Bible.ca Rebuttal: Definition of a Catholic - Part 3

This is the final part of Mr. Rudd's definitions of a Catholic. Some are true, but many are mixed or false. For credibility and dialogue, we must not bear false witness by accident. Mr. Rudd refers to New Testament Christianity. Catholicism is New Testament Christianity, founded before the New Testament was written. To keep terminology distinct, I will use the term "Church of Christ."

Mr. Rudd asserts that, within Catholicism, the Church defines the Bible, whereas in the Church of Christ, the Bible defines the Church (Rudd, n.d.). However, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 indicates the necessity of both Scripture and oral tradition: the Word, whether spoken or written. These elements are inseparable, as both constitute the Word of God. The Magisterium safeguards the entirety of God’s Word throughout history. For instance, the Magisterium determined the canon of Scripture. Without such an authoritative body, it is impossible to objectively identify the canon.

Ellis Forsman, preacher at the Lorenzo Church of Christ, contends that the Bible provides the divine blueprints for the Church and that simply reading it is sufficient for constructing the Church (Forsman, 2014). However, the phrase “divine blueprint” does not appear in Scripture. Jesus did not provide a blueprint; rather, he established a Church. Notably, Jesus did not author any part of Scripture himself. Instead, he conferred authority upon Peter in Matthew 16:18 and entrusted the apostles with leadership of the Church. The writings of the apostles were never intended to stand alone. The Catholic Church has preserved both the traditions of the early Church and the Scriptures, long before the notion that Scripture alone is sufficient emerged.

Mr. Rudd claims that, in Catholicism, the Magisterium holds supremacy over the Bible, whereas in the Church of Christ, the Bible is considered supreme over the Church (Rudd, n.d.). This characterization is inaccurate. Catholics maintain that both Scripture and Tradition constitute the Word of God, and the Magisterium serves this Word rather than ruling over it. In cases of scriptural dispute, Catholics recognize the Magisterium as the final authority on interpretation. In contrast, the Church of Christ, lacking an authoritative interpreter, has experienced and will likely continue to experience divisions over scriptural meaning. There is only one truth, which the Catholic Church preserves. The Church does not seek to rediscover truth as an archaeologist might reconstruct ancient beliefs; instead, she has consistently transmitted the same teachings, as noted by Irenaeus (Irenaeus, n.d., Chapter 10.2).

Mr. Rudd asserts that only clergy are permitted to interpret the Bible in Catholicism, whereas in the Church of Christ, any individual can study and comprehend Scripture through sufficient effort. However, Scripture does not state, “Spend time studying the Bible, and you will know everything.” In fact, it suggests otherwise. Peter cautioned that some of Paul's writings are difficult to understand and that the unstable and uneducated distort them to their own detriment.

The Catholic Church restricts infallible interpretation by the uneducated for the reasons Peter outlined. Nevertheless, the Church encourages all members to read Scripture. As previously noted, Catholics are permitted to interpret Scripture, provided they remain within the boundaries established by the Church. This approach is analogous to a responsible parent who does not confine a child with chains for safety, but instead erects a fence around the property and warns of consequences for crossing it. Within these boundaries, the child is free to explore.

Casey Chalk of Catholic Answers argues that personal interpretation of the Bible results in countless interpretations, with no definitive authority to declare, “This is the true interpretation.” He further observes that Protestant beliefs in the 1500s differ from those held today (Chalk, 2023). Similarly, the doctrines of the Churches of Christ have changed since the 1800s. Objective interpretation of Scripture is unattainable without an authoritative teacher; the Catholic Church is necessary to define the authentic interpretation.

Steve Rudd contends that the Pope is the supreme doctrinal authority for Catholics, while the Church of Christ recognizes Jesus Christ, as revealed in Scripture, as its authority. This characterization is not entirely accurate. It is more precise to state that Catholics recognize Jesus Christ as their authority, exercised through the Pope. Catholics hold that the Pope is Peter’s successor and the highest authority within the Church. This belief is grounded in Jesus granting the keys of the kingdom to Peter and the principle of apostolic succession, as demonstrated by Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding the ordination of new leaders. According to CCC 882, the papacy is described as the office of a prime minister, possessing executive authority within Christ’s Kingdom (CCC 882, n.d.). This office does not supplant Christ’s kingship but serves the King by His mandate.

If the Church of Christ claims authority through Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible, a significant challenge arises: determining who possesses the correct interpretation. St. Irenaeus cautioned that heretics, such as the Valentinians, distorted Scripture to justify their beliefs (Irenaeus, n.d., Chapter 8.1-8.2). Without an authoritative teacher, it becomes impossible to discern the truth. For example, in a classroom without a teacher, students would lack guidance and order. Similarly, it would be perilous for medical students to believe they could master surgery solely by reading textbooks, bypassing essential training and evaluation. The Catholic Church has upheld her doctrinal standards since the first century and provides the only ordinary, authentic means of access to Jesus Christ.

Mr. Rudd, like many reformers, maintains that diligent study of Scripture yields the correct interpretation. Personally, I cannot abandon teachings that have been preserved throughout history. Why accept novel doctrines that were unknown to the early Church? Doctrinal innovations lacking divine authorization originate from human sources. It is preferable to uphold the traditions that Paul instructed believers to maintain, rather than speculate about the beliefs of the early Church.

References

CCC. (n.d.). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Catholic Cross Reference. https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/882

Chalk, C. (2023). The Problem with Interpreting Your Own Bible. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-problem-with-interpreting-your-own-bible

Forsman, E. (2014). Blueprint for Christ’s Church. Church of Christ One Cup. https://churchofchristonecup.org/files/Blueprint_For_Christ_s_Church8.pdf

Irenaeus. (n.d.). Against Heresies, Book I. New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103108.htm 

Rudd, S. (n.d.). Definition of a Roman Catholic. The Interactive Bible. https://www.bible.ca/catholic-start.htm