By What Authority?

July 20, 2013 by Paul McCusker  
Filed under Church Authority, Featured, Paul McCusker

Life, As I Find It
As I’ve mentioned before, and will mention again, one of the triggers for my journey to the Catholic faith began with a simple but life-changing question: By what authority does someone interpret Scripture and establish doctrine?
What made that question so pivotal for me is that it challenged a few vital assumptions in my Evangelical Protestant theology. It also came up at a time when I faced radical changes in the Episcopal Church, of which I was a member. I was alarmed by the way decisions were being made there that seemed contrary to Scripture, Tradition and Reason. Yet, according to the authority of that church, their radical interpretation of the Bible and establishment of tradition-breaking doctrine was legitimate.
I started asking, “Hey, wait a minute, who’s in charge here anyway?” It can’t be a theological free-for-all – can it?
At the same time, I watched as more traditional Evangelical Protestants, with their Bibles in hand, set themselves up as their own “authorities” and made some surprising decisions. Surprising to me, that is. Some dropped out of any regular church attendance (because it was an optional extra, rather than a necessary part of the Christian life). Some talked as if there was no objective way to discuss Scripture, as if it all came down to “what it means to me and you can’t tell me otherwise.” I saw the line between interpretation and application become blurred, if not erased. So, again, I wondered: who gets the final word?

Read more: http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2013/07/20/by-what-authority/comment-page-1#comments#ixzz2ZyzJTAYH



when looking over your assessments of the observations you have had regarding scripture interpretation, I do not see you expressing with the pentecostal group calls "the witness of the spirit"

1john 2;27

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing
you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to
teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

now the interesting thing is -- this can work-- but it does circumvent -- the religious denominational authority of controlling the scriptures and the interpretation--- and this was what killed ten dale and wycleft,

now being raised roman catholic -- i have an opinion on this organization ability to apply scripture application-- a current example is in catholic answers forum -- of a discussion of what age should the sacrament of confirmation be performed--

and finally-- i have not found the confusing aspect that you seem to have located -- in bible study out side of the catholic religion--

and have found impressive teachings on the radio and in the other demonitatioal churches..

but -- every one is impressed with the self made face that they are all "working4christ2" but obviously they are not --