Last night, February 7th 2013, we attended Dr.William Marshner's talk on "Grace and Free Will " at the Institute of Catholic Culture. He explained the very logical and philosophical presentation on the basis of St.Augustine's writings /teachings and analyzed (among other things) John Calvin's Predestination Theories...It was mind blowing. I had thought Islam only , excludes Free Will to the extend that everything is " known or written" by God and nothing can change it .... no effort on human side can change the "God written" destiny.......In fact Calvin had some similar ideas...very interesting I thought... John Calvin’s interpretation of predestination states that not only does God govern all events, but he also has already determined who will be saved, and who will be damned. Dr, Marshner, using St.Augustine's writings explained the difference and argued how Free Will makes the destiny happen. God KNOWS (there is no time in God) what will happen to all, but he always makes Grace and other means available to people , so whoever engages his action and receives the Grace available and furthermore let Grace work in them, in few words let God be the center and in charge of their lives, they are then the governed and the saved by God... . So while God knows our destiny, we DON't. So, why then assume the worst while we can WILL and Act upon it (wanting to happen and will it) and make room for Grace to dwell in us... ? See the difference ....? OUR OWN CHOOSING makes a difference ...... To those who reject God's Available Grace and fall into despair, by not engaging the Free Will to accept Grace well.....God may then say: "be my guest...."
There is Mercy but it also that goes hand in hand with Justice...
Take care friends, and dont waste time worrying, Let God lead you....
Feb 6, 2013
What does it really mean when people say: "This is the teaching of the Catholic Church?
Sometimes one might notice that someone is not too comfortable with what we discuss and the points we raise on certain issues, which could include social, political or morals. Furthermore they get upset and do not like the idea that these things are said to be taught by the Catholic Church and reject them simply by saying that they are not Catholics and thus have no obligation to do what the Catholic Church teaches. May I please clarify what is meant by declaring the teaching of the Church: The Catholic Church proclaims the Truth as it was given to her by Jesus Christ. The Church has a duty to proclaim and propose to the world what Christ gave her so she can help the children of God(all people) to be saved for Eternity. Hence thee Church doesn't IMPOSE its teachings, the CHURCH only PROPOSES what she has been given to use for the sake of God's Love for his people. The people then, catholic or not, are to make the individual judgments and act and live their lives as they deem right.(We see a lot of actions out there...whether is in line with the teaching or in opposition to it)...When one says the consequences of the opposition of these teachings are of spiritual and eternal nature and value, it is then when the hearts are restless and tricked.... hence the tensions flare ..... No one wants flares, but the flares are ignited from withing the soul itself, the soul whose faculties are not in proper order with the Natural Law's design( the order of their original creation). The good news is that when we see anger, zest and resentment which shows up as a disagreement, it is then the time to LOVE more, to PRAY more and SACRIFICE more for those beautiful searching and wondering souls. Love you all, Merita B.McC
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