OK, I should have said that I think you believe in the infallibility of the writings of these extra-Biblical men.
You trust that the Church must have known what it was doing when it collected the books it deemed inspired into the Bible you believe in, but you don't believe the Church knows how to interpret the same inspired books!
For me to be consistent, I must say that I don't trust at all that the "the Church" knew what it was doing when the Bible was put together. I have said before that it was God alone who arranged that. Nothing against the men who did the physical labor, but I don't think that human decision had anything to do with it.
There is no attack here, FK. Just bewilderment at how man can convince himself to be infallible. You expect me to believe that you are guided by the Holy Spirit, because you believe so, but that the Church is guided by fallible men who are not? Based on what? What do you have to offer other than your own conviction? The opinions of other fallible men who agree with you?
I make no claim to being infallible. I proved it on this thread when I switched from OSAS to PotS. I merely "think" I am right about what I believe. I have an open mind, and if someone can show me a superior teaching that is backed by scripture, I might very well accept it.
Also, I have never said that leaders of the Church are not guided by the Spirit just because they are Catholic or Orthodox! :) I claim no monopoly on the guidance of the Spirit for my side. BUT YOU GUYS DO! :) The only thing I have to offer to support my views is the scripture itself, not what other men say. If the scripture says what it says, and not something drastically different, then I feel confident about my views. If the scripture doesn't say what it says, then anyone could be right.
Based on the New Testament. The Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles, along with the power to bind and loosen and with the keys specifically given to +Peter. It is consistent with the Bible, as you say, that the Holy Spirit was passed on by those who received it to their successors.
If you believe that the Holy Spirit never leaves the elect, then you must believe that the same Holy Spirit indwells in the Church to this day and that the Church is made up of the elect.