The probably, you sola scriptura believers, with "God said it, I believe it!" is that God never said it. When you declare "sola scriptura," you try to put words in God's mouth, but friends, that isn't going to work. We humans can't manipulate God, even when we act pious about it. Since you are always asking for chapter and verse, show me where God says "sola scriptura" in Latin or any other language.
Oh, He tells us that all scripture is beneficial and inspired of God, or whatever the wording of your Bible says. But He never says, "scripture alone." Wouldn't you think He would if that were true?
But in fact, what we DO read is St. Paul saying to stand firm and hold to the Traditions taught us either by MOUTH or by letter.
Do you think that was meant for one generation? Where does the Bible say that?
So, you are hoist on your own "sola scriptura" petard, as Hamlet might put it. You say you should believe only what the Bible says, and yet your believe and teach "only the Bible" when the Bible doesn't say, "only the Bible." Why is that?
Instead, I would suggest you prayerfully contemplate the story of Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch spends his time in scripture study, yet cannot properly understand the scriptures UNLESS SOMEONE EXPLAINS THEM TO HIM. And how does God honor this faithful pagan? He miraculously SENDS HIM AN APOSTLE to achieve for this eunuch what "scripture alone" does not achieve. Can we say "apostolic Tradition" anyone?
As to the notion that Mary could be sinful, it really is quite sad and disprespectful of God as well. We see that the Ark of the Covenant - which held after all only stone tablets and Aaron's rod and showbread - was so holy it could only be touched under certain circumstances by the class of priests - and then, after much ablution, etc. In fact, when one man reaches out to touch it when it is toppling over, God kills him. The Ark is HOLY, and not for sinful man to touch!
Now, you would maintain - incredibly - that God, who demanded so much reverence for this ARK, which after all, was a box, would allow His Most Holy Son, His dearly Beloved, to take the cells of His tender spotless body from the body of a sinful woman? That His most precious Body and Blood, blood that will later be shed to free us all from sin, is generated from sinful blood, blood that was joined to a soul corrupted by original sin? In fact, do you think our Holy Lord gestated for nine months in a person still steeped in its original sin - as Mary had not been baptized?
So there is GOD Himself, taking His Holy body from a sinful person, residing in a sinful woman, while His ARK can't be touched by a man who wants to keep it from falling? Please be real. God would have more respect for His Son.
And the Son: He was obedient to the Law. He "honored His Father and His mother." Well, what would YOU do, if you were all powerful, to honor YOUR parents? Would you not preserve your own mother from Satan's corrupt touch, which lays on all the rest of us through original sin? Would not the Blessed Christ obey this commandment to utter perfection? Or would He withold His blessing and allow Satan to corrupt her? The Son would have more respect for his Mother.
And remember ... if you SAY 'sola scriptura" you aren't doing 'sola scriptura,' because friends, that isn't in the Bible. I hope you too have a blessed day.
Oh, He tells us that all scripture is beneficial and inspired of God, or whatever the wording of your Bible says. But He never says, "scripture alone." Wouldn't you think He would if that were true?
But in fact, what we DO read is St. Paul saying to stand firm and hold to the Traditions taught us either by MOUTH or by letter.
Do you think that was meant for one generation? Where does the Bible say that?
So, you are hoist on your own "sola scriptura" petard, as Hamlet might put it. You say you should believe only what the Bible says, and yet your believe and teach "only the Bible" when the Bible doesn't say, "only the Bible." Why is that?
Instead, I would suggest you prayerfully contemplate the story of Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch spends his time in scripture study, yet cannot properly understand the scriptures UNLESS SOMEONE EXPLAINS THEM TO HIM. And how does God honor this faithful pagan? He miraculously SENDS HIM AN APOSTLE to achieve for this eunuch what "scripture alone" does not achieve. Can we say "apostolic Tradition" anyone?
As to the notion that Mary could be sinful, it really is quite sad and disprespectful of God as well. We see that the Ark of the Covenant - which held after all only stone tablets and Aaron's rod and showbread - was so holy it could only be touched under certain circumstances by the class of priests - and then, after much ablution, etc. In fact, when one man reaches out to touch it when it is toppling over, God kills him. The Ark is HOLY, and not for sinful man to touch!
Now, you would maintain - incredibly - that God, who demanded so much reverence for this ARK, which after all, was a box, would allow His Most Holy Son, His dearly Beloved, to take the cells of His tender spotless body from the body of a sinful woman? That His most precious Body and Blood, blood that will later be shed to free us all from sin, is generated from sinful blood, blood that was joined to a soul corrupted by original sin? In fact, do you think our Holy Lord gestated for nine months in a person still steeped in its original sin - as Mary had not been baptized?
So there is GOD Himself, taking His Holy body from a sinful person, residing in a sinful woman, while His ARK can't be touched by a man who wants to keep it from falling? Please be real. God would have more respect for His Son.
And the Son: He was obedient to the Law. He "honored His Father and His mother." Well, what would YOU do, if you were all powerful, to honor YOUR parents? Would you not preserve your own mother from Satan's corrupt touch, which lays on all the rest of us through original sin? Would not the Blessed Christ obey this commandment to utter perfection? Or would He withold His blessing and allow Satan to corrupt her? The Son would have more respect for his Mother.
And remember ... if you SAY 'sola scriptura" you aren't doing 'sola scriptura,' because friends, that isn't in the Bible. I hope you too have a blessed day.
Nicely done, Pensieve.
Welcome to the loony bin.
Welcome to the loony bin.
quote:As to the notion that Mary could be sinful, it really is quite sad and disprespectful of God as well.
Beautiful post. Thank you!
quote:But in fact, what we DO read is St. Paul saying to stand firm and hold to the Traditions taught us either by MOUTH or by letter.
Exactly! And we know that Jesus said and did SO very much more than is recorded in the Gospel.
When I want the Truth, I want the eyewitness testimony that has been handed down for 2000 years.