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To: Natural Law; MarkBsnr
"It's statements like that that make it difficult to take you seriously. You ask us to accept that you alone, from among the 2 billion Christians in the world, can infallibly interpret Scripture. Not even all of the Apostles had this ability and they were gifted with signs to demonstrate their veracity'

Aw, come on Natch (can I call you Natch?). You can call me Dutch or really anything you like. But, please, I was just sort of kidding around. You know, like a pope claims to speak ex cathedra and everyone is supposed to think his words are infallible.

My contention was the text is so clear if you use reasonable hermeneutics, read the context, watch the scene in your head, and connect the dots. Actually, if you notice, nearly the entire first letter to the Corinthians is about a tendency the Greeks had to revere worldly anything. The original problem began with Apollos' great oration skills and their love of "wisdom", but it meanders all over the place. Paul's letter is an admonition that the showy kinds of displays really have little to do with being a believer.

And, think about your next comment carefully. Do you actually think that the billion Buddhists are not in sincere disagreement with anything said about the Bible? Do you not think the and 1.5+ billion Muslims don't think you and I are wrong about the Bible. My FRiend, you are not worried about numbers any more than the apostle Paul was worried about numbers. Either what the Scriptures tell us is true (and the vast majority of the world is apparently going to die in their trespasses & sin) or we are just sentimentalists: God just has to give them a break because they were sincere.

You don't believe that or you would let me fall off the side of the earth and trust my sincerity to save me. No, you believe I am wrong. Dead wrong. And you wish to enlighten me to the truth of Rome. And, I you. Well, not to Rome. But, I do care that you believe the grace shed abroad by the Holy Spirit is not bound up through the dictates of Rome. Further, their doctrines of human mediation (alter christos), seven sacraments, and all the rest is primarily vain repetition. If Jesus has you in His crosshairs, you will be granted faith, by grace, and you will be rescued.

No, I don't have the gift of foreign tongues. And, I don't really trust any single translation or textbook. I search many sources and references. I do have three years of training in Koine' Greek and some Hebrew (very little). I have a degree in theology, which comes from a school which I now think slightly missed the mark. I would not attend that school again. But, each of us will stand before God and give an answer. I wish only to be found in Jesus, clothed in His righteousness. Attendance or association with an organization claiming exclusivity is not biblical.

And, the canon was closed long before the Roman Catholic Church was a figment of its own imagination. Read those tomes and you will see why things like the Gospel of Jesus do not belong in there.

And, sarcasm does not suit you. You seem to be a kinder person than that.

212 posted on 03/22/2012 5:19:42 PM PDT by Dutchboy88
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To: Dutchboy88
"No, you believe I am wrong. Dead wrong"

I do not believe that Salvation can only come through the Catholic Church if that is what you mean. No one, certainly not me, knows the mind of God and I trust in His infinite mercy.

I do, however, believe that intentional mischaracterization of the teachings or history of the Church do not aid in anyone's path to Salvation. Sin hurts the sinner far more than it hurts the Church or God. That includes those who proclaim it is the Whore of Babylon and the spawn of hell as well as those who say there have never been errant and vile sinners who have claimed to be Catholic or wore the robes of the Catholic clergy.

My purpose for participating on these threads is to try to ensure that an honest discussion takes place with respect to the positions, doctrines, dogmas and history of the Church.

214 posted on 03/22/2012 5:31:07 PM PDT by Natural Law (If you love the Catholic Church raise your hands, if not raise your standards.)
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