Do you have questions about Catholic beliefs & Practices

[Abu]

[rcwitness #590
Do you believe that “only” the magisterium is able to interpret Scripture?

The Magisterium gave the world the Sacred Scriptures as the Word of God. Only the Magisterium can, with His authority, declare an interpretation.

The distinction should be made that the Magisterium’s interpretation is binding on the Church.

In reality Christ Himself mandated the Greet Commission to His Apostles for ALL:
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28: 18-20).

We can only study with others, and share what our faith has to offer. The rest is in God’s hands.

I would add that we should do more than “study with others” – we must listen and assent to what the Catholic Church teaches about Sacred Scripture, and offer that truth to all others – no one else has the authority from Christ to challenge Her interpretation.

You have seen on this thread the quaint, but often common, misinterpretations of vital biblical texts, which have led to thousands of differing sects “proclaiming” God’s Word in a cacophony of confusion.
[/quote]

 

[blanchardman]

Two questions:
1: Was the “last supper” the Passover meal? Please just a simple yes or no.
2: What is the meaning of "high Sabbath (high day)?

 

[PJM]

Do you believe that “only” the magisterium is able to interpret Scripture?

I think there are many Godly men and women who read, believe and are given illumination to the meaning of things in Scripture.

The Magesterium is the ONLY Holy Spirit [Mt 28:18*19 & Jesus Jn 17:17-20] ASSURED Correct translation of the Bible:thumbsup:

The distinction should be made that the Magisterium’s interpretation is binding on the Church. So while individuals, or even groups of Christian are able to interpret wisely, they do not have authority to contradict what the Church’s Magisterium has declared under lawful terms.

This is important, I believe, because we don’t deny that there are non-Catholic Christians who have seen many Truths from the Holy Scriptures! And amen to that!

But maybe you are using “interpret” in the sense of “Teaching with authority” and not merely “discerning the meaning”. If that is so, then I agree. But it happens… and always will. We can only study with others, and share what our faith has to offer. The rest is in God’s hands.

Blessings,

Partick

 

[PJM]

I don’t believe the Church Teaches that only the Magisterium can interpret Scripture.

I believe only her confirmed interpretation has binding authority on the whole Church.

The present CODE of Canon Law

Can. 750 §1. A person must believe with divine and Catholic faith all those things contained in the word of God, written or handed on, that is, in the one deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church or by its ordinary and universal magisterium which is manifested by the common adherence of the Christian faithful under the leadership of the sacred magisterium; therefore all are bound to avoid any doctrines whatsoever contrary to them.

God Bless you,

Partick

 

[rcwitness]

The present CODE of Canon Law

Can. 750 §1. A person must believe with divine and Catholic faith all those things contained in the word of God, written or handed on, that is, in the one deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church or by its ordinary and universal magisterium which is manifested by the common adherence of the Christian faithful under the leadership of the sacred magisterium; therefore all are bound to avoid any doctrines whatsoever contrary to them.

God Bless you,

Partick

great reference. I believe this supports what I was saying.

 

[spedteacherita]

I don’t believe the Church Teaches that only the Magisterium can interpret Scripture.

I believe only her confirmed interpretation has binding authority on the whole Church.

Can you please refresh my memory as to what the Magisterium is? Is it found in the Bible?

Thanks and God bless!

Rita

 

[rcwitness]

Can you please refresh my memory as to what the Magisterium is? Is it found in the Bible?

Thanks and God bless!

Rita

It’s the Teaching authority of the Catholic faith. It is the college of Bishops in union with the Bishop of Rome.

I don’t usually link Wiki, but this seemed appropriate:

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magisterium

 

[Abu]

Spedteacherita #596
Can you please refresh my memory as to what the Magisterium is? Is it found in the Bible?

As the Magisterium is “The Church’s teaching authority, vested in the bishops, as successors of the Apostles, under the Roman Pontiff, as successor of St. Peter. Also vested in the Pope, as Vicar of Christ and visible head of the Catholic Church. (Etym. Latin magister, master.)”
(therealpresence.org/cgi-bin/getdefinition.pl), that reality is given to us by Christ as shown in posts #440 and #498 – to refresh your memory.

You will know that the word “Bible” is not in the Sacred Scriptures authorised and given to us by the Catholic Church.

 

[blanchardman]

You will know that the word “Bible” is not in the Sacred Scriptures authorised and given to us by the Catholic Church.

The Sacred Scriptures was given to us by God (the Holy Spirit). Saying it was authorised by the church is a stretch.

 

[rcwitness]

The Sacred Scriptures was given to us by God (the Holy Spirit). Saying it was authorised by the church is a stretch.

Not a stretch according to Paul:

Ephesians 3

…and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages inGod who created all things;*that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.11This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

God is the Author of Scripture and faith. Inspired and compelled by Him, men co-authored the Scriptures. The Church, received, Confirmed, canonized and venerates Scripture as containing (with Sacred Tradition) the entire deposit of faith.

 

[Abu]

Blanchardman #599
The Sacred Scriptures was given to us by God (the Holy Spirit). Saying it was authorised by the church is a stretch.

It is good to know the truth, for the truth shall set you free.

The only way that we know that any writing is “Scripture” – is the Word of God – is precisely because the Catholic Church specifically founded by Christ “to teach all nations” declared certain writings, and no others, to be inspired by God, and teach no error. She gave the world the Sacred Scriptures by defining which books (writings), no more no less, are the Sacred Scriptures.

The books that actually are declared the inspired Word of God were authorized by Pope Damasus at a Council of Rome in 382, confirmed at the Councils of Hippo, 393, Carthage III 397, Carthage IV in 419 and canonised at the Council of Trent (1545-1563) – 46 books in the Old Testament, 27 books in the New Testament – clearly showing the authority of Christ’s Church, and culminating in the defined Canon of Sacred Scriptures at the Council of Trent.

Don’t you know that because Protestants don’t follow Christ in giving HIS Catholic Church supreme authority, they have left out seven Biblical Books from their Bibles after the Revolt, and thus do not believe in the reality of Purgatory?

 

[blanchardman]

It is good to know the truth, for the truth shall set you free.

The only way that we know that any writing is “Scripture” – is the Word of God – is precisely because the Catholic Church specifically founded by Christ “to teach all nations” declared certain writings, and no others, to be inspired by God, and teach no error. She gave the world the Sacred Scriptures by defining which books (writings), no more no less, are the Sacred Scriptures.

The books that actually are declared the inspired Word of God were authorized by Pope Damasus at a Council of Rome in 382, confirmed at the Councils of Hippo, 393, Carthage III 397, Carthage IV in 419 and canonised at the Council of Trent (1545-1563) – 46 books in the Old Testament, 27 books in the New Testament – clearly showing the authority of Christ’s Church, and culminating in the defined Canon of Sacred Scriptures at the Council of Trent.

Don’t you know that because Protestants don’t follow Christ in giving HIS Catholic Church supreme authority, they have left out seven Biblical Books from their Bibles after the Revolt, and thus do not believe in the reality of Purgatory?

Purgatory again? OK it is your turn. Convince me.

 

[Padres1969]

Ok so here’s a question that’s come up this Lent regarding Catholic practice. I know the Catholic Church did away with Formal Act of Defection in 2009. While I’ve been a practicing Episcopalian for some time now (listed member at an Episcopal Church, receiving communion at that church, etc…), and I left the Catholic Church as a matter of practice well over a decade ago, until now I’d not been formally received into the Episcopal Church (and I’m often told it wasn’t strictly speaking necessary at any rate). Now however with a little one on the way whom I will be baptizing into my church later this year, and I wanting to participate even more fully in my church, I decided this Lent that the time was right to undergo the formal reception into the Episcopal Church.

With that reception however I became curious as to my status vis-a-vis the RCC. I know the RCC says that once baptized, always baptized, which makes sense, my Episcopal Church obviously acknowledges my Catholic baptism all those years ago and has even recorded it as part of my reception process along with my Catholic confirmation (hence why I’m being received and not confirmed in the Episcopal Church). But is there a way to notify the RCC of my formal induction into another Christian church? And if notified does the Catholic church ever acknowledge the fact of my changed status as a member of a different branch of the Christian family or do they continue to count me as Catholic?

I mean this is something that I’d been thinking of off and on for a while now, but with my formal reception upcoming this Easter it seemed an appropriate time to raise the issue.

 

[Abu]

Blanchardman #602
Purgatory again? OK it is your turn. Convince me.

When you realise that the Christ founded HIS own Church on St Peter, and that She gave us the Sacred Scriptures as the Word of God you will be open to receive the truth from them.

The doctrine of Purgatory is found in 2 Maccabees 12:46:
"It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins."

So the Bible is replete with further evidence for Purgatory, here are a few:
1)** Mt 12:32:** Our Blessed Lord Himself: “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” “The age to come’ means life after death, so Our Lord is clear – there ARE other sins that can be pardoned after death. We see also that the Lord knew that His Jewish listeners knew what He meant by forgiveness I the next life.

1. Then follows Mt 12:36: “on the day of judgment, men will render account for every careless word they utter.” “Careless words” don’t merit Hell, but there will be a penalty which takes place in the Purgatory assigned for that.
2. **Mt 5:21-6: **Christ warns of the coming judgment, and in His parable emphasises “put in prison….you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.” So paid here, or hereafter where the detention is temporary that can be neither heaven nor hell – but Purgatory.
3. 2 Tim 1:16-18: St Paul prays for the house hold of his helper Onesiphorus, then for Onesiphorus himself: “may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day.”
   Another example of Purgatory in St Paul’s prayer for the dead.

 

[PJM]

great reference. I believe this supports what I was saying.

Your welcome

 

[blanchardman]

When you realise that the Christ founded HIS own Church on St Peter, and that She gave us the Sacred Scriptures as the Word of God you will be open to receive the truth from them.

The doctrine of Purgatory is found in 2 Maccabees 12:46:
"It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins."

So the Bible is replete with further evidence for Purgatory, here are a few:
1)** Mt 12:32:** Our Blessed Lord Himself: “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” “The age to come’ means life after death, so Our Lord is clear – there ARE other sins that can be pardoned after death. We see also that the Lord knew that His Jewish listeners knew what He meant by forgiveness I the next life.

1. Then follows Mt 12:36: “on the day of judgment, men will render account for every careless word they utter.” “Careless words” don’t merit Hell, but there will be a penalty which takes place in the Purgatory assigned for that.
2. **Mt 5:21-6: **Christ warns of the coming judgment, and in His parable emphasises “put in prison….you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.” So paid here, or hereafter where the detention is temporary that can be neither heaven nor hell – but Purgatory.
3. 2 Tim 1:16-18: St Paul prays for the house hold of his helper Onesiphorus, then for Onesiphorus himself: “may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day.”
   Another example of Purgatory in St Paul’s prayer for the dead.

Mt 12:32 “the age to come”
Mt. 12:36 “the day of judgment”
2 Tim 1:16-18 " on that day"
These are speaking of a time after the return of Jesus.
Mt 5 21-26 This is teachings for here and now.
2 Maccabees 12:46. I can not comment here for lack of context.

 

[rcwitness]

2 Maccabees 12:46. I can not comment here for lack of context.

biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+maccabees+12&version=RSVCE

 

[PJM]

Purgatory again? OK it is your turn. Convince me.

HERE’S THE GOD TEST FOR YOU MY FRIEND

Do YOU believe in God?

In God’s Mercy and desire that ALL souls be saved [1st Tim.2:4] ?

That God CAN do ANY good thing?

Do you understand that when Jesus Hung on the Cross [John 19: 25:28] mere moments before His Death; that He SHOUTED… “I THIRST!”; AND WHAT this means for humanity? [It meant that despite; or perhaps because of ALL that Jesus had already done for man; THAT HE STILL DESIRED TO DO MORE!

That MORE took 3 forms:

1. His One True, God; Faith and “My CHURCH” Mt. 16:18 {singular
2. The Seven Sacraments all instituted by Jesus
3. His Blessed Mother to be OUR Mother so that she could guide us to Her Son.

Purgatory exist because of God’s DESIRE that All souls be saved; KNOWING full-well that this would not happen; because souls with unconfessed and unforgiven MORTAL sins choose to CONDEM themselves to hell [Jesus only affirms our choices]

Souls that die in PERFECT condition; no sin and NO DEBT to be repaid for the Temporal Punishment that ALL sins accrue; and which exist EVEN AFTER the sin has Been forgiven GOD"S way 1 Jn 1:6-7, 1 Jn. 5: 16-17 & John 20:19-23], BECAUSE only Souls that like God are Perfect {YES IT SI BIBLICAL} can enter into heaven; Leaves the majority of souls neither FIT for heaven or JUSTLY wrthy of eternal Hell.

So what is God’s response to this VERY human condition?

PURGATORY; where those in a sort of 'LIMBO", unable to enter into heaven still owing a DEBT to be repaid for their sins; YET not in Divine Justice worthy of Hell either. THESE VERY MANY SOULS are the one’s that benefit from PURGATORY { which BTW WAS in the bible before Luther took it out {2nd Maccabees chapter 12: 39-45}

These souls are given a “second chance” ; and opportunity to REPAY in FULL the debt that they owe; and once perfected RISE into heaven for Eternity.

This is a reflection of Divine Justice!

EACH OF THE FOLLOWING RELATE TO PURGATORY; AND YES THE TERM ISN’T IN THERE BUT THEN AGAIN NEITHER IS THE TERM “BIBLE”

Lev.22: 21 “And when any one offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it.

Rev. 21: 27 “But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Mt. 5: 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.

Matt.5: 48 “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Heb. 2: 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

1John.3: 2 to 3 “Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

1 Cor. 3: 13-14 “each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done if the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, [Purgatory] though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

2nd. Cor. 7:1 “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God

Blessings,

PJM

 

[blanchardman]

biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+maccabees+12&version=RSVCE

Thanks for the link. I would suggest you all go and read it. Starting in verse 43 it is clear that this man did not believe in purgatory, just a resurrection and a judgement after that. This resurrection happens when Jesus returns. In fact it states that praying for the dead apart from the resurrection is foolish.

Thanks again for the link. It supports my position.
There is no biblical support for purgatory.

 

[rcwitness]

Thanks for the link. I would suggest you all go and read it. Starting in verse 43 it is clear that this man did not believe in purgatory, just a resurrection and a judgement after that. This resurrection happens when Jesus returns. In fact it states that praying for the dead apart from the resurrection is foolish.

Thanks again for the link. It supports my position.
There is no biblical support for purgatory.

You are welcome. I like that site alot. It has tons of translations and an easy to use program.

We believe everyone will be resurrected, and Purgatory is an aspect of judgment of sins unrepentant and turned from in heart and action. Yet the person is bound for heaven by the grace of God they believed on.