Selectively believing in the Gospel

[twb1621]

With so many contradicting belief systems, how can so many self proclaimed Christians claim to believe in the word of God through scripture yet only select verses that they can fit to their thinking through distortion, contradicting the majority of the written teachings of our Lord?

 

[Dolphincrc]

With so many contradicting belief systems, how can so many self proclaimed Christians claim to believe in the word of God through scripture yet only select verses that they can fit to their thinking through distortion, contradicting the majority of the written teachings of our Lord?

Because we are sinners.

 

[tobinatorstark]

With so many contradicting belief systems, how can so many self proclaimed Christians claim to believe in the word of God through scripture yet only select verses that they can fit to their thinking through distortion, contradicting the majority of the written teachings of our Lord?

because they are ignorant of the truth

 

[Dtmccameron]

Well, aside from the sinning bit. there’s all sorts of trouble you can run into with translations; and that could lead to a different emphasis on certain parts, and thereby, a different interpretation.

And then, especially with the Gospel, it proves ever so difficult to discover when Our Lord was being literal, and when He was speaking figuratively.

For instance, the whole eye gouging if it causes you to sin thing? We’re told it’s figurative.

And then, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

“Oh, so you mean, any day now, yes?”

No, right there, there! Just reach out and grab it! He’s standing right in front of you!

I mean, that’s quite practically *too *literal!

 

[Dolphincrc]

Well, aside from the sinning bit. there’s all sorts of trouble you can run into with translations; and that could lead to a different emphasis on certain parts, and thereby, a different interpretation.

And then, especially with the Gospel, it proves ever so difficult to discover when Our Lord was being literal, and when He was speaking figuratively.

For instance, the whole eye gouging if it causes you to sin thing? We’re told it’s figurative.

And then, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

“Oh, so you mean, any day now, yes?”

No, right there, there! Just reach out and grab it! He’s standing right in front of you!

I mean, that’s quite practically *too *literal!

I wouldn’t blame translations. I’m a Catholic and have read from “Protestant” translations and the important thing for Catholicts is to read it in the tradition of the Church, faithful to its teachings. And hence the problem, Protestants have broken from this tradition and reject all tradition, leading to many interpretations even on what seems obvious to us. It happens also to Catholics that deny the Church’s teaching, which can lead to schism (see the case in Australia of the pastor that denied the Virgin birth and Resurrection).

In my post above, I said “WE” are sinners. Because even those who hold to the tradition and teachings of the Church are not perfect and none of us follow the Gospel perfectly. Sin, pride, etc are the root of all these different interpretations.

 

[Dolphincrc]

Wow! check this article from today: “Bible can only be understood with the Church, Pope tells scholars”

catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15765

Here is an excerpt:

"The interpretation of Sacred Scriptures cannot be a merely an individual academic undertaking, but must always be compared with, inserted into, and authenticated by the living Tradition of the Church.

 

[MDK]

Wow! check this article from today: “Bible can only be understood with the Church, Pope tells scholars”

catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15765

Here is an excerpt:

"The interpretation of Sacred Scriptures cannot be a merely an individual academic undertaking, but must always be compared with, inserted into, and authenticated by the living Tradition of the Church.

I was so happy to see Benedict come out with this statement. The Bible is a Catholic Book, and was written in the context of Catholicism, by Catholics with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for Catholics. It only makes sense in the context of Catholicism. It is not a Catechism of the Church, but fits in with the Church who as pillar and bullwark of truth, upholds and protects the true meanings of the Scriptures. This is why those who take our Book out of context and dissect it to mean what they want, never have gotten it right when it comes to the meanings. They may get a little here and there, but never the fullness of revealed truth… sadly. How can we be one, as Christ and the Father are one, when people are afraid of the truths of Catholicism, and so distort our Book to feel comfortable with the god and religion of their own making.

 

[MDK]

I wouldn’t blame translations. I’m a Catholic and have read from “Protestant” translations and the important thing for Catholicts is to read it in the tradition of the Church, faithful to its teachings. And hence the problem, Protestants have broken from this tradition and reject all tradition, leading to many interpretations even on what seems obvious to us. It happens also to Catholics that deny the Church’s teaching, which can lead to schism (see the case in Australia of the pastor that denied the Virgin birth and Resurrection).

In my post above, I said “WE” are sinners. Because even those who hold to the tradition and teachings of the Church are not perfect and none of us follow the Gospel perfectly. Sin, pride, etc are the root of all these different interpretations.

They’re fooling themselves if they think they don’t use tradition to interpret. Sola Scriptura is a tradition, Right of Private Interpretation is a tradition, Sola Fide is a tradition, OSAS is a tradition… all man made, none supported by the Truth. They do interpret in the bad context of these traditions, and outside the Catholic Traditions, and so they go as they will like thousands of rudderless ships with misaligned navigation systems, drifting further from the truth.

The father of Protestantism is pride and fear. Fear of the Catholic truths makes them look for something they can reduce to what the mind of man can understand. One must also be humble to be a good Christian, and so it’s difficult to be humble when you’re telling God what you will and will not believe about Him.

 

[twb1621]

Wow! check this article from today: “Bible can only be understood with the Church, Pope tells scholars”

catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15765

Here is an excerpt:

"The interpretation of Sacred Scriptures cannot be a merely an individual academic undertaking, but must always be compared with, inserted into, and authenticated by the living Tradition of the Church.

Excellent, thank you.

 

[Epistemes]

With so many contradicting belief systems, how can so many self proclaimed Christians claim to believe in the word of God through scripture yet only select verses that they can fit to their thinking through distortion, contradicting the majority of the written teachings of our Lord?

Ever heard of Christian liberalism? It’s been quite popular for, at least, the past 100 years, if not longer. J. Gresham Machen, a Presbyterian theologian, actually wrote a very good book on the matter called “Christianity and Liberalism” back in 1923 which still stands true today. It’s funny that a Presbyterian should write a book defending orthodoxy, but when there are Christians like John Dominic Crossan who don’t believe in the Resurrection of Christ, I heartily welcome the writings of people like Mr. Machen!

Liberalism seeks to define itself. I urge you to listen to this radio broadcast from apologetics.com discussing liberalism in light of Machen’s book: Christianity and Liberalism: Can Both Survive? (Don’t worry, there’s nothing anti-Catholic said or proposed as ideology )

 

[twb1621]

Ever heard of Christian liberalism? It’s been quite popular for, at least, the past 100 years, if not longer. J. Gresham Machen, a Presbyterian theologian, actually wrote a very good book on the matter called “Christianity and Liberalism” back in 1923 which still stands true today. It’s funny that a Presbyterian should write a book defending orthodoxy, but when there are Christians like John Dominic Crossan who don’t believe in the Resurrection of Christ, I heartily welcome the writings of people like Mr. Machen!

Liberalism seeks to define itself. I urge you to listen to this radio broadcast from apologetics.com discussing liberalism in light of Machen’s book: Christianity and Liberalism: Can Both Survive? (Don’t worry, there’s nothing anti-Catholic said or proposed as ideology )

A person who does not believe in the Resurrection of Christ is not Christian at all, I understand your point, Thank you.

 

[Dtmccameron]

A person who does not believe in the Resurrection of Christ is not Christian at all, I understand your point, Thank you.

That struck me aswell…I wonder how he reconciles that with St. Paul’s, “If Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain”?

 

[omg]

how do I get this to work?

 

[MDK]

how do I get this to work?

Selectively believing in the Gospel never works… but that’s not what you were talking about… You did successfully post. If you want to quote someone in your response, then you use the “Quote” button, then type below their quote.

 

[omg]

I was so happy to see Benedict come out with this statement. The Bible is a Catholic Book, and was written in the context of Catholicism, by Catholics with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for Catholics. It only makes sense in the context of Catholicism. It is not a Catechism of the Church, but fits in with the Church who as pillar and bullwark of truth, upholds and protects the true meanings of the Scriptures. This is why those who take our Book out of context and dissect it to mean what they want, never have gotten it right when it comes to the meanings. They may get a little here and there, but never the fullness of revealed truth… sadly. How can we be one, as Christ and the Father are one, when people are afraid of the truths of Catholicism, and so distort our Book to feel comfortable with the god and religion of their own making.

 

[omg]

omg:
Before I state my thred let me know if you rec/this I am new and not sure how to use this.
Thank U OMG