The "proof text" has been dead as a tool of debate since the 18th century. I suspect you still don't understand how I'm using the term.
and I have actually corrected Catholics here by presenting the verse they used by giving the context..
Can you link to an example or give the post number?
You apparently don't care about context with your "filthy rags" cite from Isaiah -- compare: Filthy Rags. Not a Catholic source, but the author actually reads the verse in the context of Isaiah.
The statement, "All our righteousness is like filthy rags", is found in the middle of a Biblical poem in Isaiah (Isa 64:4-9). The saying has caused a deep struggle in many hearts. Does the statement mean that it's pointless us trying to do righteous deeds? Does it mean our righteousness has no value in God's eyes? No, it doesn’t.
Remembering the gospels are pre New Testament, and still point to the law
This remains one of the most utterly bizarre contentions I have ever seen. I have no idea just what the Mennonite pastor you cite was getting at, but my impression was that Protestants in general insist that the OT canon was closed with Ezra around 400 BC, and they thus argue that the Deuterocanonicals (Apocrypha to you) cannot be canonical. It would seem to follow that to place the Gospels with the OT would logically eliminate them from any place in the canon at all.
You argue that the New Covenant was not established until the Last Supper. I (and others) maintain that it's truer to say that Christ Himself is the New Covenant, even if He only fully revealed Himself as such at the Last Supper.
I've heard criticism of those who would have Christianity "without the Cross" -- this is the first time I've heard a "Christianity without Christ" proposed.
can any man love his neighbor as himself? or like the law it summarizes does it point us to our need for a Savior?
Do you mean -- as you seem to -- that there's no point in trying to keep the commandments of Christ or even to understand what they mean? He also commands us to believe in Him. Why do you take the one as valid and the other as nothing -- do you imagine it's possible to have such faith without believing His words and taking them seriously? Anyone can say he believes anything -- maybe even fool himself into thinking he does.
Thanks very much for this excellent post.
In the book of Revelation, the bride of Christ was "given fine linen in which to clothe herself, linen bright and clean." What a contrast to filthy rags! And what does this fine linen represent? "The fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints" (Rev 19:7-9).
As per Catholic operating procedure, you guys must change what God says to justify the filthy rags that you don't want to let go of...Now compare what was really said in the verse you misquoted:
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Notice there are no 'righteous acts' in the verse...The fine linen is not righteousness acts...The fine linen is the righteousness of God given freely to the saints...
Apparently you know that other Catholics won't go out and buy a bible to check you on your references...But we will...
The statement, "All our righteousness is like filthy rags", is found in the middle of a Biblical poem in Isaiah (Isa 64:4-9).
A poem??? Scripture for Catholics has been reduced to a useless poem??? The chapter talks about the restoration of Israel after the 'Lord's Day'...It's future...It's prophecy...
The saying has caused a deep struggle in many hearts.
AS it should...
Does the statement mean that it's pointless us trying to do righteous deeds? Does it mean our righteousness has no value in God's eyes? No, it doesn’t.
Yes it certainly does...And it's not only pointless trying to do righteous deeds, it's a one way ticket to Hell...
The commandments are to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself...If you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you will fulfill the 10 Commandments, from your heart...You can not provide your own fine linen; your own righteousness...