From: 	 heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: 	 Thursday, November 27, 1997 6:09 PM
To: 	 Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Mystery Babylon

From:          John Parsons
To:            <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>
Subject:       Re: Bible Versions Comments 


==S==h==a==l==o==m!

This entire issue of the trustworthiness of Scripture is fascinating. 
Thank you all for your comments. 

I have a question, however, regarding the Catholic view of Inspiration. 
The Catholic Church, I am lead to believe, thinks that the authority of the
Church is what gives the Scriptures its imprimatur or seal of approval.  In
other words, the reason we accept the Scriptures is not on account of
anything within the Scriptures qua Scriptures -- it is only because certain
writings have been sanctioned by the Church.  They think that if you appeal
to Scripture to justify its own inspiration, you are arguing in a circle.
The way out of the lop, so to speak, is by entering into the equation this
idea of the Church's blessing of certain writings over others that
circulated at the time.

Now, there seems to be **some** truth in this idea.  However, as a
Messianic Protestant, I can't buy all of the Catholic party line (i.e.,
unscriptual replacement theology, relic worship, deification of Mary, the
infallibility of the pope, the Catholic view of Justification by "infusion"
of grace, the idea that only the Magesterium can properly interpret
Scripture, the idea that the Catholic Church is the ONLY true church, etc
etc ad nauseum). 

Any Rabbis have any light on this subject?  How do I answer the Catholic
objection that Protestants don't have a leg to stand on without appealing
to the Mother Church for Scriptureal endoresment?

jj
mpls, MN

>From Eddie:
**************

         You cannot successfully "reason" with anybody about 
spiritual things in God's Kingdom unless people have an open heart 
and the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) works through the person to give 
divine revelation of God's Holy Word. Meanwhile, it is important to 
pray for the individual(s) involved and show them what the Word of 
God says versus man's tradition. I have updated my "mystery babylon" 
Web page to include links which compare the traditions of the 
Catholic church versus the Bible. I would encourage you to examine 
these articles. They are located at:
 
        http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2175/babylon.html

       Also included at this Web page is Mystery Babylon the religious 
system, the financial system, the political system as well as the 
land of Babylon. These pages should be helpful in allowing you to 
understand Biblical "babylon".

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