"In that statement, Luther was affirming publicly his commitment to the principle of sola Scriptura, that the Bible alone is the only authority that can bind the conscience of a person absolutely because it is the only authority that carries with it the intrinsic authority of God Himself. ...When Luther defended his doctrine in his disputes with Cardinal Cajetan and with the theologian Johann Eck, the Roman Catholic experts called attention to the decrees of earlier church councils and of papal encyclicals to refute Luther's arguments. Luther in response argued that the edicts of church councils and even the encyclicals of popes can err and often do err. The only final authority Luther would recognize, upon which the controvery could be resolved, was the authority of Scripture, because that authority carried the weight of God's authority itself." Dr. R.C. Sproul, Tabletalk, March 2009.
7 comments:
It seems to me that often times in many arenas we battle the same contingency...the authority of man's selfishness, often times it is found hidden in the richest and seemingly most righteous of places.
Amen Chris. Satan and the world can team up to be "angels of light" and "ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor.11).
I am so glad I believe "we can do all things through Jesus Christ"
I cannot understand how church people would refuse to put the Word of God preeminent over all other authorities and traditions.
It is not rationally feesible. Spiritually however, it makes plenty of sense. They cannot see unless God gives them sight to be able to see.
The weird thing about all of this, is not that we can see what is not there, but that ordinary man cannot see the plain evidence that is not hidden from plain sight--only from the unregenerate mind.
Nice to have you stop by mommanator. Luther actually cowarded at first, until the next day, when Jesus gave him the courage to stand before Rome. We can do all things through Christ, and when we are weak, He is strong.
Good thoughts Craver. I must remember that unbelievers are walking corpses, spiritually speaking.
> I must remember that unbelievers are walking corpses, spiritually speaking.
Donsands, I ask you to forgive me if I beg to disagree. As a fee-paying, card-carrying Unitarian, I find a spirituality which makes me feel very much alive.
"As a fee-paying, card-carrying Unitarian, I find a spirituality which makes me feel very much alive." -Maalie
You indeed are very much alive. You are quite amazing really with all that you do in this world I must say.
I do visit your blog from time to time, and the pictures are magnificient, and you are very blessed indeed.
The being dead spiritually is from Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus: "And you who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, ..also we all once conducted ourselves...were by nature children of wrath.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trepsses, made us alive together with Christ." Eph. 2:1-4
And Jesus Christ Himself said to Nicodemus, "You must be born again".
There's a new birth of the human soul when one comes to Christ, and confesses Him, and seeks His truth and love.
And the mind is renewed as well.
Thank you very much for visiting. And for sharing that about yourself.
I hope you don't mind if I pray for you, even though we may disagree.
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