Question:
In Catholic perspective, I understand, the Roman Church constructed the Bible. In most Protestant circles, it is understood that the Body of Christ put it together.
In the Catholic perspective, Body of Christ = Catholic Church (i.e., universal Church). The Bible was officially ‘canonized’ in the late 300’s by Athanasius,
Actually, the canonization was undertaken by several councils. Athanasius is an important early withness of the proto-canon. However, most followers of Christ around the Empire were already using the same books… even before the church at Rome took prominence above the rest.
Rather, ~most~ of the same books … with some very inmportant and telling differences. because until 1054,
Why that date? I’d say there was still no denominational choice in the east or the west. But there were many different avenues for expression of different spiritualities, based on different religious orders and eventually tertiary orders and lay societies. I apologized about the long-windedness of this… I don’t condense thoughts very well.
You did fine. And don’t mistake my own anti-troll polemic that you cited as reflective of a typical Catholic understanding of the nuances of the situation. Dave
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Catholic Church invented the canonical Bible in the late fourth century, well after the time of Constantine the Greats reforms. Therefore, when you measure yourself by the Bible, you are measuring yourself by a ruler that the Catholic Church built. You are measuring yourself by the very standard that the Catholic Church instituted. Needless to say, you don’t measure up very well. You are a little weed sprouting in a vast field of golden grain: the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church planted by Christ. Do you know what Jesus is going to do with the weeds on harvest day?? Especially the weeds that have tried to choke off some of his grain with their mindless rantings against the Church??
and I respond: I, a Protestant must respectfully disagree with the conclusions you are drawing (imagine that, a Protestant protesting). In Catholic perspective, I understand, the Roman Church constructed the Bible. In most Protestant circles, it is understood that the Body of Christ put it together. From our point of view, it was not as if the Church of Rome wrote the New Testament. It was just the strongest men of the faith at the time, who had something to share (NOTE: this is a very brief summary of what is probably a very long doctrine). The Bible was officially ‘canonized’ in the late 300’s by Athanasius, yes. However, most followers of Christ around the Empire were already using the same books… even before the church at Rome took prominence above the rest. It’s very easy to look at early Church history and say "Well, the Roman Catholics did this, and this, and, wow!, these great things too," but it would be misleading to say, "Ha! And the Protestants nowadays haven’t done anything close to this!" because until 1054, one did not have a choice what type of Christian he was. It was Christian vs. pagan vs. atheist… So of course the ‘Roman Catholic’ church ‘invented’ the Bible. The Christians at the time didn’t have any choice. I apologized about the long-windedness of this… I don’t condense thoughts very well. -bh
Response:
Dear Mr. Troll, However, when he measures himself by the Word of God, the Bible, a far different judgement is rendered.
The Catholic Church invented the canonical Bible in the late fourth century, well after the time of Constantine the Greats reforms. Therefore, when you measure yourself by the Bible, you are measuring yourself by a ruler that the Catholic Church built. You are measuring yourself by the very standard that the Catholic Church instituted. Needless to say, you don’t measure up very well. You are a little weed sprouting in a vast field of golden grain: the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church planted by Christ. Do you know what Jesus is going to do with the weeds on harvest day?? Especially the weeds that have tried to choke off some of his grain with their mindless rantings against the Church?? And, since Catholics spurn the Savior and replace Him with parts of His creation as the object of worship….oh ! how filthy indeed !
Bearing false witness is a sin. Repent and be saved! Dave
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