4marks.com: Sharing, connecting, and growing in the Community of Faith.

Sharing

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

While the Internet has been a tremendous tool in aiding activities of our culture it also presents many pitfalls which are chronicled at times by the media. The internet is polluted with thoughts and ideas that are not pure.

At 4marks.com we review the articles, events, videos, and other member-submitted content that is posted to this site to help promote things that are “worthy of praise”. Whether you are an established writer or an aspiring apologist; a lay person or a consecrated religious - we encourage you to share your talent and your identity as part of the 4marks community.

Connecting

"It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up. " (Eccl. 4:9-10)

"My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to them. " (Prov. 1:10)

The late Pope John Paul II, had this to say about the challenge we face in using Internet technology, "It is important, therefore, that the Christian community think of very practical ways of helping those who first make contact through the Internet to move from the virtual world of cyberspace to the real world of Christian community." It is this very challenge that 4marks is working to answer.

We have witnessed an explosion of “friendship” websites including myspace, facebook, and literally hundreds of others. But, as our parents warned us, our choice of friends can either erode or strengthen our conscience over time. At 4marks.com we work to establish both godly friendships and godly marriages - relationships that will encourage us in our struggles and affirm us in our love for God.

Growing

“Lay up these my words in your hearts and minds, and hang them for a sign on your hands, and place them between your eyes. Teach your children that they meditate on them, when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest on the way, end when thou liest down and risest up.” (Deut 11:18-20)

Through our weekly trivia, daily lessons, information on the Saints, and other interactive features we hope that 4marks.com becomes a valuable tool for learning and reinforcing the Faith both for parents and for children.

Community of Faith

So what is the community of Faith – it’s the Church! In the Nicene Creed, we profess, "We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church": these are the four marks of the Church, the way in which we can identify her.

• One - The unity of Christ's Church refers to the need for the Church to be undivided. Paul linked this unity to the Church's common Eucharistic bread: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17
• Holy - This doesn’t mean that the people are free from sin, but that the institution of the Church is a holy institution established by Christ. Also, the Church has been endowed with the sacramental means to help make holy the sinners who are found in her ranks
• Catholic - The universality of Christ's Church establishes the Church as being open to all people; Christ refuses no one from His grace! It also refers to the fullness of the faith which it possesses, and to its destiny to spread this Faith throughout the world
• Apostolic - The Church was handed down from Christ through the Apostles to mankind. The Church can be traced back through history to show that those who lead the Church were commissioned to do so by the Apostles. "One does not take the honor upon himself" (Heb. 5:4)