True enough. But I do have a lot of experience of how conservative Protestants behave when they are trying to make up for the absence of a Magisterium by zealously and nervously policing doctrinal boundaries. And it’s curious to note exactly the same behavior among Catholics, who presumably don’t need it.
Indeed. Nor did I suggest in any way that it was. But the word “follow” can be used in two senses: are Church teachings a guide, or a guidepost? I think the latter. One best follows Church teachings by exploring further along the direction in which they point, not by walking in their footsteps and making sure you don’t get ahead of them. Since Church teachings are not people, such an approach doesn’t make any sense.
In the former sense, we are to follow Jesus and Jesus alone, as you yourself said in a different context and with a different polemical agenda
Edwin
Respectfully, Edwin, I think you’re equaintg faithful adherence with reactionary (“zealous policing”) behavior. Sometimes one is the other, but certainly not always. And you do it also with interchanging ‘guide’ for ‘guidepost.’ Thirdly, you assume a lot (assumed a lot, earlier) when you make the leap from the use of traditional sources to a particular ‘polemic’ or intent. Such connections cannot be assumed. Let me clarify a couple of things for you,though, since you are not Catholic.
A theologically derived “guide,” (for a practicing Catholic), articulated by their Church, is not a series of suggestions. It is a framework (integrated system) for making moral decisions. Thus, it is different from a book about Catholic spirituality, written even by the Pope himself, which would be considered “a guide.” That framework is based on what the Church considers fixed (absolute) principles, such as Life and a creation ordered to God. I’m speaking here of the core moral teachings of the Church, such as the teachings on sexuality, reproduction, marriage, and family. Those magisterial teachings are definitive and not subject to private manipulation or selective adherence.
As to “following Jesus alone,” Catholics believe that their Church was founded by Him and is an extension of Him, and that, as He promised, the Spirit – the Paraclete – abides in that Church, which, by Jesus’ words, has the power “to bind and loose.”
However, the phenomenon of “making sure one’s steps do not get ahead [of the Church]” is not necessarily a mindset of rigidity as a motivator (although it can be); rather, rigidity is sometimes the fruit of some poorly catechized Catholics, who “wait” for contemporary clergy (or Rome) to speak before they either think or act. Both the guides and the guideposts have already been laid out for them; these are merely updated (applied) with contemporary pronouncements as modern issues arise. If you have the system of decision-making well integrated within your faith life, you are able to walk in union without having to walk in rhythmic lock-step.
Also (again because of poor catechesis), lots of modern Catholics do not understand which teachings are core & unchangeable, and which documents or oral statements are in fact guides, or in some cases even opinion or suggestion. And very often those Catholics have hidden political or emotional agendas, which they may not even be aware, or are not being honest with themselves about. for example, some view the moral teachings on Life issues (named above) as selectively applicable, depending on their peer group, but consider broad social policy statements (guides) as ‘absolute.’
I.m.o., the greatest crisis in the Church today is not clergy sexual abuse, not cafeteria Catholicism or dissent, not even large numbers of disaffected and nonpracticing Catholics. It is the residual bad catechesis which has existed for over 30 years and has not been sufficiently addressed, let alone reversed. People who are badly taught make bad decisions. The parallel of this is in the secular electorate; people who have not been taught to think critically, to discern fact from opinion (etc.), make shallow or emotional voting choices. That’s just across the board, universally.
I do not see this education crisis being redressed in the near future; that’s my greatest concern. Those of us with much better catechesis often benefitted from outstanding Catholic schools which, early on, provided a more thorough instruction in how to make decisions. I’m of the opinion that the framework is not well taught in token CCD classes, and certainly not in the 'rush" RCIA programs. A minimum of 2 years, preferably 4 cumulatively, from ages 14 to 21, in an intellectually sophisticated Catholic environment, is essential for most people unless one is exceptionally independent & motivated to learn these principles (and how to apply them) on one’s own. There are such laudably motivated people on CAF, who have shared their reading lists and private study results; they are to be commended for their initiative, but it is not the norm,
