Here's a question that came to me while I was shoveling show from my driveway. First off, let me admit that it falls somewhere (at least in my mind) in the realm of mental gymnastics. But I found it an interesting question nonetheless.
Which would be better for me to be: A Catholic who had grave personal doubts about the Immaculate Conception or a Protestant who believed strongly in the divinity of Christ? This is just for fun. There will be no grades given for your answers.
The problem that I keep running into with the statement "A Catholic believes..." is that your (Catholics in general) belief rests upon the idea that there is a monolithic true Church that is infallible. But if the people in the pew ain't having it, it doesn't really matter that the Church is infallible does it (at least to said people)? It's like me saying that socialism works in theory. Which of course it does. It's actual track record is somewhat less than stellar (please do not take that as me trying to associate Catholicism with socialism, they've done a good enough job of that themselves in Central America. Ok, that was me associating Catholicism with Socialism but it was too easy to pass up.... My apologies).
So again, when your system rests upon the absolute authority of the church (and you would point out guided by the Holy Spirit), it's only a nice little theory when the people in the pew are wrapped up in animism as much as the sacraments. Yes? No? This probably comes off as a bit too clever or none-too-clever but maybe if I keep repeating my idea in different ways some dim idea of what is running round my mind might make its way to yours....
At 1:42am ET?
Which would be better for me to be: A Catholic who had grave personal doubts about the Immaculate Conception or a Protestant who believed strongly in the divinity of Christ?
There's not a straight-line comparison to be made there. Would it be better to be a Catholic with "grave personal doubts about the Immaculate Conception" but no doubts about the divinity of Christ? Yes. But there is a certain hierarchy of truths here. One does not become "less-true" for being less important, but either person who doubts the divinity of Christ is in big trouble.
your (Catholics in general) belief rests upon the idea that there is a monolithic true Church that is infallible.
Not exactly. It rests on an eternal God who continues to communicate with His people in the same way He always did. Your belief system must rest on God ceasing to communicate with us. Or, in other words, an unchanging God changing.
But if the people in the pew ain't having it, it doesn't really matter that the Church is infallible does it (at least to said people)?
Does that analogy fit throughout Scripture? When God spoke infallibly through a prophet did everyone immediately change their beliefs and behaviors toward God? Or were there those who continued to act and say "his system rests upon the absolute authority of Moses (and he would point out guided by God, but how can we believe this?)." Isn't Scripture just full of hundreds of examples of God laying down the law infallibly through His church and the people ignoring it?
An idea is "running around your mind"? Isn't that animism? :)
Say it again. "My driveway." Feels good, doesn't it?
First off, let me admit that it falls somewhere (at least in my mind) in the realm of mental gymnastics. But I found it an interesting question nonetheless. Which would be better for me to be: A Catholic who had grave personal doubts about the Immaculate Conception or a Protestant who believed strongly in the divinity of Christ? This is just for fun. There will be no grades given for your answers.
The question seems to be too vague to answer. Does the Catholic also have a strong belief in the divinity of Christ? If so, then of course he is better off that the Protestant.
The problem that I keep running into with the statement "A Catholic believes..." is that your (Catholics in general) belief rests upon the idea that there is a monolithic true Church that is infallible. But if the people in the pew ain't having it, it doesn't really matter that the Church is infallible does it (at least to said people)?
If people sit in their pews at a (pick a liberal) Protestant service and don't really believe in the Virgin Birth or that homosexuality is immoral, does it "really matter" what the Bible says about these things?
Maybe there's some deeper thing you aren't expressing (or I'm not getting), but this is the same as before. Authority and Truth do not rest upon how many people, even people in the pews, accept it.
Of course, a Cafeteria Catholic would be better off accepting the infallible Church in all Her glory. And a Cafeteria Protestant would be better off accepting the infallible Bible in all Its glory.
Do these Cafeteria types invalidate these authorities?
SD