Catholics, the Gospel of John says that in the beginning?

Question

was the Word, and the Word became flesh. Doesn't this give credence to the idea of "Sola Scriptura?"

Lacey, Scripture is also known as the Word of God. Many Catholics say that Sacred Tradition preceded the Bible (or the Word of God) because the Canon of the Bible was not established until 397 AD. However, Scripture clearly tells us in John that the in the beginning was the Word, which implies that the Word of God precedes Sacred Tradition.

I am very disappointed in my fellow Catholics. The fact of the matter is, the opening of John's Gospel is a poetic device, intended to show that Jesus was the Messiah as promised in the Scriptures (the part that we now know as the Old Testament).

7, what do you call your biological father? Paul calls Timothy his son, which would imply that Paul considered himself a spiritual father. Indeed, Abraham means "father of all nations." Clearly you misinterpret Jesus' words.

The commandment is not to have any false God before us. I know of know Catholic, and much less any Pope, who believes a statue of Mary is a god.
I could go on any on.....

Jesus commanded his Apostles to forgive sins. Jesus himself gave that authority to the Apostles, who passed that authority on to succeeding Bishops and Priests. Even Alcholics Anonymous acknowledges the value of confessing your wrongs to another human being, rather than solely to God. And I am not talking about those self-serving spectacles of giving "testimonies."

Answer 1

all Rcc beliefs can be found in the bible, some plainly others indirectly indicated. Scripture itself points out an authoritative church & tradition. St Paul points out in his second letter to the Thess – stand firm & hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or letter. Here are some scriptures to check out 2 Thess 2:15, 1 Cor 11:2, 2 Thess 3:6, 2 Tim 1:13-14 & 2:2. When the first Christians had disagreements they didn’t open their bibles – they didn’t exist – they held councils and held binding decrees – these councils were those who knew more then the others and they came to an agreement/understanding and thus made a binding decree (acts 15:1-29). The very books of the bible were determined by the Church (Rcc) and didn’t even happen until the 4th century – centuries of oral tradition. Without their determination and will to listen to the Holy Spirit, sent by God to inspire them there would be no bible.
If the traditions and leaders of the Rcc did not hold to the scriptures (while some held violently or savagely) the majority shared and taught. Had the hierarchy of the Rcc not established the foundations where would Christianity be today? Would there even be a bible in print – I really don’t think so. Because people would not have shared their traditions. Most people century’s back never owned a bible like we do, gracious they couldn’t even read.

a little edit for 7 about calling another father:
. Mt 23:9
In this passage Jesus is teaching that God is the ultimate Father – alone, the source of all authority. But He is not speaking absolutely because that would eliminate biological fathers, church fathers and so on. Jesus used the term father quite often and not in reference to God. IE Mt 15:4-5, 19:5, 19, 29, 21:23, John 8:56 and numerous others. In the parable of the rich man & Lazarus Jesus used the address father Abraham Luke 16:24, 30, also Acts 7:2, Rom 4:12, Jas 2:21. St Paul uses the term when he wrote that he became our father in Christ through the gospel (1 Cor 4:15, 1 Cor 4:14-16)

Answer 2

Which means,
the Bible is the only word of God
As a Methodist I believe this, but as an intellectual I realize it is a philosophical assumption, although true.
1) The Bible is the only word of God.
2) Jesus alone saves.
3) By Grace alone.
4) Through Faith alone.
5) For God's glory alone.
Once you assume the first precept, by faith as it were, the other four can be demonstrated from the Bible, and that makes you a Protestant.
Of course other philosophical assumptions can also get you to Heaven, but I feel this way is vastly more sure than the confusing quagmire of tradition and the clay feet of human priests.

Answer 3

Sola Scriptura means Solely Scripture- in the sense of worship and ritual is talking about only using BIblical passages for these rites. Like the Lutherans during their revolution against Catholicism believing that if it isn't in the Bible, it shouldn't be practiced.
I am not sure how you are tying the idea of Sola Scriptura with the Word becoming flesh - that would be Jesus..

Answer 4

*Is Catholic*

No. Because John doesn't say "in the begining was the word" he says "in the begining was the logos".

Logos is a Greek philosophical construction that is akin to a wisdom principle that created all things.

It is no where near close to the understanding of what scripture is, which is more of a written record of revelation.

The logic of your statement, in order to be true would have Scripture becoming incarnate as Jesus. Which is not true and is rather silly.

Answer 5

Actually it does just the opposite.

The living Word is Jesus Christ, not the Bible.

The living Word is lived, shared, experienced, and passed on to others by witnessing by word of mouth.

The Bible is important but not as important as being part of the living Body of Christ, the Word of God.

We are to be people of the Word, not people of the book.

In addition, the Bible points us to teachings and traditions outside of Scripture:

I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:12-13)

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 C.E.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 80 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#80

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Yes it does.

And Lacey, its sad that the church which bears his name not longer practices Sola Scriptura.

Pastor Art, a former Lutheran

Answer 7

Are you serious?

Of course not!

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 8

I know that it's leaving out Mary (as the "mother of God.")

Answer 9

AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!!


Call no man on earth your "father", for you have but ONE FATHER and that is your HEAVENLY FATHER GOD!
*************NOT A PRIEST

SHALL NOT BOW DOWN TO ANY CARVED IMAGE!
****************That silly pope is always kissing statues of mary.

I could go on any on.....

CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN....
ONE PERSON ALONE FORGIVES AND PARDONS YOUR SIN! **Note: its not the priest!


JESUS IS LORD!

Answer 10

Catholism is just glorified roman paganism. And you can tell the pope i said that!