Why I'm Catholic. Sola Scriptura isn't workable Part 1

I appreciate your kind attitude. I part with Rome primarily at Justification. Get that wrong and you’re cooked. I do believe some Catholics actually trust in Christ only and are justified by faith. What a drag on the spirit, though, to be inundated with so many man-made inventions! The Pharisees did the same thing to the people under their care and Jesus called them a bunch of snakes!

I think Protestants and Catholics need to stop firing on each other, and remember our enemies are not of this world- the princes and principalities of the spiritual world- and they lead groups like Muslims, Homosexuals, and democrats.

They also lead churches and it is our responsibility to 'smoke 'em out' and lead the people to Jesus...

“It’s not Confession to a priest but to Jesus through his priest. Any 12 step program will tell you that you should share your story with a third person AND GOD. That’s confession. I once had a sin which I was very ashamed and concerned about. I prayed to Jesus and knew he forgave me and loved me. But I also knew that he wanted me to say this out loud and to a third party. I finally made it to a confessional at a parish other than my own and ended up confessing to a priest whom I’m pretty sure knew very little English. It was the grace of Jesus that I was there.”

Thank you for explaining that. I have been Protestant all my life but am studying Catholicism more and more and I think I will probably end up converting. I do believe in the words of John 3:16 and know that all Christians who basically follow God’s laws and love Jesus go to heaven. Denominations are man’s interesting slight (mostly) differences.

Thanks!

You don't lead people to Jesus by try to 'smoke 'em out'.

Contention is of the devil. All you accomplish is alienating people.

What does that quote about all scripture (which when written meant the Old Testament only) mean to you?

Does “profitable” mean “Both necessary and sufficient” in any dictionary you have ever used?

Who decided that the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, and Peter were scripture? Was that decided before, or after, Acts was written?

When to was decided that what we now call the New Testament WAS scripture, where did the authority come from to declare and to limit what was included?

(1) Think of inspired Scripture as the "light," the pure light of God’s revelation to us.

IF this is true, why do I need a bunch of religious folks to "interpret" it? Why would I want a religious dimmer switch or some theological filter to diffuse the pure Light of Truth? I can't imagine being dependent on some pastor/priest/theologian/religion to feed me God's Word. There's so much more joy and freedom when you WALK IN THE LIGHT!

BTW - I don't have to "think of inspired scripture" this way, I KNOW it from God's Word. The last thing I want is some theologian, who may or may not be Made Alive in Christ, trying to explain God's Truth. For the last 2,000 years, we've seen what a bloody mess religious intellectuals can make.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP) - 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The plan and purpose of God's Word seems pretty clear to me. Introducing the traditions or reasoning of men lands you in the religious ditch. (Matthew 15:13-14) If you can't find objective Truth in the Living Word of God, do you really think you will find it in religion? How can anyone believe that some denomination, and its collection of religious professionals, would be better equipped to reveal God's Word to a Believer than the Author Himself? Of course if you don't know the Author, you are in BIG trouble.

What the article discusses, is PRECISELY what Paul warns against.

Colossians 2:3-4 (AMP) - 3 In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. 4 I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech.

You are complete in Christ, the source of all Wisdom and Revelation knowledge, not religion. Note all the IN HIM and IN CHRIST statements in the prison epistles.

Colossians 2:6-10 (AMP) - 6 As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. 7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah). 9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. 10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

Cling to the Head of the Body, to Love Himself, He will never fail you.

I find it fascinating that articles like this seem to quote a whole lot of theologians, but rarely God's Word - His Light - His Truth.

Your observation is reasonable. There are Catholics who belief themselves more Catholic than the Pope. There are Catholics who have never critically examined their faith, much less cracked the Catechism. And of course, everything in between.

The reality is, for Catholics, a few basic things are expected. The first is belief in what the Nicene Creed calls out. The second is the dogmatic teachings of the Church. Finally, the Church requires obedience in matters of faith and morals.

As the writer mentioned, there are very few parts of Scripture that the Church takes a definite stand. Rather, as it is the inspired word of God, each man is able to “hear” the Spirit at any particular time, presenting a particular message. For example, I may be facing a specific challenge in my life. I go to my Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to enliven my mind and heart, and begin to read. Usually, the particular passage I am reading, sheds new light on my situation. It often allows me to think of the passage in a new context. In other words, it is living, and nourishing.

I think the author’s use of the sandbox analogy was quite good.

Ultimately, we must choose to do right or wrong. To love our neighbors or not. Hopefully, we will all abide in the Spirit.

I guess my first thought is that Jesus first entrusted himself to a young woman and then chose 12 men, all flawed human beings. He told them to go forth and teach all nations. He didn’t say, “write a book.” He chose to become man in the material world.

I think Protestants and Catholics need to stop firing on each other,

Amen to that brother. There are people wanting to cut our heads off, Catholic and Protestant.

Very true. A great many people both Protestant, Catholic, and others are very good at quoting scripture and then saying “Yeah, hath God said” and telling us what it “really means”. Or how if we go back to the Greek it means something other than what it says.

Any time we rely on men to tell us what the Bible says then we are in danger of putting ourselves under the authority of man rather than God.

Hard scriptures and there are many should lead us to God in prayer not to an expert. Eve already talked to an ‘expert’ on God's word and it didn't end well. Instead we should follow David's example.

Psalm 119:27-38 “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.”

David was a murder an adulterer and a bloody man; yet a man after God's own heart. I think this was true because of David's love for the Lord and His Word. Psalm 119 is an excellent chapter on God's word.

“These are not salvation issues as I perceive them...”

Yes, because in the end, before the throne of God, it’s all about your perceptions, right?

You mean like Nancy Pelosi?

Amen.

Any time we rely on men to tell us what the Bible says then we are in danger of putting ourselves under the authority of man rather than God.

I wonder how often, though, people interpret the Bible while believing that they are under "the authority of God" yet are simply deceiving themselves. I'm reminded of 2 Peter 3:15b-16: "...even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his 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."

(This state, too, is arguably a state of being "under the authority of man," a sort of self-authority--but it's a state that's probably harder to detect than others, such as "I believe my pastor in everything having to do with biblical interpretation.")

Hard scriptures and there are many should lead us to God in prayer not to an expert.

How will we know if we have the right answer instead of being deceived by ourselves or even something else?

By studying the Bible and praying for Wisdom. I think part of having humility is admitting we may not have all the answers that said if I need them I know where to find them. It's a life long process; there's no easy way out to say well ‘the church’ (take your pick) says and so it must be so.

The first place to go to ensure we are not deceived is to God in prayer with a spirit of humility. For: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:12-15

James 4:1-6 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

The work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the truth to us.

John 16:13-15 “ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Throughout the Bible God shows the authority that his word has and encourages his children to go directly to it for counsel. This what the wise man in Proverbs 14 does to look to his way

Psalm 119:9-11 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Acts 17:10-11 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Any Church, Pastor, or teacher of the Bible that wants to claim they cannot be questioned is robbing their congregation of a chance to learn deeper. The Bereans accepted the word Paul brought them and searched the scriptures daily to see where those things were so. Naturally they didn't find that Paul was wrong, but they probably came much deeper and secure belief for their study.

To the Jews who were lacking in understanding of why Jesus came and who he was he admonished to search the scriptures. John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

I use to deliver to this Church. Some of the greatest Christians I ever met in person. A beautiful love of others in Christ. Amen. Brother