Catholics on, Interpreting the Bible

[Fixation On God]

Hi, I decided to make this because of the following post, I chose to make it anonymous due to privacy for the poster:

Hi. I am a Catholic and I know that I am in the true church because it was started by Jesus, expanded by the Apostles who gave the power of leadership to the bishops.

This is no bull, he really posted that, I made no changes to his post.

So my question is, . Because each church claims that different things are in the Bible. Luther and Catholics claim Eucharist is in the Bible other churches do not. My question is how do you know who is right?

 

[2 King]

The Bible is right. Stick to it.

 

[ittarter]

So my question is, . Because each church claims that different things are in the Bible. Luther and Catholics claim Eucharist is in the Bible other churches do not. My question is how do you know who is right?

Are you illiterate? If not, you don't need to take anyone's word on it. Go read it for yourself and find out!

DISCLAIMER: Due to the sheer complexity of interpreting the Bible, it's probably a bit more difficult than I'm making it out to be. For myself, the jury's still out on a lot of issues -- but not all

Think for yourself. Question authority.

 

[Memento Mori]

The Bible is right. Stick to it.

Of course. The question is, how do we interpret it and make sense of it all as a whole? Scripture is not always clear or explicit.

Left alone on a desert island with a Bible and no previous theological understanding, I would probably not come out a Trinitarian, or believe in the hypostatic union, or understand why Jesus had to die, or know how the end times would play out, or be able to make sense of free will and predestination and God's Sovereignty and what-have-you. I would not understand the nature of the soul or the universe. I would probably end up throwing the book away thinking it to be a kooky and absurd thing.

Without the Church, the Bible is just ammunition in a free-for-all Christianity where scripture can be used to establish every tradition from harmless Baptist sects to dangerous kool-aid cults.

 

[RND]

My question is how do you know who is right?

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

 

[RND]

Without the Church, the Bible is just ammunition in a free-for-all Christianity where scripture can be used to establish every tradition from harmless Baptist sects to dangerous kool-aid cults.

Without the Holy Spirit......

The carnal heart with a Bible is like a baby with a chainsaw.

 

[Stryder06]

Hi, I decided to make this because of the following post, I chose to make it anonymous due to privacy for the poster:

This is no bull, he really posted that, I made no changes to his post.

So my question is, . Because each church claims that different things are in the Bible. Luther and Catholics claim Eucharist is in the Bible other churches do not. My question is how do you know who is right?

Revelation 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

[Stryder06]

Of course. The question is, how do we interpret it and make sense of it all as a whole? Scripture is not always clear or explicit.

Left alone on a desert island with a Bible and no previous theological understanding, I would probably not come out a Trinitarian, or believe in the hypostatic union, or understand why Jesus had to die, or know how the end times would play out, or be able to make sense of free will and predestination and God's Sovereignty and what-have-you. I would not understand the nature of the soul or the universe. I would probably end up throwing the book away thinking it to be a kooky and absurd thing.

Without the Church, the Bible is just ammunition in a free-for-all Christianity where scripture can be used to establish every tradition from harmless Baptist sects to dangerous kool-aid cults.

This actually is addressed by Christ. To whom much is given much is required. To make it short, one doesn't have to have to be a theologian to be saved.

God will guide His children who diligently seek after Him, and they will be saved.

 

[Trento]

Hi, I decided to make this because of the following post, I chose to make it anonymous due to privacy for the poster:

This is no bull, he really posted that, I made no changes to his post.

So my question is, . Because each church claims that different things are in the Bible. Luther and Catholics claim Eucharist is in the Bible other churches do not. My question is how do you know who is right?

Study the church Fathers especially the ones who were instructed by the Apostles.

St. Ignatius was instructed by the Apostle John.Eventually, he received the martyr's crown as he was thrown to wild beasts in the arena.

"Consider how contrary to the mind of God are the heterodox in regard to the grace of God which has come to us. They have no regard for charity, none for the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, none for the man in prison, the hungry or the thirsty. They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not admit that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, the flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His graciousness, raised from the dead."

"Letter to the Smyrnaeans", paragraph 6. circa 80- A.D.​

 

[Trento]

The Bible is right. Stick to it.

To quote Martin Luther, "Scripture is like wax noses; it can be twisted to fit." Luther ought to know as he attemted to change scripture.

2 Peter 3:15: "There are some things in them [St. Paul's letters] hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures."

 

[Memento Mori]

Without the Holy Spirit......

The carnal heart with a Bible is like a baby with a chainsaw.

If you have read the Bible sincerely, and 2 King has read the Bible sincerely, and the OP has read the Bible sincerely, and I have read the Bible sincerely, why do we all have different ideas about what it is saying? Which of us are lacking the Holy Spirit?

Shouldn't there be some way to prevent the confusion that is Christianity today? What to believe, who to listen to--how do you know which way to go when there are 30,000 voices proclaiming 30,000 different truths?

What happened to the Church Jesus was building? Did the gates of hell prevail against it until its rebirth in the 16th century? Unlikely if you ask me. I think Jesus has always been with us through His Church, continuing His teaching ministry through the Holy Spirit.

 

[RND]

If you have read the Bible sincerely, and 2 King has read the Bible sincerely, and the OP has read the Bible sincerely, and I have read the Bible sincerely, why do we all have different ideas about what it is saying? Which of us are lacking the Holy Spirit?

The one's that are disobedient? Now, keep in mind, I'm not saying these are presently "lost." I have no idea.

Shouldn't there be some way to prevent the confusion that is Christianity today?

By all means. I posted the answer to that. Then there is this:

Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

What to believe, who to listen to--how do you know which way to go when there are 30,000 voices proclaiming 30,000 different truths?

When one comes to rwalize there is really only one truth and only one voice to obey.

What happened to the Church Jesus was building?

God always has a remnant.

Did the gates of hell prevail against it until its rebirth in the 16th century?

Satan lives in some of these churches it seems.

Unlikely if you ask me.

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Predicted if you ask me.

I think Jesus has always been with us through His Church, continuing His teaching ministry through the Holy Spirit.

I agree. Now, who wants to hear from the Holy Spirit? Who wants to listen? Where does 1 Corinthians 13 or the Sermon of the Mount fit into people's equation?

 

[Memento Mori]

God always has a remnant.

Where was Adventism in the first century? Fifth century? Tenth century? Fifteenth century? Why did it not appear until the nineteenth century? Seems the truth is latecomer to Christianity, eh?

The issue really comes down to this: did Jesus really build a Church (Matt. 16:18) that He promised would be led into all truth (Jn. 16:13), or did He leave people in the dark for over 1500 years? What kind of a cosmic joke is that?

 

[Standing Up]

Where was Adventism in the first century? Fifth century? Tenth century? Fifteenth century? Why did it not appear until the nineteenth century? Seems the truth is latecomer to Christianity, eh?

Christ taught the apostles who taught the bishops who taught the next generation. The group therefrom that nearly know one knows about is the Quartedecimans (Polycarp, Melito, Sagaris, Polycrates, etc).

The issue really comes down to this: did Jesus really build a Church (Matt. 16:18) that He promised would be led into all truth (Jn. 16:13), or did He leave people in the dark for over 1500 years? What kind of a cosmic joke is that?

You are assuming that Christ did not do what He said in John 16:13. He did. The Truth was delivered once for all. Paul said, you know my doctrine. Luke said, they followed the apostle's doctrine. Jude said contend for the faith. It is there; it was delivered as promised.

It's not that it took another 1500 years to get to it as some Churches teach, but it was departed from. The term is apostasy per 2 Thes., falling away. Look at the seven letters in Revelation and how quickly it came. But some incorrectly teach that truth unfolded, came more fully over the years. That's a lie. It was delivered some 2,000 years ago.

Yes, there are restorationists like LDS, JW, SDA, and others. But you are right to ask. Where were they in the first or second hundred years? They were not there nor is what they teach there.

The group that was there verifiably in history was the Quartodecimans. What they taught from the Apostles was what was departed from.

 

[RND]

Where was Adventism in the first century? Fifth century? Tenth century? Fifteenth century? Why did it not appear until the nineteenth century? Seems the truth is latecomer to Christianity, eh?

Or the Lord saw the need to send His later rain upon the world through the truth of the remnant.

The issue really comes down to this: did Jesus really build a Church (Matt. 16:18) that He promised would be led into all truth (Jn. 16:13), or did He leave people in the dark for over 1500 years? What kind of a cosmic joke is that?

Is it Jesus' fault that many people rejected the truth? Is it Jesus' fault that during the Dark Ages as many as 50 million died unnecessarily to satisfy man's lust for power and control?

 

[Montalban]

Think for yourself. Question authority.

Exactly what Paul said... Oh, no he didn't

 

[MamaZ]

God teaches all those who are His not by bishops and priests but by His Spirit. His annointing in us.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by RND Without the Holy Spirit......

The carnal heart with a Bible is like a baby with a chainsaw.

That may be putting it mildly

 

[Montalban]

God teaches all those who are His not by bishops and priests but by His Spirit. His annointing in us.

Thanks. I needed to hear you say it a few more times.

 

[Stryder06]

Many teachings within Christianity today are a result of people deciding to follow after non-biblical, man made traditions. Many are so indoctrinated by these traditions that it is hard to break from them.

The Lord will lead those who seek His truth diligently, because that's what He promised to do. We shouldn't look to man for an answer but to God. This is not to say that there aren't people that would be of assistance in regards to explaning scripture. God works through men that seek Him. While you're looking for an answer, God may send someone to you with it, but He can't force you to accept it.