(DrBubbaLove;36986)
Am Catholic myself, but have been non-Catholic most of my life (young grandfather, twice over now).We should note that most Christians believe and do things that are not found either explicitly or even implied in the Bible. The Bible itself does not claim to be ALL we need, in fact it implies that there are other things which are important for us to know. In defense of doing/believing those things or "needing" to do/believe those things one must give something else other than the Bible as cause or reason. It must be true that we all believe these extra-biblical things are beneficial, else we would not have them. So why do we do or believe these things. In my experience when the subject is sola scriptura with a Catholic, it is in an attack of a particular Catholic belief or practice. A defense could perhaps be made from scripture by the Catholic, but if the Protestant is already claiming sola scriptura in the matter they are presuming whatever the topic is, that either it cannot be proven from scripture or is unbiblical-goes against scripture. So if the Protestant is already convinced the Bible does not help the Catholic make a case, there is little value in appealing to it (at least not as a primary part of the defense). Of course the person holding to sola scriptura as a defense of any particular thing is in the opposite position. The Bible is the only reference possible when they take that stand.After the Bible, the next thing available to the Catholic would be an appeal to early Christians writing about or shown doing the same thing. While perhaps not convincing as solid proof, it at least shows Christians were doing or believing this long before there was a Roman Catholic Church. And in many cases can be seen appealing to Apostolic teachings/traditions in defense of these beliefs or practices. So these early Christians had and gave reasons for doing or believing these things.Another thought is what do we mean by "need"? If you don't need to be Catholic to get to Heaven (and the Catholic must admit this is true) then it is true in that sense that you do not "need" to believe all or practice all the Catholic does (to get to Heaven).However, we could also look at the same statement about the Bible; if it is ALL I need to get Heaven, then isn't the presumption I cannot get to Heaven without it? If not the presumption, then something less than the Bible is really "all I need". So where do we draw the line of "need"?If a practice or belief is beneficial to my getting to Heaven, then in some sense we can say those things are "needed" for me and we should want that for me because it is helping me to get there. And we could say this about all the things we all do or believe. Just because we say something is not necessary, does not mean it is not beneficial, maybe even VERY beneficial.
(Red_Letters88;36959)
I was talking with a catholic friend of mine, when the topic of bible alone came up. He immediately told me I am following the teachings of Martin Luther and I cant support the idea that the bible is ALL we need.Im new with Christian history- So the idea that my doctrine is all Luthers ideas is wrong- I find a lot through prayer and self-study.The Word is 100% truth, 100% the steps we need to take to recieve salvationIm not sure if this is a CATHOLIC ONLY thing but- Why are most of them so quick to credit other books/writings/historical figures with the importance and truth as the Word?This is not a bashing catholics thread- but i would like some input and some scripture that I can look into for myself. Thanks
Matthew 4:4 - But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.Luke 4:4 - And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.II Peter 1:20 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.II Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:Mark 13:23 - But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.Red Letter, don't listen to them... Man will do anything to destroy people's faith, whether they realize that or not. The Bible alone is what we need, otherwise they will make Yahshua / Jesus Christ alone a LIAR.Please Red Letter, look at the topic under my sig and see what they did with Lord Yahshua / Jesus Christ. I am trying to save souls.JagLovest thou in Christ Yahshua, Lord and Saviour of the world.