Catholic vs. Protestant Philosophy/Theology

[SocaliCatholic]

Protestant and Catholic both have developed extra-biblical philosophies/theologies.

Are these philosophies/theologies a seduction away from the Word of God or are they what God intended to bring us closer to Him?

I see two possiblities:

**Protestant - ** The Bible is the Word of God but if only a select few Church leaders need to interpret the Word of God for me, then why would God reveal the Word of God to us if only a few can understand it correctly from the original source?

**Catholic - ** The Bible is Word of God but if we are interpreting it for ourselves then are we being seduced by some philosophy we insert between the verses so close to the personal reading of the Word of God that it is very subtle to find the seductions and errors.

What is interesting is that if Protestant is correct then Catholics are burdened with unnecessary stuff that slows down the Spirit.

Or if Catholic is correct then Protestant is filled with Spirit but over-zealous becuase God-intended philsophies/theologies have been thrown out.

 

[Axion]

The Protestant view is fatally flawed because the bible is not the Word of God. (Note the capitals)

The Word of God is Jesus.

Jesus entrusted his teaching to the Church, not a book. The bible is **part ** of the Church’s teaching, not a substitute for the Church founded by Jesus.

 

[Shibboleth]

OK a few things here…

For most Protestants when they say the Bible is the Word of God it is to say that the Bible is inspired and by that fact the words contained within are God’s Words. We can all agree that Jesus is the Word in that the Bible states it to be so… nothing like a good tautology now and again.

In regards to interpretation of Biblical Passages - Catholics often are under the misconception that the Catholic Church has defined all the verses in the Bible as to their intent and meaning. In truth the Catholic Church has only made direct infallible statements on only a few verses of the Bible. Additionally, Catholics are allowed to interpret the Bible in a certain sense. Catholics can have their opinions about the meaning of certain verses as long as it does not contradict Catholic teaching. Revelation is one such Book that has thousands of different interpretations by Catholic Biblical scholars - none of which are condemned by the Church.

Overall, Biblical interpretation is not confined to those with authority. Some like to think that the Pope and the Magisterium gain an extra knowledge or wisdom once the office is attained. This is not the case. What the Pope gains when taking the Chair of Peter is a special Charism by which he can state that something is infallible or no… He does not need to understand the Biblical Translation, he technically doesn’t even have to know how to read. Most everything that is now listed as infallible has been done by the work of those without authority. It is those with the special Charism of infallibility that have the ability to say - this is true.

 

[Deo_Volente]

Grace & Peace!

Just want to add a few things–re: the Bible and the w/Word of God.

Origen writes that, for him, Scripture is a revelation of the Word, and therefore represents a kind of incarnation–the text, the literal meaning, acting as the skin of this revelation–and the depths of Christ’s person inviting us to dive into the Ocean of Mysteries beneath this surface, to an encounter with the True Word.

As such, Scripture invites us to experience the presence of Christ beneath the veil of words and concepts. I think that, in this way, Scripture itself becomes sacramental.

Re: Catholic v. Protestant views of this, I think the Catholic Church is in a much better position, seeing the tradition of the fathers as a form of revelation side by side with Scripture. Scripture is therefore not the totality of the religion, a mistake often made by Protestant believers and thinkers, but is an invitation to the Mystery of God in Christ. Tradition helps us encounter this Mystery, and Scripture should lead us to Sacred Tradition as well–because they both have Christ as their focus, their center, their reason for being, their life. They live in a certain symbiotic relationship–both inspired by the Spirit to lead all to the Father through the Son.

Just my two.

–Mark

Deo Gratias!