romishpopishorganist
Well-known member
By the Church teaching. In other words--"testing" of the teaching comes through the Church as a collective body, not me as an individual. Hence--once the Church authoritatively defines the teaching---the teaching has been "tested" and found to be in accord with the dictates of Scripture.How can you prove unbiblical doctrines are 'revealed by God'? How do you test those teachings?
The Church authoritatively testifies to it by a formal definition either by the pope or ecumenical council.How did the Church authoritatively testify to it? Just by saying so?
Just like Arius thought those who believed in the full divinity and equality of Christ with the Father could not find one verse to substantiate that, just like Calvinists believe other Christians cannot find one verse to substantiate anything other than TULIP, just like the Jews do not believe Christians can find one OT verse to substantiate the Christological claims, etc.You can find not one verse to substantiate Marian dogmas.
It is YOUR opinion that the Scriptures do not substantiate the Marian dogmas. What I want you to explain to me is what makes you any more an expert on what is or is not scriptural than Rome, or why your opinions should carry more weight than Rome's. You have not done that.
Why shouldn't I believe something becasue the Church says so?So we're back to you believe something simply because your church says so, not because it has any foundation in Scripture.
And it isn't just that "The Church says so" as if the Church is giving an arbitrary pronouncement. Where in any of our official documents have you ever seen the following "Believe this becasue I say so?"
When you read the documents, you find reasoned explanations for why the Church believes thus and so, is defining it as such, and then you see scriptural references given.
Again, what makes YOU any more an expert on the Scriptures than Rome?