"It is Written: Sola Scriptura"

The Highway ^ | Richard Bennett

[Gamecock]

"It is Written: Sola Scriptura"

 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27.

By Richard Bennett

 

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE ALONE IS INSPIRED AND INHERENTLY AUTHORITATIVE.

The Biblical message breathed out by God is revelation in written form. (2 Timothy 3:15-16). The Biblical claim is that what God has inspired was His written word (2 Peter 1:20-21). When the Lord Jesus Christ said, "the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35), He was speaking of God’s written word. The events, actions, commandments, and truths from God are given to us in propositional, i.e. logical, written sentences. God’s declaration in Scripture is that it and it alone, is this final authority in all matters of faith and morals. Thus there is only one written source from God, and there is only one basis of truth for the Lord's people in the Church.

 

THE TRUTH AND THE SCRIPTURE

The Lord Jesus Christ, in His great high priestly prayer, declared clearly the truth of God's Word. He said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." This was consistent with the declarations right through the Old Testament in which the Holy Spirit continually proclaims that the revelation from God is truth, as for example Psalm 119:142, "thy law is truth." The Lord Himself therefore identified truth with the written Word. There is no source other than to Scripture alone to which such a statement applies. That source alone, the Holy Scripture, is the believer’s standard of truth.

In the New Testament, it is the written word of God and that alone to which the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles refer as the final authority. In the temptation, the Lord Jesus three times resisted Satan, saying, "It is written" as for example, in Matthew 4:4, "he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." In stating "It is written," the Lord used the exact same phrase that is used in the Holy Bible forty six times. The persistence of the repeated phrase underlines its importance. The Lord's total acceptance of the authority of the Old Testament is evident in His words found in Matthew 5:17-18, 

"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfil. For verily, I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled."
 

OTHER SOURCES OF AUTHORITY CONDEMNED

Furthermore, in refuting the errors of the Sadducees, the Scripture records the Lord saying, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). Christ Jesus continually castigated and rebuked the Pharisees because they made their tradition on a par with the Word of God. He condemned them because they were attempting to corrupt the very basis of truth by equating their traditions to the Word of God. So He declared to them in Mark 7:13 "[You are] making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye." Since Scripture alone is inspired, it alone is the ultimate authority and it alone is the final judge of Tradition.

The Word of the Lord says as a commandment in Proverbs 30:5,6 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." God commands that we are not to add to His Word: this command shows emphatically that it is God's Word alone that is pure and uncontaminated.

Aligned with Proverbs, the Lord’s strong, clear declaration in Isaiah 8:20 is: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The truth is this: since God’s written word alone is inspired, it¾ and it alone¾ is the sole rule of faith. It cannot be otherwise.
 

THE EXPRESSION "SOLA SCRIPTURA"

From the time of the giving of the Decalogue on Mt. Sinai, when Holy God wrote with His finger on the tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18), until this present day, the written word of God has been extant in the world. The term "sola Scriptura" or "the Bible alone" as the measure of truth is short hand, as it were, for the emphatic and repeated statements of Scripture and of the commandment of God. The very phrase " It is written" means exclusively transcribed, and not hearsay. The command to believe what is written means to believe only the pure word of God. It separates from all other sources the corpus what a man is to believe. What is at stake before the All Holy God is His incorruptible truth.

In the very last commandment in the Bible God resolutely tells us not to add to nor take away from His Word. 

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19)

His Word is absolutely sufficient in itself. (Psalm 119:160)
 

THE PRESCRIPT AND INTERPRETATION

The principle of "sola Scriptura" is consistent with the very way in which the word of truth that comes from God, is to be interpreted, as Psalm 36:9 explains, "For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light we see light". God's truth is seen in the light of God's truth. This is exactly the same as the Apostle Paul says, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (I Corinthians 2:13). It is precisely in the light which God's truth sheds, that His truth is seen. (Cp. John 3:18-21, II Corinthians 4:3-7.)

The Apostle Peter, under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, declares, "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:20-21). Logically then, Peter makes it very clear that in order to maintain the purity of Holy God's written word, the source of interpretation must be from the same pure source as the origin of the Scripture itself. Scripture can only be understood correctly in the light of Scripture¾since it alone is uncorrupted. It is only with the Holy Spirit's light that Scripture can be comprehended correctly. The Holy Spirit causes those who are the Lord's to understand Scripture (John 14:16-17, 26). Since the Spirit does this by Scripture, obviously, it is in accord with the principle that Scripture itself is the infallible rule of interpretation of its own truth "it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth" (I John 5:6).

Those truly desiring to be true to Lord in this very matter of the standard of "sola Scriptura" must turn to the Lord to obey His command, "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you" (Proverbs 1:23). If one is yearning of truth in this essential matter, in the attitude of Psalm 51:17 "with a broken and a contrite heart", the Lord God will not despise, but reveal to him or her the basic foundation where the Lord Christ Jesus stood, as did the apostles. In the words of the Apostle John, "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true." (John 21:24). The Apostle John wrote, as did Peter and Paul, in order that those who are saved should know that his testimony is true
 

THE ADEQUACY OF SCRIPTURE

The total sufficiency of Scripture is declared by the Apostle Paul, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For final truth and authority, all that we need is the Scripture.
 

THE CLAIM THAT SOLA SCRIPTURA WAS NOT POSSIBLE

In an attempt to justify a tradition as an authority, an appeal is often made to the very last verse in John's gospel where it is stated, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen". (John 21:25) Of course there were many of the deeds and sayings of the Lord, which are not recorded in Scripture. Scripture is the authoritative record that Holy God has given His people. We do not have a single sentence that is authoritatively from the Lord, outside of what is in the written word. To appeal to a tradition for authority when Holy God did not give it is futile. The idea that somehow sayings and events from the Lord have been recorded in tradition is simply not true.

Another desperate attempt to justify tradition, is the statement that the early church did not have the New Testament. The Apostle Peter speaks about the writings of the Apostle Paul when he states, "even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:15-16). Peter also declares that he was writing so that the believers could remember what he said. So he wrote, "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (2 Peter 1:12).

From the earliest times a substantial part of the New Testament was available. Under the inspiration of the Lord, the Apostle Paul commands his letters to be read in other churches besides those to which they were sent. This clearly shows that the written word of God was being circulated even as the Apostles lived. The Lord's command to believe what is written has always been something that the believers could obey and did obey. In this matter we must have the humility commanded in the Scripture not to think above what is written. "that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another" (1 Corinthians 4:6).
 

THE REGULATION AND OUR LOVE OF GOD

The Lord brings the topic of truth to bear on our love for Him. This again underscores its importance. "Jesus answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent Me" (John 14:23-24). And then again "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

The Lord himself looked to the authority of the Scriptures alone, as did His apostles after Him. They confirmed the very message of the Old Testament. "The law of the LORD is perfect" (Psalm 19:7). The believer is to be true to the way of the Lord, holding alone to what is written: "Thy Word is truth."

---

[Alex Murphy]

Somethings tells me this is a discussion that will only end on the Last Day.

I agree - and IMO God planned it that way. Such "divisions" are IMHO a test God has set before us, to see how we deal with our brothers and sisters "across the aisle".

[Campion]

Christians are instructed to kneel to none but Christ. Anything else is idolatry.

That must be in one of those verses in the Protestant Revised Version of Scripture, because I can't find it in mine.

I'm particularly amused by the idea that kneeling to the Father or the Holy Spirit is idolatry.

(I'm assuming you still believe in the Trinity.)

[Campion]

It sure was furthering understanding when relics were brought in to replace the supernatural powers that ended after the Apostolic Era.

Relics were used in the Apostolic Era; Acts chapter 19.

The verse about "supernatural powers ending" after the Apostolic Era is another verse that is found only in the Protestant Revised Version of the Bible. Actually, it must be in the Baptist Revised Version, because the Pentacostals certainly don't agree with it, do they?

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for that perfect Scripture! And thank you for your encouragements!

[Alamo-Girl]

Aren't we Christians the most fortunate of God's creatures? His merciful grace abounds.

Amen! Praise God!

And thank you for remembering the research project on God is The Rock!

[Alamo-Girl]

I agree - and IMO God planned it that way. Such "divisions" are IMHO a test God has set before us, to see how we deal with our brothers and sisters "across the aisle".

Indeed. We spend our lives on earth building the scales whereby we will be measured in heaven.

By whatever measure we judge others, we will be judged. By whatever measure we condemn others, we will be condemned.

And by whatever measure we are merciful to others, we will obtain mercy.

Every glass of water to a thirsty child, every sick person or jailed person we visit and on and on and on.

The wise among us will remember this:

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. - Hebrews 13:2

[MarkBsnr]

12 percent of ministers had sex with members The members were probably their own wives...That's allowed in the Protestant religion...

The trouble is that your answer here is representative of many of your responses. Whatever nuggets of wisdom that there may be get lost in the dross.

[MarkBsnr]

There is no real Scriptural evidence supporting Sola Scriptura whatsoever.

Acts 8:26-40

26
7 Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, "Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route."
27
So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, 8 that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship,
28
and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29
The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join up with that chariot."
30
9 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31
He replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.
32
This was the scripture passage he was reading: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
33
In (his) humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth."
34
Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, "I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?"
35
Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him.
36
As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?"
37
10
38
Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him.
39
When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing.
40
Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

with the footnotes:

7 [26-40] In the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, Luke adduces additional evidence to show that the spread of Christianity outside the confines of Judaism itself was in accord with the plan of God. He does not make clear whether the Ethiopian was originally a convert to Judaism or, as is more probable, a "God-fearer" (Acts 10:1), i.e., one who accepted Jewish monotheism and ethic and attended the synagogue but did not consider himself bound by other regulations such as circumcision and observance of the dietary laws. The story of his conversion to Christianity is given a strong supernatural cast by the introduction of an angel (Acts 8:26), instruction from the holy Spirit (Acts 8:29), and the strange removal of Philip from the scene (39).

8 [27] The Candace: Candace is not a proper name here but the title of a Nubian queen.

9 [30-34] Philip is brought alongside the carriage at the very moment when the Ethiopian is pondering the meaning of Isaiah 53:7-8, a passage that Christianity, from its earliest origins, has applied to Jesus; cf the note on Acts 3:13.

10 [37] The oldest and best manuscripts of Acts omit this verse, which is a Western text reading: "And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he said in reply, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' "

This passage, along with the tradition of the Apostles and disciples teaching, instructing and admonishing the faithful throughout the known world, tells us that Sola Scriptura is wrong. It becomes a proud and arrogant philosophy in which the practitioner, as it obvious from these threads, sets himself up as his own infallible Pope, whilst denouncing the real Vicar of Christ as being anywhere from wrong to the Antichrist.

One thing that is so simple yet so difficult for many to understand is that there is a lot more required of all us than what one simply gets out of a single out-of-context verse.

We are required to be baptized. Yes. But much more is required of us than that. We are required to do good works. Remember the Beatitudes. Jesus spends most of the Gospels telling people what to do and not to do. Actions speak louder than words.

Are Christians who do not spend time in prayer really Christians? Are Christians who do not kneel in prayer really Christians? Are Christians who do not feed the hungry, help the sick etc. (and no, I'm not speaking about the weekly collections here - I'm talking about really actually doing it) really Christian? Are Christians who do not wear the symbols of Christianity openly but who are ashamed or uncaring, really Christian?

How many of us here serve in soup kitchens, drive the elderly where they need to go, physically work on and in their churches, and the community? How many are Christians only when they get on this forum?

Matthew 25:31-46

31
14 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
32
and all the nations 15 will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
37
Then the righteous 16 will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
40
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41
17 Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43
a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'
44
18 Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'
45
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'
46
And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

There is the argument for works. And it trumps any argument against it. Yes, you must be baptized but you must do these things as well. Verse 45 and 46.

[fortheDeclaration]

To know this truth is to thus evade the terrible errors of Rome who presumes to share God's glory with Mary and various saints and a priestcraft and extraneous sacramental requirements.

Amen.

[MarkBsnr]

Nice to see that the voices have given you insight at a greater level of understanding and much quicker than us. A distinct advantage, I suppose. Yes it is...As an example, you'll notice that not a single Catholic on this thread has been able to expound on the verse I posted...I guess that's because your church avoids that little bit of scripture like the plague...No one can respond because they haven't been told what to think/believe... The verse says Jesus Christ is in you (as a Christian)...The 'real presense'... Why would I need to get the real presense of Jesus for 20 minutes a week by drinking some wine and eating some bread when the bible says I have the real presense 24/7/365??? I realize that may be offensive to some of you folks but I didn't write it...God had Paul the apostle write it... Your church can twist it and turn it anyway they want but at some point, someone's going to say, "Hold on here...These Protestants can back up what they say with scripture"... Our Church has invested two millennia in furthering our understanding of God. Really??? God says don't build statues of ANYONE...But your church convinced you that God didn't mean it??? Look at it this way...If I lose my bible, I have memorized enough of God's word in my heart/mind to know I am saved... Job 22:22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. So what if you lose your rosary??? What if your church burns to the ground??? What if you lose your missal and all of your priests quit with no one to consecrate your wine and bread??? What if the pope dies and he's not replaced??? Where's your religion then???

Sorry, which verse? I'm afraid I've lost track of which ones apply to which mistaken philosophy.

It is entirely Biblical to eat His Body and drink His Blood. In fact, it is unBiblical not to do so:

John 6:48-64

48 I am the bread of life.

49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;

50 this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?"

53 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.

54 Whoever eats 19 my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.

57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.

58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

59 These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

60 20 Then many of his disciples who were listening said, "This saying is hard; who can accept it?"

61 Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you?

62 What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh 22 is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

64 But there are some of you who do not believe."

It really is hard. You must believe: whoever believes will have eternal life. But you must do more than believe. He must act. And act by His rules, not yours. If you do not eat His Body and drink His Blood, then you shall not live.

You cannot merely be saved by memorizing Scripture. The scribes and the Pharisees did that. That is why I call non-Catholicism so poor and lacking.

[Gamecock]

Neither is Pope.

[William Terrell]

If you do not eat His Body and drink His Blood, then you shall not live.

I'm intrigued with two questions.

If the ritual of bread and wine is not symbolic, why then did not Jesus not cut off a piece of His flesh and drain some of His blood to give to His disciples? He was right there with them.

And, regarding extrascriptual, "oral tradition" of the Catholic church. We all agree in the four Gospels as written, as the Word, as divinely inspired, as true.

Then would it be reasonable to assume that any extrascriptual policies and dogma must not depart or conflict with the guidance, principles and specific instructions of Jesus from the Gospels as written testifying to His words?

[MarkBsnr]

I don't know why He did or didn't actually give them his literal flesh and blood to consume. He surpasses me in every way. :)

We have the words and we are ever more convinced that He actually said and meant the words that He used because of the reaction of the Jews (who were aghast at the idea of cannibalism). It IS hard. You MUST believe. And you MUST participate in Communion with Him.

This isn't some obscure reference in some corner of the Epistles, this is a big deal with Jesus making His words very clear, meaning exactly what He said.

I don't understand how anybody could possibly interpret them in any other way than exactly as written.

And as to your second question, I believe that the answer is "yes."

[Jaded]

mark for later

[TradicalRC]

Nor is Trinity, Free Will or Christian.

[William Terrell]

Then the Catholic church can only represent the bread and wine as mere symbols in remembrance of Him. In no possible way can it be literal. Any literal meaning is therefore contrary to the scriptures.

The praying to Mary, deification thereof, and praying to persons dead, but sainted by the Catholic church, for intercession are additions that contradict those scriptures.

Oral tradition is fine, so long as it is consistent with what is already written and sanctified, I would think.

[MarkBsnr]

William;

I fear for your soul; it isn’t symbolic. It is real. It is absolutely real. There is no way that you can possibly interpret these Gospel passages any other way. There is absolutely no honest other way to consider this. Jesus says that this is His Body and Blood and that you must partake of it or you will not attain everlasting life. It isn’t a problematical string of passage from one place in the Bible to another. It is Jesus saying it. Direct and to the point. You cannot interpret it in any other way. Not and be honest.

You must, for the sake of your own soul, come over. You cannot stand on your own. Satan, the father of lies, will deceive. He has already, even with this crowd. Read the religion threads over again. Isn’t it apparent?

We do not deify Mary; we only have the Gospels that tell us who and what she is and how to treat her. She is wonderful and she will help, but she is not God. And not a substitute for God. Those who claim that we worship her are wrong. Our texts are open to all. Even those who misuse them.

[Gamecock]

Nor is Trinity, Free Will or Christian

BWAAAHAAA! < /wiping tears from eyes>

Are you sure?

Let's look at your objections one at a time:

Nor is...Christian

Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 26:28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Nor is...Free Will...

Are you really sure? Do you really want to know?

Freewill is found 23 times in the Bible (ESV) and ALWAYS in relation to an offering. Never, no not once, is it used to describe a synergistic context.

Exodus 35:29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.

Since there is such a frequency of use in one context, it is absolutely absurd to think that it wouldn't be used in another, if it were indeed so.

Predestination is clearly spelled out in Scripture, it's just that Arminians and non-Augustinian Catholics deny God saves whom He will.

Nor is Trinity...

Now, it's not, but the word Trinity is a recurrent concept taught throughout the NT and the non-Trinitarians literally have to change the words of Scripture to do away with it....

[Traianus]

MUZZIES ARE 4 ONENESS...
FEROCIUSLY ANTITRINIARIANS SO NEOMODALISTS, NEOARIANS and SDA
are GENTLY PRAYED TO JOIN AL QUAEDA....
THROW YOUR “BIBLE” A BUY A QURAN!

AND GO OUTTA HERE!
WE HAVE PLENTY OF FALSE PROPHETS!

[William Terrell]

The first thing you say to me is a fear trip based on you own dogma and precepts. I appreciate your concern, but I don't think God listens to you or the Catholic church, an artificial entity made by man, not God, on the disposition of human souls.

Corporate entities have no souls; individuals do, and God blesses and condemns as He see fit. This principle is found all over the verbiage and spirit of Holy scripture.

Jesus said that the taking of the bread and wine is to done in remembrance of Him. It is a symbol; nothing else. If He had meant it to be literal, He would have actually given of His flesh and blood.

He was there and present, and He would not have worried about "tradition", as He reliably did not suffer "tradition" numerous times in the New Testament.

The reason the Israelites present found His "an hard saying" is His requirement that by spiritually partaking of his flesh and blood, He was to become part of them and they part of Him, rejecting the "traditions" of the Sanhedrin.

The principle is not hard to understand; it is the same as food and water we ingest becomes part of our bodies, and our bodies, able to eat and drink that here is found to be in the Earth, or these things can't nourish it.

Do you understand this simple thing? That it is not supported by the Catholic church, since if it did so that would reduce its hold over the minds of men, is absolutely to no effect.

You seen to think Israelite aversions to cannibalism would have been in effect, yet Catholic doctrine holds that the bread and wine administered by its priests actually turn to flesh and blood.

If a laboratory analysis of the bread an wine does not test positive on human flesh and human blood, it is symbolic. As I said. Obviously, when Jesus said, "this is my body, This is my blood" the substances were still bread and wine, therefore symbolic.

So, indeed, I can "interpret" it another way, from Jesus' plain words and the substances themselves. It is plain ingestion of these substances are a ritual of remembrance and symbols of spiritual brotherhood.

If the Catholic church thinks otherwise, its Magisteriun is crazy as a loon; placing your soul, and every soul in ti in jeopardy. But, probably, you are safe; you are a simple believer and not responsible fro the things you are fed. I pray that God sees it that way.

Please note that the battle fro the soul rests with the individual and his choices. The individual is the only entity that has a soul, and all battles with Satan occur therein.

You absolutely deify Mary. You pray to her. One only prays to a deity, in faith. The Gospels are clear that God, through His Son, are to receive prayer. Prayer to that not seen requires faith, and only God and Jesus are to receive faith of believers.

Jesus said clearly that no one comes unto the Father except though Him. He came to Earth to be the access to God for our imperfect souls.

You have not one shred of scripture that says, or even implies, that Mary or any saints, made so by any group of men in a human organization, are worthy to receive prayer in faith for intercession or anything else. You pray through Christ for intercession with God. There is no scriptural authority, anywhere, for any prior or current human being to intercede for anyone with Christ.

Asking a present person to pray for you does not require faith, since they are present and right in front of you.

You err mightily through a human organization, and have been duped into beliefs and rituals not authorized by scripture by that organization for money and power over men through man's fear for his soul. That, my friend, is Satan in action.

Sorry, and God bless you.