Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Fri, 4 Sep 1992 07:53:51 CDT
From:         Tom Brewer <NOTTMB@LSUVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Guacamole Salad or No Cold Springs in Hell

     It's amazing how amongst all the calls for tolerance, love, respect, etc.
for the false beliefs of Catholicism, there seems to be what might be
considered intolerance and not much love for those who disagree with RC.
     It was assumed by some that using "Their Lady of Guacamole" was flippant
and rude. Rest assured it was not intended to be rude nor was it considered
lightly. It was exactly what was called for at the moment to spur the
discussion and thinking of those on the List who think that religious
pluralism is acceptable to God.
     It almost seems that there are those (please note I said "seems") who
would say as long as an individual is sincere in his belief he is OK
before God, regardless of the content of that belief. Since God looks on the
heart, it must be the sincerity and passion of the belief that counts, not
the Biblical truth. I say this because the List was admonished to recognize
the "reverence in which she (Mary) is held" by RCs. Also, the thought
question was raised as to why we all can't have different impressions and
still be brothers.
     Many of us have different views on secondary doctrines, but anything that
attacks the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be exposed for the
lie it is. Concerning the Gospel of Free and Sovereign Grace, Roman
Catholicism teaches a false gospel of works centered around the false
mediatorship of a woman they call Mary.
     Another false assumption is that nearly everyone on the List agrees that
Mary, the mother of Jesus (not mother of God) is the woman in question. This
is absolutely false. I do not now, nor by the Grace of God will I ever insult
the true mother of Jesus. The woman in question is a demonic apparition
deceiving thousands. I am not one of "those Christians who think they honor
Jesus by insulting His mother."
     Catholicism is full of deviations from Biblical truth. Like all the other
major cults, Catholicism has its share of truth borrowed from the Bible. There
are many books on the subject. The following info comes from a Roman Catholic
source, a textbook for a "Basic Course of Dogmatic Theology." The book is:
     FUNDAMENTALS OF CATHOLIC DOGMA, Dr. Ludwig Ott, TAN Books and Publishers,
     INC., P.O. Box 424, Rockford, Illinois 61105, 1974.

     Catholic doctrine has degrees, the highest being DE FIDE. According to
Dr. Ludwig Ott, "The highest degree of certainty appertains to the immediately
revealed truths....If Truths are defined by a solemn judgment of faith
(definition) of the Pope or of a General Council, they are 'de fide
definita.'"
     What does this mean for Catholics? They are obligated to believe any
doctrine defined as DE FIDE. Again according to Ott, "If a baptised person
deliberately denies or doubts a dogma properly so-called, he is guilty of the
sin of heresy (CIC 1325, Par.2), and automatically becomes subject to the
punishment of excommunication (CIC 2314,Par. 1)" (Ott, p. 5).
     Now in light of all the hue and cry over the status of Mary according to
the RCC, let it be known that Mary's perpetual virginity is just such a
DE FIDE doctrine. "The Fifth General Council (533) gives Mary the title of
honour 'perpetual virgin'" (Ott,p. 206).
     Sorry, List members, but this is one "baptized person" who "deliberately
denies" this false doctrine. Of course, my not being Catholic probably
contributes to my denial.
     Now also remember, this is a required belief for all RCs under penalty of
excommunication for disbelief.

     Let me reiterate. I do not insult the mother of Jesus. I do, however,
judge the above belief to be false. I hope the distinction is clear.

Tom Brewer NOTTMB@LSUVM
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