A Catholic author protests against the criticism of Protestants who dared to question the Roman Catholic view of the authority to interpret Holy Scripture. This is a sacrilegious encroachment upon ecclesiastical sovereignty.
Inhalt / Content
“Pure nonsense”
A contradiction in itself, and one that puzzles why the topic of “the Word of God” is even addressed in this way. Just to rant against Protestants? The Catholic magazine “catholic.com” criticizes the claim of “the Protestants,” as if there were only one Protestantism, that Scripture is proof unto itself.
The magazine cites an example of this in which two disputing parties read from the same legal text in court to support their own claimed position. Depending on who emphasizes or highlights what from this text, a different picture can emerge. (Source).
The author states that he has never experienced anything “so idiotic” in court, but that this is a regular occurrence in Protestant apologetics. It also turns out that the author of this Catholic magazine article himself wrote a book on biblical interpretation. This book was not without resonance and was met with criticism from Protestant circles.
The Magisterium is infallible
The critical Protestant added to his remarks, “We must interpret history and Holy Scripture through Holy Scripture, not through the Magisterium.” A statement that generally causes pustules and boils within the Roman Catholic Church, for the Church of Rome claims to be above the Bible and to interpret the Bible only in the light of its doctrines.
The Catholic author, who clearly feels offended, also takes this approach. He affirms that “Holy Scripture and Tradition are divine revelation” and that the (Catholic) Magisterium is the “infallible interpreter” of this divine revelation.
At this point, it is already very difficult to take the author seriously. His main argument against the “Protestant” claim that Holy Scripture proves itself is that this cannot be proven. Given the notorious self-portrayal of the Roman Church as apostolic and infallible, this is a classic irony. (Info).
A Time-honored Topic
The dispute over the “sovereign right” to interpret the Bible is nothing new. When Martin Luther stood before the Empire and the Emperor in Worms, he particularly criticized the sometimes contradictory results of numerous past councils, which directly contradicted infallibility. Furthermore, countless people lost their lives because they legitimately publicly doubted the alleged “divinity” of the Church of Rome. And there were quite a few “doubters.” (Info).
Written presumption
The Roman Church’s own arrogance over the Word of God is in its genes. In its Catechism (80 to 84), it declares that Sacred Scripture is entrusted to the Church, as are the traditions of the Apostles and its own traditions. Canon 85 then states the following about the Church’s teaching authority:
“The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.” This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.“.
The author may well be a devout Catholic who wants to stand up for his institution (Info), which is completely opposed to the Gospel. But the proof that the Roman Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, that it is His successor and representative, and therefore incapable of error, is still lacking.
The very word “Catholic,” meaning universal, completely contradicts the Bible’s call to distance oneself from paganism as well as heresies and to practice individualism within the circle of true believers. Rather, the universality of the Roman Catholic Church corresponds to its openness and receptivity to the beliefs and rites of paganism of every kind, which it has demonstrated time and again in the past and continues to do so today. (Info).
Hurt in one’s own pride
With his further remarks, the author merely proves that he does not consider Holy Scripture to be infallible, even though, according to the Catechism, it is “actually” treated as the Word of God. The teaching authority of this Church lies in between. The “self-authentication” of the Bible is a false assumption of Protestants, according to the author, who also describes the assistance of the Holy Spirit in self-study of the Bible as a fallacy. As always, if the Bible plays the (“one”) essential role in one’s faith, then one is either Christian or Catholic.
If one’s pride is also hurt, considering the possible decline in sales of one’s own book due to the criticism, then one often uses poison and bile instead of ink..
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
Revelation 17:16
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 19:20
Bibelverse aus Schlachter 2000
