One small but important point. If someone says that you have uttered that which is not true, in and of itself that is not an accusation of lying. Lying requires more, namely intention to lie. One may speak that which is untrue while merely being mistaken and not intending to lie.
You are a Reformed Christian. I and Mrs. Don-o are Catholics. If we were all in agreement on the meaning of Scripture, we would all be Reformed Christians or we would all be Catholic. It goes without saying that, instead, we have differences as to the meanings of many Scriptural passages. That does not make any of us "liars." Is it not perfectly possible to have what people of good will would call "good faith differences?"
I have not reviewed this entire exchange but a similar point may be made as to accusations that Catholics who disagree with Reformed Christianity are somehow guilty of slander which again involves knowing falsehood.
That you have a background as a "Protestant scholar" does ot make you infallible. That we Catholics disagree with your "scholarship" and its conclusions or that you disagree with Catholic "scholars" does not make either you or us "liars" or guilty of "slander." Ditto as to what constitute "proper exegesis of Scripture." Ditto as to accusations of heresy.
Before, anyone concludes otherwise, this post of mine is NOT an invitation to theological dispute or to chewing on the old Reformation vs. Counterreformation slippers but simply an observation as to civilized and accurate and respectful conversation among folks who are in disagreement as to matters of faith and Scripture. You don't have to be a "liar" to be a Reformed Christian. We don't have to be "liars" to be Catholics. If such matters simply MUST be discussed here among those who disagree with one another, perhaps we can all refrain from making accusations of moral turpitude in matters amounting to no more than theological differences as to belief.
I never claimed infallibility, unlike the Roman Catholics. But, in the exchange of ideas, the statement that Protestant scholars agree with Catholic teachings is pure bunk!
I am not "reformed". I am a Christian, who follows the direction of God's Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised. The Roman Catholics claim to be the arbiters of the truth, but Jesus promised to guide us to all Truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I will repeat the last part of my post and allow you to explain the meaning of what is is... and you need to reply with Scripture, not just some random opinion! What I posted was demonstrating just one of the errors in Roman Catholic teachings. It doesn't take scholarship. It just requires one to read and understand. The Roman Catholic cult places their fictitious mary apparition as equal to God!
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I take this one (from Elsie's long, but certainly not complete, list of Roman Catholic error and heresy) passage to contrast with what Scripture details:
...in the words of St. Ambrose, "Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since Thou hast its keys." "Aperi nobis, O Virgo coelum, cujus claves habes." Nay more, the Church says, that "Thou art its gate."
But, contrary to Roman Catholic teaching, Jesus says:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”