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In other words, in arguing against honoring Mary, apostolic succession, etc, you all are constantly “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” - “arguing that one false part of an argument negates the whole argument” - a logical fallacy. Fine, there’s still value in pointing out the bathwater to us. But for your arguments against the Eucharist, where’s even your “bathwater”?

I don't see it that way. What you call "arguing against honoring Mary" is NOT saying Mary shouldn't be honored at all just that emphasizing extra-biblical dogmas the Catholic church came up with and their dogmatic assertion that ALL Christians must accept them, is rejected. I greatly honor Mary and see her as a beautiful example of faith, courage and humility. I reject the idea that she was preserved sinless from birth because God's word quite clearly states ALL have sinned and she is included in that "all". Jesus alone was without sin because he was the incarnate God.

The argument against the Catholic "eucharist" is solely because Catholicism asserts the bread and wine initially given at the Last Supper are mysteriously changed into the flesh and blood and soul and divinity of Jesus in order to impart sanctifying grace for salvation and that ONLY her priests are authorized to "confect" the elements and administer them, thereby making the Catholic rite the only "game in town". I don't believe Scripture backs that up, but, then again, Catholics don't rely solely upon Scripture for their doctrines. Certainly, observance of the Lord's Supper is for the edification of believers to, as Jesus said we should, bring to our remembrance what He did for us. Jesus died once for all and by His death on the cross we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

There is STILL quite a bit of "bathwater" that we retain and find common ground with you. We don't disagree about the Trinity, the virgin birth, the Divinity of Jesus Christ, that He is "God with us", that He died on the cross and He shed his blood as propitiation for our sins, that God saves us by His grace through faith, that we should live lives that honor and glorify God in gratitude for His precious gift of eternal life, that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and that we will be with Him in heaven for eternity.

I wonder often why some FRoman Catholics on these threads cannot simply agree to disagree about some of these things. I'm all for earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints but there comes a time when you speak your beliefs and leave it to the Holy Spirit to do the convicting. Asserting ONLY Catholics have "it" right and every non-Catholic Christian is somehow lost unless they convert to Catholicism is the REAL throwing out of the baby with the bathwater.

...extra-biblical dogmas...

Considering that...

All the Words of Mary...
...as recorded in the Bible.

...To the angel
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:30-38)

...To Elizabeth
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” (Luke 1:46-55)

...To Jesus
His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2:48-50)

... at Cana
And when the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:3-5).

That was a great post. I’m in near agreement with you.

The agree-to-disagree part: in my mind, let’s say a Catholic was trying to “save” someone he/she really really loved, like their child, I’d say that the Church is adamant that only the Eucharist and Reconciliation are requirements different from most Protestants. If had to focus, I’d say the rest of the doctrines are helpers.

As said many times, the Church points to Scripture as the basis for this line in the sand, which must be flowed down through interpretations of Spirit-inspired men and women (tradition) (there’s no getting around the need for this - even the original languages are different).

That’s all - agree to disagree.