If it interprets itself and there is one God, then why all of the 1,000s of divergent opinions among those who cling to Sola Scriptura?
I wouldn’t call the bishops acting as the successors of the apostles bureaucracy.
Examples please. I'm sure you've been asked before as have other Catholics who spew the same party line.
Scripture does interpret Scripture. It must be internally consistent with itself. If there is an apparent contradiction, then the interpretation is wrong and it needs to be further investigated, not subjugated to a self-appointed allegedly infallible magisterium.
Maybe their doctrine is "developing?"
Q: “If it interprets itself and there is one God, then why all of the 1,000s of divergent opinions among those who cling to Sola Scriptura?”
A: Sin.
The real answer is that Protestants shown their sin-weakened nature openly. Catholics hide it behind the skirts of the magisterium. But, make no mistake, both are fractured, because both are populated by the same critters ... us sinners. The history of Israel in the OT should be enough to instruct us in the truth of man’s weakness, corruption, and sin. But so often we look at their example and imagine that we will stand where they fell. Paul (by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) had something to teach us in that regard. Both sides disregard his warning at their peril.