Theologically, there are only Catholics and all the varying and expanding numbers of denominations. We don’t have denominations. There are Catholics and there are splitters and quitters.
And, from the arguments of the Reformed here, I can only come to the conclusion that the only Scripture that is infallible is the Scripture that backs one’s argument. The Scripture that refutes it is ignored completely and not even acknowledged in postings.
You might expand your explanation to: From my perspective (today, for a limited time only) there’s only synergism and monergism. That would be more accurate since the expectation is that Protestants can change their views at the drop of a hat because theology is of the whim of the individual. The individual, and not God.
Show me a Canon that addresses Indulgences.
The Council of Orange says that baptism confers the grace of God upon the individual and that the Holy Spirit works in the individual after that point. You guys say that the Holy Spirit ambushes the individual and that baptism results after that effect. Not Scriptural, is it?
Very well said, Mark.
There are arguments and then there are dumb arguments.
Whereas the power of conferring Indulgences was granted by Christ to the Church; and she has, even in the most ancient times, used the said power, delivered unto her of God; the sacred holy Synod teaches, and enjoins, that the use of Indulgences, for the Christian people most salutary, and approved of [Page 278] by the authority of sacred Councils, is to be retained in the Church; and It condemns with anathema those who either assert, that they are useless; or who deny that there is in the Church the power of granting them. In granting them, however, It desires that, in accordance with the ancient and approved custom in the Church, moderation be observed; lest, by excessive facility, ecclesastical discipline be enervated. And being desirous that the abuses which have crept therein, and by occasion of which this honourable name of Indulgences is blasphemed by heretics, be amended and corrected, It ordains generally by this decree, that all evil gains for the obtaining thereof,--whence a most prolific cause of abuses amongst the Christian people has been derived,--be wholly abolished. But as regards the other abuses which have proceeded from superstition, ignorance, irreverence, or from what soever other source, since, by reason of the manifold corruptions in the places and provinces where the said abuses are committed, they cannot conveniently be specially prohibited; It commands all bishops, diligently to collect, each in his own church, all abuses of this nature, and to report them in the first provincial Synod; that, after having been reviewed by the opinions of the other bishops also, they may forthwith be referred to the Sovereign Roman Pontiff, by whose authority and prudence that which may be expedient for the universal Church will be ordained; that this the gift of holy Indulgences may be dispensed to all the faithful, piously, holily, and incorruptly. -Council of Trent