Steven Alexander

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@JayDyer I don’t really know you, but you do seem like an over-emotional guy who isn’t worth engaging. And you misquoted Fradd.

Maybe try a less brash prideful approach.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@KickPistons Yeah, there’s some of that. But if you ask Protestants what one must do to be saved, who is part of the body of Christ, who God is, why do we need a savior, who is Jesus, who is the Holy Spirit, or even “what are the first rank issues”, you get remarkably similar answers.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@dragodimitrov This is fair. Protestants shouldn’t assume ill intent. But I wouldn’t say it comes from Christology. It seems to come from an extreme view of the scope and reach of original sin which makes us guilty for existing. Starting there, I can see how these speculative dogmas developed.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@ComeHometoRome They don’t reject that He has the power to do so. They just don’t think the apostolic deposit teaches that—at least in terms of Aristotelian metaphysics. Oh, and they think that it should not be dogmatized.

Let’s keep the conversation on where the disagreement really is.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@CharlesTingler @OpStCyprian Ooh, big leap. You can trust things that aren’t infallible. Just because there is a chance you are wrong doesn’t mean you have to write it off. I don’t infallibly know the resurrection occurred. But I’d be a fool to throw away my faith for that reason.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@CharlesTingler Protestants don’t only use the Bible to determine the canon.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@Xtopher_Uzo I don’t think Prots ever said they “must” be facing upwards.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@JoseMar01251745 No, I’m not. Please see how far apart we are on the starting point here. Do you really think a Lutheran says, “Well, our church is brand new as of the 16th century, but the supreme infallible Roman See goes back to 33AD”? Your ecclesiology must be argued for—not presupposed.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@ChadTheBad Yes, I can see that. You’re quite good at it.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@ChadTheBad Not necessarily. But it seems like good practice to understand the position you are criticizing. Or do you need some infallible authority to define it for you before you can articulate it intelligibly?

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@JoseMar01251745 Why should you doubt the legitimacy of a church that has leaders under a board of elders consistent with the qualifications in 1 Tim 3? If it’s good enough for God’s word, it’s legitimate. But you just want to play “What year did your church tradition start” and claim to be OG.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@JoseMar01251745 The church is the congregation of saints where the Gospel is taught and the sacraments rightly administered. I know you want to consider various church traditions as different churches, but it’s not so. Paul even rejoices in churches preaching out of selfish ambition in Phil 1:18

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@waldenpod Same, dude. Same.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@swamthetiber25 We’re comfortable with the fact that it’s been your experience, and I’m just glad you’re part of the body of Christ. But I’ve similarly explored the Scriptures, and unfortunately, the Catholic church has dogmatized things that, at best, can only be read into Scripture.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@88mph121 Why should I think that the authoritative claims of the Roman Catholic church is true? Being able to definitively settle things within your own tradition isn’t enough. So far, you’ve kind of just gone in a circle

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@88mph121 But you still have the same challenge Protestants do. You have to decide on the right interpretation too. You’ve just outsourced it (if you’ll pardon that term). Fortunately, the foundational things ARE extremely clear. And that’s why we share in the mystical union with Christ.

[Steven Alexander @smalexander88]

@88mph121 Yeah, I understand. And I’ll accept the use of dogma there. No worries.

I do get why it’s a comforting thought to believe the Catholic tradition is the one true church. It’s appealing to think there is a way to definitively settle these questions on Earth.