The Bible

[KevinT]

Catholic discussions can be exceedingly lengthy, sometimes taking centuries to settle a doctrinal issue. Often, the resolution of disputes requires a papal decree to assert the Church's understanding of truth, thereby concluding all debates. The essence of my point is that Catholics engage in disputes and debates until they are instructed to cease because the Church has issued a definitive ruling through a papal decree or a Church Council. This is akin to the role of a Supreme Court in concluding legal disputes over a particular matter. In the absence of such an ultimate authority, debates could perpetuate indefinitely, leading to endless new schisms.

As I have said before, I have not had much exposure to Catholic doctrine or practices. One of my goals on this forum has been to expose myself to people who think differently.

Thank you for taking the time to engage with me and help me explore your system. I enjoy trying to figure out how a system works.

I can see the value in the Catholic system you describe. It is nice in our country to have a Supreme Court to make final decisions. But since I disagree with some of the outcomes of Catholic doctrinal system, I'm distrustful of the actual working and practice of the process. It's like I agree with it in theory, but when it has resulted in some of the doctrines that are most worrisome to Protestants (I won't get into details here), I feel that the process is not sufficient.

But again, thank you for your time.

Best wishes,

KT

 

[Hammster]

And in history and creation too, God reveals himself.

How do you know?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

How do you know?

I know because the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

 

[Hammster]

I know because the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

How can you verify that what they say is true?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

How can you verify that what they say is true?

God, the Holy Spirit does that; he it is who testifies with the water and the blood of the graces of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

 

[Hammster]

God, the Holy Spirit does that; he is it who testifies with the water and the blood of the graces of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.

How do you know that?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

How do you know that?

I know because the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Others have the freedom to express their opinions in their own threads.

For myself, I am glad that the Second Vatican Council produced the document Dei Verbum for the edification and comfort of God's faithful people.

Is this a non-debate forum?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Is this a non-debate forum?

Decide for yourself what it is. if you are keen on a debate I am confident that you can create one.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Others understand the Bible to be what it claims to be--the God-breathed inerrant word of God, authoritative for all faith and doctrine understood in the light of and in agreement with itself.

Do you take all writings for what they clam to be?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Others understand the Bible to be what it claims to be--the God-breathed inerrant word of God, authoritative for all faith and doctrine understood in the light of and in agreement with itself.

I am fairly confident that the bible does not claim for itself that it is God breathed, inerrant, and authoritative for all faith and doctrine. I am also fairly confident that you will not be able to cite in proper context passages that teach those attributes belong to the holy scriptures as distinct from the Word of God (or words of God).

 

[Hammster]

I know because the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

So circular reasoning.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

So circular reasoning.

any reasoning that appeals to an ultimate authority is circular isn't it. If I say God is the source for the truths that I embrace and then you ask "how do you know God teaches that?" what better answer is there than that God is the source for that truth?

 

[Hammster]

any reasoning that appeals to an ultimate authority is circular isn't it. If I say God is the source for the truths that I embrace and then you ask "how do you know God teaches that?" when better answer is there than that God is the source for that truth?

I know because I can find it in scripture.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I know because I can find it in scripture.

I know because God speaking through the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

 

[Hammster]

I know because God speaking through the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

How do you know He speaks through the One Holy Catholic Church? Did the church tell you this?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

How do you know He speaks through the One Holy Catholic Church? Did the church tell you this?

Because God speaking through the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church says so.

 

[Clare73]

Do you take all writings for what they clam to be?

Do you?

 

[Clare73]

I am fairly confident that the bible does not claim for itself that it is God breathed,

Well, let me be the first to bring you the good news:

"All Scripture is God-breathed. . ." (2 Tim 3:16).

And that's not all:

inerrant, and authoritative for all faith and doctrine. I am also fairly confident that you will not be able to cite in proper context passages that teach those attributes belong to the holy scriptures as distinct from the Word of God (or words of God).

If it is the word of GOD, (Heb 4:12, Eph 6:11, Jn 17:17), it is necessarily
inerrant and
authoritative for all faith and doctrine.

What is more authoritative than the word of God himself?

"For the word of God is living, active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. "(Heb 4:12)

(Where would these Hebrew NT Christians being hearing the "word of God" if not from the Scriptures?)

The armor of God (Eph 6:11):
"Takes the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

"Father (Jn 17:1). . .Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." (Jn 17:17).

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

"All Scripture is God-breathed. . ." (2 Tim 3:16).

That isn't about the whole bible, it is about the Old Testament including the Deuterocanon.