I'm a Protestant Christian. Ask me anything!

[TheLittleLady]

How does the CMA decide which Canon of Scripture to use?

 

[nick2]

Word

Depends on what you mean by Word.

 

[Dougbro1]

All the same, while Jesus accepted the authority of the Old Testament, He also appealed to other authority outside of written revelation. For example: “He shall be called a Nazarene” cannot be found in the Old Testament, yet it was “spoken by the prophets” (Matt. 2:23). Therefore, this prophecy, which is considered to be “God’s word,” was passed down orally rather than through Scripture.

In Matthew 23:2–3, Jesus teaches that the scribes and Pharisees have a legitimate, binding authority based “on Moses’ seat,” but this phrase or idea cannot be found anywhere in the Old Testament. It is found in the (originally oral) Mishnah, which teaches a sort of “teaching succession” from Moses on down.

In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul refers to a rock that “followed” the Jews through the Sinai wilderness. The Old Testament says nothing about it. But rabbinic tradition does.

“As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses” (2 Tim. 3:8). These two men cannot be found in the related Old Testament passage (Ex. 7:8) or anywhere else in the Old Testament.

So just as there is more to the Old Testament than is written, so there is more to our Faith than just Scripture.

David constantly praises God for His word. David studies it day and night.

So do many Catholics. It’s possible to praise God for His Word and study it without believing Sola Scriptura. Also, since not all of scripture was written by then, so this could very well be used for support for “Sola First Books of the Old Testament” if such a thing existed.

Jesus relies on God’s word alone throughout His ministry.

I think I showed you examples where this was not the case. Also, again, this would only support the Old Testament.

Peter and Paul both challenge their readers to examine their hearts against God’s word.

Again, devout Catholics nowadays believe this too without believing Scripture alone. It doesn’t say to examine against nothing else.

Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

Not quite a support for Sola Scriptura. Like in 2 Timothy, this is pretty much only support that the Bible is indeed important to the Faith, but not that the Bible is the only thing needed for the Faith.

(cont’d)

 

[Dougbro1]

(cont’d)

We cannot even have faith apart from God’s word.

The Bible is EXTREMELY important for having faith in God. (I’d say in the same way, we can’t have faith apart from works either, but that’s probably opening up another can of worms, lol). That said, what about the Christians who did not have access to the Word of God? As in, before the canon of Scripture was determined. Were they then doomed? Did they not have faith? I mean, I don’t think they assembled all of Paul’s inspired letters in one place underground, when the Roman guards were out and about persecuting Christians.

Don’t discredit this teaching which is throughout the Bible just because you don’t explicitly see the words “Bible alone”.

The problem is, I see the opposite teaching taught throughout the Bible. Examples of Scripture going hand-in-hand with Tradition are extremely evident. All I’ve seen is examples of why Scripture is important. That’s not Sola Scriptura.

What I believe sola scriptura is all about is the authority that is placed on the Bible.

In no way am I questioning that Scripture is authoritative. All I’m saying is that apostolic Tradition holds weight too, even if not specifically taught in Scripture.

 

[JonNC]

JonNC:

It is the way the Church determines doctrine.

Okay, that is fair.

Scripture is the final norm. Not the only norm. The final norm.

Well, anything from God would be the final norm, really. If God reveals something, though it may not be explicitly taught in Scripture, that would bear just as much weight as something taught in Scripture, no? (Not implying in any way that they would contradict, fyi)

No argument. For example, I think the early seven councils are authoritative. I think the three creeds are the true faith.

 

[JonNC]

Isn’t position you are describing more of a “Prima Scriptura” than “Sola Scriptura”?

Prima isn’t the term I grew up with as a Lutheran, but reading the Lutheran Confessions, that’s the teaching.

We believe, teach, and confess that the sole rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with [all] teachers should be estimated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament alone, as it is written Ps. 119:105: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. And St. Paul: Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed, Gal. 1:8.
2] Other writings, however, of ancient or modern teachers, whatever name they bear, must not be regarded as equal to the Holy Scriptures, but all of them together be subjected to them, and should not be received otherwise or further than as witnesses, [which are to show] in what manner after the time of the apostles, and at what places, this [pure] doctrine of the prophets and apostles was preserved.
3] 2. And because directly after the times of the apostles, and even while they were still living, false teachers and heretics arose, and symbols, i. e., brief, succinct [categorical] confessions, were composed against them in the early Church, which were regarded as the unanimous, universal Christian faith and confession of the orthodox and true Church, namely, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, we pledge ourselves to them, and hereby reject all heresies and dogmas which, contrary to them, have been introduced into the Church of God.

 

[JonNC]

According to who?

You mean who is supposed to use it?
Since Martin Luther and his colleagues are usually credited/blamed for the practice, it seems their intentions hold some sway.

We believe, teach, and confess that the sole rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with [all] teachers should be estimated and Judged…

http://www.bookofconcord.org/fc-ep.php
If dogma and teachers are held accountable to scripture as the final norm, it is the Church that does it.

 

[Wannano]

Wannano:

Why do eight of you regulars have to ask his denomination when it is already listed in his profile.

By the way, the study that shows 33,000 denominations also showed 240 Catholic denominations and we know there is only one. So an error of 240 to 1 makes 33,000 divided by 240 approximately 140 which in reality is more realistic.

It makes a difference to the discussion if the OP is Baptist, SDA, Mormon or whatever.

I agree, however, 15 hours ago when I saw his post this morning the first thing I did after reading his first post is check if he supplied which denomination he represents. Are you saying that when you first saw it that his denomination was not listed?

I am very well acquainted with the Christian Missionary Alliance but it may be a denomination many have not heard much of but in Canada we are quite familiar.

Did you check if he had supplied that info before you asked?

 

[Wannano]

That number is likely inflated. It’s likely more around 10,000 not 30,000.

But I still think it’s 9,999 too many!

LOL, who then is the only one left, it can’t be Catholic because you all claim the CC is NOT a denomination. …

 

[thistle]

LOL, who then is the only one left, it can’t be Catholic because you all claim the CC is NOT a denomination. …

The Catholic Church is NOT a denomination. It is a Church. It is the only Church established by Christ (God) and was entrusted with the Deposit of Faith and given authority to teach in matters of faith and morals.

 

[Wannano]

That’s what I said so if there are only 10,000 as LA kindly suggested but it is 9,999 too many …who is the lucky one?

 

[thistle]

That’s what I said so if there are only 10,000 as LA kindly suggested but it is 9,9,999 too many …who is the lucky one?

Who cares? There should be none. All should return home to the Catholic Church then we don’t have a house divided.

 

[Wannano]

Unfortunately you are the one who brought it up initially. It seemed to matter to you so I would suggest you must care.

 

[Justin_Mary]

Through reading, sharing, preaching, singing, and encouraging with the Gospel, we are being transformed into Christ-likeness; experiencing freedom from our old sin and joy in Christ.

Interesting.

We believe “basically” the same thing. As an example of what that looks like, I point to people like St Maximillian Kolbe, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, & Mother Teresa.

By imitating them, I hope to attain unity with the Holy Trinity, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

 

[TULIPed]

Have you read the Catholic Catechism?

 

[thistle]

Unfortunately you are the one who brought it up initially. It seemed to matter to you so I would suggest you must care.

I brought up the 33,000. I did not bring up the one.

 

[Justin_Mary]

Ask me anything regarding my faith and I’d love to give you a reason for why I believe what I believe and have a friendly discourse.

What is the difference between praise & worship?

What do the angels do?

What do you believe you would be doing if you were in heaven?

 

[nick2]

If you don’t mind me asking, what do you mean by “I hope to attain unity with the Holy Trinity”? I don’t want to misinterpret your response.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Why don’t you pray for the dead?

 

[Zach]

If there is not one authority that for 2000 years has been selected to interpret scripture and doctrine then why can’t anybody or everyone claim to have come up with his or her own truth? If everyone can make claim to a different truth then there is no truth. It’s merely any and every person’s interpretation of truth.