Separated Brethren Chapter 13

Outside the Visible Church The Catholic Church is universal For all people Doesn’t mean all people join the Catholic faith

Chart of Closeness to the Faith ClassificationFaithHow we are Different Separated BrethrenOrthodox ChristiansGreat Schism Separated BrethrenLutheransProtestant Reformation Separated BrethrenOther Christian Denominations Protestant Reformation Monotheistic ReligionJewsJudaism was the preparation for Christianity Monotheistic ReligionMuslimsShare belief in one God, but Islam developed after Christianity Non-BelieverPagansDo not believe in the One True God Non-BelieverAgnosticsClaim there may be a God, but we can know nothing about Him at all Non-BelieverAtheistsDo not believe in the Divine at all

Separated Brethren All the “separated brethren” have been Baptized “one baptism for the forgiveness of sins” All Christians are connected to the Catholic Church in this way Separated brethren are closer to or further from the Church depending upon how they possess Church teachings and practices Elements of truth exist outside the Catholic Church Bible Grade Theological Virtues The Church possesses the fullness of this truth God gives elements of this truth to other Churches to aid in the salvation of the whole world

Orthodox Christians Celebrate all the Sacraments Separated themselves from Church authority Rejected the Pope during the Great Schism 1000 years ago

Lutherans Separated from the Church during the Protestant Reformation Separated from Church authority Rejected all but 2 Sacraments Baptism Marriage Belief that one can interpret scripture for himself

Other Christian Denominations These split off from the Lutherans and early Protestant reformers Even farther away from Church teachings

The Jewish People The first chosen people of God Covenant with Abraham God prepared them for His coming Salvation came through the story of the Jews They were the preparation for Christianity As Christians, we are related to them through this Many did not recognize Christ at His coming Leads to their separation from the Church

Muslims Monotheistic Not a preparation for Christianity Developed 600 years after Christianity Draws from both Judaism and Christianity Accept some Old Testament revelation i.e. Abraham Do not recognize Christ as the Son of God They see Him as a prophet

Pagans Do not believe in the one true God Variety of different religions fall into this category Can be polytheistic i.e. Ancient Greece and Rome Can be animistic Believe inanimate objects possess supernatural powers which we can control

Agnostics Claim there may be a God But we can know nothing about Him No relationship with God Usually more focused on mankind

Atheists Explicitly deny God’s existence Or the existence of any type of divinity

Ecumenism Ecumenism: The effort to restore Christians back to full communion with the Church End all the Church divisions Allow the Church to truly be Catholic After all, this was Christ’s prayer for the Church Christ gave the Church for salvation Vessel of his graces Through the Sacraments Pope given to us to guide us

Salvation Outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation However, the Church does not teach that all those outside the visible Church will not be saved If you know God wants you to be in full communion with the Catholic Church, and still reject it, then you are jeopardizing your salvation However, many non-Catholics do not know this Often through no fault of their own Hope of salvation if they seek God with a sincere heart, and respond to His gift of grace in their lives This grace comes through Christ Christ is present in the Church Therefore, those who are saved, even if not part of the visible Church, are still saved through the graces that the Church possesses Baptism still necessary Baptism of Desire – explicit desire, implicit desire Baptism of Blood

The Value of Other Religions We still can learn from other religions Eastern Orthodox venerate tradition Deep reverence Episcopalians understand the beauty of celebrations Many Protestants are very familiar with the Bible Jews love the commandments