Isn't that the issue this thread is supposedly addressing, who is doing the speaking, the WORD which we are told is GOD, or what pieces and parts that 'men' select for their authoritarian objectives.
According to Scripture 'before' this flesh age, Peter calls it the age that WAS (IIPeter 3:5,6,7) the 'souls' had a choice, follow the Heavenly Father or the devil. The souls that stood against the devil are those *predestined* or as Paul says chosen - (election) that have been born since the beginning of this flesh age. Remember Enoch Genesis 5:22 Translated without dying .. He prophesied "by faith".
Peter says that judgment will begin at the house of God and we all will be judged individually and we won't be taking our preacher/priests as excuse for our own acts or lack thereof.
We are told that the WORD is GOD and it was so since 'In the beginning', is that NOT instruction for each and every one to learn the WORD if one is to know what the instruction is of the Heavenly Father. Any church can and has taken the WORD and use that WORD for maintaining their positions. We are told NOT to judge but to test the fruit as discernment if what is being taught/preached is in fact the WORD or traditions of a self protection racket.
It was the the Catholic Church that codified the Bible. It was men who wrote it, inspired by the Holy Spirit. You can’t take the men nor the Catholic Church out of it no matter how hard you try. The Bible didn’t write itself, and the books of the Bible you follow were chosen by the Catholic Church, not by “the Word”. It wasn’t magically written.