And a gold star to you FK for your insight. Over the past week I have been reading some of the Papal edicts. Here are the tricks.
A Pope is only considered infallible when he speaks to the "whole church" whatever that means. Therefore they are careful to leave some addressees out when they do proclaim something.
The RC church wrote, invented, caused to come into being, whatever, the bible, so they are the only ones "qualified" to interpret it.
When the Pope contradicts the bible, it used to be that the bible took precedence but now the tradition has become the other way around. The Pope is authority over the written word of God.
As Dr. Eckleburg has shown in other posts, the priest offering up the mass becomes another Jesus, so in effect Jesus "sacrifices Himself" over and over.
The Pope is Christ's head here on earth, and the members of the Catholic Church are the body. So they say in effect "Here is Christ, under this roof, in this building or temple."
The Popes frequently contradict the bible and Paul's writings, so they give little weight to the written word.
Mary is the firstborn of all creatures, or so proclaimed one of the Popes. She is hypostaticly united to the HS and He does nothing except through her. As a result, Mary is our Advocate, our comforter.
Not only are you all speaking a different language around here, but the religions are as different as apples and oranges, making an intelligent debate impossible. You'd have more luck with the Mormons
My pinging is hap hazard too, sorry if I left anyone out
I also find it revealing that most of the activist atheists [and there are many] - ignore all the other beliefs and concentrate their attacks on Christians – and more specifically, Christians who believe the Scriptures are inerrant.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. - Ephesians 6:10-13
Of a truth, I believe this is the Holy Spirit’s leading for our age (emphasis mine:)
And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. – Revelation 22:7-11
When the Pope contradicts the bible, it used to be that the bible took precedence but now the tradition has become the other way around. The Pope is authority over the written word of God.
Yes, I have long been arguing that Tradition must trump the scriptures in their faith. We know that the Bible even speaks up for itself through other scripture, but none of this counts. Whatever the Church (or pope) says the Bible means, that's what it means, other scripture notwithstanding.