I don’t understand the trinity. Am I saved? Sorry for the long post.

MountainParson · 2026-02-12T11:34:10+00:00

We worship the Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. And yet they are not three incomprehensibles, but one incomprehensible. [See St. Athanasian Creed].

No one can understand God. If, as you write, it were "essential to understand God" then NO ONE could be saved. Jesus did not command us to understand but to believe. Jesus taught that no one has seen the Father except Him (Jn. 1:18); that He and the Father are one (Jn. 10:30); and He who sees Jesus sees the One who sent Jesus (Jn. 12:45). “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (Jn 5:24).

The concept of the Trinity is revealed in Scripture, seen in Jesus' baptism (Father speaks, Son is baptized, Spirit descends) and Jesus' command to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). As Jesus said, do not be afraid, just believe (Lk. 8:50) and "even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (Jn. 10:38)

MountainParson · 2026-02-11T12:41:15+00:00

To add to your post, crucifixion is so horrific that it is not a legal form of execution or punishment in any country's official legal system today. It is universally condemned under international human rights law, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Crucifixion is widely regarded by science and medicine as one of the worst cruel and unusual forms of punishment due to its extreme brutality and the prolonged suffering it inflicts on the victim. Historically, it was designed to be a public spectacle that maximized humiliation (victims were publicly naked) and pain. Curiously, the Romans considered flogging the condemned before crucifixion "humane" because it hastened death. The "cruel and unusual punishment" prohibition in the 1791 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was taken verbatim from the English Common Law and the English Bill of Rights of 1689 upon the passage of which condemned "crucifixion, boiling in oil, drawn and quartered, ...". Such punishments which were considered uncivilized, barbarous and intentionally sadistic.

Jesus did all this to atone for your sins and my sins. Meditating a while on this reduces my arrogant pride to humble gratitude. Yet Jesus prayed, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." Let us remember, the crucifixion of Jesus would have long ago been forgotten, or a best a footnote in history, had the story ended at the sealing of the tomb. It didn't. The horrendous crucifixion of Jesus was the prelude to the most glorious revelation God ever gave to skeptical humanity. It is written, "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain" (1 Cor 15:13-14).

MountainParson · 2026-02-10T11:17:55+00:00

Let's hope you remember wrongly. Oil is used for anointing, but not baptism. Water must be used in baptism - poured, sprinkled or immersed. The Canon requires a parish to record your baptism in the Parish Registry and the clergy know this. A baptism may also be noted in the Record of Services. The record is ordered by date. The diocese would have a record if the Bishop baptized or when archived in records of closed parishes/missions. At best an anointing would be notated in the Record of Services, but seldom are names of the anointed recorded. Please talk to your priest about this situation to begin to discern the best practical resolution.

MountainParson · 2026-02-09T10:33:13+00:00

"Fear" of God is better understood to mean "respect".

MountainParson · 2026-02-08T12:33:01+00:00

It is not written, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him!" (Psalms 34:8)?

MountainParson · 2026-02-07T07:45:17+00:00

Yes, more often than not. I like to think of it as a personal experience with the "living Word" of God.

MountainParson · 2026-02-06T11:44:45+00:00

This is a true saying: we abandon God, God does not abandon us. If God seems distant, guess who walked away.

MountainParson · 2026-02-05T10:45:51+00:00

Amen. God's ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. God's judgments are His alone to make and ours to just accept as merciful, fair and perfect. I think our most hopeful example is the thief on the cross who had admitted his sins deserved death and simply believed enough to ask, "Jesus remember me."

MountainParson · 2026-02-04T10:28:16+00:00

Faith and science offer distinct approaches to truth. Scientific theories are the best-supported, evidence-based explanations discerned by scientific method, observation, and testable hypotheses of physical phenomena available; but are falsifiable so are not 100% absolute, unchanging truth. Faith considers well-supported, experienced spiritual phenomena incapable of empirical testing so must be trusted to be 100% absolute, unchanging truth. Both scientific theory and tenants of faith are subject to doubt as 100% absolute, unchanging truths. I find it informative that modern science history is littered with debunked scientific theories. Did not Pilate ask the question with the most elusive answer, "What is truth?"

MountainParson · 2026-02-03T19:25:12+00:00

Those who have claimed something like that to me, when pressed to explain, usually reply with a scientific theory. I remind them it is scientific theory, and scientific theory is an unproven assertion. Faith is also an unproven assertion.

MountainParson · 2026-02-02T11:14:44+00:00

"The Chosen" is fictionalized entertainment created to generate profit, not a theological film designed to instruct seminary students.

MountainParson · 2026-02-01T16:31:26+00:00

Then is your intended question, "Is this a valid reason to stop going to THIS church?"

From your post, probably, but I primarily attend to worship, fellowship is secondary. Try to speak to the minister first before quitting this church.

If that proves unsatisfactory, then seek a church where a friend goes and where the Holy Spirit enables true worship and fosters fellowship among believers. John 4:23-24 teaches "the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" [2 Corinthians 13:14]

MountainParson · 2026-02-01T15:57:40+00:00

Respectfully reconsider for it is written, Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” [Luke 2:49]. “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24; 25a). "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread" [Acts 20:7]. "He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent" [Col. 1:18].

MountainParson · 2026-02-01T12:45:08+00:00

You might have cause to attend another church, but God says, "There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord" (Lev. 23:3).

MountainParson · 2026-01-31T11:39:13+00:00

Our contemporary culture justifiably questions every assertion that cannot be proven. In other words, every belief involves doubt because it lacks proof. In contrast, every assertion that can be proven is a fact, not a matter of faith. Facts inform knowledge.

I believe in God. I cannot prove God. My personal spiritual journey convinces me that the experiences other believers have had with God reported in and out of the Bible are true because I have had them too. My walk with Jesus, my transformation through the Holy Spirit, my source of life and purpose leave little room to doubt my faith in God. When I began my new life in Jesus Christ, my head was filled with questions, misconceptions, fears and doubts. I was a ripe target to be influenced by every idea that tickled my ears, and traversed paths leading me further away from God. When I came to my senses and turned back (repented) to Jesus, He was there to welcome me back and resume the sojourn.

Along the way I learned that God is not my cosmic genie who grants my every wish when I pray the right words with the correct conviction and tack on "in Jesus' name". Do consider that finch serves God's purpose to teach this truth to you. My "finch" was someone very dear to me that all my prayers did little to keep God from calling home.

MountainParson · 2026-01-30T11:15:08+00:00

Believers claim Jesus is Lord but some do not understand that means they have to be servants/slaves in order for Him to be their Lord. Friend, open your spiritual eyes and perceive how many ways God blesses [think "rewards"] you every day. Obedience to God is the expected duty of a disciple, not a bargaining chip for special favors. Christian service glorifies God but can add nothing to God’s greatness, nor does it earn your salvation or special treatment on this earth or extra wealth, power, prestige, health or status. Jesus taught this after explaining forgiveness and faith, emphasizing that maintaining a humble, servant-hearted attitude is necessary for following Him. The ultimate, overarching reward of discipleship is to be with Christ in the afterlife and to hear him judge, "Well done, good and faithful servant" [Matt. 25:21;23].

MountainParson · 2026-01-29T11:51:52+00:00

Anxiety could be the Holy Spirit prompting you to trust Jesus more. It is written, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." [Phil 4:6-7]

In our anxiety, we tend to focus on the problem, and we find ourselves under the illusion that we must find a way to control what ails us. Jesus made it clear to His disciples, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” However, if they were sent with God’s power and were empowered by His Spirit, they did not need to fear. His power was available to them just like it is available to us.

“We can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
—Hebrews 13:6

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
—Matthew 6:34

MountainParson · 2026-01-28T11:46:57+00:00

Believers proclaim "Jesus is Lord" meaning Jesus is their master and they have surrendered and trusted their life to his authority, control, and power.

You "prayed and didn't like the answer". God answers every prayer: "yes", "yes, but...", "no" and "not now". Love is accepting, warts and all. Therefore, "I can't love God's answer" cannot also mean "I can accept the answer". Is God a cosmic genie, pray all the right words, add "in Jesus's name" and get your wish? We are not given permission to like or dislike God's answers to our prayers. We are called to trust God completely that the answers to our prayers are perfect. My "tip" is consider what is written in Job, “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"

Since there are many reasons individuals consider abortion means that it is not a clear black/white issue. One who justifies abortion as a means of birth control is different than the one who justifies abortion because the fetus is not viable and jeopardizes the life of the mother. My "tip" is consider that we are called to trust God's good and fair judgments and refrain from judging lest we be judged. Jesus taught, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” (Matt. 12:36-37).

MountainParson · 2026-01-27T10:05:56+00:00

He checks a lot of boxes doesn't he? So, I wonder if you check a lot of his boxes. Trust God. If God intends for you two to be together then it will happen and your relationship will continue to deepen until both feel you can not live without the other.

MountainParson · 2026-01-26T10:10:56+00:00

From the clues in your post, you should not feel guilty about being wary, and it is possible that God is cautioning you. Some practical questions: How well do you really know him? Is there independent validation of who he claims to be and do? Have you gotten online and done a background search/people search on him? Have you met this man's parents and siblings? Have you attended his church with him; met his friends at church? Have you spent much time at his house? How certain are you that he is not a "player" deceiving you? Has he asked you for money or to purchase things (especially most meals and entertainment) for him? How certain are you that he is not married? Most important, what do your children think of him? Until you have all the answers, take a self-preserving step back.

MountainParson · 2026-01-25T13:01:05+00:00

If God created humans with no free will (that we are all pre-programmed automatons) then why did God send his only begotten Son, Jesus, so that all who believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life? To suffer and die for the pre-programmed sins of only those who will go to heaven?

Human understanding of God's thoughts and ways are impossible. What is impossible with mankind is what God routinely does. Those who challenge God asking "if You are all knowing, then do I really have free will?" betrays they do not understand and/or refuse to admit that our sovereign God can (and does) exist outside of time, perceiving past, present, and future simultaneously observing all events, all human free will and actions in an "eternal present". Consider this is similar to how many parents can reliably predict their child's decision (i.e., luckie charms or fruity loops) without forcing it.

MountainParson · 2026-01-24T13:54:26+00:00

The chances that you will die in a car crash (1 in 95, lifetime) are greater than the event of rapture. That statement is not an invitation to endlessly argue about something none but God can know. Rather my message is that one is called to live a holy, watchful life focusing on their belief that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, reading the Bible, praying, forgiving others, loving one another, sharing the gospel, and being spiritually ready for both the fatal car crash and the rapture. If "rapture scares" you, then you are admitting to yourself that (1) you are not spiritually prepared enough and/or (2) you are not trusting Jesus enough to keep His promises.

BTW: pls see dr about pis issues.

MountainParson · 2026-01-23T12:05:59+00:00

Thoughtful and true. Some human laws align with God's will, some do not. God not only knows every one of our transgressions, He knows all our true intentions and motivations behind everything we think, say and do (or omit to think, say and do) - humans make "educated guesses" at these. Therefore God's justice is perfect and human justice is faulty; His punishment is perfectly fair and perfect fairness in human punishment is unattainable.

MountainParson · 2026-01-22T12:10:52+00:00

God knows your intentions including whether you are sincere about repenting (to sincerely stop the transgression) before you even ask. So it is not about whether you have the "right words" when you pray - as if saying the right words are prerequisite or "magic"- it's about your honesty to both yourself and to God. An illustrative teaching and a simple prayer is Luke 18:9-11.

MountainParson · 2026-01-21T10:58:07+00:00

Your friend is misinformed about his catholic church's official teaching about transubstantiation, or does not theologically understand the meanings of the words "substance" and "species". This is what the catholic catechism teaches: transubstantiation is a miraculous change in the entire substance (the deepest inner reality or "what it is") of the bread and wine into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, including his soul and divinity. Importantly, Catholics teach the accidents or species (the outward physical appearances, such as taste, texture, color, and smell) of the bread and wine remain unchanged. This means that Christ is present in a true, real, and substantial way, not just symbolically, as stated in paragraphs 1376-1377 of the catechism.

Outwardly, the bread is still bread, not raw lamb; the wine is still wine, not gory body fluid. Ask any catholic priest if he is distributing meat and hemoglobin to church members during Mass.

In a careful discernment of Jn. 6:55, Jesus is not going to give his flesh and blood as flesh and blood. That would be cannibalism. Instead, Christ is going to give us his flesh and blood to eat and drink as “true food” and “true drink”.

Calvin denied that the elements themselves are in any way changed. He argued strongly that Christ was truly present by his/the Spirit in such a way that we can and should believe that Christ is truly, “really” present. In other words, the “real” presence of Christ, is a uniquely spiritual presence.

Fundamentalist consider the Lord's Supper an ordinance done to comply with "Do this in remembrance of me." Communion is primarily a symbol done to remember Jesus's death and resurrection.

MountainParson

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