Monks and Nuns.

[LostButTrying]

I am fascinated by the idea of somebody giving their whole life over to God.
I wonder what people here think of the idea of entering into that sort of religious life?
Would you consider it?

 

[Sue D.]

The title of the thread is 'Monks and Nuns' and that is not in Bible. It's totally an RCC practice.

A born-again believer is supposed to be living their lives for God.

There used to be monistaries and convents. Maybe there will are -- their existence is not found in God's Word. 'we' Are supposed to be going amongst all people sharing the Gospel unto salvation with all who will listen.

 

[Dave M]

I am fascinated by the idea of somebody giving their whole life over to God.
I wonder what people here think of the idea of entering into that sort of religious life?
Would you consider it?

this is not biblical, a missionary would be someone who gives his whole life to God,

nuns and monks are deceived by mans traditions and only think they are giving there whole life to Christ, DOnt monks spend a majority of there life in a monastery , how is that helping build Gods Kingdom, we need to be out in the world shining our light not hidden away only serving ourself and people like us. They need are prayers to come out from the darkness.

 

[LostButTrying]

There are Protestant monks and nuns too, just not so many as the Roman Catholics.
Celebrating Christmas and Harvest Festivals aren't biblical, but that doesn't mean that these are necessarily bad....?
There are all sorts of monks and nuns... some work in hospitals, care homes, shelters, prisons... many pray and preach.

 

[Sue D.]

@LostButTrying -- your bio info says you're from the UK. Maybe the Church of England has nuns / monks. But not here in the U.S.

Now you're comparing celebrating Christmas and Harvest Festivals aren't Biblical but that doesn't mean that they are especially bad.

Celebrating Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus Christ is Very Biblical. We can read about it in the Gospels.

Monks and nuns are Not found in the Bible. No where is there an example of them found in God's Word.

 

[KingJ]

I am fascinated by the idea of somebody giving their whole life over to God.
I wonder what people here think of the idea of entering into that sort of religious life?
Would you consider it?

Well we have considered it. A Christians entire life is dedicated to God. Unless we lay our lives down completely, carry our cross and follow Jesus we ''cannot'' be His disciples Matt 16:24.

If I think of nuns and priests I am impressed with the extra dedication / level to which they go. Granted there is a lot of stigma with priests, but no bad person get's on their knees and dedicates their entire lives to servitude and abstinence. In theory nuns and priests should have greater rewards in heaven compared to the rest of us. We just need to look at mother Theresa for evidence. Her life was the epitome of how a dedicated Christian lady who loves Jesus with all her heart should live.

As for monks and whoever else. It is a good thing to live as they do. I don't see any wicked intentions. I see dedication and effort to doing what they believe is good and right.

But there are is just one issue that I have with those that are so dedicated to a belief outside of Christianity. Namely, why have they not met Jesus?

God scours the earth for those after His heart. God noticed David the second he reached maturity and started hating what is evil. God is drawn to those that are after His heart. To those that ''wash their hands and purify their hearts''. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

God reveals Jesus to us 1 Cor 12:3 Nobody can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

So, why is it that so many very ''good'' people have not met Jesus? I am sure if we personally knew some we would find smelly rags if we scratched a ''clean'' surface. Issues similar to those Jesus had with the Pharisees?

 

[Sue D.]

@King J. -- who is the 'we' who have considered it?

A person becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ by accepting Him as their person Lord and Savior. And then following Him. Or 'what would Jesus do' in any given situation'.

Born-again believers are Not robots -- we are individuals from various walks of life who are born-again believers. Some are teachers, doctors, scientists, housewives , construction workers, disabled, etc. 'we' do what we can to share the Gospel unto salvation with whoever is willing to listen. "laying down our lives completely and taking up our cross" Almost sounds like a works-based salvation. And you've made that comment Many times.

We will be willing to do God's Will in our lives when we are His children. But it's not like getting down on our knees and telling God "yes, I'm willing to die for your name" Or "yes, I'm going to carry my cross for your name's sake" Now maybe some people Do do that. That's fine. But not Everyone needs to do that physically. Our heart's attitude is what God is concerned with. When / if 'push comes to shove' Will I be willing to take that stand for God and suffer for Him. In the process of sharing the Gospel of salvation With them.

With nuns and priests / monks -- there is NO Biblical basis for them. NONE. It's all RCC. And apparently in some countries, that example Is followed. BUT isn't that a works-based belief system. A lot of things are good - but only 'in theory'.

All born-again believers are 'set apart' to be disciples.

Is Mother Teresa a born-again believer? Just googled her -- I've known of Mother Teresa for years. She's known world-wide -- highly revered in the RCC. And yes she has done a great deal of good in the world. But -- is she a born-again believer -- THAT is the Most important aspect in Anyone's life. Where is a person placing their faith -- in a church or in Jesus Christ. Or Jesus Christ + their own good works. It Needs to be in Jesus Christ Only. THAT is God's Word.

The Holy Spirit is the One who draws a person to God. And then 'we' have the choice to accept or reject.

Your paragraph about God and looking for those who will follow Him. And David reaching maturity and starting to hate evil and Then God noticed David. In God's omniscience -- All Knowledge -- God isn't surprised by or looking For people to follow Him.

With King David -- he did everything Wrong as a leader. He Should have been out with his men in the battle field. IF he had been, he would never have seen Bathsheba on the rooftop taking a bath. He should NOT have taken a second look much less had her called down to his house and had sex with her. And she got pregnant as a result. So -- King David makes a plan to make sure her husband is killed in battle and Then takes her to be his wife. God allows their infant son to get sick and die. And the prophet Nathan approaches King David about his sin. David repents but God Still takes their son in death. So -- the 'moral' of this situation -- God shows 'us' that He can and does use people no matter What they've done AS Long as they are Repentant. So David was a man after God's own heart as were many people in the Old Testament.

Because people 'see' their own good works and don't see their Need for Jesus Christ as their Savior.

And, yes, all our righteousness Are like filthy rags to God.

You're Trying to mix RCC theology with the Bible. Taking ONLY Bible -- you'll see that most of RCC is Not Bible. Very little is.

 

[Brother-Paul]

I am fascinated by the idea of somebody giving their whole life over to God.
I wonder what people here think of the idea of entering into that sort of religious life?
Would you consider it?

It may appear a fascinating idea but we have to see this against scripture, The Truth is in The Word.

There are Protestant monks and nuns too, just not so many as the Roman Catholics.
Celebrating Christmas and Harvest Festivals aren't biblical, but that doesn't mean that these are necessarily bad....?
There are all sorts of monks and nuns... some work in hospitals, care homes, shelters, prisons... many pray and preach.

You are so right there are Protestant monks and nuns, not just RC monks and nuns, the reason for this is after the reformation there was a split in the protestant church, it is still there today. This is why you see some which are called high churches, they are very close to RC traditions and methods of worship. Although they do tend to be more towards the Cathedrals, it is also seen in smaller churches, there was one where I used to live that said it was CofE with RC style worship!

The CofE is very split, they include high which is RC style worship, moderate which is lesser RC and Evangelic, many CofE churches still include 'I believe in the Roman Catholic and Apostolic church' in their creed. It is very mixed up.

Whether we consider monks and nuns, RC, Protestant or other denomination we must consider one vital element, is what they do, teach and worship correct with scripture?

Certainly not what appears a fascinating idea.

No where in scripture will we find being a monk or a nun right with God. Now many may say, their devotion is incredible, but that does not mean it is right with God, nore does it save their souls. In fact scripture says the opposite to what monks and nuns do. They shut themselves away from the world, in monastery's in convents, consider the following Great Commission given to Jesus disciples, the disciples then and all future disciples, which are those that are saved, that are born again, that are part of the True Church, the only ones who will see heaven. Jesus said...

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Go therefore, out to the world not into a monastery. Other scriptures confirm from Judea, to Samaria even to the far ends of the earth.

Note also v18, All authority has been given to me (Jesus) in heaven and on earth. There are other scriptures that tell us to pray through Jesus Christ, He is the intercessor of all prayer. The RCC pray through the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is also wrong.

If the monks and nuns, and the RCC or anyone else does not repent and ACCEPT Jesus as their Lord and saviour they WILL NOT see the kingdom of Heaven. They must be born again in Jesus Name.

John 3:3,5-7 (NKJV)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

The monks and nuns think they are removing themselves from the wicked world to be right with God, they are not right with God, because they have not accepted His One and Only Son, who died for their sins. They do not know Jesus!

Do not be deceived my friend.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Well we have considered it. A Christians entire life is dedicated to God. Unless we lay our lives down completely, carry our cross and follow Jesus we ''cannot'' be His disciples Matt 16:24.

If I think of nuns and priests I am impressed with the extra dedication / level to which they go. Granted there is a lot of stigma with priests, but no bad person get's on their knees and dedicates their entire lives to servitude and abstinence. In theory nuns and priests should have greater rewards in heaven compared to the rest of us. We just need to look at mother Theresa for evidence. Her life was the epitome of how a dedicated Christian lady who loves Jesus with all her heart should live.

As for monks and whoever else. It is a good thing to live as they do. I don't see any wicked intentions. I see dedication and effort to doing what they believe is good and right.

But there are is just one issue that I have with those that are so dedicated to a belief outside of Christianity. Namely, why have they not met Jesus?

That is the key point brother... they have not met Jesus

John 3:16-21 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

Unless they accept Jesus, God's One and Only Son, who died for their Sins, they are lost souls.

God scours the earth for those after His heart. God noticed David the second he reached maturity and started hating what is evil. God is drawn to those that are after His heart. To those that ''wash their hands and purify their hearts''. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.


So true my friend, but how do we draw nigh to God? Through Jesus Christ our Lord. No one comes to the Father except through the son.

God reveals Jesus to us 1 Cor 12:3 Nobody can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

So, why is it that so many very ''good'' people have not met Jesus? I am sure if we personally knew some we would find smelly rags if we scratched a ''clean'' surface. Issues similar to those Jesus had with the Pharisees?

There are many good and charitable people in the world, but they prefer the world to God, we are all given the same choice in life. Repent of our sins and accept Jesus into our hearts and life and receive the Free Gift of salvation, OR, don't accept Him and live according to sin, the world and the devil. We are one or the other, we cannot be both. Doing our best to be good people in a wicked world does not give us Salvation. Jesus paid the price when He shed His Blood on the Cross, He paid the price for OUR SINS, and He PAID it IN FULL. If we do not accept Jesus and the Free Gift of Salvation, that is our choice, it means we have chosen the opposit, and we will PAY the PRICE for OUR SINS.

It is all here, in full read John 3:1-21

John 3:16-21 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

Blessings