#10127 Internet Open Forum - null

Questions Covered:

01:00 – Do we need an absolute standard as grounding for ethical norms? If so, how can we assert that absolute standard as the Christian God? 
17:30 – A Protestant friend thinks that God predestines the Elect to Heaven in such a way that we have no say in the matter, that we cannot in any way merit our salvation. Of course it’s all God’s grace and we cannot merit final perseverance from what I’ve heard, but we do merit and truly participate in our salvation. Is there an easy way to argue against this, and any Bible quotes that make it clear? 
29:00 – The entire Old Testament seems to depict the people of God continually failing and until the coming of Christ, which is the end of all these failures. There is a continual cultural failure as they succumb to pagan cultures around. Looking at this today, how much are we to engage with this earthly culture? Is there a better option than a strictly “Benedict option” response? How do we naturally stand apart from the culture, genuinely offering a plausible alternate narrative? 
45:00 – There are many today who are not convinced that the Catholic faith is relevant. How can we prove the utmost importance of the faith when the Church itself doesn’t exhibit that faith? For example, in the wake of covid, many parishes and clergy have acted like the things of this world are more important. 

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