I appreciate the personal need, but there is no ecclesial need. Catholics accept both Scripture and the Sacred Tradition as co-equal sources of Revealed Truth. It is from this Deposit of faith that our doctrines and dogmas are derived.
I also appreciate the different perspectives we have with respect to the role of Scripture in our beliefs. What seems to be so very hard for all to accept is that, regardless of denomination, with few exceptions those who frequent the Religion Forum are people of significant faith. We are all called to God and Faith is the human response to that call.
Faith is, first and foremost, an act of the will. In cooperation with Grace, we must choose to believe. What you may call your "Born Again" experience we Catholics call a conversion. For us it is not just a one and done experience, it the beginning of a process we call conversion. For most it is a life long experience filled with many subsequent highs and a few lows. Faith is the belief in things not known and not knowable and the acceptance of things not understood or even understandable. Understanding is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and as St. Paul reminds us not all will receive this gift or receive it in equal measures. Where we lack this understanding we, in faith look to our Church and its Traditions, Magisterium, and the collective body of knowledge and opinions of those who came before us. Rather than bicker over the errors we perceive in each other, lets us rejoice in the Faith we share.
Thank you for your service. Peace be with you
I appreciate the kind note.
I know it seems sometimes that scripture is a personal need for us separated brethren, but it truly is ecclesial. It is what we believe, preserved in our Articles of Religion, and taught to all of our people.
As you have noticed, I have accepted Peter’s role in leading at the foundation of the church. I simply want to hear from the Apostles themselves on any further role extending beyond Peter to those who would have succeeded him.
Peter himself found a piece of scripture saying the position of Judas had to be filled by another. From that, the Apostles drew lots to bring Mathias into their fellowship.
It’s always fascinating to find these treasures in scripture. And, it’s always fulfilling to see God having filled in the blanks long before we even asked the questions.
Thank you, NL, for your remembrance of our service members. They are in a terrible bind now with a government that is not trying to win, but that sees no problem with sacrificing them for political expediency. Please pray for them and for their victory in every engagement.
I appreciate the kind note.
I know it seems sometimes that scripture is a personal need for us separated brethren, but it truly is ecclesial. It is what we believe, preserved in our Articles of Religion, and taught to all of our people.
As you have noticed, I have accepted Peter’s role in leading at the foundation of the church. I simply want to hear from the Apostles themselves on any further role extending beyond Peter to those who would have succeeded him.
Peter himself found a piece of scripture saying the position of Judas had to be filled by another. From that, the Apostles drew lots to bring Mathias into their fellowship.
It’s always fascinating to find these treasures in scripture. And, it’s always fulfilling to see God having filled in the blanks long before we even asked the questions.
Thank you, NL, for the background info on your Church, and also for your remembrance of our service members. Our troops are in a terrible bind now with a government that is not trying to win, but that sees no problem with sacrificing them for political expediency. Please pray for them and for their victory in every engagement.