Replies

"Oh, don't worry about me, dear. We've a Magisterium with authority from Christ in an unbroken descent from Peter to instruct unerringly in matters of interpretation."

I'll take that to mean that you don't have an answer to my question... or that you would rather not answer. No surprise, since your "tradition" is clearly against the plain meaning of the Scripture.

"to instruct unerringly in matters of interpretation."

What is the basis for this claim of unerring interpretation? Just because you "say so"???

"Goes with the territory of "private interpretation"."

I'll stick with the example of noble Bereans of Acts, who, when confronted with an issue turned to the Scriptures (not the Magesterium) to seek the truth.

"I just think you should spend your precious time minding your own confused spiritual business, rather than waste it trying to teach lessons to the Church"

Your Church make a claim to a title. I dispute that claim with the Scripture. You have no answer to my Scriptural argument except something to the effect of, "oh, we can't be wrong 'cause we're always right".

And who looks confused here? (hint: it isn't me)

Of course you think I don't have an answer.

Your whole spiritual life and method of Biblical "interpretation" is based on the premise that I don't have an answer and that you have all the answers in your Bible - interpreted correctly - by . . . well, by YOU!

The Plain Meaning = Your Meaning.

No thanks!

We have all the answers we need! And have for 2000 years - and will for 2000 years more or till whenever Christ returns in glory.

I was demonstrating the fallacy of "private interpretation" by pointing out to you the symbolic/literal dilemma which, as I imagined you would, you jumped right into and got all tangled up in.

Repeat: I do NOT need to WONDER what in the Scripture is meant literally and what is meant symbolically or how any of it is to be interpreted. In fact, no one needs to so wonder, since Christ left us a Magisterium, precisely so that we would not be at the mercy of the kind of confusion you find yourself in.

You reject all of that 2000 year heritage of Catholic Christianity and you're welcome to do so. It's a free country (so far).

Of course, all of what I said, am saying, could ever say sails right over your head and always will. I've seen you anti-Catholic, Bible-thumping folks come and go throughout a lifetime, interpreting away in your hundred thousand competing little sects, each one of you your own little Pope and Bible interpreter.

Oh, you were almost right about one thing. We're right because we've always had and ever shall have Christ's promise to be with his Church until the end of time and to make sure that we hear his voice in her authoritative teaching. It's right there in the Bible - just not in YOUR PRIVATE (and erroneous) interpretation of it!

Enjoy!