RE: Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
July 27, 2012 at 8:17 pm
(This post was last modified: July 27, 2012 at 8:21 pm by Undeceived.)
(July 27, 2012 at 5:09 am)padraic Wrote:No need to call me an idiot for trying to start a discussion. Now that you presented some differences I can address them.(July 25, 2012 at 2:06 pm)Undeceived Wrote: What differences do you speak of?A few examples: Papal infallibility,praying to saints, indulgences,the mass and transubstaniation. Oh, and a different version of the bible. Idiot.
Indulgences as payments for sins no longer exist. They came about when the Pope was a political leader. It was a way to make money with no scriptural backing whatsoever. Indulgences were introduced into theology by secular, greedy men.
Papal infallibility arrived for similar reasons-- to obtain power in a time of political rule. Most Catholics today do not believe in complete infallibility. And it has limits. The Pope cannot overrule any part of the Bible. His word is always beneath scripture, and any disagreement between the two would raise a red flag. 'Infallibility' is really just a measure of authority over the Catholic church. While Papal infallibility has no scriptural basis (and might be unhealthy), it is not a salvation issue. Catholics are not going to hell for believing the Pope's words are true.
Praying to saints- Putting your faith in a saint rather than Jesus Christ is a terrible possibility, but anything less will not result in an expulsion from God's side.
Transubstantiation- I don't see how believing the bread is Christ's body will destroy your relationship with him.
Their own version of the Bible is the normal Bible with notes. The notes are not authoritative. The Apocrypha may be wrongly considered inspired, but as it does not controvert the original Bible it is not a threat to salvation.
The mass is a worship service. Different, but the argument is whether either Protestants or Catholics are 'deceived.' As you probably know, Catholics include more physical aspects in their worship. This take on scripture (such as rosaries and statues) helps some people feel closer to God. Like all scripture put into action, it can be misused and turned into a stumbling block. But if anyone holds the Bible as the highest authority (believing such verses as Ephesians 2:8 and John 3:16), they will be saved. The doctrines of most major Protestant and Catholic churches agree with absolute Biblical authority. Those that don't (Mormonism- Joseph Smith, JWs- Rutherford) are deceived. And they are deceived not by the Bible, but because they do not believe the Bible.