Some clarifications on Sola Scriptura

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But new challenges to the Church have required them to apply the Apostolic faith to the modern era. Whenever heresies arose, it was necessary to develop the deposit of faith and apply it to the current need. Thus, we have the hypostatic union, the Trinity, the canon, the Theotokos, Sunday observance, etc, etc.
Yes, we all live by this jusitification. You have properly ordained, “divine’ elements” going wrong (bishops,councils), into heresy in those early struggles . Only a person not trying to seem “protestant” would deny the authority of scriptures as playing a big part in combating error, wher councils,even popes failed.
 
Thanks. Of course it applies to individual, but it also applies to “church”.
Only to ecclesial communities established at the Reformation and afterwards.
Hi Benhur" Yes of course, but the Church is made up of the individual.
We must be very cautious about reinforcing the deficient definition of the Church inherited by Christians after the Reformation. The nature of the Church was redefined by the Reformers to “the body of believers on earth”. This eliminates the divine elements of the Church, and those who have gone on before us in faith.

Rather than the Church being incarnational, with both a divine and human nature, the divinity is excised, leaving only the individuals attached to the Church here on earth. Therefore it is not possible for her to be Holy, and infallible.
Being in the Spirit (even for a leader) is not a man thing. It is definitely by His grace and promise. The institution (Sanhedrin), the "nation’’ (Israel) , like a church, was in error, not just the high priest. Is that what you want to say, that the church can be wrong, dead wrong, yet to God’s glory ?
No, the Church is Holy and blameless, and cannot err.

Individual members of her can err, ,or sin, or fall from grace, and even teach error. Teaching error is what causes souls to pass through the Gates of hell, which is why we need the HS to guide us into all Truth.
Not sure where they taught this. I thought they warned of false teachers and wolves . maybe you speak of civil authorities etc.
Yes, specifically the comments reference civil authorities. But also the Apostolic instructions to shepherd the flock with gentleness implies that some perhaps were not.

1Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.…I Pet.5:2

Peter is correcting the attitude of the presbyters.
Code:
Well the word is "us''.  You see *divine elements*, and that may be. I see what James said is the "us" is ,* "apostles, elders, and brethren" .*
This is the nature of the gift of infallibilty. The HS works through those who have been gifted and appointed to the task to guide the flock without error.

28"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: Acts 15:28

How can anything that comes from the HS contain error? Just like when authoring the Scriptures, when persons are moved by the Spirit to speak from God, they are infallible.
Yes, somewhat,as far as presbyters. may have nothing to do with ordination, but receiving back a fallen brother. May also mean do not use force.
Neither of these fits the context.
 
Code:
 Yes, we all live by this jusitification. You have properly ordained, "divine' elements" going wrong (bishops,councils), into heresy in those early struggles
No, Ben, you are confused. Human beings cannot be “divine elements” Only members of the Godhead are divine. Humans can only become partakers of the divine nature.

Jesus, as Head of the Church and the Holy Spirit, as the Soul of the Church make up the divine part of her incarnational nature. The members of the Godhead cannot fall into heresy.

Human beings, when moving in unity with the HS, can be preserved from errors such as falling into heresy.
Only a person not trying to seem “protestant” would deny the authority of scriptures as playing a big part in combating error, wher councils,even popes failed.
Certainly the Holy Scriptures are a source of inerrant and inspired authority to combat error.

The problem comes with the fallible human interpretation of them. The HS does not lead people into a direction opposite of what He has already revealed.
 
No, Ben, you are confused. Human beings cannot be “divine elements” Only members of the Godhead are divine. Humans can only become partakers of the divine nature.

Jesus, as Head of the Church and the Holy Spirit, as the Soul of the Church make up the divine part of her incarnational nature. The members of the Godhead cannot fall into heresy.

Human beings, when moving in unity with the HS, can be preserved from errors such as falling into heresy.

Certainly the Holy Scriptures are a source of inerrant and inspired authority to combat error.

The problem comes with the fallible human interpretation of them. The HS does not ljead people into a direction opposite of what He has already revealed.
Gob bless you guanophore, I appreciate your style and thoroughness.

Peace
 
Only to ecclesial communities established at the Reformation and afterwards.
Which part, that the HS guides individuals or the “church” ?
We must be very cautious about reinforcing the deficient definition of the Church inherited by Christians after the Reformation. The nature of the Church was redefined by the Reformers to “the body of believers on earth”. This eliminates the divine elements of the Church, and those who have gone on before us in faith.
Now I am confused. I think by divine elements you mean the Godhead as you just posted. How does reformation exclude the participation of the Godhead in the church ? Where has reformation eliminated Christ as the Head ? Not sure where reformation said saints in heaven are not part of church, and if so ,how does that eliminate the Godhead from activity on church on earth ? I thought Godhead makes us holy and “incarnational”, not saints in heaven.
No, the Church is Holy and blameless, and cannot err.
Individual members of her can err, ,or sin, or fall from grace, and even teach error. Teaching error is what causes souls to pass through the Gates of hell, which is why we need the HS to guide us into all Truth.
Again you dichotomize too much. Like rule # 1: she is perfect . rule # 2" when she (her members) is not perfect, refer to rule #1. At some point we reflect each other, the individual and the church we are part of. I get your point that the church is a perfect hospital but with patients being tended. I would just say the hospital itself has health barometer also, just as does the individual.
 
This is the nature of the gift of infallibilty. The HS works through those who have been gifted and appointed to the task to guide the flock without error.
Well be careful for that is the question, the nature of His infallibility. He can not be put in a box that says when speaking ex-cathedra or when in council fashion. Everybody says , "thus sayeth the Lord (thru "us’’), and we know it ain’t always so.
Neither of these fits the context.
The context of ordination was already covered and the apostle moved on to new topic from which he spoke of laying hands on. Reaffirmation or even physical contact can fit context.
 
Certainly the Holy Scriptures are a source of inerrant and inspired authority to combat error.

The problem comes with the fallible human interpretation of them. The HS does not lead people into a direction opposite of what He has already revealed.
Agree the HS leads to correct interpretation or understanding. No he does not contradict . He does go opposite though sometimes. In one testament circumcision is the pact . In the next, it is not necessary. Sometimes it may seem contrary but it may also be correction. The reformers did not think they were going against inspired understanding, but coming back to it. Just as they (Jews) thought Jesus was going against revealed understanding, but was really coming back to proper understanding.
 
Only to ecclesial communities established at the Reformation and afterwards.

We must be very cautious about reinforcing the deficient definition of the Church inherited by Christians after the Reformation. The nature of the Church was redefined by the Reformers to “the body of believers on earth”. This eliminates the divine elements of the Church, and those who have gone on before us in faith.

Rather than the Church being incarnational, with both a divine and human nature, the divinity is excised, leaving only the individuals attached to the Church here on earth. Therefore it is not possible for her to be Holy, and infallible.

No, the Church is Holy and blameless, and cannot err.

Individual members of her can err, ,or sin, or fall from grace, and even teach error. Teaching error is what causes souls to pass through the Gates of hell, which is why we need the HS to guide us into all Truth.

Yes, specifically the comments reference civil authorities. But also the Apostolic instructions to shepherd the flock with gentleness implies that some perhaps were not.

1Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.…I Pet.5:2

Peter is correcting the attitude of the presbyters.

This is the nature of the gift of infallibilty. The HS works through those who have been gifted and appointed to the task to guide the flock without error.

28"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: Acts 15:28

How can anything that comes from the HS contain error? Just like when authoring the Scriptures, when persons are moved by the Spirit to speak from God, they are infallible.

Neither of these fits the context.
Hi Gaunophore: I agree I meant that while the Church is made up of the individual as the body of the Church, it would be nothing unless it came from the Apostles who began the deposit of faith in which the CC is made up of. If it somehow referred to the Reformation belief I apologize.
 
Code:
Which part, that the HS guides individuals or the "church" ?
The HS guides both, but the promise to be led into “all Truth” was made to the Church, not to any one person.
Now I am confused. I think by divine elements you mean the Godhead as you just posted. How does reformation exclude the participation of the Godhead in the church ?
It does not, so there are many parts of the infallible doctrines of the faith present in Protestant ecclesial communities.
Code:
Where has reformation eliminated Christ as the Head ?
This happened when the authority established by Christ was set aside, and when “church” was redefined to eliminate the divine elements.
Code:
Not sure where reformation said saints in heaven are not part of church, and if so ,how does that eliminate the Godhead from activity on church on earth ?
The doctrine of the communion of saints has been denied by many protestant groups. And even those who accept that the saints are in heaven with Christ do not believe that we can interact for the benefit of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

Even a rejection of the Apostolic faith does not “eliminate the Godhead from activity”, which is why the HS continues to use Protestant communities to draw people to Himself.
Code:
I thought Godhead makes us holy and "incarnational", not saints in heaven.
The Church is incarnational, just as Christ. She has a divine nature, and a human nature. Her divine nature is infallible, and her human nature suffers from all those things common to humanity.
Code:
Again you dichotomize too much. Like rule # 1:  she is perfect . rule # 2" when she (her members) is not perfect, refer to rule #1. At some point we reflect each other, the individual and the church we are part of. I get your point that the church is a perfect hospital but with patients being tended. I would just say the hospital itself has health barometer also, just as does the individual.
Yes, no argument there. All I am saying is that the understanding of the infallible nature of the Church was lost during the Reformation, primarily because the idea of “church” was redefined, removing the authority appointed by Christ, along with a number of other elements.
 
The context of ordination was already covered and the apostle moved on to new topic from which he spoke of laying hands on. Reaffirmation or even physical contact can fit context.
21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; I Tim 5:22

How would either reaffirmation or even prayer for healing lend themselves to the participation in other’s sins? It seems to me that one who ordained another who had not been sufficiently tested and proven might be blamed for participating in their sins.

As a matter of fact, I recently read here on CAF that the priest that pushed Luther toward Holy Orders was in part responsible for the reformation!
 
21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; I Tim 5:22

How would either reaffirmation or even prayer for healing lend themselves to the participation in other’s sins? It seems to me that one who ordained another who had not been sufficiently tested and proven might be blamed for participating in their sins.

As a matter of fact, I recently read here on CAF that the priest that pushed Luther toward Holy Orders was in part responsible for the reformation!
lifting "sanctions’ off a backslidden brother too soon would be participating , even almost condoning the sin problem. Sin is sin . Don’t show partiality. As an example that is relevant today is the proper dealing with priests (pastors) and their sexual sins.
 
lifting "sanctions’ off a backslidden brother too soon would be participating , even almost condoning the sin problem. Sin is sin . Don’t show partiality. As an example that is relevant today is the proper dealing with priests (pastors) and their sexual sins.
I agree, but there is absolutely no biblical or historical evidence that lifting sanctions off a backslidden brother has anything to do with the laying on of hands. The context here leaves little doubt it is a reference to ordination.
 
The Scriptures are inerrant; I accept that by faith. Tradition is not. The fact that God used the
CC or a council to compile the books that make up our Bible doesn’t validate some claim to authority by the church. God uses all kinds to accomplish His purpose. We see that throughout the Bible. Scripture is inerrant; churches and popes are not. But I think there’s a lot we can learn from the church and the pope.
 
The Scriptures are inerrant; I accept that by faith. Tradition is not.
If this is the case, then you are in real trouble, since the Scriptures were produced by Sacred Tradition, preserved, protected, canonized and promulgated through Sacred Tradition. If you cannot trust hte Source, then where can you place your “faith”?

Do you think the Apostles and their successors suddenly stopped preaching the Word of God when some of it was written?

The Word of God has never been confined the the Scriptures. If it was, then you would not know that what you have is scripture!
The fact that God used the
CC or a council to compile the books that make up our Bible doesn’t validate some claim to authority by the church.
LOL.

So when they wrote the letter after the first council recorded in Acts, and said “It seemed right to the Holy Spirit and to us” it was not really authorative?
God uses all kinds to accomplish His purpose. We see that throughout the Bible. Scripture is inerrant; churches and popes are not.
The reason that Jesus gave the gift of infallibility to the Church is because people err. The gift of infalliblity protects the doctrine, not the people. Individuals can still fall into sin, but He guards the divine deposit of faith He has committed to the Church.
 
Welcome to the boards guycatholic.
The Scriptures are inerrant; I accept that by faith. Tradition is not.
Consider this. Traditions (as the Church uses the term) are Traditions because they are found to be good and true.
They are not some hodge-podge of things just mindlessly adhered to. They are things demonstrated to be true by the interrelation of history and scripture (both biblical and extrabiblical writings)
Thus, capital “T” Tradition is indeed inerrant.
The fact that God used the CC or a council to compile the books that make up our Bible doesn’t validate some claim to authority by the church.
True - the fact of a council does not validate…However, since scripture itself speaks to this authority…that is something quite different.
God uses all kinds to accomplish His purpose. We see that throughout the Bible.
I would love to explore this a bit further…
Yes, God uses all kinds to accomplish His purpose…but always within a larger - and authoritative - framework.
In the OT covenant is was the nation of Israel - the chosen people. It was through this framework that God sent the prophets, and the law and all other good things.
In the NT covenant, it is the Church built upon Jesus and the Apostles that has been the source for sound teaching and all good things.
Were the OT people always perfect? Nope - of course not.
Yet Jesus Himself upheld their authority in Mt 23:1-3

Were the Apostles themselves always perfect? NOT!!!
Yet Jesus gave them the authority to bind and to loose…and told us to listen to them and obey (Mt 18:15/18)

So yes I agree that God uses many different people to accomplish his work…but it’s always within a certain framework.
And as you say - we see this throughout Scripture…
Scripture is inerrant; churches and popes are not. But I think there’s a lot we can learn from the church and the pope.
When one says “churches and popes” are not inerrant…one needs to define this more clearly.
Yes - the person who occupies the papal office is not automatically inerrant in all that he says and does - but when he teaches, Scripture tells us that he is inerrant.
Likewise when one says the “church” is not inerrant - well the church is a collection of fallible people and certainly we can err…however the teachings of the Church is another matter. These are indeed inerrant because they have been tested - vetted - in the biblical model of council and found to be correct.

You might be surprised to see just how biblical the Catholic Church actually is…👍

Peace
James
 
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