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To: metmom
How much of the Bible has the Catholic church infallibly interpreted?

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Since no Protestant can interpret Scripture infallibly, Luther's principle of "Sola Scriptura" cannot be the ultimate or sole rule of faith in a practical way. There exists no authority to settle differences in Scripture interpretation, as the history of Protestantism attests.

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Church Doctrine can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Relevant Scripture passages are cited. Doctrine is formulated based on the entirety of Scripture and Sacred (Apostolic) Tradition; and previous Church Teaching.

How many verses and where can that be found?

I've never counted all of the passages cited in the Catechism.

And for the verses it has not infallibly interpreted, what then?

Since the Bible is the Word of God, and since the Church does not possess the Mind of God, we can't know with certainty when we have exhausted the meaning of any particular Scripture verse, nevermind the entirety of Scripture.

Catholics are given latitude in discerning the meaning of Scripture, but interpretations that contradict dogmatic teaching must be ruled out.

What’s the faithful Catholic to do? Ignore them? Interpret them themselves?

When an individual's interpretation contradicts infallible Church Teaching, it must be ruled out. Otherwise, Catholics should follow Traditional interpretations of Scripture, the consensus of the Church Fathers, the opinions of the saints, etc.

Consider Church Teaching regarding Creation. Catholics must believe in Original Sin and the creation of the universe from nothing. But individuals are free to hold to theories of God-directed evolution (Augustine) or of special creation (Aquinas). (The truth of either theory is unimportant with respect to our salvation.)

416 posted on 04/26/2015 6:27:14 PM PDT by St_Thomas_Aquinas ( Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

Where are we commanded in Scripture to interpret it?

Do you have any idea what we are to do with Scripture?

And again, is God going to give us a theology test when we die to see if we “interpreted”. Scripture “ correctly” to see if we qualify to enter heaven?


436 posted on 04/26/2015 7:32:19 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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