Who can I defer to in the protestant sphere for the correct answer?

[joe370]

Joe
When you on the same thread say that no Protestant defers to church authority but also say

it poses a problem.
These two statements are contradictory.

That is because some protestants say one thing and some the complete opposite.

I agree; they are contradictory!!! I cannot get a clear answer.

 

[Rightlydivide]

That is because some protestants say one thing and some the complete opposite.

I agree; they are contradictory!!! I cannot get a clear answer.

Because you are lumping groups under one category
Because the term means nothing except a general category
Its like saying you cannot get a clear answer on what is the best language from non-English speakers
Its like saying I cannot get a clear answer from people who do not like Chinese food to agree on their favorite food
Its like saying I cannot get non-Democrats to agree on the best political party
But you know that…

 

[joe370]

=Rightlydivide

;7234880]Because you are lumping groups under one categor

So don’t do that? Got it.

RD, a little help friend: I am clearly still ignorant when it comes to Sola scriptura, for the simple fact that when I define it, someone tells me that I am wrong, so maybe you could break it down for me so that I can finally know, with certainty, the meaning of SS, or the multiple meanings of SS???

 

[pablope]

So don’t do that? Got it.

RD, a little help friend: I am clearly still ignorant when it comes to Sola scriptura, for the simple fact that when I define it, someone tells me that I am wrong, so maybe you could break it down for me so that I can finally know, with certainty, the meaning of SS, or the multiple meanings of SS???

Joe…

Well, in the words of John Henry Newman himself…

Essay on the Development of Doctrine:

If Christianity is both social and dogmatic and intended for all ages, it must, humanly speaking, have an infallible expounder; else you will secure unity of form at the loss of unity of doctrine, or unity of doctrine at the lost of unity of form; you will have to choose between a comprehension of opinions and a resolution into parties—between latitudinarian and sectarian error.

That is…to each and everyone’s opinion and tolerance is what keeps the congregation together…or the other is to split into our own and join up with those who agree with our beliefs…

Quite very true…isn’t it…

 

[Dokimas]

Because you are lumping groups under one category
Because the term means nothing except a general category
Its like saying you cannot get a clear answer on what is the best language from non-English speakers
Its like saying I cannot get a clear answer from people who do not like Chinese food to agree on their favorite food
Its like saying I cannot get non-Democrats to agree on the best political party
But you know that…

It’s also like saying, if I understand you, that some catholics practice birth control and some many don’t, some catholics have had abortions and many have not, some catholics get divorsed and many do not (then get remarried), some catholic’s have premarital sex and many don’t.

Unless I get misunderstood: many protestants practice bc, many have abortions, many get divorced and remarried and many have premarital sex.

 

[JonNC]

RD, a little help friend: I am clearly still ignorant when it comes to Sola scriptura, for the simple fact that when I define it, someone tells me that I am wrong, so maybe you could break it down for me so that I can finally know, with certainty, the meaning of SS, or the multiple meanings of SS???

Try these, my friend.

angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.kiefersolascriptura.html

modernreformation.org/default.php?page=printfriendly&var1=Print&var2=19

And just a couple of quotes:

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c.310-386):

For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless you receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures.
(Catechetical Lectures, IV:17, in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers [Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983 reprint], Second Series, Vol. VII, p. 23.)

St. Gregory of Nyssa (330-395):

…we are not entitled to such license, namely, of affirming whatever we please. For we make Sacred Scripture the rule and the norm of every doctrine. Upon that we are obliged to fix our eyes, and we approve only whatever can be brought into harmony with the intent of these writings.

(On the Soul and the Resurrection, quoted in Jaroslav Pelikan, The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971], p. 50.)

Jon

 

[joe370]

Thanks Jon…

Try these, my friend.

angelfire.com/ny4/djw/lutherantheology.kiefersolascriptura.html

modernreformation.org/default.php?page=printfriendly&var1=Print&var2=19

And just a couple of quotes:

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c.310-386):

For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless you receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures.
(Catechetical Lectures, IV:17, in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers [Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983 reprint], Second Series, Vol. VII, p. 23.)

St. Gregory of Nyssa (330-395):

…we are not entitled to such license, namely, of affirming whatever we please. For we make Sacred Scripture the rule and the norm of every doctrine. Upon that we are obliged to fix our eyes, and we approve only whatever can be brought into harmony with the intent of these writings.

(On the Soul and the Resurrection, quoted in Jaroslav Pelikan, The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971], p. 50.)

Jon

 

[Simeon_Hovey]

If there can be any answer as to what a Protestant is I think it would be this: a Protestant is a Christian who isn’t Catholic*. In my anecdotal experience of Protestantism I think the 80/20 Rule generally applies, which is to say they agree on some 80% (give or take) of what is core to Christianity. As to the 20% (give or take) I’m reminded of what Paul says in Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” It is perhaps from contentions and strivings that has led to so many Protestant denominations.

• I know next to nothing about the Eastern Orthodox or Coptic churches and do not wish to slight either of these churches or any Christian Body.

This does bring me to a question (if it can be answered), is CAF primarily western?

I know it’s not solely western as I’ve had contact with people from around the world