IF you ASSUME that the Church is not protected from error by the Holy Spirit,
THEN the decisions on the canon are “the decision of men.”
AND THEN those who side with Calvin have to explain how the canon was closed, there being no record of a notarized telegram from heaven.
*I* would say, rather, that the Holy Spirit acting in the deliberations of the Church recognized the Holy Spirit's work in the canonical books. So — TO ME — Calvin indulges in false alternatives.
Again the admirable Calvin seems to me to neglect the distinction between source and conduit, or to think that once one has affirmed the source one need not mention the conduit. Clearly (though the implications may not be so clear) the inspiration of the Holy Ghost proceeds from the core (so to speak) of the Godhead. [Of course, the Jehovah's Witnesses, reading the same perspicuous Scriptures as Calvin would find the term “Godhead” blasphemous, and many other non-Trinitarians find grounds in the same books to repudiate most mainline Protestants, etc.]
But is “the pillar and foundation of truth” to be so easily and carelessly cast aside? So “the living words of God” describe the Church, after all.
...
I swam the Tiber 23 years ago come 12/26. The Catholic Church makes me crazy! (Well, okay, in my case, maybe craziER would be better.) I find a lot to love in Calvinists and even more in some Baptists. But I find nothing to make me sorry I signed on.
And when non-Catholics try to tell me what I believe and what, say, Unam Sanctam demands of me, it's not persuasive.
Indeed, the local church is to be a pillar, upholding the Word of God and to be a support under it.
While you didn't quote the whole chapter, it is worth noting that the context is choosing qualified men to serve as Elders and Deacons in Ephesus, where Timothy was in charge.
Paul says this...
"Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
The local church is the household of God and truly must uphold truth. It is not the truth. It upholds God's truth, when it is doing it's job.