Replies

FK: I thought the distinction you were trying to make was that if it is not in the Gospels, then it is of lesser validity or lesser truth.

Such distinction can be made, when for instance direct words of Christ are compared with someone else's speech, but I was not making it.

Then what does "God-breathed" mean to you? Do you think there were errors in truth in the original writings of the original books, as the Orthodox do? If so, do you think the Gospels are immune to those errors? The sections of the CCC I have read on the subject didn't leave me with the impression that the Church believes some parts of the Bible (NT) are "truer" than others.

FK: The word of God through Paul and the other Apostles is all written down.

Some of it is written down. Certainly not all of it: Christ taught the Apostles for three years and one can read the four gospels in three hours, and the Epistles in another hour.

We know that not every word Jesus ever said is recorded in scriptures, but we do know that God revealed everything He wanted us to know in scriptures. That's what 2 Timothy tells us. Am I to understand that there are secret teachings from Jesus to the Apostles, that we need, that are not in scriptures? And, that these secrets are only known through the Latin Church? That would make Christianity an unrevealed faith, and demand that God share our faith in Him with faith in your men. Only your men have the secrets of God so one must have faith in them. I'm afraid I am unable to share my faith in God with anyone.

Besides, the letters of Paul, especially, do not have the form of a recorded revelation: they address specific problems, refer to teaching done by him orally, make trivial references to his personal belongings, -- they are not written as a systematic re-telling of a revelation.

Who decided what the correct form was for God to use? The Church? I'm not sure I understand your criticism of scripture (Paul) here. Is some scripture of lesser value if it doesn't take a certain form?

I think it boils down to . . .

GOD BREATHED

INADEQUATE

compared to the political power-mongering bureaucratic committee of militarily supported self-serving rascals that appeared on the ecclesiastical scene around 300-400 AD so successfully. Just ask them.

Besides, having a flexible rubberized magicsterical continuously tweaking whatever unholy pontifications best serve their political interests is greatly better for their vain-glorious priorities than having to put up with the rather consistent and clear

GOD BREATHED WORD OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

I had several busy days, sorry for late response.

Then what does "God-breathed" mean to you? .... The sections of the CCC I have read on the subject didn't leave me with the impression that the Church believes some parts of the Bible (NT) are "truer" than others.

I said there are distinctions, I did not say some parts are truer than others. Certain interpretations of passages are excluded by the presence of some other passages, that's all. The scripture is self-consistent; the Protestant interpretations tend to be inconsistent with the entire scripture.

we do know that God revealed everything He wanted us to know in scriptures. That's what 2 Timothy tells us.

2 Timothy doesn't. Your assertion is not supported by scripture.

Am I to understand that there are secret teachings from Jesus to the Apostles, that we need, that are not in scriptures?

I usually write clearly, do I not? I did not write that. Nothing that Jesus taught was secret ("in secret I have spoken nothing", John 18:20). However much of what he taught was not recorded; yet the Apostolic Church retained that sacred deposit of faith and is with both the Holy Scripture and the Holy Tradition reflecting it. One complements the other.

I'm not sure I understand your criticism of scripture (Paul) here.

What criticism?