The idea that Latin is used to keep people in the dark is ridiculous. What is there to conceal?
The Mass isn't just a prayer service or a revival meeting. If I went to a Mass celebrated in Swahili, I would still receive all the graces that the Mass offers even though I understood not a word.
Faithful Remnant wrote: Lance, the Catholic Church here seems quite adamant to keep using Latin(the liturgical texts anyway) in the services. Why?
I've just seen your posting.
If Latin is still being used in the Mass where you are (not sure which part of Scandinavia), then I am very pleased to hear it.
Latin is the official language in the Western Church, and use of the vernacular in the Mass is just a concession. I think that, while it is better to have the Gospel and other Bible readings in the vernacular, Latin ought to be used in the central part of the Mass (round the Consecration) to indicate that this part of the Mass has special significance.
Perhaps there are people from various countries attending Mass, and perhaps many of them don't understand the local language (Swedish? Finnish?). In that case, it may be felt best to use a neutral language.
Or it may be that the use of Latin is a sign of the orthodoxy of the priests. It seems to me that the more unorthodox priests are, the more they detest Latin, and the more they like the Mass to resemble a TV chat show.
In Scandinavia! No wonder you call yourself Faithful Remnant.
Regarding vernacular bibles, in pre-Reformation times it wouldn't have done much good to have them in Scandinavia. Those few people who could read, could read Latin.
hidemi williges wrote: I believe we are in the midst of the reality of Revelation coming true. Let me ask you a question. What is more important; knowing where the Antichrist sits in the EU or leading as many people as possible in getting saved?
If you believe that we now know things about the rapture and tribulation that Luther and Calvin could not have known, then you must believe that Revelation is continuing. It has generally been accepted in Christian circles that Revelation finished with the death of the last of the Apostles.
And to your question -- it is vitally important to lead as many souls as possible to salvation. Where the Antichrist sits in the EU probably isn't very important at all.
hidemi williges wrote: I don't see the reason why it matters who the antichrist is, since we would be raptured before he comes into power. Unless, of course, one plans to be here during the tribulation.
Did Calvin and Luther know that they were going to be raptured before the tribulation?
Enough already, you've got a point there. Belief in evolution can lead some to a lack of belief in a Creator God. But it doesn't have to. Divine creation and evolution are not automatically mutually exclusive.
I'm not defending evolution, as I tend not to believe in it. It seems impossible (unless God somehow set things up to happen that way).
The chart on this page shows that the UEN (Union for Europe of the Nations) has 44 members: http://www.mdep.de/index.php?page=140
This page has at the bottom the seating plan of the European Parliament: http://www.mdep.de/index.php?page=34 If you click on the plan you see a larger version. And you see that there is a block of 44 seats marked UEN. The block includes 666.
All the same, I can't put a name to the occupant of seat 666.
When people mention "Creationism", it's never clear what they mean.
It seems to have two meaning: (1) That the universe was created in six days, as a literal reading of Genesis seems to infer. (2) That the universe was created by God from nothing.
Science can examine (1), but (2) is entirely outside the scope of science.
Neil wrote: Lance, Where'd you find that MEP seat number? I'm surprised that you're not *encouraging* the view that the Antichrist is (or will be) in Brussels. I think he's further southeast - a Parliament is nothing like a temple (2 Thess 2:4).
I told a Finnish friend about the empty 666, and he contradicted me and gave me this information. I'm trying to find out where he got it.
I don't think Antichrist and 666 are the same thing, or anything to do with each other.
I haven't read much about the Antichrist, but the traditional view seems to be that he will be Jewish. However, there are other views as well.
Michael Hranek wrote: what kind of religion would tell its people that Jesus Christ and Allah are the same? And what kind of people would believe them?
Jesus Christ and Allah are not the same. I don't know any any religion that teaches that. Mine teaches that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity.
My religion has no teaching about the Muslim Allah. That is for Muslims to decide for themselves.
9/26/08 8:19 AM
