Yes, that is my common usage. If I mean "all Christians" I'll say something akin to that.
Good, now we are getting somewhere. You are part of the problem, not the solution. This is very divisive to Christ's church (not to mention elitist and arrogant).
Hence, you mean that only the RCC has the authority to interpret scripture.
Interpret properly, yes. Christ established a teaching Church, one to go out to the nations and tell them the good news. This one Church, by necessity, would have one message and to ensure the truthfullness of the message, the Holy Spirit guides the Church infallibly.
Necessary for the RCC church to maintain itself, not necessary for God.
Now, what if the church (which means "all who trust in Christ") have the authority to interpret Scripture properly?
Why don't they then? Seriously. If all who trust in Christ are authorized to properly interpret Scripture, why on earth do you all have different ideas about what Scripture means?
Because we are not perfect, we have a sinful nature and do things for our own benefit and interest. Notice that I used the word "could" not "always does" interpret correctly. It has the authority and power to do it correctly (with God's help), but we don't always follow God's will. But we have no guarantees that the RCC will interpret correctly either, and my belief (and I am not alone on this), the do interpret it incorrectly and for their own interests.
That's chaos. That's confusion.
That's your opinion or point of view as a mere finite human being. God is not confused by all of it, he hears th prayers of millions at one time and holds the universe together. This is not a problem for Him, and if you rely on God, through his Word as the final authority, you will not be confused either.
I thank God He left us with teachers to look to for help.
There's nothing wrong with teachers, and I use them and praise God for their wisdom. But my teachers rely on God's Word, and this does not violate sola Scriptura.
Your statement would be correct and not violate the concept of sola Scriptura at all.
If every believer truly could properly interpret Scripture then Sola Scriptura would be a wonderful thing. Until that day, we must reject it as a dangerous doctrine.
Dangerous to the RCC maybe, and I think that is the real problem you have with it. Remember when Rush started making it big all over the country and the libs called him "the most dangerous man in America"? He took it as a compliment, because it showed their vulnerability and insecurity. That's how I take your comment also.
Because we are not perfect, we have a sinful nature and do things for our own benefit and interest. Notice that I used the word "could" not "always does" interpret correctly. It has the authority and power to do it correctly (with God's help), but we don't always follow God's will. But we have no guarantees that the RCC will interpret correctly either, and my belief (and I am not alone on this), the do interpret it incorrectly and for their own interests.
So we are left with an infallible book, but no way to know for sure who has the right interpretation, or if anybody even does have the right interpretation. And this is good?
That's chaos. That's confusion.
That's your opinion or point of view as a mere finite human being. God is not confused by all of it, he hears th prayers of millions at one time and holds the universe together. This is not a problem for Him, and if you rely on God, through his Word as the final authority, you will not be confused either.
Doctrinal chaos is pretty easy to show. It's not just an opinion of mine. Do I need to remind you of the Sola Scripturist here recently who believes in two gods? Tell me that soul would not benefit from having an authoritative teacher to straighten him out. Tell me that the idea of "just my Bible anf the 'Holy Spirit' is all I need as an authority" didn't fail this soul.
I thank God He left us with teachers to look to for help.
There's nothing wrong with teachers, and I use them and praise God for their wisdom. But my teachers rely on God's Word, and this does not violate sola Scriptura.
Let's discuss this some more. I hinted at it in a question a week or so ago. Let's assume you know nothing of Christ, but someone gives you the standard spiel and you accept Jesus as your personal Savior.
The person who brought you to Christ would show you where, in the Bible certain tuths were found. Would not the new Christian be having his perceptions of the Bible and Christ formed, colored by his teacher?
When this new Christian is then "grown up" and starts to study on his own, isn't he just going to internalize the interpretation given by his mentor?
SD