The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The Bible

I believe, as a Roman Catholic representative on this board, your points have merit......

Where I have a greater problem is when scriptures run contrary to tradition. For me, tradition gets the boot every time.

And that's why Augustine referenced scriptures (not any type of church authority) in much of his arguments against Pelagius.

I can't rely on men or popes as upholders of truth, I could never believe Peter was a pope or that Mary holds such a prominent position in terms of worship, intercession or supernatural attributes. You, as a Roman Catholic, have to stifle any doubts you could have regarding the veracity of any of these so-called truths.

The problem with the RCC is that it took its own path along time ago, with subtle and not so subtle erroneous practices & traditions/doctrines. Just look at the indulgence controversies that was running rapid in the time of Luther. If a practice so wrong and ungodly could take root under the authority of the Catholic church why should I not believe all types of abuses of power, authority and truth could transpire over a few months let alone many centuries, even very early on.

I don't think having to rely on Sola Scriptura is a perfect way to go, but it became the necessary, reliable Christian standard.

If the transition from the simplicity & commands of scriptures that derived under the apostolic age from the pomp and circumstance and the related practices of Rome could be verified I would go back to Rome.

But even when considering the writings of the ECFs, to try to present the RCC in its present form as the immutable, unchanging authority isn't believable even if the changes that transpired over time are argued to be merely cosmetic.

Bible Christians rely on the Bible because they can't believe and accept what comes out of Rome as the ordained truth & authority of God.

I don't believe God is working out of a physical institution, there is an invisible church where God's spirit dwells. His people will spot truth from error for the most part(not perfectly) and will not be deceived with the Bible as their guide, the only reliable source of truth.