[NYer]

Dr. D'Ambrosio studied under Avery Cardinal Dulles for his Ph.D. in historical theology and taught for many years at the University of Dallas. He now directs www.crossroadsinitiative.com, which offers Catholic resources for RCIA, adult faith formation, and teens, with a special emphasis on the Year of the Eucharist, the Theology of the Body, the early Church Fathers, and the sacrament of confirmation.

For info on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, visit www.crossroadsinitiative.com or call 1.800.803.0118.

[NYer]

[Aquinasfan]

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

1 Timothy 3:15

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Matthew 18:17

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Also, see tagline.

[Dracian]

Nearly 500 years later, we see thousands of competing churches claiming the same Bible and sola scriptura heritage.

The Tower of Babel comes to mind.

[TotusTuus]

Neither the Supreme Court nor the World Series’ umpires have received a promise of special divine assistance.

A father one time took his young son and travelled to the big city to take in his first baseball series. In explaining the rules to him, the young son kept asking about the balls and strikes. How does the umpire determine which is which?

Well the father, being affiliated with the organization, had field passes and suggested his son ask the umpire after the games. It turns out that three different umpires were used for each succesive game.

Upon being asked, the first umpire replied, "I call them as I see them".

The second umpire the next day said, "I call them as they are".

After the third game, the third umpire just looked down at the boy and stated, "Kid, they ain't anything until I call them!"

[aimhigh]

Biblical authority and Church authority — you can’t have one without the other.

And when they disagree.......

[Iscool]

The Bible, on the other hand, is. Neither the Supreme Court nor the World Series’ umpires have received a promise of special divine assistance. But the successors of the Apostles have. Speaking to Apostles, Jesus said “he who hears you, hears Me” (Lk 10:16). The Magisterium speaks with the authority of Christ, guided and empowered by the Spirit of Truth.

Jesus was speaking to at least the '70 others' he appointed to go out and preach the Kingdom of God was at hand...They were 'babes' according to Jesus...

There wasn't a Christian in the bunch...There was no gospel to preach...

In fact they are so interdependent that the New Testament itself calls the Church “the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (I Tm 3:15). Biblical authority and Church authority — you can’t have one without the other.

HOGWASH...

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

You can't make the 'church' the pillar and ground of the truth in that verse if you even flip it upside down and read it backwards...

The pillar and ground of the truth in that verse is 'God'...And you guys want us to believe that the Holy Spirit is leading your Magisterium to all truth...I don't think so...

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I thought everyone was blessed with a magic sternum. :-)

[FourtySeven]

Good article.