Posted on 05/05/2011 9:38:04 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
Ooops. Sorry Coach - takin’ my laps now...
Sure it is. "Sperm donor" isn't the term I use for my Dad, and "armadillo" isn't what I use for my late mom.
And you and starlifter know that. You do. No decent person does. So don't try and argue differently.
So what was Jesus saying?
You see, this is a classic example of how Catholics don't read scripture. They don't study it. They don't meditate on it. They don't crave it. In the end, it doesn't matter what scripture says anyway, because the Pope's recent statement just robbed it all of its power anyway.
And you just proved it. In starlifter's response, he used the term "Holy Father" to defend the Pope's actions. That in itself is ironic, given the topic of this thread. So let's examine the verse I cited in context (if real estate is 'location location location'....scripture is 'context context context').
Matthew 23:8-12: “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in Heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The great among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Christ was condemning Pharisees who had elevated themselves above God as the ultimate authorities. They didn't have the humility to recognize God as the source of all authority, , law, teaching, and fatherhood.
They had set themselves up as "spiritual fathers." Remind you of anyone?
It is obvious that Christ condemned that. He condemned their pride, fame, and rank.
Matthew 23: 5-7 "Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others."
This is why God's word is ALIVE! He tells us to study it. To meditate on it "day and night" for a reason.
Anyone who calls themselves a child of God, and hand waves away His Word is not a true disciple of Christ.
Apparently, context is too advanced of a concept for some Protestants.
Well why don’t you get back to us when you can do better than “kinda” definitions....
Once would be nice too...
Are you arguing that you can’t just rip Biblical quotes out of context, that you need to understand them within the context of the lesson or message being given in any particular passage, chapter, or book?
Cause that’s the Catholic argument.
Yes, some Protestants apparently believe that EVERY SINGLE WORD of the Bible is to be taken literally as the unadulterated word of God...........
Other than those sections they didn’t include in the Bible.
Apparently the sections they left out were less literal or less directly dictated/inspired by God.
Nonsense. You’re busted, but lack the intellectual integrity to admit it.
Using euphemisms in place of a term you profess to have trouble with is not an attack no matter how much you gripe.
They had set themselves up as "spiritual fathers." Remind you of anyone?
It is obvious that Christ condemned that. He condemned their pride, fame, and rank.
1 Cor 4:15For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Paul here calls himself the father of the Cornithians.
Did he elevated himself above God as the ultimate authority?
Did he not have the humility to recognize God as the source of all authority, , law, teaching, and fatherhood?
“They had set themselves up as “spiritual
fathers.” Remind you of anyone?”
Yeah, the apostle Paul.
They had set themselves up as "spiritual fathers." Remind you of anyone?
Spiritual fathers? Yes, it reminds me of a certain Paul of Tarsus. Perhaps you are familiar with these little excerpts.
I write not these things to confound you; but I admonish you as my dearest children. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you. [1 Corinthians 4.14-15]Our mouth is open to you, O ye Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. You are not straitened in us, but in your own bowels you are straitened. But having the same recompense, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged. [2 Corinthians 6.11-13]
But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you. [Galatians 4.18-19]
Pretty obvious to even the most cursory reading that Saint Paul was the spiritual father of Christians and described himself as such.
What? We can’t take individual verses out of context? How will Protestantism survive? Oh, wait...
Wow! Integrity!
Reminds me of the early days of FR...
;o)
And from Matthew 16:18.
So the Bible is more like “guidelines?”
Right here in the Religion Forum we regularly see Protestants interpreting Scripture based on the definition of words as they are now used rather than based on the meaning of the word at the time it was written or translated. Those same folks, then, will scream and jump up and down over how right their interpretation is when they're actually defending not the Word, but instead, a particular popular god of the individual interpreter.
Anyone who doubts it need only have those regularly defaming Mary explain why we should ignore what Samuel wrote. There is, in reality, no Protestant understanding of His Word. There is only a Protestant understanding of select, often redefined, sentences.
Once He blesses you with the Spirit and guides your study of Scripture, (He freely guides those who earnestly seek to have their minds opened to Christ rather than to a preconception), you clearly see both why Peter was given a new name why Mary has a place in Christian lives. Anyone fighting those two points on grounds other than their personal inability to accept them hasn't actually studied the Scriptures. They've studied and accepted someone elses interpretation of Scripture, complete with preconceptions and deliberately introduced errors. The real shame is that so many people spend so much time reinforcing the errors they've been taught rather than praying to Him for guidance and really seeing that the Word became flesh, while in the flesh started His Church, and to this day comes to us in the flesh if we will accept Him.
Semper Fi (bet you a nickel Michael has Marines filling sandbags at some point rather than just easy guard duty)
Check your targets. This piece appeared in the EWTN-owned National Catholic Register, not the National Catholic Reporter aka "Fishwrap".
Thank you for taking part in my blind taste test and confirming that the Pope's words sound left-leaning and heretical to you, too.
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