Question. Authority.

Q.
"Luke,

I'm really appreciating your messages. Too often I hear glimpses of Catholic doctrine and just immediately find a way to disagree with it. I'm challenging myself to think on your explanations and see past my own traditions to understand what it is our two similar faiths agree on - and what, on occasion, my beliefs have to learn from Catholics ;)  On occasion ;)   hahaha

For instance. I've spent the past week playing with thoughts on "sola scriptura" (Though realize, that I've never seen that phrase till you wrote it in your email.) And I think if Protestants were truly honest about their faith - they'd admit that our claim at being "Bible Only" people is simply in an effort to distinguish ourselves from the Catholic church.

What I mean is that, nearly all protestants (the ones actually living the faith) believe a lot more than simply what they've read in the Bible. So much of our beliefs are a combination of "how our church does things" (tradition) and "what our pastor told us" (teachings). To my shame, I'm willing to bet a small minority of a Protestant Christian's beliefs come from something they read in the Bible. 

Now, as a disclaimer - I'm fully prepared for you to respond and say something like "well - your pastors don't exactly count as a Teaching Authority." Which is fine. Feel free to say it - I have no response :P

However, despite this Tri-fector of Doctrine, a vital question to ask is: when one source seems to contradict the other, which source gets the final say? I think the Protestant sola-scriptura comes into play at that moment - when the pastor says something or a tradition no longer lines up with the Bible - I personally will look to the scripture as the ultimate authority. However, our pastors have never claimed to be infallible.

Yet, if I read your Paul Whitcomb quote correctly, "Moreover it was quite evident that Christ’s true church is an INFALLIBLE teacher, never liable to teach false doctrine.”  and if I recall correctly from your last email - the Catholic church does respect certain teachers as infallible. (The Pope, right?)

Which begs the question, has the Pope, Traditions and the Bible ever been in contradiction with one another? If so... where do you personally put your trust in those times?"

A.

Well, as far as i can tell, the Bible has never been contradicted by Tradition, or any infallible statement made by a Pope or council of Bishops.  If that were to happen, then my world would be turned upside down and I would question the very credibility of all involved contradictory sources.  But, according to the Bible, the Church will not err in doctrine.  So, i'm not terribly worried about such a scenario.  =]

I greatly appreciate your openness and willingness to learn!  I know so many who have their own beliefs, and that's the end of that.  

St. Jerome says "ignorance of scriptures is ignorance of christ."  So, thank YOU.

:)

Peace in Christ!

Luke