If the Catholic church is so wrong (or even just slightly wrong), then on whose authority do you trust that they canonized the Bible properly? On what basis do you believe that there isn't more to it or that some of it isn't incorrect (or that some of it shouldn't have been canonized in the first place)? As a Christian, have you sincerely searched for the answers to these questions? Have you even considered the possible accuracy of apocryphal scripture?
2007-12-19 03:00:45 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The answer to this Q actually has nothing to do with the Catholic church because all first century A.D. Christians used the gathering accumulation of apostolic letters and the four gospel accounts in addition to the already existing Hebrew scriptures. Yes, there were other letters and gospels doing the rounds too but what convinced them (and Protestants) about the inerrancy of those books presently used in the canon is the internal witness of those scriptures, not what the Catholic church (or any other group) says should be in it. Protestants disallow some apocraphal writings RCs accept because they do not have the same internal unity with the rest of scripture. There is a united 'thread' running through our canon of scripture despite disparate writing styles, subjects and eras. The more scripture is studies, the clearer this becomes. Even the apparent contradictions do not disallow any text because the Holy Spirit teaches us immense truths through maintaining the right tension between them.
It's really hard trying to explain this to anyone who hasn't searched the scriptures deeply. Alas, not many RCs seem to do this. If they did, and cast all other literature to the side, praying for the Holy Spirit's illumination, they would discover that papal decrees and traditions are more of a hindrance to grasping God's truth than anything else. No offence to our Catholic friends, by the way. It's not their fault that they are taught to treat the Pope's ordinances as infallible. Well, not unless they have read that God's word, the Bible, says people are cursed if they allow even angels to corrupt the gospel - and go ahead anyway. (Gal. 1)
2007-12-19 04:29:41 · answer #1 · answered by Annsan_In_Him 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Sola scriptura certainly does present a pragmatic paradox. On the one hand, Bible-only Christians insist that only the Bible has any relevant information about God. On the other hand, the Bible never claims to be the exclusive source of truth, never lists its own contents, and never provides the criterion for its own selection.
Historical evidence shows clearly that leaders in the original catholic-orthodox Church selected the scriptures over a period of several centuries, i.e., they "canonized" the scriptures. They used selection criteria external to the scriptures, especially the consistency of the writings with the teachings of Jesus, the Son of God. As John 21:25 states, not everything Jesus taught is in the Bible:
"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."
Many other oral teachings, exemplary deeds, and points of emphasis were known to the disciples who spent three years in close discipleship, asking Jesus questions. This knowledge is reflected in a large corpus of works from the Fathers of the Church, which has the answers to nearly all the questions disputed here in R & S.
http://www.catholic.com/library/fathers_know_best.asp
The early Church leaders decided to include the Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament, and decided to exclude the apocryphal writings of the Gnostics, which were neither historically nor theologically accurate.
Cheers,
Bruce
2007-12-19 12:59:51 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can be sure I'm not going to rely on the views of the general public or any government or the next door neighbour.
2007-12-19 14:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by cheir 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Roman Catholic church has its own Bible and chose what went in to it themselves.
The Holy Bible that is the New King James Version is the most accurately translated Scripture we have to date.
I believe in the Bible as being the infallible Word of the Heavenly Father.
What better way for those of us who have not walked with Jesus or watched a bush burn from the glory of our LORD to understand Him, learn of His true character or follow His Word?
Praise Be To God the Almighty!
God Bless You
2007-12-19 11:10:05 · answer #4 · answered by B Baruk Today 6 · 0⤊ 6⤋
lets see because our beliefs say the bible is god word and I'm pretty sure catholics believe that also. I dont' know about you but I believe the bible is a living word, because I felt it when i read it.
2007-12-19 11:05:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Never once have I seen those rabid anti-Catholics answer this even though it's been posted many times....
2007-12-19 11:08:31 · answer #6 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i use the bible as merely a guide my faith in god is proved everyday by his love for me and the impact he has had on my life.
2007-12-19 11:08:03 · answer #7 · answered by tom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the point is that the catholic church has been corrupted.
you can deny it all you want, but they practice things that arent even mentioned in the bible.
(prayer to mary - actually the bible speaks against this)
(the trinity - the bible doesnt mention a trinity)
(the rosary - the bible says not to say repetitious prayers)
and if ur really wondering, the pope claimed all forms of christianity that are not catholicism - false. all he did was prod the fire.
2007-12-19 11:05:04 · answer #8 · answered by Chippy v1.0.0.3b 6 · 0⤊ 6⤋
"Because God wrote it"
Except the apocrypha, of course, because Martin Luther said so.
In other words, they trust Martin Luther more than the man elected, by Jesus, by proxy, to head His faith.
2007-12-19 11:07:03 · answer #9 · answered by Free Thinker A.R.T. ††† 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋