You have created a false dichotomy, 2nd. God the Hs does illuminate Truth through the Holy Scriptures authoritativly, and He also does so through the authority that He appointed to Teach and shepherd the flock. It is not an “either/or” as you indicate.
No. The Church teaches that public revelation (God’s expression of Himself to humanity) reached it’s fullness in Christ. Of course there are plenty of prophetic visions, revelations, and private experiences of God, such as the appearances of the Blessed Virgin around the world. But these are not considered part of the one Divine Deposit of Faith given once for all to the Church. Any such revelation given to private individuals, though it may be enjoyed by others (such as the messges of Fatima) are not binding on the faithful.
Yes. The Magesterium is bound to hold and continue the Apostolic faith that was committed to them. The Apostles taught that Jesus was the fullness of God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. I am not sure “has ended” is the best characterization. It was fulfilled in Christ.
No, not a bit! Jesus is the Truth,and in Him is found the fullness of the Truth. He reveals Himself to us daily.
This is a good point, and the reason why the Apostles taught that outside the Church, there is no salvation. For 1600 years, anyone outside the Church was considered non-Christian, an apostate, or a heretic.
You are not “half” of anything, 2nd. I am wondering if you are using that term in a manner similar to the way you used the term “bastards” to describe non-believers?
I am just responding to my official title of separated brother given to me by the Catholic Church. I do not believe we can actually be separated brothers, but acknowledge the Catholic distinctive given me. I simply created half brother and step brother to reflect our separation. I believe that those who are united to Christ in spiritual reality are adopted into the family of God without distinction. I guess when my title is lost of separated brother, then I can let go of labeling you as my half brother or step brother. In comparison, I would never have called a Catholic a brother or sister in Christ, or even a step brother in Christ in the past due to doctrinal distinctives. Therefore, for me to call Catholics a half brother or a step brother is great progress for me… just like the Catholic Church calling me a separated brother. I truly believe that in Christ, there is no Protestant nor Catholic distinctive. Did you know the term bastard is used for Hebrew 12 in the KJV for the false professor in the church?
The subject of authority seperates us just like our understanding of the doctrine of justification. What I posted represents both position on authority between Protestants and Catholics. The Spirit of God speaks authoritatively one way or the other. We can’t both be right on the subject of final authority in which the Spirit works. However, our posiiton on authority is not a damnable error, or even a gospel error.
I see that you are responding to it. You are not acknowlging it, though. If you acknowledged it, you would not be mocking it, changing it, and using it sarcastically. In this context, “separated” means estranged from one another. Those who are in Christ are all members one of another. Instead of having the unity, though, that Christ desires, we are separated from one another because we are not of “one mind”.
This is another case of you rejecting what the Catholic Church has to offer, and coming up with something on your own that seems to suit you better. Your tactics are not lost on us.
Yes, which is what is reflected in the term “brethren”. We are all members one of another.
Ok. If it serves you to hang on to a resentment, I can certainly understand. I dont find it spiritually efficacious to growth, but you must follow your own path with God. Perhaps you are not able to embrace the grief that He experiences over our separations with one another.
Ok. Baby steps for all! In the light of this, I will try not to read it as insulting as it sounds.
Yes. To the extent that there are distinctives, all of us fail to be “in Christ” to a greater or leser extent.
True. Although, given our discourse in other threads, it seems clear that we are not as separated by the doctrine of justification as it might appear.
What you posted is that the HS speaks authoritatively through scripture. This is Catholic faith. The HS also speaks authoritatively through those to whom He has given authority (Church - teachers and shepherds). These must give an account of the souls which have been entrusted to them. this is one of the elements of authority, the ability to be held accountable. The reason that Scripture cannot be the “final authority” is that scripture lacks the qualities that authority requires. They belong only to persons. these include discernment, willpower, and responsibility (for which one is held accountable). When people espouse “Sola Scriptura”, they are actually making themselves their own authority.
On the contrary, it is both. Grist for another thread?