Ah, no. I read it. I looked up the Catholic teaching on the subject to make sure of my position. And no, it doesn't decimate my view. What it does is try to obfuscate the issue again. At the time of this writing, there were significant parts of the Old Testament yet to go and the New Testament not even conceived. Once again, my challenge isn't to find somewhere in the Bible where we are to follow Scripture (believe it or not, we do that in the Catholic Faith) but to show that Sola Scriptura is a fraud... these tangents keep getting further from that discussion.
Currently, you and I are arguing whether anyone can read the Scripture and understand it. I agree they can... but can they understand it the same as the Church for unity of faith? Let's see what the Magisterium has given us in the Catholic Church... unity. Let's see what has been wrought in Protestant congregations since the split from the Church... disunity and division. Why? Because each interpreter makes himself his own pope. The fractalization that has occurred over the last five centuries speaks loudly of the folly of private interpretation. Certainly, you're not going to argue that we are all One in the faith as Christ prayed we would be? The Doctrines and Dogma of the Catholic Church have been held firm back to their foundations in Christ. There is no such continuity in the Protestant congregations.
I would point out to you that Psalm 119 actually supports my position much better than your own. You do know, of course, that it is the beginning of the "Song of Ascents" (or other names in various traditions)... and this recitation is made by the presider over the ascent up to Jerusalem for their annual festivals? It runs through Psalm 133. These were recited ritually as part of a Liturgical-style procession in giving glory and honor to God for his favor to Israel. They are best understood Liturgically, i.e. through the eyes of the Church.
Ah no, I was trying to figure out what the heck you're talking about here. You said the function of the Church is to teach principalities ... tell me what that means.
I will admit here to my own private interpretation and apologize to you. Although "principalities" in Scripture generally refers to the Heavenly Hosts, in my haste I was applying it to the kingdoms of Earth as well. That is my error. I had already posted that the Church is the bullwark and pillar of the Truth according to 1 Tim 3:15. I pulled this other citation to reinforce the teaching authority of the Church. It is misapplied this way. One thing I would note, though, is that the passage in question shows that Our Lord uses the Church to demonstrate His Wisdom... not Scripture. Again, just as the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath... so Scripture was made for the Church, not the Church for Scripture. It is our guide and ground but not our sole authority for self-interpretation.
I guess that's progress.
but can they understand it the same as the Church for unity of faith? Let's see what the Magisterium has given us in the Catholic Church... unity.
Agreement with what the RCC teaches is not a definition of unity. "If you agree with me, we're unified" doesn't cut it. I am seeking the truth, you cannot have unity without truth.
Let's see what has been wrought in Protestant congregations since the split from the Church... disunity and division. Why? ... The fractalization that has occurred over the last five centuries speaks loudly of the folly of private interpretation.
I disagree, it speaks loudly of the folly of FAULTY interpretation.
Certainly, you're not going to argue that we are all One in the faith as Christ prayed we would be?
No, I wouldn't do that ... I am not blind to the impasse that exists that will not be bridged between our faiths.
The Doctrines and Dogma of the Catholic Church have been held firm back to their foundations in Christ ...
Again, we are talking about truth. Your subtle equivalence; that somehow "length of time" lends credibility to the truthfulness of a doctrine is particularly troubling for me. What's the difference whether something has been held for a long time or not ... its the truth of the claim that matters ... if it is not truth ... its nothing but a lie with alot of dust on it.
There is no such continuity in the Protestant congregations.
I'll give you that one ... but, again, truth before unity. Those who would worship God must worship in spirit and in truth. If a person is not worshiping in truth, they are not worshiping God at all! They are merely worshiping a facsimile of a god they have created.
It is our guide and ground but not our sole authority for self-interpretation.
Thus the basis for the reformation.