Replies

The Catholic Encyclopedia sets out the two basic positions fairly, I think:The Protestant principle is: The Bible and nothing but the Bible; the Bible, according to them, is the sole theological source; there are no revealed truths save the truths contained in the Bible; according to them the Bible is the sole rule of faith: by it and by it alone should all dogmatic questions be solved; it is the only binding authority. Catholics, on the other hand, hold that there may be, that there is in fact, and that there must of necessity be certain revealed truths apart from those contained in the Bible; they hold furthermore that Jesus Christ has established in fact, and that to adapt the means to the end He should have established, a living organ as much to transmit Scripture and written Revelation as to place revealed truth within reach of everyone always and everywhere. I think that the argument over John 6 shows the inadequacy of the New Testament as a "final authority." No book can act in that role. We are, at bottom, dealing with ineffable experiences. Human language is adequate to the purpose. Often when reading the New Testament, I run into the same difficulties that I have when I look at my Mon's old photo album. Onece, long ago, I went through it with her, and she explained them. Now, she is gone, and I have forgotten exactly what she said and even the cryptic notes on the backs of the pictures tell me little.