[Apologetics] Re: Re: Three Anti-Social Doctrines of Luther

[Stuart D. Gathman]

On Thu, 12 Aug 2004, Dianne Dawson wrote:

>  Once again, you are stating what you believe to be Catholic Doctrine but
>  actually isn't.  As a matter of fact, Jesus Himself says that there is a sin
>  which puts you beyond salvation - blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.  Catholics
>  believe this to be the final turning away from God's grace and takes place
>  at the moment of death.  At that moment everyone is given one final chance
>  to repent.  If they don't then they condemn their souls to Hell.  Yes, we
>  condemn ourselves by blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.)

I am sorry, I seemed to have missed that nit.  We were talking about murder and
fornication.  Protestants are in agreement with Catholics about the
"unforgiveable sin" - which is a different topic.  While there are various
explanations of exactly what the unforgiveable sin is, (and "have I commited
the unforgiveable sin?" is a common question of the guilt ridden) it certainly
isn't murder and fornication.  Not even thousands of murders.

Can I assume, then, that we are agreement about the rest of my post?

BTW, the usual counsel given to Protestants who fear they have 
committed the unforgiveable sin, is to be assured that "if you
are worried about it, you haven't committed it.  Your repentance,
contrition, and desire for obedience are proof of that."  What would a Catholic
priest say to a parishioner who is worried that they have committed the
unforgiveable sin?

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
    Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.