Galatians 1:8-9

[CThomas]

I would be interested in hearing how Catholics interpret passages like Galatians 1:8-9, where Paul seems to tell the congregation to reject what even an apostle or an angel says if they contravene Paul’s message. To me (a non-Catholic), this seems to be saying that the individual Christian must not simply accept doctrine no matter what its source, but rather bears the obligation of evaluating it and rejecting it if the individual Christian determines that it departs from the Gospel as articulated by Paul. This seems to be in tension with the Catholic idea that a human hierarchy can announce doctrine binding upon Christians and regarding which Christians do not have an individual right to evaluate and reject.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

CThomas

 

[briang72]

I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by (the) grace (of Christ) for a different gospel

(not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!

As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!

Galatians 1:6-9

Here is another scripture of Paul’s:

But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

1 Timothy 3:15

The Church has the authority, not any one human. That is Paul’s message. He is saying to beware of those who stray from the Church’s gospel to some other gospel.

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

**I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." **

Matthew 16:18-19

Jesus said this Himself. Whatever the Church binds and looses here on earth is how it is in heaven, meaning that the Church has the authority, not man. The Spirit guides the teaching of the Church. The Truth is revealed to man and handed down by man.

Paul does not say “you should individually decide for yourselves what is the Truth”. Instead, he is warning against abandoning the Church’s teaching.

:twocents:

 

[Pug]

I would be interested in hearing how Catholics interpret passages like Galatians 1:8-9, where Paul seems to tell the congregation to reject what even an apostle or an angel says if they contravene Paul’s message. To me (a non-Catholic), this seems to be saying that the individual Christian must not simply accept doctrine no matter what its source, but rather bears the obligation of evaluating it and rejecting it if the individual Christian determines that it departs from the Gospel as articulated by Paul. This seems to be in tension with the Catholic idea that a human hierarchy can announce doctrine binding upon Christians and regarding which Christians do not have an individual right to evaluate and reject.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

CThomas

I don’t think the point is that it was Paul’s message. I think the point is that the message that the Galatians first heard is the right one, and that they ought not stray from what they first heard (that is, the one gospel). Overall, I think Paul was worried that they were possibly deserting Christ, perhaps toward Jewish observances, like being circumcised. I don’t think Paul is encouraging them to personally be the one who determines what the gospel message is. There is only one gospel. And even if Paul himself were to contravene it, there is still the one gospel.

The full magisterium *cannot *announce a new doctrine that contravenes the one gospel. This is why an individual may not reject it. The Church does not have the authority to change the gospel, and is its servant, handing on what has been given to her. The Holy Spirit protects in this way. (yes, several individuals, bishops, priests, etc. might teach a falsehood, though, but to be more specific requires talking about infallibility and when it applies). It is the Holy Spirit that makes this process reliable. You could say it is like a gift or charism.

 

[fellowChristian]

When I read —

Galatians 1:8-9

8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

I think of the Mormon’s and how the angel “Moroni” came and preached to Joseph Smith a “gospel contrary to what” we have received.

And how at the begining of the Book of Mormon it states “Another Testament of Jesus”

Because St. Paul is a member of the church and he says “we” he is refering to what the Apostles have already taught and what the church teaches.

 

[Todd_Easton]

To me (a non-Catholic), this seems to be saying that the individual Christian must not simply accept doctrine no matter what its source, but rather bears the obligation of evaluating it and rejecting it if the individual Christian determines that it departs from the Gospel as articulated by Paul. This seems to be in tension with the Catholic idea that a human hierarchy can announce doctrine binding upon Christians and regarding which Christians do not have an individual right to evaluate and reject.

Consider how the question of circumcision was dealt with in the early Church as described in Acts 15:1 - 16:4. Some individual Christians thought circumcision was necessary but others held the opposing position and so there was dissension among the early Christians. Obviously, one group of Christians was wrong in their evaluation of the gospel with respect to the matter of circumcision. The apostles and elders of the Church looked into the matter and, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, decided against circumcision and their decision was transmitted to the people for observance.

Paul indicates that the guard against individual Christians being tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine of human origin, is Christ’s gift of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers or, in other words, a Church hierarchy. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

 

[vern_humphrey]

I would be interested in hearing how Catholics interpret passages like Galatians 1:8-9, where Paul seems to tell the congregation to reject what even an apostle or an angel says if they contravene Paul’s message. To me (a non-Catholic), this seems to be saying that the individual Christian must not simply accept doctrine no matter what its source, but rather bears the obligation of evaluating it and rejecting it if the individual Christian determines that it departs from the Gospel as articulated by Paul. This seems to be in tension with the Catholic idea that a human hierarchy can announce doctrine binding upon Christians and regarding which Christians do not have an individual right to evaluate and reject.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

CThomas

As usual, read the whole passage:

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by (the) grace (of Christ) for a different gospel
7 (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!
9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!

Paul is telling them he teaches with authority (the Church’s Magisterium) and that other teachings or interpretations that conflict **with what he has taught **are forbidden.

The “individual Christian” is** not** to place himself above the Lord’s Apostles, and if any do, “let that one be accursed!”

 

[Nita]

… but rather bears the obligation of evaluating it and rejecting it if the individual Christian determines that it departs from the Gospel as articulated by Paul. This seems to be in tension with the Catholic idea that a human hierarchy can announce doctrine binding upon Christians and regarding which Christians do not have an individual right to evaluate and reject.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

CThomas

Paul is part of the human hierarchy of the Church - a bishop. That is precisely why his preaching is binding on the lay Christians.

At the time of Paul’s letter, not even all of the NT documents had been written, let alone collected and declared to be Scripture. This would change with time. As questions arose concerning the proper understanding of religious teaching, it was the bishops, the hierarchy, that had the authority to define the correct teaching to be put forth by the Church- not the individual Christian. The responsibility of the individual Christian was to accept the teaching of the Church. (eg Acts 15)

Nita

 

[CThomas]

Thanks to all for the thoughtful and interesting responses.

CThomas