"Through Luther, although Calvin seems to have been the first to announce Monobiblicism clearly, the Bible became the arm of the Protestant revolt. A dumb and difficult book was substituted for the living voice of the Church, in order that each one should be be able to make for himself the religion which suited his feelings."
-A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, 1951 (pg 11)
with imprimatur and acknowledgment of Pope Pius XII
6 comments:
Carrie, you do realize that by "dumb" the quote means "unable to speak", which is true given that books don't talk?
And, the Bible can be difficult to understand in places.
This post is not one of your better efforts.
I assumed that the use of "dumb" was a reference to mute, but then I can't be infallibly sure of that definition without the help of the author. Claiming the Bible is mute and dead without the Church is still an ignorant comment.
This post is not one of your better efforts.
The whole post is simply a quote from a RC author. There really is not much effort on my part.
Carrie, given what the church believes and teaches about the Bible, it is clear what the author means by "dumb". He clearly does not mean "stupid" as that would go against Catholic teaching.
That being said, I agree with his words completely.
it is clear what the author means by "dumb".
Yes, I know.
But isn't it amazing that we can understand what the author means by using context without actually consulting the author?
God should have used men to write down his words so that we would be able to understand...oh wait, he did!
kmerian said...
"Carrie, you do realize that by "dumb" the quote means "unable to speak", which is true given that books don't talk?"
Actually the above comment ignores the words of Jesus who said "Have you not READ that which was SPOKEN to you by God..." Matt 22:31
Our Lord then refers to an Scriptural text and in essence says that when one reads the Bible, God is SPEAKING. Note that he does not say "Have you not read that which was WRITTEN to you" when speaking of God speaking to the READER of the Scriptures. His words also demonstrate that he holds them responsible for knowing what the Scriptures teach as he says "you do not know the scriptures nor the power of God."
Clearly Jesus held them responsible for their ignorance of bible doctrine and thus, in his rebuke, also implies the perpescuity of Scripture.
As to the bible being difficult to understand at places, this is of course true, BUT should actually lead the serious student who wants to know what God has truely
spoken, to a more in-depth study.
This does not mean we hand over our mind to another fallible interpreter of the Bible who, by it's own claims has only infallibly interpreted a handful of bible verses.
God has indeed spoken and his voice is that which we read in the Scriptures. His word is truely living and speaks to all his sheep. It behooves us to listen to his voice as someone has written;
Hebrews 3:7-10
Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice, Don't harden your hearts, as in the provocation, Like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness Where your fathers tested me by proving me, And saw my works for forty years.
Therefore I was displeased with that generation, And said, ‘They always err in their heart, But they didn't know my ways;’"
Why not test the veracity of that particular pope's statement?
1. Google the phrase "Bible Truth."
2. Visit all of the 150,000 or so links that appear.
3. Note whether or not the Bible spoke to each writer.
4. Note whether or not the Bible is an easy or difficult book for each writer.
5. Be sure to update your Google search regularly, as more links appear every few moments.
6. Publish your report on the above.
Good luck.
Post a Comment