After reading Anna’s comments, “Catholics are not allowed private interpretation of scripture”, I thought about Martin Luther’s thoughts near the end of his life, the founder of Sola Scripture. Luther was afraid that “any milkmaid who could read” would found a new Christian denomination based on his or her interpretation of the bible.
Luther initially saw himself as a great reformer of the Catholic Church; in the end, however, he divided Christianity into two separate chuches and that second division, Protestantism, would divide over the next four centuries into a near infinity of separate churches-over 20,000 non-Catholic.
Luther, the simple Augustinian monk thought the force of his ideas would single-handedly redirect the Leviathan of the church; never his goal to strat a new denomination. To study history certainly gives one a better understanding as to how we got to where we are today.
I believe at this point in time, we as Christians should in the least, unite in prayer, and ask our Father to forgive us our sins, and the sins of a Nation that proclaims to be, “One Nation under God”
God bless you Anna
Psalmssing
Psalmssing:
First, if you have encountered many of my posts, you will find that I am a Protestant questioning Protestantism. So, for me, these discussions are not about winning or losing an argument/debate.
Quick background info: (Though I am a Christian in the Protestant sector, I do not hold to Sola Scriptura, OSAS, Monergism, King James-onlyism, strictly literal translation of the Bible–There are many Protestant beliefs I do not accept. I am not a fan of Luther or Calvin–I am a Protestant with a problem, to say the least.)
When I speak of “private interpretation,” I am not speaking of my own human interpretation of Scripture. I am speaking of interpretation through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Is this not the same way interpretation of Scripture is received by the Catholic Church?
In this particular discussion about the “gifts of the Spirit;” I’m simply saying that Spiritual experiences of the individual with God/Holy Spirit, can change the way one views the claim of authority by the Catholic Church (and other religions for that matter.)
If Catholic Charismatics are having experiences with the Holy Spirit in healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues (I possess none of these gifts); how is that individual encounter with the Holy Spirit different from the individual encounter with the Holy Spirit in reading and interpreting Scripture?
I’m discussing an article posted by CHESTERTONRULES (Catholic): who said, “Here’s a balanced look at the movement with some words of caution which I think are reasonable.”
religion-cults.com/spirit/charismatic.htm
The article listed some “problems,” the CC has encountered, with some Catholic Charismatics, such as:
"They began to believe “the Holy Spirit and Jesus and the Father were more than enough for them.”
“In New York we had the problem that some Charismatics didn’t care about Virgin Mary, because the Holy Spirit and Jesus and the Father were more than enough for them.”
“Very few Charismatics think they don’t have to listen to the priests because the Holy Spirit talks to them directly, and that’s enough for them and the best.”
"Another not usual error, but that happens: “We don’t need bosses!”.
“I only need Jesus. Religion doesn’t save, nor any church, only Jesus”.
“Some Protestant errors may infiltrate the Prayer Group.”
The thing I find most interesting, is that some of the Catholic Charismatics are arriving at very “Protestant” conclusions, independently of Protestants–though Protestants are assigned at least some of the blame: “Some Protestant errors may infiltrate the Prayer Group.”
I am saying, perhaps the “Protestant errors” are not errors at all, but results of true experiences with the Holy Spirit.
I agree with your statement,* I believe at this point in time, we as Christians should in the least, unite in prayer, and ask our Father to forgive us our sins, and the sins of a Nation that proclaims to be, “One Nation under God.”*
Respectfully,
Anna