But what the scripture says has to do with how you process the information based on your culture, beliefs, language, etc.
I take those occasions as concrete evidence of Holy Spirit's personal leading
So does everyone else, FK.
Now, concerning why all Christians don't have the same interpretations it should be noted that all Christians are at different places in their respective walks with the Lord
So, all those who are way off out there, on the margins of Christianity, are being misguided by the Holy Spirit?
You said, I quote, "We have both seen nutjobs of all stripes use scripture to try to legitimate everything from adultery to abortion to homosexual conduct, etc. Those might be the easy ones, but I have definitely caught myself before trying to justify something I wound up deciding was wrong because of a more honest look at scripture."
That doesn't sound like "The Holy Spirit corrected me" but rather you corrected yourself based on your beliefs and personal standards. So, which is it?
Are you also suggesting that those nutjobs are not guided by the Holy Spirit or that they are guided into wrong conclusions since God already predestined them to hell, so he is only deceiving them intentionally to make sure they don't find that "narrow path" on their own but to wander off and be lost???
I don't think I could have made the jump directly so I believe it was necessary to get me there in steps, which is what I think Holy Spirit did.
You are certainly entitled to think so, and I can't really argue with that, but this flies in the face what you said before, that you "caught yours self" trying to justify something...and that you "wound up deciding [it] was wrong." Besides, you don't think people change their minds as they experience life from different angles?
All of this makes sense because Christian growth, whether through the leading of the Magisterium or Holy Spirit directly, is a life long process
So is life, FK, every aspect of it, every day, and that holds even for animals. Life is a learning process, not necessarily a divine learning process.
If what you are saying is true, then the certainty expressed by Protestants cannot be an absolute certainty, but merely a hope. Hence, a self-contradiction.
So, all those who are way off out there, on the margins of Christianity, are being misguided by the Holy Spirit?
No, Holy Spirit never "mis"guides the elect. There are plans for the growth of all Christians and they are not all the same. Where He guides any individual Christian is exactly right FOR that particular Christian.
You said, I quote, "We have both seen nutjobs of all stripes use scripture to try to legitimate everything from adultery to abortion to homosexual conduct, etc. Those might be the easy ones, but I have definitely caught myself before trying to justify something I wound up deciding was wrong because of a more honest look at scripture." That doesn't sound like "The Holy Spirit corrected me" but rather you corrected yourself based on your beliefs and personal standards. So, which is it?
My "catching myself" and "deciding" are merely my becoming aware of Holy Spirit's work. All the credit goes to Him. Without Him, scripture would just be words. Only by Him am I ever able to see the truth.
Are you also suggesting that those nutjobs are not guided by the Holy Spirit or that they are guided into wrong conclusions since God already predestined them to hell, so he is only deceiving them intentionally to make sure they don't find that "narrow path" on their own but to wander off and be lost???
It's unknowable since one nutjob belief is not necessarily automatically disqualifying for Christianity. However, for the sake of discussion I was probably taking it as given that these people were not Christians. If we suppose that then it's still unknowable since wrong conclusions can be reached either all by oneself in his sinful nature, OR, God might cause it since He is known to confound the wicked. For example, we have the story of Babel, and these prayers:
So, it's possible, but we can't be sure.
...... Besides, you don't think people change their minds as they experience life from different angles?
Sure they do, all I'm saying is that in some cases God is directly behind it.
If what you are saying is true, then the certainty expressed by Protestants cannot be an absolute certainty, but merely a hope. Hence, a self-contradiction.
I don't see why. I see "absolute certainty" as a relative term, which science has proved over and over. So if I say I have absolute certainty about the truth of the Gospel it is not because nothing else is even theoretically possible, it is because nothing else I can imagine APPEARS possible. So in applying this to what you responded to, I would say that just because life is not a Divine learning process for all does not negate that it can be known for certain that it is for some.