One of the major problems with not reading the Bible and getting your Biblical education from "man" is that then you don't know if it is false doctrine or not. Jesus warns us about that. It was His first warning when the disciples asked Him to tell them of what to expect in end times.
When I read the Scriptures, brother, I do not see the idea that the individual is told to take up the Scriptures and interpret them for himself. When I read the Bible, I see authoritative figures (OT and NT) that give the community the "official" interpretation. When the "wolves" or the "Judaizers" come to the Galatians or the Colossians or the Corinthians, does Paul suggest that they take up their Bibles or their tracts that he left them? No, he tells them to look to their authorized leaders or "listen to me".
We see this esp. in the latter books of the Bible, John's Epistles, the Pastorals, Peter, and the Captivity Epistles of Paul. As the Church developed, we see a definite change in how leadership acted. I am sure you will note how the community acted in Acts 1-5 vs. how it acted in the Pastorals. We see a development. I believe it was a natural one that stemmed from the attempt to protect the "doctrines once given". False teachers come in to the community in these later books, and the community is told to reject them, to recall what they were taught and to compare it. This may or may not have included pulling out the letters that John or Paul had previously written.
And finally, how does looking to the Scriptures ALONE provide the assurance that the entire community will agree? Luther said "there are as many doctrines as heads in our community", as he frustratingly realized the Pandora's Box he had opened. The Catholic Church has encouraged reading the Bible in ancient times - we have numerous commentaries from the various saints. However, they are always done in context of what the Church has taught. In other words, the Church is the final authority in judging what is a valid interpretation. Otherwise, how would I know I was right while you were wrong - or vice versus? We wouldn't.
I appreciate the point you were trying to make but I think it is very dangerous to take man's word on God's Word.
You are equating your OPINION with the "official" interpretation. This is, I have noticed, nearly universal among Protestants. Don't you realize that you are a man, and your interpretation of Sacred Writ is just as subject to error as any other individual? What makes you think you are guarded by God, while your neighbor is not? The Spirit guards the Church, the entire community, from error, not the individual. We must change our interpretations, when they differ, to that of the community. This MUST be fact, because there are "Spirit-led" men who claim diametrically opposed points of view on a variety of theological issues in Protestantism. WHO IS RIGHT? IS THE SPIRIT GUIDING BOTH IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS?
God guides the community. IT is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are parts of that Body, not the whole alone.
Regards
Nor do I but I do see where Jesus tells us to "take heed and follow no man". Jo kus I may not have explained myself well. I don't mean that we should not listen to teachers. I was responding to the statement of he defends those Christians who never read the Bible - and he praises them!"
While we obtain knowledge from others we should always check them out in the scriptures.
The Catholic Church has encouraged reading the Bible in ancient times - we have numerous commentaries from the various saints. However, they are always done in context of what the Church has taught.
Other religions also base their beliefs on what their church teaches. Surprisingly - they all think they are correct. No one should be blindly led by any church, or any man, ever. They are all founded by men and men's beliefs of the Bible. God wrote His letter to you and He wants you to read it. It is the only safeguard we have against false teachers or being misled.
..Ping