Replies

[FatherofFive]
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1Tim 3:15

[Resettozero]
Which noun is the antecedent of "the pillar and foundation of the truth"?

As long as we're appealing to grammar (and in the English grammar, to boot... not even the Greek original text), perhaps we'd best consider *all* of the grammatical rules (including consistency)?

The word "God" in the phrase "of the living God" is not the antecedent, since the phrase is a prepositional phrase which is modifying the direct object (i.e. the Church). The verse says that the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Which noun is closest to "the pillar and foundation of truth"?

FRiend, grammar simply doesn't work that way! You can't simply pluck a noun out of a prepositional phrase, and then say, "This was closest, so this must be the antecedent! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!"

Look at it this way: if we used your (incorrect) technique of grammar analysis, then we'd also have to conclude--from the previous phrase--that God (rather than "house") is the Church of the living God... since the noun "God" is closer in proximity than was the word "house"! No... grammar has objective rules, and we need to heed them.

Where does this or any Scripture in the Holy Bible say the Roman Catholic church is the Church of the living God?

...because the Holy Roman Catholic Church is the only Church which truly dates from the time of Christ (Who promised to build a Church, singular--see Matthew 16:18ff, Matthew 18:16ff, Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians, etc.), as opposed to recently invented "ecclesial communions" which co-opt the name (and the pedigree) for themselves. Honestly... I could just as validly (i.e. not validly at all) claim to be a citizen of ancient Greece, due to the fact that I try my best to carry on the practices of Socrates!

You had a different teacher than I. Perhaps one of us learned poorly.

Regardless, the church referred to in the Holy Bible clearly is not the Roman Catholic church.

Claiming that it is, in spite of the great numbers of RCs and the long tradition of the RCC, is a false claim that Scripture Itself disproves.