Just Bible?

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boog123

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Is it possible to just follow the bible? why does someone have to be a catholic or part of any other denomination? for the record i believe that catholics and pretty much all other denominations do good things and have good intentions but i’ve never seen a fact put in front of me that says catholicism is the true way to God, maybe if you can show me some proof?

THANKS
 
If the Bible itself taught this, I would believe it.

what did they do for the almost 400 years of Christianity without the Bible?

That will tell you what God’s authority is on this earth. It is the written and oral Word of God. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, which brought forth the canon of scripture.

without Sacred Tradition, you would not have the Bible.
 
boog, I aksed myself the same question after getting a different and contradictory response from 18 different bible church pastors on the topic of baptism and if it is necessary and what it does and how do we do it(pour, sprinkle, imeerse)?

I was fed up and went and studied church history and the writings of the early Church Fathers.

I am now Catholic.
 
boog123 said:
Is it possible to just follow the bible?
THANKS
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there is a book out about a guy who tried to follow the bible for one year. (of course he didn’t stone anyone or sacrifice any animals). it is a good read.
 
What if i don’t believe that the catholic church is the true and authentic church but do believe in the bible and Jesus and lead a good life or want to follow a different denomination, what will happen to me?
 
boog123 said:
What if i don’t believe that the catholic church is the true and authentic church but do believe in the bible and Jesus and lead a good life or want to follow a different denomination, what will happen to me?
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What do you think you will not have when attending other churches? Can you come up with a few things?
 
water said:
What do you think you will not have when attending other churches? Can you come up with a few things?
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Well, I’m sure that because catholics consider themselves to be a part of the one and only true church, all other Christians would obviously be below catholic Christians, so my question is what will I not have if i were to attend another church or none at all but believe in the bible’s teachings?
 
I think most Protestants view the Bible as a Manual for faith and morals like the technical manual’s we have to learn how to use a piece of equipment.
 
If I may set aside my Catholic glasses for a munite and read the question as such, I see one issue with a “Bible only” approach. Sooner or later, there will be a question that is not in there. For example, human cloning. The Bible has nothing to say about it. Nada. So now what?

Now, if I may put my non-denominational glasses on, I think that you are on the right track. There may still be issues, but pray about them and God will lead you to all truth. Be aware that some may disagree with what you feel is correct, but you are entitled to it as much as they are.

If I put on my mainline Protestant glasses, come on in, the water is fine. We have already fleshed out some of the questions that you may have. Yes, it is Bible only, but if it is not in the Bible, we can come to a conclusion based on what we think it might say if it had been in there. Again, God will lead us to all truth.

If I may return to my Catholic (and E.O.) glasses, you are missing out on a lot by ruling out the 2,000 years of those before you. We have beautiful understanding of things from mystics and poets and theologins. We can answer almost any question calling upon the teachings of the Church and the Bible together. It is a fuller truth that we posses. We have no doubt that God leads us to the truth.

For your other question, God will judge you on how you act upon the grace he gives you for your salvation. Continue to study and search, and do not close any doors on your own.
 
From a catholic’s point of view you would be missing out on the Sacrements, this is because of the belief in Apostolic sucession. (Except for baptism, we accept that from anyone that uses proper form and matter.)

From a practical stand point you are severely limiting yourself. The teachings you will have are imparted by individuals and can vary greatly from place to place, along with the services varying greatly. Meanwhile with the Catholic Church, I can go anywhere in the world and participate in all but the homily because the prayers and the readings are set on a 3 year cycle.

From a doctrinal stand point, it can be very dangerous listening to so many different teaching from people with many different backgrounds. Things like Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura can, in the catholic view, impart a false sense of security.

The Bible is great, don’t get me wrong. But its hard to read to the fullest since it was different human authors over many many centuries. Many theologians have studied for years, looking into the history and literature and trying to find out what the authors are saying to us. We Catholics have a long history or this study and have much of it documented.​

Short answer that you might be looking for.

Will you go to Hell? Only God knows for certain.
 
Another important point is that Protestants have thousands of differing interpretations of the same book. Catholics have a single way of interpretation that we believe is protected by the Holy Spirit, and we can back up the tradition of those interpretations all the way to the Apostles, in most cases.

The question with regard to using the Bible alone is how do you know that your interpretation is reliable.
 
boog123 said:
What if i don’t believe that the catholic church is the true and authentic church but do believe in the bible and Jesus and lead a good life or want to follow a different denomination, what will happen to me?
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If in your disbelief you do not have any selfish reasons for your disbelief…you just cannot in your mind and heart except the churches truth with the grace that has been given you…but you are searching for the truth and god in all his truth and would never reject anything that you believed to be gods truth …then i believe gods mercy and justice would have to come into play…and you could be yet still saved!
 
Hi, I’m new and read this question and I won’t give you my history, but the question and the answers are interesting.

I LOVE the response by ralphinal…I might have to quote you on some of this when I talk to my mom about my possible conversion to the church soon.

In my mind this question is answered simply by the example of Christ…did he rely on the law only? Did he teach his followers to strictly adhere to the law? Did he accept the oral traditions?

Yes and NO! Jesus followed the law. He studied and learned the law from the leaders of his day. He based upon scriptures did follow the leaders oral traditions as well…EXCEPT when he felt that it was out of line with the Heart of God.

For example, in the story of Mary the Adulteress…the law would have allowed for her to be stoned…as a matter of fact it was the punishment for the offense. HOWEVER, Jesus did not break the law…but he allowed discussions as to whether in the situation should God’s love and forgiveness not rule over the law. Had he been a scripture only kind of guy…she’d be dead!

Now there are extremes in all sides…the Bible only approach in my opinion limits God. However, Church teachings only are lacking as well. You must do as Jesus did…he prayed…he studied and learned scripture…he evaluated the traditions of his day to the heart of God…and he served those around him in love.

Always the example of Christ is where all the answers can be found.
 
Go ahead…just be careful…my posts always make sense to me even if they don;t to anyone else
 
boog123 said:
Is it possible to just follow the bible? why does someone have to be a catholic or part of any other denomination? for the record i believe that catholics and pretty much all other denominations do good things and have good intentions but i’ve never seen a fact put in front of me that says catholicism is the true way to God, maybe if you can show me some proof?

THANKS
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One advantage of the Catholic Church is that the Bible is a complex document and Catholic scholars are a lot more informed and educated than some guy who opens the Bible and decides what it means on his own. At least with a large, well established Church you have some theological oversight and don’t just come up with new doctrines over a couple of beers. :rolleyes:
 
You laugh but I wonder if that’s what it’s come to with some churches like the one that advertises on the radio here. It’s one of those “hip” churches and the commercial ends with something to the effect of “no making out in the back row!”

:eek:😊🤷
 
boog123 said:
Is it possible to just follow the bible? why does someone have to be a catholic or part of any other denomination? for the record i believe that catholics and pretty much all other denominations do good things and have good intentions but i’ve never seen a fact put in front of me that says catholicism is the true way to God, maybe if you can show me some proof?

THANKS
Click to expand...
I don’t see a problem with having personal or denominational or religious beliefs beyond what the Bible specifically teaches, as long as those beliefs do not contradict what the Bible explicitly teaches. How about you?
 
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