Exactly! Not all will have the same gifts. My point is not to argue any of these single points of doctrine from the list, my point was to introduce a sample of the areas of doctrine that those who reject the Catholic Church and its teaching authority disagree on as proof that the concept of a self interpreting Bible is simply not fact. People of good will and sincere beliefs disagree on the meaning of Scripture to the point of having over 30,000 separate denominations and that number is growing. But even if that number were only 33 the point would still be made. Even if one concedes the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, which I don't, absent a teaching authority or the equivalent of a theological Supreme Court to decide the original intent and pronounce the application of the original principle to a current practice or situation we have the antithesis of unity. Do you think that is what we are called to?
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-13
Thank you for the thoughtful response. Peace be with you.
That's right. That's where the phrase, "all other things equal" becomes useful. Then after the foundation is established, those things that are not equal can be addressed. Such as the note that "the poor will always be with you".
"a self interpreting Bible is simply not fact."
The plain language is though. The parables, such as are contained in Genesis, were given for a purpose. Matt 13:13-15, " This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[Isaiah 6:9,10]
As per above, it is the individual's heart that has become calloused, by their own judgments and decisions. Note there is only one truth and only rational analysis can be used determine what it is. The Holy Spirit will not do the thinking for anyone.
"Sola Scriptura"
Limiting one's source of evidence, knowledge and understanding to such a minuscule part of reality will necessarily result in rubbish. The important part of Scripture are fundamentally the Gospels. It is within the confines of those 4 books that God Himself is quoted. He came in person to tell folks who He is and what He is about. Most folks ignore that and instead prefer to have some third person conjure up and define a god for them.
"absent a teaching authority or the equivalent of a theological Supreme Court"
Teaching is fine. Argument from authority is bogus. The Supreme Court gave folks Plessey vs. Ferguson and Rome gave folks original sin. God will not do the requisite thinking for anyone, regardless of what position they hold.
Re: "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-13
God equipped His people, with the capacity to distinguish what comes from man and what does not. If God had not taught folks to do so, they would have been taught by the folks you listed, that God gave you the divorce laws-as per Moses.