[Mrs. Don-o]

The root of almost all these controversies is notion that some non-Catholics have, that everything which is not explicitly in Scripture is the "words of man." As if there were just two categories: Scripture, and words of man. There's no provision for Christ teaching us through His Church.

My impression is that such people don't actually believe that Christ founded a Church.

This other Free Republic post The Apostles Speak for Jesus. A Refutation of those who Dismiss the Teaching of the Epistles...(LINK) touches upon that, because it deals with the beginnings of the NT Church, with the words of the Apostles received as truly "God's words," and the beginnings of Apostolic succession as Matthias is chosen to replace Judas, and as Paul ordains Titus and Timothy with real power and authority by the laying on of hands.

This is evidently a succession of power and authority in the Name of the Lord, which did not "peter out" at some point, as some assume.

[Elsie]

There's no provision for Christ teaching us through His Church.

Sure there is!

We PROTESTants just don't cotton too well to stuff that your church REQUIRES that cannot be found in Scripture.

[Elsie]

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”

2 Timothy 3:16-17