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Under Contrution
Pray for Us
Slide 1-You mentioned in your talk that while the Orthodox continued starighr ahead,the catholics deviated to the right and the Protestants deviated to the left.Does that mean they won't go to Heaven?
HG : No. When we say they deviated, we are not condemning them. There are two levels firstly, the Christians - those who
believe in the divinity and incarnation and redemption of Christ - basically, those who believe in the Christian creed. Secondly, there are those Christians who are Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. Each differs in details concerning doctrines, the sacraments and priesthood and fellowship with the saints, but we agree on the major concept of Christianity which is the creed, and therefore we are ALL Christians. But the orthodox way to the Kingdom of Heaven is the straightest and the shortest, while the others are a little zigzag. Therefore we must NEVER condemn other Christian denomi- nations that believe in the Lord, saying that they are not going to heaven. This is not our capacity and is completely illogical, because they believe in the creed which is the essence of Christianity.
Slide 4-Is the Holy Communion 100% Body and Blood of Jesus Christ? If so Why can't we see that?
HG : Because we are not infallible, it is expected that we may commit the same sins again, especially during certain stages of life. But you must always struggle against this sin by nourishing yourself spiritually in order to be victorious, and you must
confess your sins to the priest so that he may help overcome this sin by praying for you and giving you guidance.
Slide 5-Why did Jesus Christ have to be the one to save us?
Bishop Moussa Answer:
God knew from the beginning that man was going to sin, and He was not only going to forgive him, but He was also going to redeem him. But first we need to understand what the qualifications of a redeemer are:
1- He must be man because humans who are sinners are men (men meaning human).
2- He must die, because the wage of sin is death.
3- He must be sinless, because if he were sinful he also would be in need of redemption.
4- He must be infinite, because our sin is infinite.
5- He must be a creator, in order to create a new nature. To fulfill these requirements, God had to be incarnated in the form of man, and dwell among men, and die.
Thus, He was the unification of humanity and divinity. Through humanity, He was man and died, and through divinity, He is infinite and the Creator, and He is sinless.
Slide 7-How did Satan ,who was an angel in heaven,fall?
HG : Before the foundation of the world, God created the angels with free will, and allowed a period of testing. The angels were content being illuminated by the light of God; however, Satan rejected this light and wanted to be illuminated of himself. Hence, he wanted to put his throne above the throne of God, and so, like the cord of a lamp pulled out from the socket, he was cast into total darkness. Because God created Satan in the beginning, He can eliminate Satan, but God left Satan in order to give us the opportunity to experience free will; to choose between the way of light, and the way of darkness.
Slide 9-If GOD knew the beginning that man was going to fall,why did He create man?
HG : God can solve all our problems, and change whatever is darkness into light. God gives us the free will to decide which path to follow. So, instead of wondering why God creates us when we sin, try repenting, in order to enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven. Also, in the Bible, it is written that the revealed things are ours, and the secret things are the Lord’s. Once a man asked the Lord this same question, in contemplation, and the Lord answered him saying “My dear son, obey what is written in the Bible and do not be concerned about My justice and My love. When you come here you will see that My justice is infinite and My love is infinite, so do not worry and do not ask Me now; you will know when you come here”.
Slide 10-Did God create angels sinless,and if not,can angel sin?
HG : God created the angels before the creation of the world and before time. They were created holy, but given a free will, just like human beings. They had a period of testing, and so those who remained holy stayed in heaven, from the end of that period of testing unto eternity, and they cannot sin. Those who did not remain holy, such as Satan, were cast out and condemned.
