[OBW]

Originally Posted by MacDuff

But have no fear. I’m beginning to change my mind about a lot of things. Interpretation included.

Those who are led by the Spirit know the difference between what is inspired and what is not inspired. And being led by the Spirit should lead one who is open minded to the teaching of Christ through the Spirit, to the realization that personal interpretation can not be the end all of our knowledge as those who are in Christ.

And I think I should add that only the Bible is inspired in my Biblicist view. There is no such thing as inspired interpretations. Now as a Catholic, my view is that only the interpretations of the Church are inspired, if inspired is even the right term to use. In that regard I’m not sure. What I do know is that the practice of interpretation is valid in Catholicism, but only on a community and historic level. The practice of personal interpretation, which is what is being talked about here, is not valid. And I’m beginning to see why.

I will start by noting that I am uncertain that the RCC view is entirely the way. But it is much more reliable than the Protestant "sola sciptura." Why? Because sola scriptura implies that I can figure it out on my own because it just says what it says. And the result is my personal interpretation which is unlikely to be the right one.

Now, having said that, the church does arrive at what it concludes is the answer by weighing the various thoughts from the group, then through deliberation and prayer, concludes what they see as best based on the inspiration of the Spirit within the group. And, based on the recorded history of such things, their certainty is often "it seems good to us and to the Holy Spirit . . . ."

Originally Posted by MacDuff

Either way, I would have to oppose the idea of the validity of personal interpretation. As a Catholic, only the interpretations of the Church are valid. As a Biblicist, only the interpretations of Jesus Christ are valid. Personally, I can’t find any solace in personal opinions. It seems that those who believe in the validity of personal interpretation are able to do so.

I can accept that, like the Nazarite vow, an individual may be compelled to live a certain way as the result of agreement with God on what would be considered "personal interpretation." But that does not rise to the level of something to assert as generally true and teach to others. So, on the whole, I believe your view is correct. And with that I am stepping on a whole lot of toes around here.

Originally Posted by MacDuff

Let’s see how many feathers I can ruffle. Perhaps the reason is because you’re not listening to what I’m saying.

I believe that the reason is that your answer is in things like your comments above about the Catholic way. But it is not direct enough.

And when you mention that the only valid interpretations are those of the Church, due to your context, you are at least implying that a universal body is required. And the RCC does assert its universality. But, like the LRC (Lord's Recovery Church, since they assert that their name is not the "Local Church"), they exclude a major part of the body from their so-called universal body.

Yet, at some level, it is unfortunate that the German government backed Martin Luther in his suggestion that things needed to change. Up to that time, that was the way that interpretation happened. Someone suggested an alternative. They spent time, sometimes years, even decades, considering it, then they took a stand. By splitting apart and not being involved in each other's processes, we now have incomplete inquiry. The things that we think are wrong about the RCC or any particular Protestant group are now being thrown over walls rather than discussed within the family. It is only those who actually try to get together and discuss, study, etc., that there begins to be some return to the right position. We do not need to be under each other's umbrella to actively be part of the same global community of faith. But not all will join. Mostly out of fear that their pet doctrine will not get the uber respect that they give it.

Originally Posted by MacDuff

Which implies nothing. You haven’t a clue why he never posted again. Maybe he started to consider you in the same way you consider me and figured it was a waste of time to post here.

And while you are right, you are also not much more than throwing a barb that you cannot know is correct. Just suggest. But, you did say "maybe."