In Reply to: Re: Article on Tithing by Ed Priebe posted by Bryon on January 02, 2003 at 06:12:24:
I spent a good deal of time in southern Europe and got to know quite a number of Catholics. God is as hard at work among them as He is among protestants. Actually, all the elements necessary for a person to get saved are present in every mass, if someone is seeking. They "receive Jesus" every time they take the eucharist. If they are sincere only once in their lifetime, shouldn't that do it? I believe many Catholics are saved. What they need is teaching.
Sure, there's error in the Catholic Church. But if salvation is contingent upon having everything right, then none of us can expect to make it into heaven. My beliefs have changed considerably over the last 30 years, and they continue to change. Some things, I still won't have worked out before I die. I have to believe that God has accepted me from the beginning, and that my growth (in spite of my missteps) is His working in me. If I recognize that as true in myself, how can I not also believe that God is working out similar things in other Christians, including people in the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church -- even the Family?