Karen,

    Thank you for apologizing.
  
    In the past two posts I described the Romanist's doctrines and traditions as unbiblical. I can say that with confidence because I can find no justification in the scriptures for them. In fact, many are in direct contradiction to what the bible says.

    Persons from non-Reformed backgrounds have difficulty in this area. We have traditionally placed a strong emphasis on a doctrinal beliefs drawn from the scriptures. This of course requires an educated clergy and laity. Thus we have always encouraged education to our young. It is no accident that per capita the Reformed have the highest literary rate, more college graduates, more business owners and are the wealthiest of all the denominations.

    But, education starting with the young was not encouraged for the above purposes. It was so they could read and understand the scriptures. Even those who could not read were taught through the catechisms. Only a thorough knowledge of the scriptures and a proper use of interpretation could lead one out of the heresies of the past, present and future. I know why I am not Roman Catholic as well as why I am Protestant because of attention to them.

    Today, relativism has fairly well destroyed such an idea. What one would like the scriptures to say trumps what it does indeed say.

    Do you really think you can enlist present Catholic church members to protest Rome's exclusion of Protestants? Did you not read what I wrote earlier? For Rome to change a doctrine would be to admit error. If they have one error then taht would leave them open to accusations of other errors. Chances are these people are already aware of of the exclusivist principles and don't really care or know with certainty that it can never change for the reasons I have mentioned. Some just like the smells and bells regardless of what goes on.

Gene E. and Vernon,

    I don't knwo of any Reformed denominations that exclude anyone from the table. The "verbiage" from Corinthians is standard no matter what Reformed denomination you worship in. I speak from experience having worshipped in a few different Dutch as well as Swiss, German and French Reformed churches. Outside of those prohibited due to public sin I know of no incident where a person was denied use of the Lord's Table. That the TE makes the declaration as to who is eligible has always seemed to me most proper, guarding the table while at the same time making it available to all without denominational distinction.

    As to the emphasis. Only today. In the past, Elders made it a point to visit members to remind them to prepare themselves for the Lord's Table, even passing out tokens that were presented to ensure that one was not being excluded due to unrepentent sin. I think it served more as a reminder to the member of the soberness of the occasion. Why? Because we believe that we truly feed and drink Christ, albeit spiritually and not corporally as do the Lutherans and Romanists. We have never held to the Zwinglian idea of a mere anamnesiac service. The Bread of Heaven. Isn't that how its described?

     I don't know why someone should get upset jsut because some club has rules you disagree with. It IS their club after all? Just go find one you agree with. Its a good thing the civil courts don't get involved in liturgical and doctrinal squabbles. Half the country woul dbe employed daily as judges and juries.


   I just realized that in listing the various Reformed denominations abouve I left out Presbyterians!


Bob