P
Peter_J
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youtu.be/5GcJsgqfxU8?t=1m53smy work here is done.
youtu.be/5GcJsgqfxU8?t=1m53smy work here is done.
Interesting. Leaving aside what I posted previously, this ^^ isn’t something I’d expect to hear from a Baptist. (Granted, I don’t spend much time on the “Baptist Answers Forum”All I meant by “my work here is done” is I joined the thread to discuss the OP, and as we seem to agree there’s no “right” bible, from my point of view the topic has been answered.
Reverend Lovejoy: “We’re here to bring you back to the one true faith: the Western Branch of American Reform Presby-Lutheranism.”
Sorry, I don’t make jokes about them. I wouldn’t want the Parson to find out.Reverend Lovejoy: “We’re here to bring you back to the one true faith: the Western Branch of American Reform Presby-Lutheranism.”
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I’m afraid you misunderstand what I meant by no right Bible–no right Bible can possibly save or damn anyone. I was answering your assertion that not having the right books in the Bible would lead to damnation–which you cited in more colorful language.You’ll see I highlighted two words in your post, where you speculate on what I may or may not think.
All I meant by “my work here is done” is I joined the thread to discuss the OP, and as we seem to agree there’s no “right” bible, from my point of view the topic has been answered.
I don’t think our OP will mind for it’s more important that these things be made clear than we stick strictly to the thread topic.But as you took the trouble to write your post, I’ll say what I think about those points, although further discussion would be off-topic.
The Church does claim exclusive rights to the Scriptures. Indeed, it burned heretical versions and forbid the reading of such versions by the faithful during the reformation. Many of these versions were bad translations made by men with agendas. However, the Church does not tell other ecclesial bodies which Bibles they may use.Bible - Many generations ago, some books were collected by our forebears. Then, many generations later, for whatever reasons, their descendants decided to go their separate ways, each inheriting the work of the forebears. As far as I know, none of the descendants’ religions, including the Church, claim exclusive rights, since it was the work of their common forebears done under the guidance of God.
In essence what you believe is that every man is his own Magisterium. But where do we get the authority to decide matters of faith and morals for ourselves? Nowhere in Scripture. Indeed, it is forbidden:Authority - I believe strongly in the principle that in matters of faith each person must do what she thinks is right. Therefore I cannot tell anyone what she ought to believe, since she answers to God alone, not to me or anyone else. It’s a Baptist thing, don’t know whether other religions agree. Romans 14, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. … So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God”. As a result, I only participate in discussions about authority when that principle is questioned.
OK.I’m afraid you misunderstand what I meant by no right Bible–no right Bible can possibly save or damn anyone. I was answering your assertion that not having the right books in the Bible would lead to damnation–which you cited in more colorful language.
I don’t think our OP will mind for it’s more important that these things be made clear than we stick strictly to the thread topic.![]()
Sure, I imagine every religion states which books are sacred to their own faithful.The Church does claim exclusive rights to the Scriptures. Indeed, it burned heretical versions and forbid the reading of such versions by the faithful during the reformation. Many of these versions were bad translations made by men with agendas. However, the Church does not tell other ecclesial bodies which Bibles they may use.
*In essence what you believe is that every man is his own Magisterium. But where do we get the authority to decide matters of faith and morals for ourselves? Nowhere in Scripture. Indeed, it is forbidden:
2Pt.1[20] First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
[21] because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Christ gave his own authority to his Apostles to “bind and loose” and promised them that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth–as his Apostles. To say that he gave that authority to every man flies in the face of Scripture itself:
Gal.1[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel –
[7] not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
[8] But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.
[9] As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
Can you link where that interpretation of those passages is authorized by your Church then?Where did St. Paul get the authority to make such an audacious statement–if every man can decide what constitutes the truth of the Gospel? He received his authority from Christ, who appeared to him and called him to be an Apostle. Obviously those who were troubling his converts thought they were right according to their lights, but St. Paul is definite that they are not–to the point of calling down a curse upon all who dare to usurp God’s authority to decide such matters.*
scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2036.htm says it well enough, I think. Not only is it the Magisterium’s right, but its duty as given to it by Christ. There are several paragraphs that deal with the Magisterium they are here: ccc.scborromeo.org.master.com/texis/master/search/?sufs=0&q=magisterium&xsubmit=Search&s=SS.Can you link where that interpretation of those passages is authorized by your Church then?
I don’t understand how that interpretation squares with the section The Right to Worship God According to One’s Conscience in w2.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_11041963_pacem.html
Freedom of worship isn’t the same thing as declaring who has the authority to decide matters of faith and morals for the faithful. One’s conscience must be well-formed and informed by Church teachings in order for it to be a useful guide. Nowhere does the Church advocate people creating their own doctrines/dogmas based on conscience alone.
To place all protestants in one basket, for anything, is folly. That said, I think many would say the prime belief would be, as Luther said,Okay, you guys, when I say “key to showing the error of Protestantism,” I am referring to the foundation of Protestantism – the justification for it in the first place. I am not saying this approach will convert a Protestant to the Catholic view every time. Or even that is the best way to do so. But when talking about Protestantism as a system, one would think getting the canon “right” would in fact be essential, if one were to claim the Bible contains all Christian doctrine and is in fact the sole or final source of authority.
If I were a Protestant, I certainly would be a bit shaken to know that my Bible is not in fact “the Bible,” since my prime belief for being Protestant (whether consciously realizing it or not) is sola scriptura. The Bible is all you need for doctrine and authority. But if my Bible is not actually… well, the Bible… then there is a major problem. And since Protestants in general use the 66 book canon, there is a good change this issue will help them see the Catholic perspective.
From the Catholic side, of course Protestants have tremendous gifts and have much truth. I mean 66 books of the Bible is better than ZERO books! But in the context of this thread, I am specifically narrowing the convo in.
Since scripture provides that the Church maintains the teaching role:I say sola scriptura cannot be practiced.
When they open the Bible, they interpret it. That’s their tradition.
When they declare that interpretation to be correct, that’s their magisterium.
Scripture, magisterium, tradition - that’s the Catholic way.
Also, check out my infamous 4 questions.
The answers to these infamous 4 questions were determined infallibly, and correctly.
- Where it says that the number of books in the New Testament is officially 27?
- Where does it say what books belong in the NT?
- Where does it say what versions of the books belong in the NT? For example: There was a version of Matthew’s Gospel that had 8 chapters worth of text. Another with 18. A third with 28. Which one is the correct one, using Scripture alone?
- Where does it say which TRANSLATION of the books in the NT is the correct one?
And outside of scripture.
That concerns the Church’s authority over the Catholic faithful, but not over other religions.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2036.htm says it well enough, I think. Not only is it the Magisterium’s right, but its duty as given to it by Christ. There are several paragraphs that deal with the Magisterium they are here: ccc.scborromeo.org.master.com/texis/master/search/?sufs=0&q=magisterium&xsubmit=Search&s=SS.
Freedom of worship isn’t the same thing as declaring who has the authority to decide matters of faith and morals for the faithful. One’s conscience must be well-formed and informed by Church teachings in order for it to be a useful guide. Nowhere does the Church advocate people creating their own doctrines/dogmas based on conscience alone.
All of the above is a nonsequitur.That concerns the Church’s authority over the Catholic faithful, but not over other religions.
Whereas Dignitatis Humanae concerns freedom to choose a religion. It defines the Church’s relations with other religions and with states. In accordance with human dignity all persons have a right to religious liberty, free of force or coercion (and this is necessary also to defend against repression of the Church). For example:
*"This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.
The council further declares that the right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person as this dignity is known through the revealed word of God and by reason itself. This right of the human person to religious freedom is to be recognized in the constitutional law whereby society is governed and thus it is to become a civil right." - vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html*
c.f. with soul liberty. I think on this at least, Catholic and Baptist principles agree that all persons should be free, and all religions should be free, but if a person decides to join a religion, she must follow the ordinances of that religion.
JonNC said:4) sola scriptura is the practice of holding doctrine accountable to scripture. I guess there may be some communions who think a particular translation is doctrinally the right one, but I can’t name one.
You are applying sola scriptura in a way that is inconsistent with its intended use.
Yep. This ^^.By your definition the Catholic Church holds sola scriptura!All Catholic Doctrines are consonant with Scripture. The CCC helpfully notes the Scripture that underlies its doctrines.
To be honest, and frank, it is your definition of sola scriptura which is inconsistent with its intended use. The true purpose of SS is to disavow the authority of the Church and exalt private judgement. Otherwise, SS is moot for the reason I mentioned. We can put a “Catholic” light on anything if we interpret it in a way that suits are desires. John Henry Newman was severely censured by the Anglican Church for doing exactly that with the 39 articles in Tract 90.
But if you take note of your wording “holding doctrine accountable to scripture;” there is a distinct call for judgement upon Church doctrine based on private judgement. It may not be explicit enough for some, but it is certainly implicit.![]()
Indeed.All of the above is a nonsequitur.
No Catholic here has been arguing that we must coerce people into being Catholic.
You don’t accept, then the existence of what many if not most of us call the Christian religion? Or do you not think that is includes Catholics?That concerns the Church’s authority over the Catholic faithful, but not over other religions.
I never intended any such thing, and am very surprised you thought I would.All of the above is a nonsequitur.
No Catholic here has been arguing that we must coerce people into being Catholic.
Of course Catholics are Christians.You don’t accept, then the existence of what many if not most of us call the Christian religion? Or do you not think that is includes Catholics?
Agreed, no one has disagreed with Dignitatis Humanae. But it would be strange if anyone did.Indeed.
Not to be a backseat poster, but the “Of course Catholics are Christians.![]()
Supremely ironic that you wrote all that. Did you miss the part where Paul blames those responsible for that rather grave error in faith and morals:Christ gave his own authority to his Apostles to “bind and loose” and promised them that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth–as his Apostles. To say that he gave that authority to every man flies in the face of Scripture itself:
Gal.1[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel –
[7] not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
[8] But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.
[9] As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
Where did St. Paul get the authority to make such an audacious statement–if every man can decide what constitutes the truth of the Gospel? He received his authority from Christ, who appeared to him and called him to be an Apostle. Obviously those who were troubling his converts thought they were right according to their lights, but St. Paul is definite that they are not–to the point of calling down a curse upon all who dare to usurp God’s authority to decide such matters.