From the KJV, 2Tim 3:
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
I take “thoroughly furnished” to mean “completely equipped”.
If the scriptures we have do completely equip us, what more do we now need?
I agree that Jesus is the basis of our Christian faith.
I’m sensing you disagree?
Redle.
redle,
One thing to keep in mind is that there has always been oral Tradition in Judaism and Christianity. Most of the Bible was transmitted through oral tradition, before being committed to writing. Holy Scripture requires interpretation. So, the question becomes, who has the authority to interpret Scripture? Do we look to Sacred Tradition, that deposit of faith once delivered and handed down from the Apostles, or do we disregard everything prior to the Protestant Reformation?
Whenever one word of commentary is spoken about any passage of Scripture, the Scripture alone approach ceases to exist. If all we needed was Scripture, there would be no need for Sunday sermons. If your pastor reads a passage of Scripture and then tells you what it means; he is drawing from some source of interpretation–which could be from the Tradition of early Church, could be from one or more of the Protestant Reformers, or maybe the pastor is giving his own private interpretation. Does that make sense?
The Canon of Holy Scripture was assembled by the Catholic Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s really no way to get around this fact. The early counsels of the undivided Church clarified the Gospel message, the Holy Trinity; and separated truth from heresy. Catholics and Anglicans have some disagreements when it comes to all 7 counsels; but that’s a different discussion.
Guanophore is presenting the Catholic position and it is a compelling one.
What I do know about Guanophore, PRmerger, and many Catholics here, is that they truly want all to come to the truth of Christ and His Church. While I might not agree with everything, I know their hearts and intentions are in the right place. This is one of the things that keeps drawing me back to these forums.
This link to the Catechism of the Catholic Church might be helpful (I have the Catechism of the Catholic Church on my desk, btw.)
PART ONE THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
SECTION ONE
“I BELIEVE” - “WE BELIEVE”
CHAPTER TWO
GOD COMES TO MEET MAN
ARTICLE 3
SACRED SCRIPTURE
I. CHRIST - THE UNIQUE WORD OF SACRED SCRIPTURE
101 In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men."63
102 Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word, his one Utterance in whom he expresses himself completely:64
Code:
You recall that one and the same Word of God extends throughout Scripture, that it is one and the same Utterance that resounds in the mouths of all the sacred writers, since he who was in the beginning God with God has no need of separate syllables; for he is not subject to time.65
103 For this reason,** the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body**. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God’s Word and Christ’s Body.66
104
In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, “but as what it really is, the word of God”.67 "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them."68 . . . . .
You can read on.
So, I leave you in good hands as you continue your discussion.
Peace and blessings,
Anna
