The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

[malakhi]

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.

Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams

Previous Thread

[L,TOWM]

Please do me a favor, angelo. Ping the usual suspects for prayer. Mrs. L,TOWM is in the emergency room at this moment and may be getting a gallstone removed today. Our kids are also with her (we homeschool), and no doubt a lot more worried than she is. However, she is in a lot of pain, and I would appreciate some prayers from the righteous (for they accomplish much).

Thank you so much...

[L,TOWM]

Just got word; she will be admitted to the hospital and probably have surgery later today. Please pray, saints.

[SoothingDave]

My wife had her gallbladder removed earlier this year. She will appreciate the pain going away and the nausea that accompanied it. She'll just have to watch that she doesn't eat too much fatty food at once.

They should only need three very small incisions on her belly.

I'll pray for her health.

SD

[ksen]

Consider your cartoon hijacked over to the Hobbit Hole. ;^)

[malakhi]

Prayers going out for your wife, L. Mom, Polycarp, can you pass this along to your ping lists? Thanks!

[ksen]

Praying in Florida......

[OLD REGGIE]

Of course. No one is talking blind allegiance here.

You are or you are not to be included with the groups of "Catholics" you speak of.

[OLD REGGIE]

"...The thing is, Catholics believe that the church is infallible in matters of faith, including, presumably, the correct interpretation of scripture...."

To my knowledge there is no total Catholic "official" interpretation of scripture.

Since the Catholic must defer to the "authority" for the authentic interpretation, what must he do?

[Polycarp]

Ping the usual suspects for prayer. Mrs. L,TOWM is in the emergency room at this moment and may be getting a gallstone removed today. Our kids are also with her (we homeschool), and no doubt a lot more worried than she is. However, she is in a lot of pain, and I would appreciate some prayers from the righteous (for they accomplish much).

Thank you so much...

Prayer request ping!

[patent]

Prayer bump.

[malakhi]

Thanks Polycarp.

[patent]

To the Protestant, you are better off reading the scripture yourself, studying it firsthand.

I have yet to meet the Protestant who hasn’t, at some point, taken at least some guidance from someone wiser than they are (or were at the time) in what the Bible means. Most of us at least start out by getting some guidance from others, and as we go we move on to relying more and more on ourselves.

I think this is true regardless of the denomination. I’ve taken Bible studies, studied what the Church has to say about the Bible, and I’ve read it and studied it on my own.

There are plenty of Catholics (and plenty of Protestants) who spend a great deal of time studying the Bible on thier own. There are also plenty of Protestants (and plenty of Catholics) who don't spend much time with the Bible, learning only or mainly from the minister on Sunday.

patent  +AMDG

[OLD REGGIE]

Just got word; she will be admitted to the hospital and probably have surgery later today. Please pray, saints.
For what it's worth, I had my gall bladder removed about 18 months ago. It was the easiest operation I ever had and I can "finally" eat anything I want.

She has my prayer.

[patent]

To my knowledge there is no total Catholic "official" interpretation of scripture.

Since the Catholic must defer to the "authority" for the authentic interpretation, what must he do?

You misunderstand where a Catholic must defer. If the Church hasn’t spoken on an issue, the Catholic is as free to hold his own various opinions as the Protestant is. When you consider that it is the Word of an infinite God, I think you have to assume that a truly "total interpretation of Scripture" isn't really possible for a human.

patent  +AMDG

[jjm2111]

Done. My prayers to L,Towm's wife for a quick and painless recovery.

[JHavard]

I can "finally" eat anything I want.

Of course you're referring to those things that are listed in the clean category aren't you? Lev 11, :-)

JH

[ThomasMore]

Prayers on the way! BUMP!

[OLD REGGIE]

Of course you're referring to those things that are listed in the clean category aren't you? Lev 11, :-)

I said ANYTHING!

Of course, that doesn't mean "everything".

[OLD REGGIE]

You misunderstand where a Catholic must defer. If the Church hasn’t spoken on an issue, the Catholic is as free to hold his own various opinions as the Protestant is. When you consider that it is the Word of an infinite God, I think you have to assume that a truly "total interpretation of Scripture" isn't really possible for a human.

Really? Even if the Church hasn't spoken...

Catholic Catechism

100 The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.

[SoothingDave]

Really? Even if the Church hasn't spoken...

Really. Remember? If Roma no locuta, the causa ain't finita.

Your quote from the catechism about interpreting "authentically" refers to this authenticity being such that other Catholics are bound to believe the same.

For instance, a popular topic lately, I can believe Jesus' "brothers" are cousins and another Catholic can believe they are step-brothers. The Church has not "authenticated" either view. I am free to believe either one and I have no claim to force another Catholic to believe my interpretation.

SD