The Bible

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I just caught this thread of another forum. It has inspired me so much about our Catholic Faith, I wanted to share it with all of you.

"...Any claim that the Catholic Church as it exists today has lost the true meaning of the bible and what Christ intended is simply not defendable. The point of this thread was to point out that the bible didn't exist as such until about the 300's AD. If one is to accept the bible, then they must also accept that the early church existed without one for about 300 or more years. Christ did not leave us a book and wish us good luck. He told us that his Spirit, the Spirit of God, would be with us to guide us always. We must accept that the authority given directly to the apostles was also passed on to others, or there is no bible, and no Christianity as we know it today. Modern Protestants forget that they owe their faith to the Catholic Church. When Martin Luther broke away, he had no dilusions that there were "other churches" that had never "lost the way". He accepted that he owed his very faith to the Catholic Church. At the time, Martin Luther saw things going on that he didn't agree with. These were things that needed genuine attention and fixing. What Luther forgot was that there is a difference between a member of the Church and the Church as a whole. He saw members, even priests and bishops, committing horrible attrocities. Unfortunately, we can identify with that all too well in these times of scandal. We must recognize what Martin Luther failed to. We must see that simply because a member, even a leader, is sinful, that does not mean that the organization is sinful and wrong. For truly, if we were to compare even Mother Theresa to the infinite Glory, Compassion, and Love of our Father, she would seem to us as one worthy of the gravest of punishments. Even our holy father, Pope John Paul II, goes to confession about once every two weeks. I could not imagine a single sin that JPII could have possibly committed, and yet he still goes to confession. If we were to try to make a Church of sinless people, it would be an church without members. Christianity is a sinner's religion. Catholicism is a sinner's Church. We exist as a church because we are sinners and need forgiveness. And we, as a church, existed before there was a bible, surviving by the power of God's Grace leading the Church, as an institution, to teach authoritatively. That is the same Grace that has guided the Church through 2000 years to this very day. To deny that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true Church of Christ is to say that Christ's Spirit failed. It is to commit the unforgiveable sin against the Holy Spirit - to say that the Holy Spirit just wasn't strong enough to get the job done. It is either that or saying that Jesus Christ lied to us when He told us that His Holy Spirit would guide us.

Yes, the bible is the word of God, but we would not know that without the Church. The Church founded the bible, not the other way around. Because of this, the Church is the ULTIMATE authority on the bible. This is why we look to the church for guidance and understanding of scriptures. We must accept the Church if we are to accept the bible, because without the Church, the bible would never have come into existence.

I pray that God may turn your hearts to believe this if you don't already. Thank you so much to mireille, L5, and cmotherofpearl for your wonderful responses. I was really hoping for something from revol, but one cannot get everything one hopes for.

On a slightly more selfish note, please keep me in your prayers. I am going through an incredible difficult time in my life, and my spiritual life is suffering. Please say a prayer or two for me, they will be much appreciated.

May God Bless You Abundantly,

David T. Garcia..."

Hope this touches you guys like it did me.

In Christ

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), May 31, 2002

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-- Jake Huether (Jake.huether@lamrc.com), May 31, 2002.

I'll say a prayer for David, Jake-- and for you. Thank you for bringing to us this good word. We know God let his servant speak for Him. We love our Holy Bible as the Word of God. The Word of God in return --reveals to the faithful the Holy Catholic Church.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), June 01, 2002.

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