The promise

[arieh0310]

I am polishing up reading Newman’s “Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine” and was particularly impressed with the following statement:

“They are ever hunting for a fabulous primitive simplicity; we repose in Catholic fulness. They seek what never has been found; we accept and use what even they acknowledge to be a substance. They are driven to maintain, on their part, that the Church’s doctrine was never pure; we say that it can never be corrupt. We consider that a divine promise keeps the Church Catholic from doctrinal corruption; but on what promise, or on what encouragement, they are seeking for their visionary purity does not appear.” (page 382)

What promise does a Protestant have that they will attain “visionary purity”?

 

[DavidFilmer]

arieh0310:

What promise does a Protestant have that they will attain “visionary purity”?

Simple. They believe that if they are sincere, the Holy Spirit will guide them (personally and individually) in all matters. How could you not have visionary purity when the Holy Spirit is your personal guide?

Of course, this is a far greater charism than Papal infallibility. Which is why I have always said that Protestants think that every Christian is infallible - EXCEPT the Pope. And never mind, of course, that sincere protestants arrive at contradictory conclusions, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.