The last three words represent the fatal problem with this Romanist.
“This is the claim that Scripture alone is the measure of faith and the sole authority for the Christian, that there is no need for a Church and no authority in the Church, that there is only authority in the Scripture.”
How is Scripture the “measure” of faith? No need for a church? Perhaps he’s taking on some form of Protestantism that doesn’t derive from Luther, Calvin, or Knox (or Wesley). Heck, knocking down straw men is easy. Why doesn’t he just accuse Protestants of praying to statues?
“So it seems clear that Scripture is not meant to be alone. Scripture itself says this in 2 Peter 3:16: our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, Our Brother Paul speaking of these things [the Last things] as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures. Hence Scripture itself warns that it is quite possible to misinterpret Scripture.”
This is particularly egregious. For starters, he tells us in this same piece that there was no such thing as Scripture until the 4th Century. How could Paul be talking about Scripture when it didn’t exist for another 300 years? Also, Paul wrote his letters largely to give sound doctrine to the early Church. Why did he have to write them? Was he just noodling some suggestions? Maybe some teachings were flying off course without the much-dreaded Scripture.
Again! Can Catholics never read things in context? If we read both verse 14 and 15 "I am writing you these instructions so that ... you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household".
How in the world can you promote a verse as proof that truth in found in the church when the verse states that the written letter is instruction for conduct in the church?
I agree the truth is found in the true church, but how do you get from "follow what I write" to "follow what the church says"? They are opposed unless the church follows the written word. And this is the meaning of sola scriptura. The scripture is the rule. The church is to follow the rule. The church is not the rule. The church is not the true church unless it follows the rule.
So beautifully expressed, magnanimous, and with brotherly kindness
“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “’This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:7-9
All of this nonsense has been created by evil men who seek to control others through faith in meaningless traditions and rituals instead of faith in God and His Love and Omnipotence.
Look, if you sit in the pew of a Christian church (I no longer do, but I respect those who continue and I have fond memories of when I did), and your clergy starts rehashing 500 year old points of contention, stand up and walk out.
The issue— the major issue— Christian theologians and clergy should be getting their people squared away on right now is the doctrine of the trinity. Catholics and Protestants alike can’t explain it and it will be central to any and all religious dialogues (including the ones they have with their children) in the coming years.
The Protestant-Catholic food fights are entertaining, but they’ll be taking place only in nursing homes in about 20 years if you don’t get a grip on Trinitarianism, which is what the Muslims like to and do talk about. Start by listening to an Islamic critique of the doctrine of the Trinity. And then look over a catalog of courses at Protestant and Catholic seminaries and see if anyone is covering the topic...or even taking the course.
Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
James 2:24
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
The article points out the risk of making a caricature of the opposing arguments. No true believer thinks that faith is all we need. Does faith alone mean if we have faith we do not need a Savior? Obviously not. The Savior is the object of faith. Does faith alone mean the cross is not necessary? No. The cross is the means of redemption. Does faith alone mean works are unnecessary? No. Works are the expression of genuine faith.
Faith alone is perhaps an oversimplified catch phrase that emphasizes the Biblical point that faith is the means by which a person receives forgiveness of sins and imputed righteousness from God. Works are not the basis of receiving these gifts. They are gifts. However, works do follow and are part of faith. But these works are works of faith rather than works that express our own righteousness which is accomplished by rule-keeping. James illustrates this.
Abraham showed his faith by being willing to offer his son as a sacrifice. (This is not a good work, but an act that showed his total surrender and full obedience to God.) Incidentally, Abraham never actually sacrificed his son, but he proved he was willing to do so. Rahab, likewise completely cast herself on the mercy of God. What were her works of faith? Treason and lies. These are not good works. But they do illustrate the reality of her faith in God.
However, Paul and James had apostolic authority. The things they wrote were not contradictory even if they can be difficult to understand. But the Catholic doctrines and true doctrines of the Bible are not merely apparent contradictions. They are truly diametrically opposed.
We rely on apostolic authority. Today, we do not have the apostles coming to visit us to settle issues of doctrine. The Catholic doctrine claims this is the job of the Catholic church. Protestants recognize that it is the Bible itself that contains the full apostolic authority. We have James, Paul, Peter, John and others through their writings, much the same way the early church relied on their writings as well.
The Catholic church claims authority above the Bible. It claims that people cannot understand it apart from the Catholic hierarchical system.
True believers recognize the authority of the Bible and the gift of the Holy Spirit Who guides us into all truth. We are not subjects of Rome.
This man is a fool, in the Biblical senses.
I see where you guys get the talking points from.
There are not "solos" is Protestant theology that I know of other the Christ alone. But they he goes into double speak as is befitting Catholic thought. He switches from solo to sola. The poor man obviously either doesn't understand the difference or is deliberately trying to deceive.
>>But what concerns us here is the detachment of faith from works<<
I have never seen a Protestant detach works from faith. Every one I have ever heard or talked to agrees that true faith produces works. How can it but do otherwise? Once again, the writer is characterizing the Protestant belief.
>>Finally, beware those who say, “sola Scriptura”!<<
Now we see the indwelt Catholic fear. Relying on the only true source of the infallible word of God. If they relied solely on the infallible word of God for their beliefs they would not have that fear.
>>Second, until recently most people could not read.<<
How many times must it be shown from history for them to cease that fallacious statement?
>>Third, and most important, if all you have is a book, then that book needs to be interpreted accurately.<<
And we have a lack of knowledge of what scripture says on the subject.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
There are so many errors in this man's article it's understandable why Catholics have no real assurance of their salvation.
The article sure promotes faith in anything so long as it is in addition to Christ, instead of what God provides alone.
It’s been said that anything added to faith alone in Christ alone voids the sufficiency of His Provision and is no longer faith in Christ.
As a Southern Baptist, I pretty much agree with this.
Faith alone saves, but true faith not mere mental assent will result in changes in a person given enough time and that given time will produce works.
The solo scripture argument was a little weak. Scripture tells us to assemble ourselves together and that no scripture is of private interpretation. Therefore it should be obvious that a right understanding of scripture is aided by fellowship and bible study with other Christians.
And if reliance on scriptural interpretation is the cause of the many protestant splits, then it is also the cause of Catholicism’s splits, for most protestants split from Catholics as did the Orthodox Catholics and the Angligans. But rather, there are usually other factors than simply scriptural interpretations involved in splits.
For later viewing of the video.
Ping!
Must submit to someone calling themselves Father???? Christ said we should not call church pastors or preachers Father. As near as I can tell about 90% dogma is man add own conditions to Christ teachings. Just like the Scribes and Pharisees {the man made Temple Government} had done in the Temple to enslave the Jews.
The Apostles did not put on long robes, they did not call themselves father or Priest, Pope is not mentioned, they didn't wear crowns etc, and parade themselves before the people. They were more akin to today's Evangelist going from town to town to the streets, to homes, etc.
What did Peter tell Cornelius when he bowed before him? Peter rebuked his bow & helped him back up and said "I am a mere human being like you". Example after example, passage after passage contradicts the RCC Dogma.
NOTHING we can ever do works wise will save us. It can't be done. IF SALVATION COULD BE EARNED BY LABOR OR CONDITIONS SET-FORTH BY MAN THEN CHRIST DIED IN VAIN. Grace isn't earned it is a FREE GIFT GIVEN FROM GOD TO ALL TO THOSE WHO ASK & RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST. Why does the RCC think it's Dogma supersedes Jesus Christ conditions for salvation? To put is so far out of reach none can obtain it perhaps? To have control over others perhaps?
SALVATION COMES BY GRACE. IT IS BY FAITH ALONE BELIEVING THAT CHRIST PAID OUR SIN DEBT FOR ALL TIME. HE CLEANSED US. NO NEED TO BURN MORE. NO MORE PURIFICATION NEEDED when we leave these earthly bodies. Not because we deserve it, not because we worked for it, but because GOD gave His only begotten Son so whosoever {meaning anyone} believes in Him in Faith shall not perish but have everlasting life. No one can separate us from Jesus Christ. Not the Pope, nor Priest, nor Preacher Smith of the Charismatics, nor Obama.
The thief on the cross hanging beside Jesus asked JESUS to "Remember me in your Kingdom". Christ replied "Today you are with me in paradise". Christ said that. He didn't say go in a booth and talk to Father Smith and have him forgive you. No the Bible says to go ALONE into a place and pray to The Father IN SECRET. How many more teachings and laws must be twisted into conditions and rituals that the Jews could not endure nor live up too thus GOD sent His Son to fulfill all righteousness that we may be saved? We are sinners made righteous only by The Shed Blood Of Jesus Christ and only Him Alone. Take off your chains of bondage from man. Christ has set you free from spiritual bondage.