True Christians and those who imagine they are Christians.

True Christians
Who Are They ?

Defining the Status of Those Who Claim to be Christian!

Christians are categorized into two different groupings.
The following four divisions make up the first group
Note linked documents 1 and 2 leading to Christian unity.

Heretics - Automatic Excommunication (Exceptions in Canon Law - Title III)
- Christians who profess a religious belief contrary to official doctrine as understood through a logical hierarchical systematic of teachings and authorities.
  The first two listed below are sequential outlines intended to lead to a proper understanding of the hierarchical structure of teachings and authorities for Catholics and authentic seekers of truth. These are necessary requirements for having oneness (unity through continuity) of faith.
  1. Christian Levels of Belief and Structures of Authority Important Link
  2. Ecumenical Definition of the Catholic Church Important Link
    - Lower level teachings are binding unless it can be established that they are in conflict with a higher level teaching or authority.
  3. Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Dr. Ludwig Ott – Introduction
  Baptized members of the Catholic Church who disavow a revealed truth.
Apostates - Automatic Excommunication (Exceptions in Canon Law - Title III)
- Those who while referring to themselves as being Catholic have in fact abandoned the official teachings and practices of faith. The "great apostasy" follows the coming of the antichrist whose activities lead multitudes into abandoning the foundational teachings of faith.
  - "Many false prophets [teachers] will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold." [Mt. 24:11-12]
  - "False messiahs [Freemasons (and other degenerates), Illuminati (with affiliates), B'nai B'rith (and Arab kindred)] and false prophets [Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims] will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect." [Mt. 24:24 and Mk. 13:22]
  - "Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship, so as to seat himself in the temple of God, claiming that he is a god. . . do you not recall that while I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining [– restraining: holding back or restraining from doing that which is right and just. Satan (devils and their mortal counterparts) are masters of the art of restraining. — katechon - the seizing power –], that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. But the one who restrains [katechon - the seizer: Lucifer and his Masonic worshippers] is to do so only for the present, until he is removed from the scene. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) will kill with the breath of his mouth and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming, the one whose coming springs from the power of Satan in every mighty deed and in signs and wonders that lie, and in every wicked deceit for those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved. Therefore, God is sending them a deceiving power so that they may believe the lie, that all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned." [2 Thes. 2:3-12]
  ". . .To the others I heard him say: Pass through the city after him and strike! Do not look on them with pity nor show any mercy! Old men, youths and maidens, women and children--wipe them out! But do not touch any marked with the X; begin at my sanctuary. So they began with the men ( the elders [priests] ) who were in front of the temple [high church]. Defile the temple, he said to them, and fill the courts with the slain; then go out and strike in the city.
  "As they began to strike, I was left alone. I fell prone, crying out, Alas, Lord GOD! Will you destroy all that is left of Israel when you pour out your fury on Jerusalem?" He answered me: The sins of the house of Israel [church of faith – NOTE: only people can sin.] are great beyond measure; the land is filled with bloodshed, the city with lawlessness. They think that the LORD has forsaken the land, that he does not see them. I, however, will not look upon them with pity, nor show any mercy. I will bring down their conduct upon their heads." [Ezekiel 9:5-10]
Schismatics - Automatic Excommunication (Exceptions in Canon Law - Title III)
- Persons who cause or participate in schism, that is, those who cause or participate in a formal division or separation from the main body of the Church, such as members of Eastern Orthodox churches, are automatically excommunicated [see exceptions].
Faithful - Followers of Jesus using the narrow gate - straight road
- Those who actively seek truth (keep an open mind for spiritual truth) and upon finding a truth put it into practice while seeking additional truths of faith.
- In Christianity those who seek out, accept, and practice the fullness of the teachings of Jesus promulgated by His moral vicars on earth while following a logically developed hierarchical sequence of teachings and authorities.
  1. Teachings at the highest level necessarily conform to God's revealed word and can never change direction, be terminated, or diminished. Lesser teachings fall into levels of opinions that are binding to the degree that they do not oppose higher level teachings.
  2. Laws both religious and civil must conform to God's word. Civil laws are always subordinate to religious laws and do not release from moral obligations. Civil laws may never replace, diminish, or act against God's laws that can also be known through natural law. Righteous laws always act in the service of truth and justice.
  3. Authorities are responsible for explaining and expounding upon God's word and must be subordinate to God's stated will. They may never terminate, diminish, or change its direction. Priests who serve as religious leaders by rank are:
    1. vicar of Christ (a moral pope has full governance of Christian affairs both religious and civil, but is subject to universal doctrine. Moral leadership is lost by automatic excommunication but a pope must be removed from office to cease having legal authority and allow for a successor.)
    2. patriarch (head of a particular Catholic rite in the Church)
    3. bishop (metropolitans, archbishops, bishops, auxiliary bishops - some of whom are classified as ordinaries)
    4. presbyter (monsignors, pastors, administrators, chaplains, associates).

Civil leaders have responsibility for exercising authority in temporal affairs in association with religious leaders and in accordance with God's revealed word. No one, even a reigning pope, ever has the authority to terminate, diminish, change direction, or otherwise oppose God's word.

Conservative – Traditionalist – Liberal – Lukewarm – Orthodox – Catholic

Commonly we humans spend much of our lives in some degree of Spiritual Denial (withholding, or closing, some part of our minds and/or hearts from God). Those who accept before death that spiritual relationships are of more importance than human ones and acceptably repent their sins benefit from the salvific act of Calvary. (Jesus' suffering and death only permitted possible entry into Heaven – release from the primary penalty received because of the sin of Adam [eternal separation from God.] Only those who have participated in Jesus' Last Supper offering, that was consummated on Calvary, and die in faith are permitted entry into Heaven.)

Labels are commonly used to categorize people according to where they are perceived to be in relation to faith. A problem exists in that definitions or criteria that encompass different labels relate to the perspective of the one using the terms. The following is an attempt to standardize labels for the benefit of both users and those being labeled. Defined terms also assist people in understanding what they are saying about themselves when they accept labels in regard to their own beliefs and practices. The following are start points for term definitions that may be further developed:

The following categorizations make up the second group

Conservatives are those who believe that the whole truth and nothing but the truth was contained in what they had been taught by parents, relatives, friends, and other instructors during their formative years. They believe whatever they learned whether it was fact, personal opinion, or error that had been commonly accepted for various periods of time, even centuries. They tend to be narrowly focused and accept the content of what they had been taught as being unchangeable and irrefutable truths.

Conservatives are often narrowly focused and have difficulty in accepting theological growth. As with the other groups they have little concept of a hierarchical order of truth and its relevance to Church leadership. This group has a degree of similarity to the Pharisees of Jesus' era. Most in this group erroneously treat the person filling the office of pope as an infallible being. While particular pronouncements of a pope are protected by the Holy Spirit, the person filling the office of pope is fallible. Some popes are acknowledged as having committed deadly sins, not repented of, and condemned to Hell. Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits
to see whether they belong to God, because many
false prophets have gone out into the world. [1 Jn. 4:1]

A Traditionalist is a variant of the conservative mentality who focuses on some point in the Church's history as being authentic and dependable. This applies to both teachings and liturgical practices. Commonly these people are focused upon pre Vatican II worship and theology. As a whole they have closed their minds to the development of theology. They could be likened to the Sadducees of Jesus' time. This group tends to narrowly focus upon particular teachings of past popes regarding disciplinary matters –unrelated to the teachings of Jesus or to doctrines concerning faith and morals– as though they could not be changed at some future time. While commonly sincere they often become at least quasi schismatic.

Both conservatives and traditionalists hold to what they understand as being the teachings of the Church or Church authorities, however neither has developed or followed a valid systematic of teachings and authorities.

Liberal: One who begins with an open mind but has been indoctrinated with deceptive and erroneous opinions presented as beliefs. He sees problems, has concerns, and wants to resolve them. He associates with Church teachings that suit his purposes and considers the rest as being too improbable to believe. Since he is without a systematic of belief he is open to accept whatever is personally fulfilling. He commonly has a grasp of what pleases people and develops as a humanist. A liberal has departed from faith in the authentic teachings of the Church or has rejected one or more teachings of the Church as not being worthy of belief. He has more concern for the values of this life than for the values of eternal life.

"Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have sullied yourself with lewdness when I would have purified you, and you refused to be purified of your uncleanness, therefore you shall not be purified until I wreak my fury on you. I, the LORD, have spoken; it is coming, for I will bring it about without fail. I will not have pity nor repent. By your conduct and your deeds you shall be judged, says the Lord GOD.
"Thus the word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, by a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes, but do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. Groan in silence, make no lament for the dead, bind on your turban, put your sandals on your feet, do not cover your beard, and do not eat the customary bread. That evening my wife died, and the next morning I did as I had been commanded. Then the people asked me, "Will you not tell us what all these things that you are doing mean for us?" I therefore spoke to the people that morning, saying to them: Thus the word of the LORD came to me: Say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: I will now desecrate my sanctuary, the stronghold of your pride, the delight of your eyes, the desire of your soul. The sons and daughters you left behind shall fall by the sword. Ezekiel shall be a sign for you: all that he did you shall do when it happens. Thus you shall know that I am the LORD. You shall do as I have done, not covering your beards nor eating the customary bread. Your turbans shall remain on your heads, your sandals on your feet. You shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away because of your sins and groan one to another." [Ezekiel 24:6, 13-23]

Once he is established in position, the position in which he is personally most comfortable, he becomes the most close minded of all. He will not honestly discuss any of his beliefs and practices with those who are capable of challenging them. He often even refuses to directly discuss his positions because, at least subconsciously, he knows he will be unable to support or defend his humanistic opinions and desires against authentic teachings. When confronted with legitimate opposition he is apt to "bluster" and come forth with "pretentious defenses or misdirections" intended to confuse the unwary.

Liberals believe only in selected teachings of the Church that they find personally acceptable. Other Church teachings are categorized as controversial and therefore are not accepted as matters required by faith. Liberals will often quote out of context passages from Scripture and other Church documents. They make their own definitions from these quotes and with the passage of time treat them as doctrines of faith.

It should be noted that many liberals are reacting to the erroneous beliefs promoted by conservatives or traditionalists. Like many of those now referred to as Protestants, they have failed to distinguish between actual doctrine and erroneously accepted opinions or abuses of some of those with higher authority in the Church. This group tends to throw out the baby with the bath water, that is, they have not accepted a structure of faith with realistic guidelines and consequently often get rid of sound doctrine along with unsound practices and beliefs.

The members of this group are the primary developers of heresies. In effect they are heretics living hypocritically under the umbrella of the Church. When successful as a group in having false doctrines and practices commonly accepted, they effectively form the foundation for future conservatives. Liberals retain an air of authenticity because those in authority are either fearful of a formal schism, are themselves members of this group, or are lukewarmers. This group can be considered as being actively cold to the true meanings contained in the Word of God.

Middle-of-the-Roader [Lukewarm: "If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you." Proverbs 24:10]: The Middle of the Roaders are those who accept any and all positions even if in conflict. He believes what he wants and is indifferent to everything else. They do not care for any philosophy or theology strongly enough to be concerned with what has been presented them. These are ready candidates for deceptive organizations such as freemasonry, communism, Nazism, socialism, fascism, or any form of belief focused on personal humanistic welfare.

"But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste,
sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in
the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death." [Rev. 21:8]

The lukewarm accept that what anyone else wants to believe is okay so long as he is not disturbed regarding his own personal beliefs and practices. He is indifferent to spiritual truths and to related concepts. He may be a feel-good social worker that believes he is serving mankind. However, because he fails to give priority to love of God and is indifferent to His teachings he serves as a minion of Satan and helps lead others astray. Without a sound faith perspective he will quickly submit to being marked with the sign of the beast. He is among the first mentioned for destruction. These are true fence straddlers and generally the worst of all sinners. They don't really care (indifferentism) about much of anything except their own life's relationships and security. These are the ones referred to in Revelation 3:15-16: "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either cold or hot.
So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth."

A subcategory relates to those who act from confusion as to what is authoritative and what is not. The confused could be the largest of all categories. These have devolved into neutrality and have set aside concerns relating to spiritual conflicts.

Orthodoxy is a term most will try to apply to themselves but very few succeed in doing unless they adhere to the parameters set forth for true Catholics. It should be kept in mind that some may well be orthodox by intent but are not so in fact. Those acting in faith who truly make an effort to follow the teachings of the Church are orthodox by intent. Those who actually know the true teachings of the Church, by hierarchial order, are subject to them in faith, and properly understand love are orthodox in fact.

Generally speaking all of Sacred Scripture, the morally approved Universal Councils of the Church, and all other moral Universally proclaimed Papal expansions of Scripture concerning matters of Faith and Morals are together classified as infallible doctrine. Only the harmonious expansion or development of these teachings are valid. When properly understood they will never be in conflict. They have full integrity and can never change direction, be diminished, or be terminated. These teachings may be further explained or expanded upon but may never be downgraded in any fashion.

The governing statement to be used for an accurate interpretation would be the most clear and direct statement available on any given topic. (The Gospels and the whole of the New Testament are credited with primacy.) All other statements must be interpreted in light of such teachings. Interpretations must always be made in the light of all universal teachings. They may never be taken out of the context of the whole and given an independent contradictory meaning. All other levels of teaching and all members of the Church, regardless of rank, are subject to these teachings. Further development of this thematic is not the purpose of this writing.

True Catholics are those who believe in the teachings of God and His Church and understand that authentic teachings on faith and morals are not diminishable, terminable, and do not change direction. This group accepts rational growth concerning the Word of God and keeps an open mind to development of faith principles and practices. They put into practice the teachings of God and His Church and recognize that good deeds serve the Kingdom. As evidence of faith good deeds are necessary for salvation. Due to lack of training in the systematics of truth and practice this group lacks the cohesiveness that is necessary to effectively oppose the evils within the Church.

Catholics are people of faith who truly love God and are sensitive to His will apart from written law. They act with justice and mercy because they are God's will, not because such acts are in agreement with law. True Catholics, through faith, have a desire and instinct for right and wrong that keeps them from acting offensively during periods of time when solid leadership in faith is lacking. This group does not deny their sinful nature and quickly accepts their sins for what they are — offenses against God that are normally carried out against man. Desiring not to remain in sin longer than necessary they do not delay going to confession to receive God's forgiveness imparted through the successors of the apostles (His ordained priests).

It is probable that not many people fall fully into only one group. Most will have some degree of attachment to two or more groups. Even those who fall mostly into the Middle of the Road group have an opportunity for salvation. The axiom is, "while there is life there is hope." God is always willing to forgive those who honestly seek His mercy and are willing to change their ways. The obstinate, the stiff-necked, the obdurate, those who have hardened their hearts against Him (against truth) do not obtain mercy when they pass from this life into the next.

ad hominem arguments

appealing to a person's feelings or prejudices rather than his intellect.
marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an
answer to his contentions.

There will be "Wars on Earth" that more may be at peace with God in heaven.

"I have come to bring not peace but the sword ~ upon the earth" - Mt 10:34

"The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in time of moral crisis,
maintain their neutrality." (Saint Thomas Aquinas, The Angelic Doctor)

Whether a Man Is Bound to Correct His Prelate?
Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas Aquinas, Q. 33 Art. 4 Pt. II-II

Jesus said, "I tell you, unless your righteousness
surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you
will not enter into the kingdom of heaven." [Mt. 5:20]

Deceptive titles of priests commonly in current usage mislead
many faithful into accepting false positions relating to faith.

In the Gospels Jesus states that the doctrines of God the Father established in the Old Testament will not be diminished or done away with. Except for a limited number of changes (primarily in regard to sacrifice, offerings, change of priestly succession, and dietary restrictions) Jesus Himself has made, the commands of God the Father may only to be expanded and explained as per His example. [Mt. 5; et al] God the Father and His Son have only set good example.

Anyone under any circumstance who does anything other than expand or explain the Word of God is of Satan. Anyone who diminishes or otherwise opposes the teachings of either God the Father or God the Son is not of God and should be held in contempt regardless of the worthiness of the office he may hold.

Whether reading Sacred Scripture or other documents of faith, it must be understood that they must be read as a whole and not taken out of the context of all the revealed Word of God and non conflicting subordinate teachings. To separate a particular phrase, passage, sentence, or paragraph from the whole context of a chapter, document, or of the full teachings of the Church can easily lead one astray.

Little children by nature have minds that are open to truth and love. They make simple inquires and trust that the answers given them by an elder are reliable. If uninhibited they will ponder and question until they understand.

Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said,
"Let the children come to me and do not prevent them;
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
[Lk. 18:16]

. . .purify your hearts, you backsliders [those returning to sin]." [Jas. 4.8]
. . .states, that vain is the belief of those who go against the word of God." [1 Cor. 15:2]
. . .states, "If we say, "We have fellowship with `Jesus'," while we continue to walk in

There is nothing to assure anyone of salvation except true faith in Jesus our Savior. – Faith refers to a knowledgeable, meaningful, and practicing love of God that includes adherence to God's commands. Faith is not just an expression or feeling of belief. – It must be a faith that exists at the time of death. A living faith known through good deeds accomplished over a period of time. NOTE: Good deeds may take place before and/or after a knowledgeable faith exists.

The crucifixion of Jesus took place so that the thoughts
of many hearts would be laid bare. [Lk. 2:35]

There is only one true Christian Church. Those who claim to be Christians, but do not belong to the true Church are by practice or effect either apostates, heretics, or schismatics. In any case they are under automatic excommunication and therefore, without committing a mortal sin of sacrilege, they cannot receive the true Holy Eucharist which only exists in the Catholic Church. The holding of a strong belief does not make the belief fact.

Important Links:

Christian Levels of Belief and Authorities
Defining the Catholic Church
Pope Legally but not Morally

Whether a Man Is Bound to Correct His Prelate? – Saint Thomas Aquinas

unchanged

Priest's Current Debt is in excess of $50,000.00
Unlike pedophiles this priest has no income from his archdiocese.
His public faculties –

– were rescinded without formal charges being made.
The Crime: Defending morally justifiable protection for the unborn.
An unpopular position not considered "Politically Correct."

Pope John Paul II's Vatican theologians have been equally divided on the unpopular position. But Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, a protector of pedophiles who still receive archdiocesan financial support — in addition to costs associated with their grave immoral activities, has taken away income from one who has not opposed any defined Catholic Church teaching.

For additional information please contact Father David Trosch (a morally valid priest)
by mail at the below address,
or by phone: 1 251-639-7456 .
Please help us to continue this service. Mail contributions to:

LIFE ENTERPRISES UNLIMITED
(A 501-c-3 Non-Profit Organization)
P. O. Box 850307
Mobile, AL 36685 U. S. A.