And what are you doing? You are promoting your faith. Therefore you are also complimenting yourself. By your standard, you are not credible.
Lutero:
Wow, Catholics complimenting themselves.
Such credibility!
Sincerely,
De Maria
Washed, Sanctified and Justified in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
By your standard, you are not credible.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Catholic Answers needs your help
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Parable of the treasure in the field compared to the advice to the Rich Young man
 |
| The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure... |
Gospel MT 13:44-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
The Rich Young Man.
Matt 19:16 Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”*
17He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good.* If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness;
19honor your father and your mother’; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
See if you follow what I'm saying.
A rich man is walking in a field. He must be rich because he later returns and purchases the entire field. We'll come back to that. While walking in this field, he finds a treasure. That treasure, in my opinion, is love. Love is the coin of the realm, so to speak.
When he finds it, he hides it. Why? To safeguard it? To protect it?
No. If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor
To prepare himself. He wishes to be perfect. He realizes his imperfection. He realizes that he is not worthy of the treasure.
In order to be perfect, he must divest himself of self. He must live according to the demands of love.
Therefore Jesus said to him:
sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
So, he did. He sold all he had and purchased the field in order that he might have the treasure.
Then, Jesus says,
come, follow me.
Do you recognize these words?
Matthew 16:24New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,[a] take up his cross, and follow me.
Sell all you have and give to the poor = deny yourself and take up your cross
Folks, Jesus emptied Himself to become man and to save mankind.
We must do the same. He is our example and model. We can end this lesson with the words of St. Paul:
Philippians 3:8New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
8 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ
They wrote the New Testament based upon the Word of God
(continued from yesterday)
2 Peter 1:19-21
King James Version (KJV)
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
97 "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God" (DV 10) in which, as in a mirror, the pilgrim Church contemplates God, the source of all her riches.
Lutero:Show me the Catholic Doctrine which says that the Catholic Church ALONE interprets Scripture. I want to see it from a Catholic source.
You do realize that your interpretation is not the same as the RC leaders who claim they alone have the authority to interpret God's word.
They didn't. They wrote the New Testament based upon the Word of God transmitted to them by the Teaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not write a word of Scripture. He spoke to them.
So if the apostles interpreted Scripture
Their Teachings are God breathed. Their prophecies are God breathed. Their speech is God breathed.
and their interpretations are God-breathed,
2 Peter 1:19-21
King James Version (KJV)
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
They are God breathed. They are the Word of God. Scripture and Tradition are both the Word of God.
why aren't the interpretations of the Roman Catholic pontiff and magisterium also God-breathed
Here is the Catholic Teaching:
and therefore Scripture as well?
97 "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God" (DV 10) in which, as in a mirror, the pilgrim Church contemplates God, the source of all her riches.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Catch more flies with honey? Really?
Usually, Protestants complain about my style of writing. Even though I don't use ad hominems nor derogatory terms towards them, they get upset with me.
And then, in a form of transference, they claim that I'm the one who is upset.
Usually, Catholics approve of how I write. But occasionally, some also complain. I guess they feel sorry for the Protestants who wrangle with me about the meaning of Scripture. Who knows?
Anyway, those who complain, Catholic or Protestant will sometimes give me pithy sayings like, "You might win the battle, but you'll lose the war."
Well, uh, that's not necessarily true. Wars are won, one battle at a time. If you keep winning the battles, you'll probably win the war.
But who's at war anyway? Its not like I'm a Muslim who thinks he's always in jihad. I'm simply having a conversation or a debate, if you will. And I'm not the one getting upset. Its the Protestants who get upset when I show them that their doctrines are not in Scripture.
Recently, one of those people said to me (and she's not the first), "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
What? Really? Who wants to catch flies in the first place? Flies poop on you. Flies are disgusting. If you really want to catch flies, look for a pile of dung. I've never seen a glop of honey swarming with flies. But I have frequently seen dung and feces and rotting flesh that is swarming with flies.
And, it just occurred to me. Are these guys, who say this, are they comparing Protestants to ugly, disgusting flies? Ugh.
Folks, about twenty years ago, when I first started talking to Protestants, I wrote my first apologetic and I thought, "That's impregnable! Protestants will look at that and be convinced and be converted in droves!"
That was probably the biggest disappointment I ever had. No one was convinced. At least, none of the ones who replied. It didn't take me long to change my expectations. If I once thought that I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth, that thought didn't linger for very long.
After twenty years of apologetics, I can, if I stretch, count the number of former Protestants who said my arguments helped convince them of the truth of the Catholic Church, on two hands. But not all ten fingers.
But with Catholics, its the other way around. Catholics have frequently thanked me and encouraged me on my efforts.
So, guess what? I soon learned not to write to convince Protestants. If I had done so, I would have soon quit in sad disappointment. I mean, sure, if a Protestant is convinced by my words, that's icing on the cake.
My writings are meant to support and instruct Catholics who might be struggling with how to respond to Protestants who are trying to convert them away from their Catholic faith.
Anyway, if for some really strange and unlikely reason, I would ever want to catch flies. I wouldn't use honey.
And if my words sound like vinegar, its because vinegar is good for you. It might taste bitter. But as the old saying goes, "Good medicine, tastes bad".
Sincerely,
De Maria
And then, in a form of transference, they claim that I'm the one who is upset.
Usually, Catholics approve of how I write. But occasionally, some also complain. I guess they feel sorry for the Protestants who wrangle with me about the meaning of Scripture. Who knows?
Anyway, those who complain, Catholic or Protestant will sometimes give me pithy sayings like, "You might win the battle, but you'll lose the war."
Well, uh, that's not necessarily true. Wars are won, one battle at a time. If you keep winning the battles, you'll probably win the war.
But who's at war anyway? Its not like I'm a Muslim who thinks he's always in jihad. I'm simply having a conversation or a debate, if you will. And I'm not the one getting upset. Its the Protestants who get upset when I show them that their doctrines are not in Scripture.
Recently, one of those people said to me (and she's not the first), "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
What? Really? Who wants to catch flies in the first place? Flies poop on you. Flies are disgusting. If you really want to catch flies, look for a pile of dung. I've never seen a glop of honey swarming with flies. But I have frequently seen dung and feces and rotting flesh that is swarming with flies.
And, it just occurred to me. Are these guys, who say this, are they comparing Protestants to ugly, disgusting flies? Ugh.
That was probably the biggest disappointment I ever had. No one was convinced. At least, none of the ones who replied. It didn't take me long to change my expectations. If I once thought that I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth, that thought didn't linger for very long.
After twenty years of apologetics, I can, if I stretch, count the number of former Protestants who said my arguments helped convince them of the truth of the Catholic Church, on two hands. But not all ten fingers.
But with Catholics, its the other way around. Catholics have frequently thanked me and encouraged me on my efforts.
So, guess what? I soon learned not to write to convince Protestants. If I had done so, I would have soon quit in sad disappointment. I mean, sure, if a Protestant is convinced by my words, that's icing on the cake.
My writings are meant to support and instruct Catholics who might be struggling with how to respond to Protestants who are trying to convert them away from their Catholic faith.
Anyway, if for some really strange and unlikely reason, I would ever want to catch flies. I wouldn't use honey.
And if my words sound like vinegar, its because vinegar is good for you. It might taste bitter. But as the old saying goes, "Good medicine, tastes bad".
Sincerely,
De Maria
Catholics are more familiar with God's word than Protestants taught in seminary
To what purpose, will you then submit to it?
Lutero:
Please point me to this "Sacred Tradition" which you claim is God-breathed.
There is none.
Please produce the ex cathedra proclamation that infallibly states that the Latin Vulgate Bible is the official Bible of Roman Catholicism.
St. Jerome put the Latin Vulgate together and included within them, the DC books.
Remember Jerome set aside the DC books believing them to NOT be inspired.
We believe precisely the same thing that Jesus taught and the Church passed on.
But those who originally recognized and passed on God's word didn't believe in the things you modern Roman Catholics believe in. Today's Roman Catholics have a different gospel than the early Christian church.
They were Catholic.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul and Peter were not Roman Catholics.
Not in modern terminology. For instance, they didn't use the term "Holy Trinity" or "Triune God", but they certainly taught these concepts.
They didn't teach any of the later developed doctrines and dogmas your sect teaches.
Catholics are more familiar with God's word than even the Protestants which have been to Protestant seminary.
Sell your propaganda to those who are not familiar with God's word...like other Roman Catholics.
What are? Please produce these other words of GodWho said they were other words? You did. But no Catholic has ever said such a thing. The Word of God is passed down by Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. Everything the Catholic Church teaches is in Scripture either explicit or implied. But Protestant doctrine which contradicts Catholic Doctrine also contradicts the Scriptures.
Because there is no need to do so. We pass on the Word of God by Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.
and please explain why they haven't been added to the Roman Catholic Bible if they are really the word of God.
All Catholic Doctrine is infallible. You folks sit around saying, "I want to see an infallible proclamation." But you don't even know what that is.
Hahaha. You DO need it. Roman Catholic apologists say that popes don't declare doctrines and dogmas ex cathedra until they are challenged. This claim has been challenged for centuries and the RC church remains silent. That's because they don't even know what is and is not infallibly declared.
Let me give you an example. When Luther declared that faith alone justifies. He challenged the infallible Catholic Doctrine of justification by faith and works. The Catholic Church did not have to convene the Council of Trent to pronounce it infallible. It was infallible before Luther challenged it. The Catholic Church merely put the Council of Trent together to emphasize the absolute Truth of its infallible Teaching and to anathematize the heretics.
Lets test them. Lets begin with Sola Scriptura. Where is it in Scripture? Show me.
You may buy that lie, but God tells us to test all things. You can't test what you don't even know. And that's how the RC sect likes it.
(continued tomorrow)
Monday, July 28, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
It is Protestants, who added to and subtracted from, the Word of God.
Then how did the canon of the Bible exist for 1000 years before that council?
Lutero:
You are getting close to the facts on this because it was not until Trent that the canon of the bible was canonized.
Because they aren't.
However they did NOT confirm the Vulgate which had declared that the Deuterocanicals were apochrypha.
The records of Trent are public. Here is the exact quote:
Trent declared the Deuteros to be equal to the rest of scripture, unlike the Vulgate.
Decree Concerning The Edition And Use Of The Sacred Books
Moreover, the same holy council considering that not a little advantage will accrue to the Church of God if it be made known which of all the Latin editions of the sacred books now in circulation is to be regarded as authentic, ordains and declares that the old Latin Vulgate Edition, which, in use for so many hundred years, has been approved by the Church, be in public lectures, disputations, sermons and expositions held as authentic, and that no one dare or presume under any pretext whatsoever to reject it.....
http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/trent4.htm
All the books of the Vulgate were approved and declared to be Scripture, just like the Vulgate
All you have to do is provide proof. The fact is that it is Luther and the Protestants who rejected the Deuteros. It is they who labeled them apocryphal. It is they, who added to and subtracted from, the Word of God.
Martin Luthers translation of the Vulgate into German was like the Vugate in all respects. The Trent Canon was not.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Friday, July 25, 2014
7QTs on the Good Thief
The Good Thief vs
Salvation by Faith Alone
Catholics and Protestants agree that the Good Thief, whom Catholics know as St. Dismas, was saved on the Cross. But Protestants claim that he was saved by "faith alone". They claim that St. Dismas could not have performed any good, meritorious works while hanging on the Cross beside Jesus.
Is that true? Let's see.
1 Peter 4:1
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
Crucifixion is considered one of the most painful ways to die that man has ever invented. And, as you can see, suffering in the flesh does away with sin. Christ must have known that the Good Thief had expiated his sins by the suffering that he endured on that cross.
Romans 8:17King James Version (KJV)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Who can deny that St. Dismas suffered with Christ? There he was suffering on the cross right next to Him. The only one any closer was Mary, His mother, who was spiritually suffering on the Cross with Jesus.
He admonished the sinner.
Do you remember that he reproved and rebuked the other criminal in defense of Jesus Christ? Scripture again says:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 [Full Chapter]
He gave good witness.
He converted the sinner.
The Council of Trent says:
CHAPTER XII
RASH PRESUMPTION OF PREDESTINATION IS TO BE AVOIDED
No one, moreover, so long as he lives this mortal life, ought in regard to the sacred mystery of divine predestination, so far presume as to state with absolute certainty that he is among the number of the predestined,[74] as if it were true that the one justified either cannot sin any more, or, if he does sin, that he ought to promise himself an assured repentance.
For except by special revelation, it cannot be known whom God has chosen to Himself.
When Jesus said to St. Dismas, "today, you shall be with me in paradise". That is recognized as a special revelation directly from God.
Did the Good Thief produce good works?
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
This is a spiritual good work of mercy in accordance with the Teaching of the Church:
2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:
He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
He gave good witness.
He openly confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, asking Him for salvation.
Matthew 10:32King James Version (KJV)
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
He converted the sinner.
His words have, through the centuries, converted many to faith in Christ. I count myself amongst them whom his words and example helped to convert. Do you know what happens to those who convert others to Christ?
James 5:20King James Version (KJV)
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
He has saved his soul from death and his sins are forgiven.
He received a special revelation.
Jesus is God. And His word is effective. So, EVEN IF St. Dismas had not performed the works which he performed from his cross. He would still go to heaven because the Catholic Church recognizes God's total authority. It is God, in the person of Jesus Christ, who told him that he would be saved. Therefore, St. Dismas would have been saved had he done nothing else.
The Council of Trent says:
CHAPTER XII
RASH PRESUMPTION OF PREDESTINATION IS TO BE AVOIDED
No one, moreover, so long as he lives this mortal life, ought in regard to the sacred mystery of divine predestination, so far presume as to state with absolute certainty that he is among the number of the predestined,[74] as if it were true that the one justified either cannot sin any more, or, if he does sin, that he ought to promise himself an assured repentance.
For except by special revelation, it cannot be known whom God has chosen to Himself.
When Jesus said to St. Dismas, "today, you shall be with me in paradise". That is recognized as a special revelation directly from God.
Did the Good Thief produce good works?
By all means!
Those who ask the question have a poor understanding of the nature of good works. Certainly, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked are good and meritorious works of mercy which provide the creature comforts a person needs to survive. But spiritual good works are also good and meritorious in the eyes of God.
Hanging upon that cross beside Jesus, it is as though the Good Thief was standing before Jesus Christ at the Judgement. Jesus Christ judged the Good Thief according to his works which he had done in the body and knowing that he believed, He counted it to him as righteousness. Just as he does for all who, with the proper disposition of humility and faith, approach the Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ at the Sacraments.
Hanging upon that cross beside Jesus, it is as though the Good Thief was standing before Jesus Christ at the Judgement. Jesus Christ judged the Good Thief according to his works which he had done in the body and knowing that he believed, He counted it to him as righteousness. Just as he does for all who, with the proper disposition of humility and faith, approach the Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ at the Sacraments.
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Islam is a religion of the book, same as Protestantism
Islam is a religion of the book, same as yours. Catholicism is the True Faith of Jesus Christ. You represent the errors of man.
Lutero:
I am a witness for Jesus and don't promote some religion .
Islam is too Catholic to promote.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Monday, July 21, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
7QTs on Sola Scriptura and 2 Tim 3:16
2 Tim 3:16 and Sola Scriptura
Does 2 Tim 3:16 really support Sola Scriptura?
Protestants tell us that 2 Tim 3:16 is the proof text for Sola Scriptura. Let's review the context of 2nd Timothy to see whether this is true.
St. Paul exhorts St. Timothy to give oral testimony
Chapter 1 verse 7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
St. Paul commands Timothy to teach others to teach.
Chapter 2 verse 2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Let's skip over chapter 3 for now:
It remains, oral teaching. Listen. We'll begin in verse 10:
Chapter 3 verse 10
I have taught you and you have learned.
Skip to verse 14
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Now, think about this carefully. Does a child have to know how to read in order to know the Scriptures? In my house, my children and I meditated on the Scriptures since before they knew how to read. So I know that the answer is, "No."
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
St. Paul commands Timothy to teach others to teach.
Chapter 2 verse 2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Another exhortation to preach.
Chapter 4: 2
Chapter 4: 2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
The whole book is about preaching and teaching!
Do you really want me to believe, that throughout the epistle of 2 Timothy, St. Paul is telling Tim to preach and teach, but in Chapter 3 verse 15-16 he changes and tells him to pass out Bibles? That seems far fetched to me. But lets study the verse in its immediate context. What is the immediate context of the 2 Tim 3:16? Let's look at some of the verses leading up to it.
The whole book is about preaching and teaching!
Do you really want me to believe, that throughout the epistle of 2 Timothy, St. Paul is telling Tim to preach and teach, but in Chapter 3 verse 15-16 he changes and tells him to pass out Bibles? That seems far fetched to me. But lets study the verse in its immediate context. What is the immediate context of the 2 Tim 3:16? Let's look at some of the verses leading up to it.
It remains, oral teaching. Listen. We'll begin in verse 10:
Chapter 3 verse 10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
I have taught you and you have learned.
Skip to verse 14
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
So practice what you have learned considering from whom you have learned them.
verse 15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Now, think about this carefully. Does a child have to know how to read in order to know the Scriptures? In my house, my children and I meditated on the Scriptures since before they knew how to read. So I know that the answer is, "No."
Now, let's break down the verse itself
and is profitable for doctrine,
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
Chapter 3 verse 16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
Is that true? Yes. Remember what St. Peter said:
2 Pet 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
So, all Scripture is inspired. But that doesn't say that Scripture alone is inspired. It says that men were inspired to PREACH. Yes, to PREACH. These men then turned around and wrote down the Scripture.
To say that Scripture is inspired by God is a short hand manner of speaking which means that men who were inspired by God to preach His Word, wrote the Scripture.
To say that Scripture is inspired by God is a short hand manner of speaking which means that men who were inspired by God to preach His Word, wrote the Scripture.
and is profitable for doctrine,
Profitable for doctrine. But profitable does not mean necessary.
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Is it fair to ask who is doing all this reproving, correcting, and instructing in righteousness? Is it not a teacher? If so, does this verse not assume the existence of a Magisterium and thus support the Catholic Doctrine of handing down Tradition by an appointed Teacher, (Magisterium means Teacher).
Bottom line
The entire book of 2nd Timothy is about preaching, teaching and handing on Tradition. 2 Tim 3:16 does not support Sola Scriptura. It supports the Catholic model of handing on the Word of God by Tradition and Scripture in accordance with consistent Teaching of the Church.
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
the difference between the way that Catholics and Protestants understand Scripture
In my opinion,
the difference between the way that Catholics understand Scripture and Protestants interpret Scripture runs much deeper than the idea of a difference in the "interpretation of words".
Correct me if you think I'm wrong, but when a Protestant looks at Scripture, he seeks to discover in the Scripture something which he has not heretofore understood. This is why so many of them object that one must not approach Scripture with what they call, "presuppositions."
It is not the same for a Catholic. We do not delve into Scripture to discover something which we do not know. That is why so many Catholics by pass Scripture altogether and go directly to Church Doctrine. We know that the Church has already read the Scripture and has neatly explained to us all the things which Scripture says are "hard to be understood" (2 Pet 3:16).
When a Catholic reads Scripture,
first of all, he prays. We don't simply read Scripture. We pray Scripture.
second of all, he confirms the knowledge of the Word of God which he has already learned from the Church.
When I read Scripture, whether it be in the Douay or in the King James, I know that it means what the Catholic Church teaches. Take the word conversion or metanoia for instance.
Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Acts 26:20
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
20 But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.
To do penance is to do works worthy of repentance. Someone who is truly penitent, someone who is truly repentant, will want to make amends for that which he regrets doing. That is the Catholic Teaching concerning metanoia or turning to God with deep sorrow for our sins. And that is the underlying understanding that I bring to my reading of Scripture.
I've been talking with Protestants for about twenty years now. And I have come to believe, that a devout Catholic who never opens the Bible understands the Word of God better than even the best Protestant preacher who has gone to the best Protestant seminaries.
Sincerely,
De Maria
the difference between the way that Catholics understand Scripture and Protestants interpret Scripture runs much deeper than the idea of a difference in the "interpretation of words".
Correct me if you think I'm wrong, but when a Protestant looks at Scripture, he seeks to discover in the Scripture something which he has not heretofore understood. This is why so many of them object that one must not approach Scripture with what they call, "presuppositions."
It is not the same for a Catholic. We do not delve into Scripture to discover something which we do not know. That is why so many Catholics by pass Scripture altogether and go directly to Church Doctrine. We know that the Church has already read the Scripture and has neatly explained to us all the things which Scripture says are "hard to be understood" (2 Pet 3:16).
When a Catholic reads Scripture,
first of all, he prays. We don't simply read Scripture. We pray Scripture.
second of all, he confirms the knowledge of the Word of God which he has already learned from the Church.
When I read Scripture, whether it be in the Douay or in the King James, I know that it means what the Catholic Church teaches. Take the word conversion or metanoia for instance.
Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Acts 26:20
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
20 But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.
To do penance is to do works worthy of repentance. Someone who is truly penitent, someone who is truly repentant, will want to make amends for that which he regrets doing. That is the Catholic Teaching concerning metanoia or turning to God with deep sorrow for our sins. And that is the underlying understanding that I bring to my reading of Scripture.
I've been talking with Protestants for about twenty years now. And I have come to believe, that a devout Catholic who never opens the Bible understands the Word of God better than even the best Protestant preacher who has gone to the best Protestant seminaries.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Divine Mercy in your mailbox
|
