Why do you use so much bolding and coloring?? Makes it hard to keep up with the tags
Anyway I’m glad you agree and we can speak in a spirited fashion on the disagreements
Yes as a Catholic you see that authority residing in Rome. But here is the issue as I personally see it. Not saying I’m the solver of all problems
OK the RCC claims infallibility. We ask how? They say from scripture. Then you ask to show it to me so I understand it. They show it to you. You disagree. They say you don’t have the authority to interpret scripture. Then I say how can I ever understand? Bottom line is, if I don’t understand it and see it another way I can’t say anything because that would be heretical. I have to accept that it is the truth. The RCC is claiming only they can interpret scripture properly. And their understanding is that they are infallible based on their interpretation. So you ask how do you know you are right and others are wrong. They say we are protected by the Holy Spirit. But the Bible tells us the Holy Spirit guides us all. The RCC says on matters of Faith we are the experts. So then that means the Holy Spirit is guiding only them in that regard and no one else. They have information from the Holy Spirit that no one else has. This is what the gnostics claimed. Not saying they were right.
But then no one could ever challenge that the leaders in the church would lead us down a wrong path because they declare themselves infallible by scripture which we disagree with. It’s then a HUGE catch 22. The church itself will never have the gates of hell prevail against it. But the individuals within that make up the church certainly could. Not every person professing to be a Christian will go to Heaven. This includes the Pope and anyone in a leadership position. We would never be able to challenge them. We would have to leave to show protest. Then we would be told we’re losing salvation. You see what I mean. It’s like a very bad trap.
And I agree with you. That is ridiculous. Unfortunately people on both sides do that. Many threads are started by both sides that do nothing but bait an argument. I wish no one would ever respond. Just leave them empty. Now that would show true unity
Yes very counter-productive.
I agree somewhat. Unfortunately many RCCs will then say that the authority from which we speak is invalid. Then the conversation falls off the proverbial cliff again. Just remember, Jesus HIMSELF detested authority and specifically told the Apostles they would not exercise authority over each other. This is precisely what I see Rome doing. Excercising authority which Jesus forbids. So I question it and then I’m wrong because the church is infallible. You see we’re in a catch 22 again.
They always do. So perhaps we should just concede that our respective authorities are different. Then debate from there. I was in a debate with someone the other day. Answered all the objections in detail. Instead of admitting I could be right the response was, “wait who put you in charge, no one can refute you, you’re like a self proclaimed pope”. I certainly don’t think that as I have a high regard for the Pope. But instead of saying hey that could be a possibility, that person reverted back to the RCC and said, no absolutely not the RCC can’t be wrong. Well yes they can. They just may not admit it.
PEACE