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christcnection1
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Must Protestants Believe in both Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura? Aren’t they “free” to believe anything they want, based on their private interpretation of the Bible?
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khutcheson
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christcnection1
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As a Protestant, why do you think God intended this particular way if this will inevitably lead to theological disunity?
I am making an assumption; however, there is little reason to believe that Sola Scriptura has fostered theological unity to advance Jesus’ prayer that His people be perfectly one.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit do not disagree on justification, nor any other issue. Neither should God’s people.
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khutcheson
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I think you’re sincere, but this appears to be a baiting thread and I hate biting.
Having said that, God’s ways are beyond my comprehension–they are NOT subject to my logical analysis. Whether Sola Scriptura has fostered theological unity or not has nothing to do with whether it’s God’s truth.
I don’t think my salvation (or yours) is dependant upon my having a complete understanding of theology. I have faith that the Holy Spirit will teach me what I need to know. While I think that the study of God is valuable, I think obedience to his Word is more important than understanding His ways.
My salvation doesn’t depend on understanding justification, sanctification, election or the like. It depends on submitting my life to Christ and living in obedience to His commands.
I’ve always thought that arguing theology was a lot easier than obedience.
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christcnection1
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Amen to that.
And I do pray that the Lord would continue to grant you strength to follow Him in perfect union with His will.
All the best in Christ.
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christcnection1
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I suppose it’s fair to say that if private interpretation is true, there is enormous room for confusion concerning how obedience should be lived out.
Concerning most areas of obedience, I doubt there is much debate. However, concerning many moral issues, one cannot entirely detach theological truths, moral truths, and obedience. They must go together.
If one does not properly interpret how one must be obedient, they are in fact being disobedient, though it may be through little fault of their own.
Hence, if God desires our salvation through our obedience to His commands, it would be most suitable if He provided a means which we could confidently trust in.
I believe that private interpretation of the Bible is a subjective reality that does not adequately support God’s desire for us to have the knowledge of living in perfect obedience.
His will and His ways cannot be entirely separated. If God loves us, and wills that all His people walk in obedience, then His way of doing that is not through theological and moral confusion.
Concerning most areas of obedience, I doubt there is much debate. However, concerning many moral issues, one cannot entirely detach theological truths, moral truths, and obedience. They must go together.
If one does not properly interpret how one must be obedient, they are in fact being disobedient, though it may be through little fault of their own.
Hence, if God desires our salvation through our obedience to His commands, it would be most suitable if He provided a means which we could confidently trust in.
I believe that private interpretation of the Bible is a subjective reality that does not adequately support God’s desire for us to have the knowledge of living in perfect obedience.
His will and His ways cannot be entirely separated. If God loves us, and wills that all His people walk in obedience, then His way of doing that is not through theological and moral confusion.
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SIA
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What many Catholics call private interpretation, others have come to know it to be discernment from the Holy Spirit. Are all interpretations from the Holy Spirit? Of course not. But many have been personal experiences that believers have had that have come right from the pages of Scripture.
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Cathdefender
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Love Padre Pio! If it weren’t for him, pleading my case to God, I wouldn’t be the way I am today!
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SIA
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It must be terrible to wonder if God would ever pay attention to you or save you.
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christcnection1
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Agreed. As a former Protestant, at one time this was easy for me to accept. However, what does this suggest?
We have a countless number of Christians who genuinely love the Lord and desire to submit their lives to His will, but often have radically different beliefs concerning what the Holy Spirit has revealed to them about the word of God.
Is this what God had in mind: to have this kind of disunity, lack of clarity, authority? What assurance does the Sola Scripturist have that their “Spirit-led” interpretation is the correct one, particularly when countless others who also sincerely desire the truth whole-heartedly disagree?
It’s also fair to say that the variance in “interpretation” has increased since the time of the Reformation. I’m not sure how one could see this as a positive outcome or direction.
Again, I don’t question the sincerity of heart or desire to genuinely follow Christ. But I cannot see how this system has led to greater unity in strengthening and guiding the people of God.
It would seem to me that a God of love would ensure that His people would be guided into all truth, by His Spirit, but through a structured and visible means. This is most clearly reflected by the Catholic Church, as it was in the beginning.
If the Catholic Church has always been essentially flawed, then it’s fair to say that God allowed His people to wander in theological darkness for approximately 1,500 years. I cannot see how God would intend such a thing, especially from the institution that gave birth to the word of God.
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SIA
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read your last post. Who needs to plead for you if Christ died for your sins? the first letter of Peter says that if we sin, Christ is our advocate.What does that mean?
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christcnection1
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Do you really think that he believes that Christ is not his advocate?
If Padre Pio interceded for him from heaven, it’s because it was in Christ, with Christ, and through Christ. Padre Pio cannot do anything apart from Christ, as well the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints.
If you disagree, it’s appropriate to start another thread.
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Cathdefender
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Thank you.
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SIA
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typical textbook RCC answer. The problem here is that folks can pray with us and even for us, but they can’t do anything for us that we can’t do for ourselves with Christ, can they?
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christcnection1
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Thank you. Normally textbooks RCC answers are very appropriate. Canned answers are usually well-preserved and cans are meant to be recycled.
I’m not sure if you have a problem with others praying for you or not. I can’t tell. Yes, we can do all things through Christ. However, because we are the Body of Christ, God desires to use all of us to build one another up. The Body of Christ includes all His people on earth and in heaven.
“…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
(James 5:16b)
We believe that the Saints in heaven are very righteous. In fact, they are perfected in Christ. Therefore, their intercession is very powerful. Now, if a righteous person on earth were to pray for us, yes, their intercession would also be powerful. This is probably who James is specifically talking about.
If we are living according to His ways, our prayers will also be powerful, whether we pray for ourselves or pray for others. You’ll have no argument from me on that.
As I mentioned before, perhaps this topic is more suitable for a different thread. Please share the link after you start it and I would be happy to participate.
In Him,
JB
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LutheranDK
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No and no.
Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura is what binds all “branches” of Protestantism together.
The condescending second part of the question reveals either a lack of understanding, or lack of respect for fellow believers from another church.
I assume the first until proven wrong.
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christcnection1
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If you are suggesting that I was trying be to condescending, I do forgive you. I meant no ill will my friend in Christ.
Because you interpreted my words in a certain way, it appears you came to the conclusion I was trying to be condescending.
Likewise, many Protestants misinterpret passages of the Bible incorrectly, and hence, come to the wrong conclusion.
I love all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I believe that we all have something to offer one another. There is far more that unites us than divides us.
Just because I believe that the Catholic perspective is correct, does not mean I think poorly of Non-Catholic Christians. I have enormous respect for all those who proclaim Christ and live for Him. I have additional respect for my Lutheran siblings in particular.
I simply believe that Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide have been destructive to the Body of Christ. As I learn more about Protestant groups, it has become evident that these two points are defined in different ways, some of which are more palatable than others.
However, I think it’s fair that Protestants are not necessarily bound by either pillar of Protestantism. They are free to choose. I suppose this is one of the hallmarks of Protestantism: the freedom to “interpret” what God intended to convey to them through His word.
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wisdomseeker
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And how do you know you are obeying His Word if you do not understand His Ways?
“I should not believe the Gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church.”
Saint Augustine (354-430), Against the Letter of Mani, 5,6, 397 A.D… ***A
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wisdomseeker
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I think if protestants believed what catholics believe than they would no longer be protestants, am i wrong?
***“I should not believe the Gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church.”
Saint Augustine (354-430), Against the Letter of Mani, 5,6, 397 A.D… ***
***“I should not believe the Gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church.”
Saint Augustine (354-430), Against the Letter of Mani, 5,6, 397 A.D… ***
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