[paladinan]

Interesting that Catholics can’t sell Catholicism on its own merits. Trying to make the other guy look worse than you and then trying to convince people to join you...

Hm. It seems that your own post is doing just that, yes? Especially with snark such as "Did you pass high school English?" I think we can discuss the material, and not take digs at other commenters in the process, can't we?

Also, isn't your comment here what the RM would call "mind-reading"? How do you know that any Catholic is "trying to make the other guy look worse than [them] and then trying to convince people to join [them] because [they’re] not as bad as the other guy and its better than nothing"? I've been a Catholic for over 40 years, and I've never heard any Catholic say anything even close to that. Have you? (Seriously? "Come join the Catholic Church, it's better than nothing?")

Also, with all due respect: I've never seen you engage the key questions (without red herrings and other non-engagements) which FatherOfFive raised, with any seriousness. Care to try, now?

Case in point: if the Bible doesn't teach "sola Scriptura" (i.e. the Bible repeatedly says that it's important and necessary, but it never says that it's the SOLE rule of Faith... nor does it ever say that it was ever DESIGNED to be used ALONE), then isn't it illogical of you to promote sola Scriptura?

[metmom]

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written,“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Luke 24:25-27 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Luke 24:44-49Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Paul tells us that Scripture equips the believer for every good work, making him complete.

How is *complete, equipped for every good work* not sufficient?

Does *complete* mean *complete*? Or not?

[metmom]

Case in point: if the Bible doesn't teach "sola Scriptura" (i.e. the Bible repeatedly says that it's important and necessary, but it never says that it's the SOLE rule of Faith... nor does it ever say that it was ever DESIGNED to be used ALONE), then isn't it illogical of you to promote sola Scriptura?

Scripture does teach that it is adequate for the believer.

BTW, no it is not mind reading to state the RC's try to make others look bad. How I know that RC's do that is obvious from the comments most of them make when they attack the messenger instead of addressing the message.

And if you're worried about people making digs at each other, be an equal opportunity chastiser. Post the same to your Catholic colleagues when they take digs at others.

Tell me. Why is God breathed Holy Spirit inspired Scripture NOT authoritative, the standard by which truth claims should be measured, the rule of faith, and enough for equipping every believer completely, making him equppied for EVERY good work?

[metmom]

Case in point: if the Bible doesn't teach "sola Scriptura" (i.e. the Bible repeatedly says that it's important and necessary, but it never says that it's the SOLE rule of Faith... nor does it ever say that it was ever DESIGNED to be used ALONE), then isn't it illogical of you to promote sola Scriptura?

So then, by that reasoning, (because a specific word or phrase is not found written down in Scripture it's not Scriptural), the Bible must not be “scriptural” and the Holy Trinity must not "scriptural".

Then that must mean that these things are not Scriptural either.

trinity

catholic

pope

eucharist

sacraments

annulment

assumption

immaculate conception

mass

purgatory

magisterium

infallible

confirmation

crucifix

rosary

mortal sin

venial sin

perpetual virginity

apostolic succession

indulgences

hyperdulia

catechism

real presence

transubstantiation

liturgy

free will

holy water

monstrance

sacred tradition

apostolic succession

Benefactress

Mediatrix

Queen of Heaven

Mother of God

beatific vision