important) application: The RCC constantly shouting, "Listen to and obey ME!" It's a power thing, it's a ploy to evade accountability.

The Story of saint Bernadette is instructive in this matter, though it took place 150 years ago. Today I imagine Charismatic Catholics are as likely as their protestant Pentecostal and Charismatic counterparts to claim that they have heard God or angels speak and yet not be seriously questioned as to the authenticity of their claims.

I believe so, which is why I used that example. The RC Denomination doesn't deny (in fact, it quite accepts) that PEOPLE (even individual ones) might have a vision or message. It's actually much more hesitate about that than some Protestant denominations are and it's much less common in the RCC than in some Protestant communities. But in the RCC, such is given no authority (the RCC itself insisting that there is only ONE with Authority - it itself alone, uniquely, singularly, individually, exclusively). My own pov regarding individuals having "visions" and "messages" is similar to that of the RC Denomination, I only disagree that that individual denominations claim for it itself is the Authority, I holding that Scripture largely holds that normative position; the RCC's claim of "Listen to and obey ME individually because God uniquely speaks, leads, teaches and protects ME" is very much like that of some "Protestants" that it ridicules, mocks and condemns. Jesus' log/speck thing.



Thank you!


Pax Christi


- Josiah



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[Imalive]

MoreCoffee, you bring up a new topic worth discussion, which is the vast spectrum of interpretation and experience within the RC.
I have met extremely mystical Roman Catholics who dabble in occult activities, bringing in pagan beliefs to their Cathilocism. One person had a magazine in which he learned various incantations he incorporated into his Catholic traditions. Another came from an indigenous tribe where she mixed her tribal traditional teachings with Rome to create a hybrid spirituality. It is fascinating to me to see such variation in the RC. It's like looking at all the Protestant denominations thrown into a stew, mixed up, and called Catholicism. I would certainly be interested in understanding that dynamic within the RC.

Yay!!
A bash MC and the RCC thread!!

 

[MennoSota]

Yay!!
A bash MC and the RCC thread!!

Not really.

What is the MC by the way?

We could have another thread about the RC, however. I do not understand how the RC can claim exclusivity and yet deny it is functioning in the same vein as exclusive cults. (Not saying the RC is a cult, but comparing it's claim of exclusivity with Mormonism and Jehovah's Witness.)

 

[MoreCoffee]

Yay!!
A bash MC and the RCC thread!!

It's a pastime for bored folk. They get to have a whine about me and then they can feel oh so good about themselves

:smirk:

 

[Imalive]

Not really.

What is the MC by the way?

We could have another thread about the RC, however. I do not understand how the RC can claim exclusivity and yet deny it is functioning in the same vein as exclusive cults. (Not saying the RC is a cult, but comparing it's claim of exclusivity with Mormonism and Jehovah's Witness.)

MC MoreCoffee, he loves those threads. He was once told to find a catholic corner hahahahahahaha.

 

[MoreCoffee]

MC MoreCoffee, he loves those threads. He was once told to find a catholic corner hahahahahahaha.

Weeeeeeeeeee, I did it too. Some even say I turned CH into a Catholic site


I am beginning to think that maybe God is speaking to us through CH posts.

 

[Albion]

Not really.

What is the MC by the way?

We could have another thread about the RC, however. I do not understand how the RC can claim exclusivity and yet deny it

It's what members are taught by their denomination to believe and say. Couple that with the additional article of faith which says everyone else in the world either cannot understand what the church teaches or else spends a great amount of time plotting how to misrepresent the church--or both. But I agree that the RC church is not a cult, even though the most famous of cult-watchers, Walter Martin, explained why he thought it qualified as such.

 

[Confessional Lutheran]

It's a pastime for bored folk. They get to have a whine about me and then they can feel oh so good about themselves

:smirk:

Why would anyone possibly want to whine about you? You seem like a decent enough fellow to me.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Why would anyone possibly want to whine about you? You seem like a decent enough fellow to me.

I'm Catholic and that appears to attract the troll in some folk.

I don't mind most of the time. I get to smirk at them

:smirk:

 

[Confessional Lutheran]

Sure God talks to us. Through Word and Sacrament, Law and Gospel, we know full well what His will for us is. If somebody's hearing voices, they might want to get a psychological evaluation.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Sure God talks to us. Through Word and Sacrament, Law and Gospel, we know full well what His will for us is. If somebody's hearing voices, they might want to get a psychological evaluation.

Or a good strong Irish Coffee

 

[MennoSota]

Or a good strong Irish Coffee

It's likely the Irish Coffee that's causing them to hear voices.

 

[MoreCoffee]

It's likely the Irish Coffee that's causing them to hear voices.

Could be if they drink it too often

 

[Imalive]

God even speaks to atheists through their conscience.

 

[MoreCoffee]

God even speaks to atheists through their conscience.

Conscience speaks to everybody but not all listen.