Bible written and compiled by NON-PROTESTANTS
This thread could lighten up the tone.
OK. So it should be read like on of those "National Inquirer" headlines. Lots of drama!
"Bible written and compiled by NON-PROTESTANTS!!!"
Eveyone goes, "HUUUUUHHHHHH!!! OOOOOOHHH!!!"
But we all know it is obvious because there were no Protestants alive and there would not be for ___________ years (that's the trivia question--two points).
Basic thought:
Does modern Protestant thought, in and of itself, contain assumptions that are 'alien' to that of the Biblical authors and compilers?
Put another way, are we predisposed to misunderstanding scripture because of our more recent and 'reactive' theological tradition ?
1) IF NOT...INDICATE WHY.
2) IF SO...WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS THEM?
I know it sounds 'odd.' But I wonder what people think.
To narrow the scope we can focus on NT era as a contrasting era of authors and compilers. (ie: "...the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament...").
PS-Got to have the word 'alien' in all National Inquirer headline.
I agree with you, cottom . .
I agree with you, cottom . . . the Bible was not written with any fancy technique . . . at least not on the part of the writers themselves. The Bible is simply the Written Truth . . . just as JESUS is the Truth in the Flesh.
I like to say that the Church is the Mystical Extension of JESUS being formed in us and us in HIM, Sacramentally. But very few seem to understand this Truth today.
My Belief on this point (which I do not expect you to believe - but which I thank you for allowing me to Believe):
Catholic Truth comes from JESUS to us . . .
. . . it being the Universal Truth for all time and place and circumstance and this Truth comprising all Truth . . .
. . . it being the Truth which is Written (the Scripture - the Ten Commandments written on Stone) . . .
. . . it being the Truth which is Spoken (the Tradition of Faith taught verbally by CHRIST to the Apostles and which HE handed on by way of the Apostles to us) . . .
. . . it being the Truth which is Living . . .
. . . it being the Truth which is Magisterial . . .
. . . it being the Truth which is being Sacramentally formed in our body and in our soul, this Truth forming the unity of these and of all else visible and invisible . . . through the Sacramental Wedding of the Grace of the HOLY SPIRIT to the Wisdom of CHRIST being formed in us according to the Will of the FATHER . . .
. . . these comprising the Spirit and the Truth which is the Catholic Faith . . . this seed of Faith and this Water of the HOLY SPIRIT . . . planted in the Earth . . . planted in the womb of Mary our Mother the Church and all of which is occurring in each of our bodies and souls who constantly say 'Yes' to GOD in the same manner as did Mary and 'Yes' to GOD in the same manner as did JESUS, Her SON . . . and 'Yes' to GOD in the same manner as have done all the good Angels and Saints of the past and the present and the future till the end of time . . . this Truth being unchanging in Its' essence . . . but the Mystical CHRIST growing in age and Wisdom and Grace before GOD and Man in each of us and in the the Church as a whole Mystical Body of CHRIST.
This is the Catholic Way of Life.
Unfortunately, many Catholics know-not their Faith and do not know what they have . . . or even WHO they have . . . residing on the Altar in the Tabernacles of all of the Catholic Churches throughout the entire world.
CHRIST is everywhere, but HE is specifically our Sacrificial Bread of Life in the Eucharistic Host on Earth, hidden under this veil of the appearances of Bread and Wine, which are Substantially HIMSELF. CHRIST is Really and fully Divinely/Humanly Present on the Altar, just as HE is Really and fully Divinely/Humanly standing on the Altar of Heaven before HIS FATHER . . . standing as if slain . . . as an offering for our sins.
CHRIST can do this in HIS Glorified Body which has taken on the powers of HIS Divinity.
When CHRIST commanded us to Eat HIS Flesh and Drink HIS Blood . . . HE did not speak idly these words of Absolute Truth. We Really do Eat HIS Glorified Body and Blood which is forever somehow one with HIS Sacred Humanity as well . . . though this is done Sacramentally in an unbloody manner.
I do not expect you to believe this or to understand it . . . but thank you for allowing me to Believe.
GOD Bless you and me too.