I'm not talking about burning bush experiences here. :) I'm talking about everyday things like answers to prayer. You have faced tough decisions in your life and you have prayed about them. Haven't you felt "led" to do one thing over another? I see it as the same general idea with scriptural interpretation. God nudges me toward the place He wants me to be for a given time. He won't point me to error, but there are different levels of understanding that I can handle at different points in my sanctification.
Is there any Scripture that says that Christ no longer gives His Church the power to continue Christ's teachings as seen in Matthew 28:20 after the first generation? This seems to be a Protestant addition to Scripture here.
Well, the only scripture that could possibly apply isn't very nice, so I won't even go there. :) My issue is with reliability.
But please understand, we don't look at Protestants as outside of the Church or going to hell. We call you "separated brothers", outside of the visible communion of the Church, but still a part of it.
I know you have talked about this before, and you have talked about invincible ignorance. After reading a certain number of posts from multiple posters that give a growing impression over and over, I think I just need some occasional reassurance. :)
They [mortal sins] are not common, especially among those who take their walk seriously. To be a mortal sin, it must be a serious offense, one must KNOW it is serious and can separate us from God, and one must DO IT ANYWAYS. How often do you think that happens among serious Christians?
I don't know. I guess it depends on what "serious" means, and what constitutes separation from God. I vaguely remember someone posting on this a long time ago. My sketchy memory tells me it had to do with the seven deadly sins. Is there any connection?
Have I felt led? Sure. But that doesn't mean I was led by God! I could have very well been led by my own desires. This manner is way too subjective to determine the ONE TRUTH that God has given us. Isn't it clear enough that God doesn't speak to us in this way? Just look at your fellow Protestant brothers who disagree with you on infant baptism - that's pretty important.
My issue is with reliability.
So God only protected the first generation from error? He left the Church to fend for themselves for the last 1900 years? Brother, one of the main reasons why I am Catholic is because the Church still stands DESPITE the men who make up the Church. Only God could be guiding it so that it continues to teach the same things it did from the beginning.
My sketchy memory tells me it had to do with the seven deadly sins. Is there any connection?
Well, there are seven "deadly" vices, but I don't think they have anything to do with what is a deadly sin. Overeating is not necessarily a mortal sin, although it is an action of gluttony - and a disregard for temperance. The Church and our conscience generally judges what is a mortal sin.
Regards