[PetroniusMaximus]

***This leaves you to be the judge for the meaning of the Word of God, which is the very definition of rationalism, the basis for Protestantism.***


Not rationalism, but the inner response of the seeking heart to the voice of it's Maker. Jesus himself taught this clearly when he said...

"If anyone will do what God wants, he will know if My teaching is from God, or if I am speaking of Myself."

He is saying that if any man is truly willing to do God's will he will instinctivley know whether Jesus' teaching has come from God or whether it is the product of man.


He said nearly the same thing when he taught us...

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--"

and...

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish..."

There is no appeal to some outside authority here. No outside agency to instruct the sheep as to whether Jesus words are true or not. The sheep hear, recognize and are drawn to the voice of the shepherd without having to be told to.

If you don't instinctivle recognize in your heart that Jesus' words are true and that they come from God or you only believe his words because someone else told you you should believe them then this is what Jesus says to you...

"but you do not believe because you are not my sheep."

[Fifthmark]

This is precisely the sentimental Protestant garbage I'm talking about. I "feel" I'm right because my "heart" tells me so. Your "inner responses" have no greater authority that your own - rationalism is your master.

"He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me." (St. Luke x.16)

If you were to truly hear, you would listen to the Church.