Indeed. 2 Pt 1:20-21: "First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 2 Thes 2:15: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." 2 Pt 3:16 speaks of uninstructed/unstable people twisting Paul's written word.
Jesus says in Mt 10:40 that whoever receives one of the apostles receives him and the one who sent him. He makes a similar statement regarding those he appointed in Lk 10:16. The Lord even told us in Mt 23:2-3 that he honored the Jewish magisterium's authority but criticized their hypocrisy.
Scripture is very clear that Jesus established a Church with binding authority and that it's heirarchical in nature. Nowhere does it state that the apostles were to put together a how-to manual for future generations. I understand the need of some folks to debate which is the true Church Christ established. But to claim that he didn't establish a Church with authority is simply not scriptural. And Paul tells Timothy (1 Tm 3:15) that the Church (not scripture alone) is the "pillar and bulwark of the truth."
As a former sola scriptura Christian, I understand the game. It's easy to debunk Catholicism when you claim freedom to interpret the Bible in any fashion you choose. Especially when you misrepresent what the Church really teaches. And you give yourself ample room to overlook verses you aren't willing to apply to your own congregation (teaching on divorce, for example).
I'm more than happy to converse on this topic with those of open mind and good will. But articles, such as the one referenced by the OP, that don't even refer to Catholics as Christian, don't pass the good will test in my book.
Peace, NakedRampage :) I appreciated your comment.
“Indeed. 2 Pt 1:20-21: “First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Thes 2:15: “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” 2 Pt 3:16 speaks of uninstructed/unstable people twisting Paul’s written word.”
And yet, we have their letters, their speeches, their wisdom, all in the Bible.
If anyone had authority, it was those men who worked miracles wherever they walked. The Pope has no such power.
“Jesus says in Mt 10:40 that whoever receives one of the apostles receives him and the one who sent him. He makes a similar statement regarding those he appointed in Lk 10:16. The Lord even told us in Mt 23:2-3 that he honored the Jewish magisterium’s authority but criticized their hypocrisy.”
Is that what you would like us to do? Honor the Catholic Church’s self appointed authority but criticize their hypocrisy? But yet we also have Jesus debating with the Pharisees and demonstrating how they were wrong in their interpretation of scripture. In fact, He did not point to the authority of some Jewish rabbi in a Rabbanical decree printed 300 years prior in a Jewish Catechism. He pointed to the scripture itself to back up each and every point. Therefore, if Jesus did not appeal to some Jewish Rabbi to explain the scripture, why would you have us appeal to Catholic tradition to explain the scripture? The scripture should defend the scripture, and there are no examples of your Popish ways in the Bible.
I doubt that...How can you understand the game when it's clear that you never even read the instructions...
Scripture is very clear that Jesus established a Church with binding authority and that it's heirarchical in nature. Nowhere does it state that the apostles were to put together a how-to manual for future generations. I understand the need of some folks to debate which is the true Church Christ established. But to claim that he didn't establish a Church with authority is simply not scriptural. And Paul tells Timothy (1 Tm 3:15) that the Church (not scripture alone) is the "pillar and bulwark of the truth."
If you bother to diagram that sentence, it's clear that God is the pillar and ground of the truth...
But no, scripture is clear that the 'church' is a called out local assembly of believers...If you study the word church in the scriptures, it will remove all doubt from an honest person...