The problem is that Scripture alone cannot resolve the disagreements within Christianity, but only cause them in fact. An earthly place/entity/authority where the buck stops on doctrinal matters is simply essential. Infallibility is only a good thing-and does not, of itself, imply or produce arrogance-only a level of assurance regarding the faith.
Every time the pope or a council decrees, they cause disagreement also.
A level? You can’t get any higher level than claiming something to be the Word of God.
Hi mcq72,
Anything can be disagreed with-but at least in this case we know what we’re disagreeing over-because a decree has been made. But using Scripture as the norm, no such agreement necessarily takes place. Scripture, IOW, cannot serve as the place where the buck stops because it’s words are necessarily filtered thru the human lens. So the only way, other than Jesus standing here telling us and reconfirming or enlightening as necessary is for Him to provide some means of preserving and protecting the true gospel. And if we’re honest, we’d acknowledge that every time a person or group gives their interpretation, they are taking on that very role, even if they claim the bible does so on its own.
It provides a level that we cannot get elsewhere.
Again, are you, yourself, very possibly wrong-about OSAS as one example, not to mention other doctrines? Or is your particular interpretation infallible even as other SS adherents may disagree with yours?
“Level of assurance” may not have been a strong enough term, but the point is that for the individual believer any level of assurance, and kind of certitude, is missing apart from the Church God established to provide it.
Well, thank you for your thoughtful answers.
Well, this topic involves more than human conventions or biases-as it’s a also matter of discerning God’s desire in this case. We should first of all establish that a centralized authority and power by itself is not innately bad even if it can easily be abused. But authority is a necessity in this world. We may object on good grounds to any particular authority, but also on wrong grounds such as desiring that authority for ourselves-or just being defiant, rebellious, anti-authoritarian. And this is a very common human state of mind as I see it, as, beginning with Adam, God’s rightful authority, especially, has been denied.
No one is in the dark if they have been born again.
Agreed. God’s preference is certainly not a democracy, but what a monarchy, a king, a theocracy I think?
There is the rub. Because of sin nature, earthly kings, monarchy are out. Even centralized authority needs a check. A constitutional democratic republic is best suited for creatures on this side of eternity…and perhaps even the church.
Absolutely. Yes. Good point.
Good to know we’re at least not the Whore of Babylon anymore. Well, depending…
Yes, and by the same reasoning, due to our “sin nature” (not quite the concept we ascribe to but it works ok here), individual bible readers certainly are no better than any other authority. A God-designated visible entity begins to make a great deal of sense for this purpose.
Well a more supreme conciliar authority is much closer to it than papal authority.
???..what, you don’t have individual bible readers in visible church?
Yes, as per CC point of view, as per her label of those who dare live by their conscience and convictions, beyond what tradition would demand, even order.
So, we decide that a democratic process is superior for determining truth? IMO, however the authority is structured doesn’t really matter as long as we can have confidence that God is guiding it. IOW, it really doesn’t matter where the buck stops as long as there is a place for it to do so. And regardless of what that place consists of, some will still inevitably question its authority and object to it.
Not really sure what this post was about, but I had assumed, maybe erroneously, that you were placing the authority in the hands of individual private interpreters.
Well, in the words of the famous theologian Bob Dylan, “in this you are not so unique”. While some people are more easily led and others might be more earnest in their personal seeking, the source of Christian convictions and a properly formed conscience is to be God, not us. So whether or not we conceive that source to be Scripture alone or Scripture, Tradition, and the Church which correctly understands and conveys it-or some other source for that matter-we still look outward. And if we’re honest I think we’ll recognize that those who came before us greatly encourage but also influence and help orient our beliefs.