Posted on 04/16/2012 4:33:07 AM PDT by GonzoII
**I want to know how these core doctrines (called out earlier**
Is it a doctrine or a dogma?
Big difference. LOL!
| John 3 |
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| 1 | Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a ruler of the Jews. |
| 2 | This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." |
| 3 | Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." |
Are you contending that they were infallible and that they agreed 100% with each other on every point of doctrine and dogma?
"Brought God's Word to the masses, and thus brought choice... and, in truth, accountability as well."
How did they bring God's Word to the masses differently that the Church had done or did they simply ride the crest of the printing press and relative middle class literacy. Across Europe literacy among men in the year 1500 was less than 10% and was nearly zero for women. By 1750 that number had risen to 30% among men and less than 5% among women. Very few instances are recorded where literacy in a vernacular was not preceded by a literacy in Latin.
How do you conclude that "choice" is a desirable thing when there is no innate ability to determine a right choice from a wrong choice? Or, for that matter, if that innate ability exists, that it only exists in Protestants and not in similarly educated and pious Catholics?
"Yes, the RCC stands on its own.... but it stands apart from the foundational Biblical truths of God's Word which are hidden behind so-called traditions. Heck, I even have to take issue with the use of that very word."
You would then be taking issue with Scripture, not with Catholics or the Catholic Church. The word that gives you trouble is Paradosis. In the New Testament context, translated into English simply as "tradition" is a passing on of oral teachings. It is used both positively (3 times) and negatively (5 times).
What we can take from this is that "Tradition" itself is not categorically condemned or endorsed, but rather what the content and origin of that Tradition is what determines its acceptance or rejection. This is always hotly contested in these threads because the categorical condemnation of Tradition is essential to Sola Scriptura Protestantism.
It is best, in this case to familiarize yourself with another Greek word; "kerygma" which is the proclamation of a religious truth. This is the type of paradosis taught by the Catholic Church.
Peace be to you.
Not really. The word used there is “Anothen” which means “anew” or “over again”. What Jesus said was unless one is born “anew” he cannot see the kingdom of God. To get a hint of what was understood by the words Jesus used look at the response from Nicodemus in verse 4 “4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” Nicodemus clearly thought about being born again or anew.
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