Replies

I think the placement of her as sinless alone among humans makes Jesus no longer unique. She is the neck of his body, and to get to the head you must pass through the neck. For The Head to get to you, He has to come down through the neck. And they've not finished yet until such time as they've attached belief in all this to the bare-bones requirement of the possibility of one's salvation.

Excellent analogy. Perfectly squares with what is actually occurring in some misguided churches.

Why does the development of doctrine always result in moving Christ further away from His Sheep, not closer.

It's a matter of degree, I suppose. I'm reminded of Einstein's caution that "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."

There is correct doctrine and we are instructed to discern it and protect it. It and nothing else.

Thanks for the excerpt from Pastor Leithart. There is something very dark about disavowing the human sexuality of Mary and the priestly class, while cloyingly attending to various "relics" and artifacts. It shows a misunderstanding of matter in general, and God's gift of humanity in particular.

Why does the development of doctrine always result in moving Christ further away from His Sheep, not closer.

Dr. E., I meant this strictly concerning RC doctrine. Protestant doctrine does anything but place Christ further away from us. And the more I learn of early Christianity the more it looks quite a bit like Protestantism is today. There are disparate sects, and St. Paul is doing his level best to instruct but not obstruct that thing that I'm talking about when I say I want to think outside of a vice-grip. Paul does make "Everything as simple as possible, but not simpler."

That I have a hard time with all doctrine stems from some convoluted experiences, and the desire to be able to approach Christ without my thoughts being pinched in a vice. That may not make much sense to you, and if so, I understand.