Bible and Holy Spirit as Authority

[catholictiger]

This is a simple question, I know there are some protestants maybe many of them who believe that the only Authority they need is the Holy Spirit. Its something like once we receive the Holy Spirit we can know everything we need to know about Scripture becuase we have the Holy Spirit and it shows us what we need to know and what it means. s

So what would you think is a common argument against something like this? These people are usually anti Catholic, and when you get into arguments with them, they seem to believe that their view of Scripture is correct and ours is wrong.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

This is a simple question, I know there are some protestants maybe many of them who believe that the only Authority they need is the Holy Spirit. Its something like once we receive the Holy Spirit we can know everything we need to know about Scripture becuase we have the Holy Spirit and it shows us what we need to know and what it means. s

So what would you think is a common argument against something like this? These people are usually anti Catholic, and when you get into arguments with them, they seem to believe that their view of Scripture is correct and ours is wrong.

Oh yeah, the “My Holy Spirit can lick YOUR Holy Spirit” crowd.

Keep praying. To the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the time just isn’t ‘right’ and instead of words, actions (prayer, kindness, true Christian charity) will help plant the seed.

 

[DianaCC]

So what would you think is a common argument against something like this? These people are usually anti Catholic, and when you get into arguments with them, they seem to believe that their view of Scripture is correct and ours is wrong.

Exactly. So one useful approach is to state Catholic doctrine and say that’s what the Holy Spirit is telling you the scriptures mean. This pits your Holy Spirit against their “Holy Spirit”, forcing them to call the Holy Spirit a liar.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

This is a simple question, I know there are some protestants maybe many of them who believe that the only Authority they need is the Holy Spirit. Its something like once we receive the Holy Spirit we can know everything we need to know about Scripture becuase we have the Holy Spirit and it shows us what we need to know and what it means.
So what would you think is a common argument against something like this? These people are usually anti Catholic, and when you get into arguments with them, they seem to believe that their view of Scripture is correct and ours is wrong.

From what I’ve seen, on these forums, most of them reference verses in John. When reading through the Gospel of John to discern what they were saying I noticed something. There were things spoken to the multitudes and other things spoken to the men chosen and appointed by Christ. When Christ spoke about the Spirit of Truth guiding them in all things, the only audience present was the Apostles, or the authoritative men of the Church as chosen and appointed by Christ. No where in scriptures did anyone appoint themselves as authoritative, nor did anyone without the appropriate authority appoint anyone else.

Start at John chapter 13 and read through carefully, paying attention to the specific audience present. No one else is present until they come to arrest Jesus, particularly those times Christ promised the ‘Holy Spirit’.

We have to consider the context of who was being spoken too. It’s quite easy to read through and see that the multitudes were taught differently than those chosen over His Church.

 

[cemiller]

Ask them why everyone doesn’t agree perfectly if the Holy Spirit is guiding everyone, and if they answer that Satan tricks others ask them how they know that didn’t happen to them…

 

[DianaCC]

Ask them why everyone doesn’t agree perfectly if the Holy Spirit is guiding everyone, and if they answer that Satan tricks others ask them how they know that didn’t happen to them…

And what if they reply that sin prevents us from hearing the HS clearly? Or that they all agree on the basics, or the essentials, or on what pertains to salvation, while the differences among denominations is part of legitimate diversity in the Body of Christ?

 

[JRKH]

And what if they reply that sin prevents us from hearing the HS clearly?

Ask if they are without sin?

Or that they all agree on the basics, or the essentials, or on what pertains to salvation, while the differences among denominations is part of legitimate diversity in the Body of Christ?

Protestants have differing and opposing views on several essentials that touch on salvation.
Real presence (if you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you) and the necessity of water baptism are just two. Someone who is more familar with the various protestant dialects can probably provide more.
In fact I’d wager that you couldn’t get all protestants to agree on what consitutes “essential”

Peace
James

 

[cemiller]

Ask if they are without sin?

Protestants have differing and opposing views on several essentials that touch on salvation.
Real presence (if you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you) and the necessity of water baptism are just two. Someone who is more familar with the various protestant dialects can probably provide more.
In fact I’d wager that you couldn’t get all protestants to agree on what consitutes “essential”

Peace
James

 

[Nicea325]

This is a simple question, I know there are some protestants maybe many of them who believe that the only Authority they need is the Holy Spirit. Its something like once we receive the Holy Spirit we can know everything we need to know about Scripture becuase we have the Holy Spirit and it shows us what we need to know and what it means. s

So what would you think is a common argument against something like this? These people are usually anti Catholic, and when you get into arguments with them, they seem to believe that their view of Scripture is correct and ours is wrong.

Their only authority is the Holy Spirit? Really? Wow! What about God the Father and God the Son? We believe in God the Father,God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,not three distinct Gods.

 

[catholictiger]

Their only authority is the Holy Spirit? Really? Wow! What about God the Father and God the Son? We believe in God the Father,God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,not three distinct Gods.

I think you need more of an authority then the trinity. We are sinful man, and we ourselfs can’t possible be able to discern the difference between the Voice of God and the Voice of Satan, well enough to be able to get a full enough understanding of scripture to not seek outside assistance.

 

[MarcoPolo]

This is a simple question, I know there are some protestants maybe many of them who believe that the only Authority they need is the Holy Spirit. Its something like once we receive the Holy Spirit we can know everything we need to know about Scripture becuase we have the Holy Spirit and it shows us what we need to know and what it means. s

So what would you think is a common argument against something like this? These people are usually anti Catholic, and when you get into arguments with them, they seem to believe that their view of Scripture is correct and ours is wrong.

You could just tell them that, according to Catholic teaching, it IS the Holy Spirit who interprets Scripture for us. See the heading after paragraph 108 in the Catechism.

Then your best bet is probably to follow Tantum Ergo’s advice. Either that, or verse yourself in why the Catholic Church teaches that those with Apostolic Succession bear the Spirit’s guarantee to teach without error (as opposed to any individual who may or may not derive a true understanding of the text).