Do You Believe in Scripture And in Scripture Alone?

["Capt. Midnight"]

I will gladly accept your observations as to how some people get swept up in the Adoration of Mary. I will never tell anyone that Mary is a key to their Salvation. Do however indulge me, I'm also certain that in this world, many times, women and parents, who struggle in poverty, working so hard. Could look to Mary as an example of how a good child can be raised in a world filled with misery and sin. I will also agree with you, that it is rather a bit too much with the weeping statues, all of that.

I will also say, in the vein of going to far, that one of the FIRST slams out of the average Protestant's mouth going after Catholics is right at Mary. While I see no need to Worship Mary, I see the pattern going the other way.

In my ONE, and ONLY criticism of the Sola concept, AGAIN, I don't dispute with anyone, the Bibles Sacred status, it's inerrant status, or it's being the inspired works of God, through men.

My only contention with the concept, is that it diminishes the personal, human contact of love and witness by loving, Holy Spirit filled people. I Worship Christ, his teachings, and his example. I don't Worship this, or any book. Christ didn't write anything, he TAUGHT, he touched, he lived, and he gave everything. When he offered the bread, it was HIS portion for the day. To walk with Christ is to strive to do the same.

Try as one might, the same impression is really hard to effect from a book, even to a receptive reader, compared to that of loving human interaction. Why is that so hard to agree with?

Otherwise, I couldn't care less if anyone were to be led to convert Rome. It is telling that anywhere you go, and discuss this, it can't be done without the Sola crowd throwing turnips on the Catholics. I won't otherwise claim to say that in many peoples minds, Sola IS an assault on Catholicism. It does seem to be on the front line of those explaining the concept, as well as any argument over it. I have no intention to argue over it, the Spirit isn't in it for me. Again, I'm pleading for the Soul reaching out to another, in torment, alone, sick and in prison, I'm sure you've read that. A dusty Bible in that cell might be a comfort, but nothing like someone to talk to.

I also wish all of those evil crimes by those claiming to do so in Christs name never would've happened. The history of mankind is filled with the fruits of original sin. We as such love the darkness, without his Grace, we continue to walk towards it. All due to our sinful nature. While all of these crimes you say are historical fact, these were EVERY bit as well, the sins and crimes of MEN, not the Church Christ began.

You also forgot to give mention to the countless Saints who died willingly espousing the same values. Someone working with a bias only filters out or in what the bias is working for, so, even with Bible studies, it is good and proper to seek fellow Christians for sharing and comparing our perceptions of the Holy Writ, I'm sure you'd allow for that? even the occasional Sunday School?

Point me then, in the direction of the Congregation that isn't filled with sinners, that too, is where I'd like to go.

The gate has always been narrow, and the Bible can inspire, but to SEE, to WITNESS someone living a life going against the tides, shedding off temporal comforts, wealth, things of the earth, filled with the Love and Grace of the Holy Spirit, that is the Christ like example I'd like to follow. Show me where there's more people living the great Commission, because I for one can't get close enough, often enough, to the Holy Spirit.

I'm certain some can be swayed by reading a book, but to see and touch and be around that is where most will be drawn to. God must know the same, he became as Flesh, and did it for us, gave us a living example of what he wishes for us. He didn't just send the manual. He already tried that.

Perhaps what we're witnessing, are countless mini reformations? did you ever think of that? when someone feels that first presence of the Holy Spirit come down, when they REALLY know, REALLY FEEL Christ come into their heart, and that all powerful love inside of them, they want to keep that, to grow closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It may just be that they get a taste of some of the Churches, and they don't know HOW to say whats missing, but they know that the Spirit that filled them isn't in there, and they keep looking for it. Perhaps all too many Christians might not be able to throw Scriptures around as poison darts, to tear down, to destroy, but satan does, and thats ALL he does.

Sometimes it's better to love, than to be right. Even if Rome sucks, I still say, your hanging WAY too much on that one peg.

[jazzy]

Sometimes it's better to love, than to be right.---

God bless you Capt, you have a sweet soul. we may disagree here and there on some things, but you are always good to talk with.

[grampster]

One of the most committed Christians I know, a man who walks with Jesus each day, who not only speaks his faith, but lives it and shares it with everyone at all times, who lost a son to brain cancer and then has spent the last 20 years raising money for St. Jude Hospital without a penny being spent to fund the raising of the money, who reminds people continuously that Jesus is the Truth, the Light and the Way, who is the closest to be in the presence of a living breathing saint, one of my oldest friends, is a Roman Catholic.

Praise Jesus.

If Jesus didn't want men sharing the gospel by word and deed, why did he appoint Apostles? Why are we given the Holy Spirit? I, too, believe all of the truth that is necessary is in Holy Scripture, which is God breathed and men were inspired to write it down and translate it in the way it needs to be so that every person can find the Truth there. Those are the Words that are used by men to share the Light, the Truth and the Way. It us usually a person who leads someone to Scripture. Jesus Christ is presented and worshiped in the Roman Church. As Jesus Himself said to his Apostles who were grumbling about others spreading the Gospel, that if they weren't against us they are for us. The Roman Catholic Church is spreading and has spread the Gospel. It is full of sinners just like every Protestant Church.

Churchgoing people should be reminded that Christ pointed out that His Church is like the body; many, many parts make up the body, each doing it's own thing which makes the body work as one critter with Christ as it's head. With the body perhaps cancer could be described as Satan, getting into the body and trying to destroy it, cause it to eat itself up, to break it down so that it no longer works together but it divides like a plague and kills it. Churches that preach and teach Christ crucified, died, resurrected and went home to heaven are all part of that body that is His church; having varied purposes and jobs but all working for each other to make it whole.

For me, I have too many things in my life that shame me and nearly bring me down because I fail and fail and fail and Jesus lifts me up and up and up and up. I ain't got any time to rag on denominations. I know the truth and that's good enough.

["Capt. Midnight"]

Your story is an Inspiration. ANYONE, can be a Saint. Some, known as lessor, being Family, or regional in focus, often the story goes out, and there you go. Anyone who accepts the challenges God puts them to, and does so well, is a Saint to someone, somewhere, somehow.

If it weren't for my Saintly Grandmother, I can promise you, based on where I was raised, I'd either be dead, or in prison.

A Bible, complete, and inerrant, and it is just that, left alone on a shelf, or in a dusty drawer, holds no real power.