16) I feel that the 1500 years or so that were between the death of the apostles and the publishing of the written word was a time that God allowed for man to see that his way will not work, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Anyone who looks at the laws that were made prior to the reformation and after, will see that at least 98% of these doctrine were developed in the years that they had no accountability to anyone but themselves. The teachings were getting farther and farther away from the Bible, and more and more on the trust in man. I also believe that any honest Catholic will admit at least to him self, that had it not been for the revolution, the Catholic Church would have become so corrupt that God may have had to destroy it all together or it would have self destructed of it’s own weight. As it worked out, he had compassion because of all the innocent and sincere people and allowed it to continue since it was forced to change it’s ways, even though it did retain many of the same traits that brought it down to it’s lowest point.
17) How could the Apostle Thomas establish the church in India that survives to this day (and is now in communion with the Catholic Church) without leaving them with one word of New Testament Scripture?
17) I have never heard of this Church established by Thomas in India, who you claim is in communion with the Catholic Church so I can not comment on it other then to say, it this story turns out to be as convoluted as all the other claims I have been referenced to, it will probably end up being a plus for non Catholics rather then a minus.
18) If the Bible is the only foundation and basis of Christian truth, why does the Bible itself say that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim. 3:15)?
18) You ask why does the Bible it self say that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. It’s because Christ is the chief corner stone, and the Church is a spiritual state of mind, and not a physical building which most Catholics can not differentiate between. This is the only explanation of why it can not be destroyed. Rome destroyed the Jewish temple, but he nor Hitler could destroy Judaism, only the buildings that represented them. Christianity as Judaism is a faith, and nothing can destroy it.
18) You ask why does the Bible it self say that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. It’s because Christ is the chief corner stone, and the Church is a spiritual state of mind, and not a physical building which most Catholics can not differentiate between.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back it up. I think most Catholics can understand that sometimes "the Church" refers to a building and sometimes it refers to an organization or a group of people. I'm not sure what a "spiritual state of mind" means, but I would like it if you stopped acting like all Catholics (except we paid agitators, of course) are total morons.
This is the only explanation of why it can not be destroyed. Rome destroyed the Jewish temple, but he nor Hitler could destroy Judaism, only the buildings that represented them. Christianity as Judaism is a faith, and nothing can destroy it.
OK, that was nice. The Church is based on Christ, the cornerstone, ok, doesn't exist physically, ok, is a state of mind in the believers, ok, is a faith, ok.
Very nice. Except you didn't answer the question. You answered "How can the Church can be the pillar and foundation of truth?" and answered "Because it's based on Jesus."
That's nice. But the question is "If the Bible (Sola Scriptura) is the ultimate rule of faith, why does the Bible call the Church the foundation and pillar of truth?" You would think the Bible would call itself the pillar and foundation of truth.
SD