Ask a Catholic

[Fiosh]

Man,

My hands are tied. Catholicism doesn't hold to Sola Scriptora, so to only site Bible verse doesn't paint an accurate picture of Catholicsm. However, I will honor the wishes of the moderators and give you only Biblical verses. Every Catholic doctrine must have some Biblical backing. Of course this isn't going to be word for word and as I stated above Catholics don't base their entire faith on the Bible.

Since I only have the bible as a tool for instruction, am I missing out on salvation?

If not...why do catholics use things other than the bible to attain their salvation?

Hi man,

No, you are not missing out on salvation for this reason.

However, you are missing out on the assurance of correct doctrines in regard to faith and morals, as you have no Church---guided by the Holy Spirit to all truth---to interpret the Bible for you.

And, you are missing out on the fullness of the deposit of faith, contained in the Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Sorry for the delay in responding.

Peace,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

You are absolutely correct, Eric, Catholics are not "sola scriptura" believers. We believe that Jesus blessed us with not only the Bible, but with an oral Tradition passed down from the Apostles; and a Church---guided by the Holy Spirit---to interpret Scripture and guide us in our faith journey.

We revere the word of God and believe that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit. We simply believe that Jesus left us with much more than a book.

All this is defensible from Scripture.

Blessings,

Fiosh

Can you point me to the scripture you speak of?

Where does scripture mention oral traditions to be passed down?

Hi man,

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God's revelation is found only in the Bible. KD & Pax already refuted 2Ti 3:16 "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" pointing out that is specifically says all not ONLY.

You disagree. I understand that.

The canon of the Old and New Testaments were determined by the Catholic Church in the 4th & 5th centuries.

You probably disagree. I understand that.

Non-Catholics will often bring up this passage to argue against Tradition.

Mar 7:1

[artsylady]

Hi Fiosh and others.

Haven't been here much. I'm sure it's an interesting discussion and wish I had time to read all of the comments.

Had a few questions for you though. I'll try to make sure i get back here for the answers too, if you want to answer them.

A hypothetical scenario if you will indulge me. A child is shipwrecked alone on an island at 2 years old. Miraculously, the child survives. Even more miraculously, the child is able to read! (okay, it's far fetched too. ) Anyway, at 16 years of age he discovers a Bible and begins to study it.

1) With the Bible as his ONLY source of the knowledge of God, do you think this boy would beleive that Mary remained a virgin? And why? (and please don't tell me that Joseph had sons previously or anything else that is not mentioned in scripture) Remember, he has ONLY scripture to go by. No one is telling him anything. I simply want to know why this young man would believe that Mary STAYED a virgin.

2) Would he read the scriptures and beleive that he needed to talk to dead people to be intercessors of his prayers? If yes, what verse or verses would reveal this to him?

3) If he read scriptures and was able to understand metaphors in scripture and was able to articulate that Jesus was never really a lamb and Peter was never really a rock, do you think he would come to the conclusion that when Jesus picked up wine and said "this is my blood" that the wine may not have really been Jesus blood?

I would also like to know

4) Were you raised a Catholic?

5) Since becoming a Catholic, have you ever questioned your beleifs? Do you ever wonder if you're wrong?

6) If yes, how often?

7) Do you ever ask God to show you if you are wrong?

[Fiosh]

Grace to you,

"Outside the Church there is no salvation"

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it. (Mark 16:16; John 3:5)

So basically those who have left behind the Catholic Church have left behind Salvation.

Do we enter through the Sacraments of the Church or the Doorway to the Universal Church which is Christ?

We don't believe something different than you do. We believe more.

What is the more? What has the Catholic Church added to Grace which in turn has brought us to Faith?

QUOTE(Matthitjah @ Oct 2 2006, 07:43 AM)

Grace to you,

Please explain how a Catholic arrives at Salvation.

Peace,

Dave

Only through the grace of God, just like anyone else.

Maybe you could expound upon how the Catholic obtains this Grace? Is this Grace only available to the Catholic, if so, why?

Explain the role of the Sacraments too if you do not mind.

Peace,

Dave

Hi Matthitjah,

RE: "So basically those who have left behind the Catholic Church have left behind Salvation."

It's not that simple. If someone comes to believe that the RCC is teaching false doctrine and leaves the Church, we acknowledge that they act out of a sincere desire to serve the Lord. We trust in God's mercy and grace.

If someone believes what the RCC teaches is true, but makes a free choice to turn their back on the Church---in effect making a conscious decision to turn their back on Christ---they are in danger of losing their salvation.

Jhn 9:40 And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jhn 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

More later,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

Hi Fiosh and others.

Haven't been here much. I'm sure it's an interesting discussion and wish I had time to read all of the comments.

Had a few questions for you though. I'll try to make sure i get back here for the answers too, if you want to answer them.

A hypothetical scenario if you will indulge me. A child is shipwrecked alone on an island at 2 years old. Miraculously, the child survives. Even more miraculously, the child is able to read! (okay, it's far fetched too. ) Anyway, at 16 years of age he discovers a Bible and begins to study it.

1) With the Bible as his ONLY source of the knowledge of God, do you think this boy would beleive that Mary remained a virgin? And why? (and please don't tell me that Joseph had sons previously or anything else that is not mentioned in scripture) Remember, he has ONLY scripture to go by. No one is telling him anything. I simply want to know why this young man would believe that Mary STAYED a virgin.

2) Would he read the scriptures and beleive that he needed to talk to dead people to be intercessors of his prayers? If yes, what verse or verses would reveal this to him?

3) If he read scriptures and was able to understand metaphors in scripture and was able to articulate that Jesus was never really a lamb and Peter was never really a rock, do you think he would come to the conclusion that when Jesus picked up wine and said "this is my blood" that the wine may not have really been Jesus blood?

I would also like to know

4) Were you raised a Catholic?

5) Since becoming a Catholic, have you ever questioned your beleifs? Do you ever wonder if you're wrong?

6) If yes, how often?

7) Do you ever ask God to show you if you are wrong?

1 thru 3. If that boy was left with the Koran would he believe Islam? If he had the Book of Mormon, would he be Mormon? If he was on the island with Jim Jones, would he drink the grape Kool-aid? If he had a work of science fiction, would he think it were fact?

Sorry, your question is pointless.

4. Yes

5. Yes. Yes.

6. Hard to say. But every time I've wondered if I'm wrong, I've dug in and researched, studied, discussed, prayed and read. And every time the Church has proven trustworthy and true. I've yet to see a question to which I haven't gotten a satisfactory answer.

7. Yes. He tells me I'm not wrong. I'm not being sarcastic. God does not speak to me audibly, of course. But I do pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. And time after time I believe in my heart of hearts that the Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus Christ.

Peace,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

I have a question for all the Catholics here.

Is the Catholic Church infallible? By this I mean the whole church, not the actions of a few. Have their policies always been correct?

If so, how do you explain the Crusades, which were directly initiated by Pope Urban II?

If not, how can your church be unchanging? After all, your church leadership obviously changed positions over time. They no longer attempt to kill all the muslims in the world, for one.

Excellent question, AAA.

No, the Catholic Church is not infallible in all its actions or policies. It is a Church of saints and sinners...and many who are a little of both. The Catholic Church, as do most denominations, has a history of some horrible abuses. No secret there. I freely admit it. Pope John Paul II even publicly apologized for them.

I won't argue the Crusades because a) I'm not all that knowledgable......and....b) they were responsible in part for stopping the total annihilation of Christianity by Islam in that part of the world.

The leadership of the Catholic Church is only infallible when:

1. The pope speaks from his position as chief teacher and shepherd of Catholic Christians.

2. The pope clearly defines the doctrine as being a truth of faith

3. The topic concerns faith or morals.

Popes and bishops make mistakes ( even Peter did). Popes and bishops sin. Some popes and bishops have done great evils.

But that's the difference between your perspective and mine. I can separate the holiness, truth and beauty of the deposit of faith given by Jesus to the Apostles, guarded by the Holy Spirit, and preserved thru history..........from the sinful, sometimes evil men who, at times, have been part of the Church ---at least in name--- and have brought ugliness to her name.

I love the fullness of faith---the gift from Jesus Himself---found within the Catholic Church. It is not dependent upon man for survival.

I trust the Holy Spirit-----therefore, I trust the Church.

I love Jesus Christ---therefore, I love His Church.

Peace,

Fiosh

[Floatingaxe]

Fiosh--

I sure hope you mean you love the people of Christ, when you refer to the Church, not the institution. Do you?

[Fiosh]

Fiosh--

I sure hope you mean you love the people of Christ, when you refer to the Church, not the institution. Do you?

I love Christ. I love His people. And, I love the deposit of faith He has gifted us with.

What do you mean by "institution"?

Thanks,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

I also love chocolate and pizza.......though not together. But, I think that's another thread.

[artsylady]

1 thru 3. If that boy was left with the Koran would he believe Islam? If he had the Book of Mormon, would he be Mormon? If he was on the island with Jim Jones, would he drink the grape Kool-aid? If he had a work of science fiction, would he think it were fact?

Sorry, your question is pointless.

Actually, you're understanding my point exactly. People beleive what they are taught to beleive, whether it be fact or fiction, so long as it's taught as truth. The more there are differing points of view on the subject the more likely he will have questions.

If the boy was left with the Koran he might be confused with no 'leaders' to direct him but there is a good chance that he may turn Muslim, having only the Koran and not having the benefit of the Bible.

Same with Mormon. He may turn Mormon. He may be confused.

If Jim Jones was there preaching untruths to him, there's a very good chance he would have drank the poison.

But your belief is based on the Bible, is it not? That's why my hypothetical scenario includes the Bible and the Bible only.

The word of God should give a complete and gives a true picture of God, shouldn't it? So would the boy turn to the same conclusions Catholic leaders came to thousands of years ago and passed down since?

Would the boy come to the same conclusions that you have come to, with the help of your leaders?

So, please indulge me.

Would the boy draw the conclusion that Mary remained a virgin?

That the wine in Jesus cup turned into blood?

That he should pray through dead people?

If you want to answer, yes, yes and yes, that's fine but please provide the scriptures that the boy would read in order to cause draw the same conclusions you have.

4. Yes

5. Yes. Yes.

6. Hard to say. But every time I've wondered if I'm wrong, I've dug in and researched, studied, discussed, prayed and read. And every time the Church has proven trustworthy and true. I've yet to see a question to which I haven't gotten a satisfactory answer.

7. Yes. He tells me I'm not wrong. I'm not being sarcastic. God does not speak to me audibly, of course. But I do pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. And time after time I believe in my heart of hearts that the Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus Christ.

6. Hard to say. But every time I've wondered if I'm wrong, I've dug in and researched, studied, discussed, prayed and read. And every time the Church has proven trustworthy and true. I've yet to see a question to which I haven't gotten a satisfactory answer.

In my own mind, I question my beliefs a lot. There is not a lot to question anymore in regards to God being the creator, Jesus his son etc, the Bible his Word, but I find anymore beyond those major things, I do feel the need to question every doctrine I hear or even second guess those doctrines I do beleive now.

6. Hard to say. But every time I've wondered if I'm wrong, I've dug in and researched, studied, discussed, prayed and read. And every time the Church has proven trustworthy and true. I've yet to see a question to which I haven't gotten a satisfactory answer.

Can you honestly say you were being objective, or were you looking to prove that your church was right.

There's a difference.

I can find information to prove that aliens visit earth regularly, whales turned into cows and that Saddam Hussein was good to his people. Know what I mean?

7. Yes. He tells me I'm not wrong. I'm not being sarcastic. God does not speak to me audibly, of course. But I do pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. And time after time I believe in my heart of hearts that the Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus Christ.

If he doesn't tell you audibly, how does he tell you you're not wrong?

And time after time I believe in my heart of hearts that the Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus Christ.

Would it make you uncomfortable to question that now? Have you ever seriously questioned this?

It wouldn't bother me a bit to wonder if the denomination I attended was wrong. I'm sure if I thought about it enough I could point to some flaws right now.

But when it comes to Catholics sometimes, it's more about being Catholic than it is about being Christian. It's more about their 'church' than it is about Jesus it seems at times.

For the rest of us Christians it's our faith in Christ that matters and our denominations mean very very little.