Bible Interpretation and the Catholic Church

[po18guy]

Yes. There is no doubt that the Catholic church is the founder of the Bible. I am beginning to wonder if Luther’s break away from the church was such a good idea.

Ranking members of the Church were corrupt in their practices, and many Saints were made through suffering at their hands. Saint John of the Cross is a perfect example. He was persecuted and even imprisoned by his superiors. The Church hierarchy needed a reformation of heart, but not of the teaching of the Church. Those in authority were hypocrites and did not practice what they preached. The Catholic reformation is not nearly as well known, but it was occurring within the Church. The difference is that the Catholic reformers remained loyal to the Church and reformed it from within. Luther had a well-documented ego and temper. He instituted many changes that were his personal beliefs and desires, and had never been taught by the Church.

I read a little about the Magisterium in Wikipedia but am not clear on what apostolic tradition is.

Have a look at this: oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Tradition_and_Living_Magisterium

 

[diggerdomer]

Yes. There is no doubt that the Catholic church is the founder of the Bible. I am beginning to wonder if Luther’s break away from the church was such a good idea.

I read a little about the Magisterium in Wikipedia but am not clear on what apostolic tradition is.

Apostolic tradition means simply that what the Church believes, prays, teaches, and lives, is something that was passed on by the Apostles. There is a direct continuity from what the Apostles knew and experienced of Christ to what was believed, prayed, taught, and lived by those who learned from the Apostles (and disciples etc.) through the ages.

 

[seth349]

We certainly suffer even after receiving the Holy Spirit - sometimes especially because of that, as the evil one demands to test us. However, great joy is ours in the presence of the Spirit, as well as in suffering, for our suffering will end, but our joy will be eternal.

So, strengthened by Christ, we are to rejoice even in suffering - especially in suffering for the name of Christ.

After some reflection and browsing around I have come to the conclusion that you are correct. This is a concept that has evaded me until now. Thanks.

 

[po18guy]

After some reflection and browsing around I have come to the conclusion that you are correct. This is a concept that has evaded me until now. Thanks.

Much more important for both of us is that the Church is correct. I learned the value and importance of suffering only after becoming Catholic. Jesus is our perfect example of the “suffering servant”. He told the Apostles time after time that He would have to suffer, but they did not understand Him. God told Ananias in Damascus that He would show Saul of Tarsus (Saint Paul) how much he would have to suffer for God’s Kingdom. Consider the ways in which we do not suffer anything like those in biblical times. We are not oppressed by a foreign power, we are at peace, we are well fed and we have medicine that was not even dreamed of - and yet we suffer. Sin, illness and death entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience and man has suffered ever since. It causes me to reflect on how perfect life was in the garden of Eden before the fall.

However, the Father has seen our afflictions and heard our cries of suffering. His answer is not sending one to deliver us from that suffering, but One to accompany us through it.

 

[seth349]

So Jesus accompanies us on our journey to our ultimate goal. Who decides when our journey is over? Is that an act of God, or an accident? And for the sake of argument let’s say we achieve our goal and enter the Kingdom of Heaven, would we find anything besides catholics there? Surely only christians.

 

[po18guy]

So Jesus accompanies us on our journey to our ultimate goal.

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) For Catholics, this is most exemplified in the Eucharist.

Who decides when our journey is over? Is that an act of God, or an accident?

The Lord God alone decides. Sometimes, He decides to use accidents, so the word for us is: be ready. “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).

And for the sake of argument let’s say we achieve our goal and enter the Kingdom of Heaven, would we find anything besides catholics there? Surely only christians.

We will find the righteous under earlier covenants (Abraham, Moses, Job) as well as Christians who were obedient to Christ’s teachings. As recorded in Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned” We must remember that Jesus founded one Church and prayed to the Father that they be of one accord. Then, He sent Apostles forth to teach. His teachings are hard, and many left Him because of them (John 6:60, 6:66). The best chance we have to get to heaven is to believe and be baptized, as well as deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus via His earthly Church. Study the seven Sacraments as they will lead one to greater appreciation of this. Each of them was instituted to lead the faithful to the eternal Kingdom.

 

[seth349]

The best chance we have to get to heaven is to believe and be baptized, as well as deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus via His earthly Church. Study the seven Sacraments as they will lead one to greater appreciation of this. Each of them was instituted to lead the faithful to the eternal Kingdom.

I have heard of the Sacrements, but never understood what they were. Now that I’ve seen them they seem a very hearty and effective way to maintain adherence to beliefs. There is something about being in a group of people with similar aspirations that instills spiritual awareness, so I understand. In the company of other like minded people I can see where the ritual would have a hypnotic effect, a focusing, that would be very beneficial to the participant in guiding him, and keeping him on his chosen path. I never understood or appreciated the rituals performed by the Catholic Church before.

In my research I came across mortal sins and was surprised to find out what was included. I see now why people are so anxious to have a priest around when they are lying on their death bed.

 

[po18guy]

I have heard of the Sacrements, but never understood what they were. Now that I’ve seen them they seem a very hearty and effective way to maintain adherence to beliefs. There is something about being in a group of people with similar aspirations that instills spiritual awareness, so I understand. In the company of other like minded people I can see where the ritual would have a hypnotic effect, a focusing, that would be very beneficial to the participant in guiding him, and keeping him on his chosen path. I never understood or appreciated the rituals performed by the Catholic Church before.

In my research I came across mortal sins and was surprised to find out what was included. I see now why people are so anxious to have a priest around when they are lying on their death bed.

It all begins with the Sacrament of Baptism. Once the stain of original sin is erased from our souls, it opens the door for all of God’s graces to flow. Some heretical sects nowadays argue that baptism is either not necessary - contrary to the word of Christ (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16), or occurs in some form completely at variance with the formula of water and the Spirit, as instituted by Christ (John 3:5).

This traces directly back to your original post of bible translation. It is always best to leave the programming to the experts. The Apostles and their handpicked successors are the experts. They interpret through the authority given to the Church by Christ. That is the only reason that there still is a Church that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. One - unified in beliefs. Holy - set apart. Catholic - universal; covering the world. Apostolic - established upon the chosen twelve and perpetuated by their successors.

 

[seth349]

This traces directly back to your original post of bible translation. It is always best to leave the programming to the experts. The Apostles and their handpicked successors are the experts. They interpret through the authority given to the Church by Christ. That is the only reason that there still is a Church that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. One - unified in beliefs. Holy - set apart. Catholic - universal; covering the world. Apostolic - established upon the chosen twelve and perpetuated by their successors.

It does seem to circle back and I believe you have answered my question and more. Thank you for your time in providing detailed answers and supporting scriptures. Often I see scriptures alone used as answers to questions as if they explain everything. You have given scriptures and explanations and I have not only gained knowledge but a good feel for the catholic experience. Thanks to you and others who have been very good hosts. I must move on now, but if I have any other questions I know where to go.

 

[po18guy]

It does seem to circle back and I believe you have answered my question and more. Thank you for your time in providing detailed answers and supporting scriptures. Often I see scriptures alone used as answers to questions as if they explain everything. You have given scriptures and explanations and I have not only gained knowledge but a good feel for the catholic experience. Thanks to you and others who have been very good hosts. I must move on now, but if I have any other questions I know where to go.

You will be in my prayers, as it is clear that you have a seeking heart, and a love of reason. The faith part we will work on, as faith and reason go hand in hand. We are always here and look forward to your inquiries.

May your new year be one of peace.