I don't think you are a raving fanatic because you come to different conclusions regarding some of the doctrines of the Catholic Church.
However, I am wondering how you trust the Catholic Church in such matters as the Trinity, the relationship between the Son and the Father, the relationship between Christ's humanity and His divinity, and other such Catholic doctrines that are not CLEARLY laid out in Scriptures. As you may know, these and many other beliefs were hammered out over many years by bishops and other men poring over Sacred Scriptures AND the Apostolic Tradition passed down (read this as "correct interpretation of Scriptures). Why is it that you decide that the Church is right on such matters as the contents of Scriptures (which point to the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth) and many doctrines defined many years later, but NOT on such matters as Mary's virginity?
If we believe that the Church infallibly tells us the contents of the Word of God, then we should believe that the Church ALSO infallibly tells us an explanation of the Word of God. From your studies up to Irenaeus, don't you remember what he said about heretics who used the VERY SAME SCRIPTURES to "prove" their fantasies? Several times in Book One, he mentions this. Thus, Irenaeus saw the Church as the protector of the CORRECT interpretation of Sacred Writ. Now, why would God suddenly drop His guidance of His established Church?
This is where I am lost regarding the Protestant mindset. It is a contradictory stance. Either determine the Scriptures for yourself and invent any sort of idea you want, or believe that God has revealed Himself through ONE Body. I don't see how you can have it both ways except by special pleading.
Regards
We trust the church in such matters only insofar as they agree with Scripture. Such doctrines are in fact demonstrable and supportable from Scripture and plain reason.
As you may know, these and many other beliefs were hammered out over many years by bishops and other men poring over Sacred Scriptures AND the Apostolic Tradition passed down (read this as "correct interpretation of Scriptures). Why is it that you decide that the Church is right on such matters as the contents of Scriptures (which point to the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth) and many doctrines defined many years later, but NOT on such matters as Mary's virginity?
What the Creeds and Councils primarily did was formally and clearly define and defend what was already accepted as orthodoxy. The supposed inherent infallibility of the church had nothing to do with determining for instance which books were and were not Scripture. The church formally recognized as Scripture those which were reasonably and commonly understood as such.
If we believe that the Church infallibly tells us the contents of the Word of God, then we should believe that the Church ALSO infallibly tells us an explanation of the Word of God.
And there we have already met a point of divergence between us, because I do not believe that the Church "infallibly tells us the contents of the Word of God." Does that mean that I deny God's immutable will in ensuring that only His true Word was canonized? No. I simply do not look to the infallibility of the Church as the source of trustworthiness.
This is where I am lost regarding the Protestant mindset. It is a contradictory stance. Either determine the Scriptures for yourself and invent any sort of idea you want, or believe that God has revealed Himself through ONE Body. I don't see how you can have it both ways except by special pleading.
There is an glaring logical flaw in your reasoning here though, because the ultimate source appealed to for the very notion of God revealing Himself infallibly through one body is Scripture.
To what authority to you appeal in your claim of the Catholic Church as the one true infallible body of Christ? If you appeal ultimately to Scripture, then you must necessarily recognize that you are simply promoting your interpretation of Scripture over and against another. If you appeal to something other than Scripture, then what is it that supercede's the Word of God in terms of revelation? The Church? That is a self-reinforcing argument. Christ? What direct, lasting and objectively receivable Word do we have from Him apart from Scripture?
I am in the same position as Luther on this issue. If you can convince me from Scripture and plain reason that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true infallible body of Christ on Earth, then I will believe it.
Now, why would God suddenly drop His guidance of His established Church?
This is where I am lost regarding the Protestant mindset. It is a contradictory stance. Either determine the Scriptures for yourself and invent any sort of idea you want, or believe that God has revealed Himself through ONE Body. I don't see how you can have it both ways except by special pleading.
Hi jo kus ...
Protestants believe that God guided the formation of the Canon infallibly.
Protestants choose to make this infallible "Word of God" ... the basis for what we believe.
It is a faith issue.
We trust the Apostles.
We trust the canonized record of their writings.
We trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We trust that the universal Church of Jesus Christ ... will never forsake the necessary truths of the Gospel.
We do not place any similar faith ... in any contemporary human institutions.
Protestants have, simply, concluded that the Scriptures (as interpreted to us through the Holy Spirit) are the One utterly reliable guide to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.