I said St Paul can't be believed as supporting anything about the authority of Scripture? Where? I simply pointed out that St Paul, when he exhorted his listeners to search Scripture for the truth of his testimony, was pointing to the Old Testament. What logical good would it do him to point to his own letters as proof of his own testimony?
You mix apples and oranges. Christ is proclaimed throughout the Old Testament to those whose eyes are open to see Him. The Apostles opened the eyes of the faithful and showed them their proofs.
How does your argument apply to Cyril, long after the scripture was well produced?
I'm actually laughing at your choice of champion. You have chosen a Catholic Bishop... a Doctor of the Church... in some misguided attempt to take down the windmill of the faith. I'm simply showing you that you are misreading him to try to use him this way.
The Catholic Church believes Scripture to be inerrant and free from contradiction. There is nothing in Church Doctrine or Dogma in opposition to Scripture. There are a few things you can't find proclaimed in Scripture... but then, neither was the determination that the gentiles didn't have to be circumcised (Acts 15). The Bible gives a clear model very early in the age of the Church (Acts 15) for developing Doctrine. They had the authority to bind and loose, on Earth and in Heaven. See my profile for more on the Church's authority.
“I’m actually laughing at your choice of champion. You have chosen a Catholic Bishop... a Doctor of the Church... in some misguided attempt to take down the windmill of the faith. I’m simply showing you that you are misreading him to try to use him this way.”
To respond to your absurdities about Paul first:
But as to your arguments against Paul. They are silly, since Paul and the Apostles all believed themselves to be writing scripture:
2Pe_3:16 As also in all his [Paul’s] 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.
There was no period of time, 400 years later, waiting for someone to decide that this was Holy writ. The Apostles believed that their teachings were utterly divine, and that their epistles were equal to the Old Testament. Again, Paul quoting Luke along side Moses:
1Ti_5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Luk 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
So when you claim that Paul was only speaking of the Old Testament, you reveal your ignorance. Paul is speaking of the 4 Gospels, all the epistles of his fellow Apostles, and his own writings!
Furthermore, the end of John does not actually claim that scripture is “incomplete”. It only says that there were so many other deeds and wonders that could be written, that to attempt to write them all down would fill up all the books of the world.
Joh_21:25 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.
Does that mean that there are an infinite number of doctrines? Ridiculous!
Now to your response on Cyril:
That’s the problem. Your argument that I am “misreading” him is based on a claim against Paul, saying that the “scripture” was not enough back then because it was not complete. How do you apply that to Cyril?
If Cyril of Jerusalem teaches that nothing can be taught except it is shown out of the Holy scriptures, and that even he should not be believed, unless it is shown from the scriptures, how do you legitimately explain his meaning? You haven’t actually explained his meaning, but are hoping that we forget he said anything, and you’re even claiming him as a ‘Doctor of the church” as if that changes anything. Either he said what he said, or he didn’t. And, you’d be surprised how much is said amongst the church Fathers which your religion does not believe it. You honestly have NO clue about the teachings of the church Fathers! But I’ll help you find out, if you give me opportunity.