Is there a "Infallible RULE" for right understanding of the bible?

[PJM]

With all the variant bible versions, churches and faiths; is there a single Infallible Rule for right understanding of the bible.

If so, what is it IYO?

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Listen to the Church. That’s the safest road, and the closest you’re going to get to an infallible rule.

Due to defects in individual teachers, the Church’s infallible teaching is not always presented accurately or in its fullness; and due to defects in all of us, we do not always understand what is being taught. There is no way around this.

Our fallible understanding does not, however, mean we cannot expect adequately to understand what we need to understand to be saved. Not everyone has to be a Bible scholar, and even among Doctors of the Church there are differences in opinion on certain scripture passages.

 

[miguel]

Listen to the Church. That’s the safest road, and the closest you’re going to get to an infallible rule…

I would suggest “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum”. Short, sweet, and excellent.

 

[PJM]

=miguel;10909566]I would suggest “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum”. Short, sweet, and excellent.

I’ve read it And it is excellent.

But it does NOT answer my question

 

[chimo]

With all the variant bible versions, churches and faiths; is there a single Infallible Rule for right understanding of the bible.

If so, what is it IYO?

Be opened to the Holy Spirit. There is no better person to lean on. He will help expose to you the attitude of opening to experiences to give to you another tool in help explaining the Scriptures. Be opened to the experiences around you and this will lead you to better understand the spiritual truths God wants to pass on to you.

 

[PJM]

=chimo;10909887]Be opened to the Holy Spirit. There is no better person to lean on. He will help expose to you the attitude of opening to experiences to give to you another tool in help explaining the Scriptures. Be opened to the experiences around you and this will lead you to better understand the spiritual truths God wants to pass on to you.

OK, but,

Does not most folks who reads a bible feel that they are “open to the Holy Spirit”?

If that’s the answer HOW come there are soooooo many interpertations?

 

[po18guy]

Be opened to the Holy Spirit. There is no better person to lean on. He will help expose to you the attitude of opening to experiences to give to you another tool in help explaining the Scriptures. Be opened to the experiences around you and this will lead you to better understand the spiritual truths God wants to pass on to you.

Inasmuch as every single disagreeing denomination says the same, I would add only that the Apostle John admonishes us to “test the spirits to see if they are of God” 1 John 4:1. Quite obviously, an awful lot of failing to test those spirits has occurred, is occurring, and will continue to occur. But, testing the spirits also demands that one deny the self, take up their cross daily, and only after doing these two extremely difficult things, then follow Jesus. The problem comes when we reverse this procedure. A big red flag should go up when someone says “scripture speaks to me…” In truth, it is a spirit speaking, and the Holy Spirit always and everywhere leads to humble submission and unity. It is the demon, who is excellent at impersonating the Holy Spirit, who leads astray and divides. Test them.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The answer is “no”, but listening and submitting our judgement to the teachings of the Church is the best way to avoid or catch serious errors.

 

[chimo]

OK, but,

Does not most folks who reads a bible feel that they are “open to the Holy Spirit”?

If that’s the answer HOW come there are soooooo many interpertations?

I was not referring to their many interpretations. You have misunderstood my words and intention. There is only one acceptable proof of what is right. St. Paul has written in Philippians this, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

I am talking about experiences in everyday life and using them as your guide in help explaining the Scriptures. The two go hand in hand. Of course it is good to have some helpers a long the way such as those whom the Church relies on when you need to seek out the messages of Scripture so that you will have this scriptural mind ingrained in your heart but everyday experiences is what Paul is talking about. There is much good in what is right and if we only use our own experiences in the same light as what the Scriptures say we will come to understand better.

 

[chimo]

Inasmuch as every single disagreeing denomination says the same, I would add only that the Apostle John admonishes us to “test the spirits to see if they are of God” 1 John 4:1. Quite obviously, an awful lot of failing to test those spirits has occurred, is occurring, and will continue to occur. But, testing the spirits also demands that one deny the self, take up their cross daily, and only after doing these two extremely difficult things, then follow Jesus. The problem comes when we reverse this procedure. A big red flag should go up when someone says “scripture speaks to me…” In truth, it is a spirit speaking, and the Holy Spirit always and everywhere leads to humble submission and unity. It is the demon, who is excellent at impersonating the Holy Spirit, who leads astray and divides. Test them.

Yes it is true too many people do go on their own. This can lead you into too many misunderstandings or even worse heresies. What is necessary for any believer is to first have a better understanding of the Faith, about the Sacraments, about certain doctrines and dogmas that need to be inside you before if you can tackle the mind of the Scriptures. I assume those who want to study the scriptures have this beforehand.

 

[jericho777]

1 John 2: 27But the anointing which you have received of him stays in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him.

So yes the Holy Spirit does give anointing that leads individuals to the truth.

 

[po18guy]

Yes it is true too many people do go on their own. This can lead you into too many misunderstandings or even worse heresies. What is necessary for any believer is to first have a better understanding of the Faith, about the Sacraments, about certain doctrines and dogmas that need to be inside you before if you can tackle the mind of the Scriptures. I assume those who want to study the scriptures have this beforehand.

Sad it is for those who rejected the concepts of an Apostolic Church, the Sacred Tradition, as well as the authority to make such decisions for the faithful. But, being in an apostolic Church, you can easily see the error of the reformation. If only the rest of Christianity could see so well!

 

[jericho777]

Sad it is for those who rejected the concepts of an Apostolic Church, the Sacred Tradition, as well as the authority to make such decisions for the faithful. But, being in an apostolic Church, you can easily see the error of the reformation. If only the rest of Christianity could see so well!

The Jews claimed their own form of apostolic succession but that did not keep them from error. They could trace themselves directly to the patriarchs and the promises of God. Plus they were after all “God’s chosen people”.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

The Jews claimed their own form of apostolic succession but that did not keep them from error. They could trace themselves directly to the patriarchs and the promises of God. Plus they were after all “God’s chosen people”.

Which is why you need not only Tradition but an authentic teaching body that can tell you what is Scripture and Tradition and can interpret them authoritatively. And it has to be set up in such a way that if there is disagreement among the members of that teaching body it is clear which side is authentic and which is not. In the Catholic Church we have that with the bishops all under the Pope.

 

[po18guy]

The Jews claimed their own form of apostolic succession but that did not keep them from error. They could trace themselves directly to the patriarchs and the promises of God. Plus they were after all “God’s chosen people”.

However, they were and are laboring under a covenant that has been fulfilled. As well, only those who followed Christ have the guarantee of guidance by the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees were condemned seven-fold by Christ so there is no way, short of repentance, that they could be on the right path. Those who test the spirits embrace Christ.

 

[Birdmanman]

From Vatican I:

1. Now since the decree on the interpretation of Holy Scripture, profitably made by the Council of Trent, with the intention of constraining rash speculation, has been wrongly interpreted by some, we renew that decree and declare its meaning to be as follows: that in matters of faith and morals, belonging as they do to the establishing of Christian doctrine, that meaning of Holy Scripture must be held to be the true one, which Holy mother Church held and holds, since it is her right to judge of the true meaning and interpretation of Holy Scripture.

1. ** In consequence, it is not permissible for anyone to interpret Holy Scripture in a sense contrary to this,or indeed against the unanimous consent of the fathers.**
   ewtn.com/library/councils/v1.htm

(Emphasis added by me).

If the statement made by this ecumenical council is infallible, then this ‘rule’ is infallible. I believe this ecumenical council is an organ of infallibility, and meant to here teach as the Magisterium on a matter of faith and morals, I believe this teaching is infallible, and so this rule, for understanding scripture not contrary to Holy Mother Church or also to the unanimous consent of the fathers, is likewise infallible.

That an ecumenical council which satisfies the conditions above stated is an organ of infallibility will not be denied by anyone who admits that the Church is endowed with infallible doctrinal authority. newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm

 

[jericho777]

Which is why you need not only Tradition but an authentic teaching body that can tell you what is Scripture and Tradition and can interpret them authoritatively. And it has to be set up in such a way that if there is disagreement among the members of that teaching body it is clear which side is authentic and which is not. In the Catholic Church we have that with the bishops all under the Pope.

However, they were and are laboring under a covenant that has been fulfilled. As well, only those who followed Christ have the guarantee of guidance by the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees were condemned seven-fold by Christ so there is no way, short of repentance, that they could be on the right path. Those who test the spirits embrace Christ.

I think you are missing the greater point. The Jews thought they had it all together using your criteria. They had their apostolic succession through the patriachs, the priesthood, the temple and being God’s chosen people. Yet they were wrong. When prophets would come along to preach the truth they were usually killed by the religous leadership under the justification of “we are the ones being led by God and not you.”

 

[PJM]

=po18guy;10909975]Inasmuch as every single disagreeing denomination says the same, I would add only that the Apostle John admonishes us to “test the spirits to see if they are of God” 1 John 4:1. Quite obviously, an awful lot of failing to test those spirits has occurred, is occurring, and will continue to occur. But, testing the spirits also demands that one deny the self, take up their cross daily, and only after doing these two extremely difficult things, then follow Jesus. The problem comes when we reverse this procedure. A big red flag should go up when someone says “scripture speaks to me…” In truth, it is a spirit speaking, and the Holy Spirit always and everywhere leads to humble submission and unity. It is the demon, who is excellent at impersonating the Holy Spirit, who leads astray and divides. Test them.

very GOOD:thumbsup:

But HOW is this to be accomplished? Is there a single criteria that everyone; every faith can accept? Just One?

 

[po18guy]

I think you are missing the greater point. The Jews thought they had it all together using your criteria. They had their apostolic succession through the patriachs, the priesthood, the temple and being God’s chosen people. Yet they were wrong. When prophets would come along to preach the truth they were usually killed by the religous leadership under the justification of “we are the ones being led by God and not you.”

Well, the Mosaic Covenant was theirs, but they failed to acknowledge its fulfillment and the arrival of the new and everlasting covenant. This behavior has repeated itself before and during the inauguration of each of God’s covenants with man. As well, if the Jews were wrong, then the entire OT must be called into question, no? They had a valid covenant, but one which was fulfilled in their hearing (Luke 4:21). They simply frustrated God’s plan for them and rejected the Messiah (Luke 7:30).

 

[PJM]

=Birdmanman;10910418]From Vatican I:
(Emphasis added by me).

If the statement made by this ecumenical council is infallible, then this ‘rule’ is infallible. I believe this ecumenical council is an organ of infallibility, and meant to here teach as the Magisterium on a matter of faith and morals, I believe this teaching is infallible, and so this rule, for understanding scripture not contrary to Holy Mother Church or also to the unanimous consent of the fathers, is likewise infallible.

Agreed BUT that is not the point of my OPQ

Is there a** SINGLE ** “Infallible Rule” [meaning W/o a possibility of error; not catholic infalibility]? If so, what might it be:thumbsup: