Interpretation of thes?

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this is funny, and email I got about the need for the papacy in intepreting truth in order for unity
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In this area I am to a degree in agreement with you, however we are advised by Paul to watch for the deceivers of these end times. We are not to follow the interpretation of a single person, but to judge all interpretations through the Holy Spirit. Authority is great in the sense that we can learn from Church Elders and get Spiritual guidance from our Pastors.... however that does not give them unlimited authority over the Church. I am extremely hesitant to grant anyone other than Christ himself the "complete authority" of the Christian Faith.

Please do not take my comments as harsh, but just honest IMHO. However if you look at movements that tend to be offshoots of Christianty, but are considered cults, they are almost all identical in that they allow for one singular (or group of leaders) to direct all interpretation.

Also, what are your thoughts on the older Catholic teaching of buying salvation?
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enjoy this..hehe

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thoughts?

[phatcatholic]

[quote]In this area I am to a degree in agreement with you, however we are advised by Paul to watch for the deceivers of these end times. We are not to follow the interpretation of a single person, but to judge all interpretations through the Holy Spirit.[/quote]
this pre-supposes that the authority of the pope is not granted by the Holy Spirit. infallibility is a charism of the Holy Spirit conferred upon the legitimate successor of Peter. it is thru this same Spirit that the Church is "guided into all truth" --and NOT thru the personal inspiration of each individual man that reads scripture. the fruit of that endeavor shows that it is not of the Spirit.


[quote]Authority is great in the sense that we can learn from Church Elders and get Spiritual guidance from our Pastors.... however that does not give them unlimited authority over the Church.[/quote]
....yet somehow you find warrant to claim authority over the Church for yourself and compare YOUR OWN interpretation of scripture against whatever these authority figures tell you. seems rather audacious for someone who claims that one man should never have such power.


[quote] I am extremely hesitant to grant anyone other than Christ himself the "complete authority" of the Christian Faith. [/quote]
so am i. i guess its a good thing that Christ DOES have complete authority over his Church, and that he expresses, or makes present his authority through the magisterium. the pope is Christ's "vicar" or his representative and "steward" (from Isaiah) of the household while the master is away.


[quote]Please do not take my comments as harsh, but just honest IMHO. However if you look at movements that tend to be offshoots of Christianty, but are considered cults, they are almost all identical in that they allow for one singular (or group of leaders) to direct all interpretation. [/quote]
its not that these groups have authority figures that make them cults, its how these authority figures wield their authority. check out Rick Ross's warning signs of a cult group or leader:
[url="http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html"]http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html[/url]

the magisterium simply cannot be said to embody these characteristics.


[quote]Also, what are your thoughts on the older Catholic teaching of buying salvation?[/quote]
i'm assuming that you are referring to indulgences. while the granting of indulgences was abused in the history of the Church, it was NEVER a belief or doctrine of the Church that salvation could be "bought" or "sold." those were simply the actions of men persuing the advancement of their own ends. the unfaithful among her members simply are not adequate representatives of what the Church has always believed.

go here for more information on indulgences:
[url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/548"]http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/548[/url]

pax christi,
phatcatholic