Author Topic: Imperfections… a perspective (Read 9062 times)

Mark 79 · « **on:** October 04, 2025, 12:44:09 PM »

It is rather common that I receive messages from well-meaning readers commenting on the beliefs and behaviors of this-or-that individual. It happens often enough that I thought I'd offer this.

I am not perfect. I am a sinner. I make non-sinful mistakes daily; on some days, hourly. Despite that, I know that I am a reasonable, though imperfect source.

It is unreasonable for me to expect more perfection from my earthly sources that I myself can manage.

Consider that I quote the damned rabbis and their satanic "holy books." Please understand then that even the most wicked of sources can provide useful data points and evidence.

As a Catholic, I accept and submit to Magisterium. I recognize too that there is a spectrum of theological certainty. For that reason, my website has this page on Theological Certainty: https://archive.is/1rbqh

So, I reserve outright vituperation for those condemned by the authentic Magisterium… and for those who exhibit a pattern of deception, destruction of the Faith, and ill-willed infiltration.

Mat183 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2025, 02:58:54 PM »

Quote from: Mark 79 on October 04, 2025, 12:44:09 PM

It is rather common that I receive messages from well-meaning readers commenting on the beliefs and behaviors of this-or-that individual. It happens often enough that I thought I'd offer this.

I am not perfect. I am a sinner. I make non-sinful mistakes daily; on some days, hourly. Despite that, I know that I am a reasonable, though imperfect source.

It is unreasonable for me to expect more perfection from my earthly sources that I myself can manage.

Consider that I quote the damned rabbis and their satanic "holy books." Please understand then that even the most wicked of sources can provide useful data points and evidence.

As a Catholic, I accept and submit to Magisterium. I recognize too that there is a spectrum of theological certainty. For that reason, my website has this page on Theological Certainty: https://archive.is/1rbqh

So, I reserve outright vituperation for those condemned by the authentic Magisterium… and for those who exhibit a pattern of deception, destruction of the Faith, and ill-willed infiltration.

Stay the course my friend! Your contributions such as this one -- which I am copying for my "files" -- and so many more, are really invaluable and your comments as caustic as they may be at time, albeit quite deservedly, are in MHO quite balanced. God willing, you will indeed stay the course!

resources • The Theological Grades of Certainty

from Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma
by Ludwig Ott.

1. The highest degree of certainty appertains to the immediately revealed truths. The belief due to them is based on the authority of God Revealing (fides divina), and if the Church, through its teaching, vouches for the fact it a truth is contained in Revelation, one's certainty is then also based on the authority of the Infallible Teaching Authority of the Church (fides catholica). If Truths are defined by a solemn judgment of faith (definition) of the Pope or of a General Council, they are "de fide definita."

2. Catholic truths or Church doctrines, on which the infallible Teaching Authority of the Church has finally decided, are to be accepted with a faith which is based on the sole authority of the Church (fides ecclesiastica). These truths are as infallibly certain as dogmas proper.

3. A Teaching proximate to Faith (sententia fidei proxima) is a doctrine, which is regarded by theologians generally as a truth of Revelation, but which has not yet been finally promulgated as such by the Church.

4. A Teaching pertaining to the Faith, i.e., theologically certain (sententia ad fidem pertinens, i.e., theologice certa) is a doctrine, on which the Teaching Authority of the Church has not yet finally pronounced, but whose truth is guaranteed by its intrinsic connection with the doctrine of revelation (theological conclusions).

5. Common Teaching (sententia communis) is doctrine, which in itself belongs to the field of free opinions, but which is accepted by theologians generally.

6. Theological opinions of lesser grades of certainty are called probable, more probable, well-founded (sententia probabilis, probabilior, bene fundata). Those which are regarded as being in agreement with the consciousness of Faith of the Church are called pious opinions (sententia pia). The least degree of certainty is possessed by the tolerated opinion (opinio tolerata), which is only weakly founded, but which is tolerated by the Church.

With regard to the doctrinal teaching of the Church it must be well noted that not all the assertions of the Teaching Authority of the Church on questions of Faith and morals are infallible and consequently irrevocable. Only those are infallible which emanate from General Councils representing the whole episcopate and the Papal Decisions Ex Cathedra (cf D 1839). The ordinary and usual form of the Papal teaching activity is not infallible. Further, the decisions of the Roman Congregations (Holy Office, Bible Commission) are not infallible.

Nevertheless normally they are to be accepted with an inner assent which is based on the high supernatural authority of the Holy See (assensus internus supernaturalis, assensus religiosus). The so-called "silentium obsequiosum," that is "reverent silence," does not generally suffice. By way of exception, the obligation of inner agreement may cease if a competent expert, after a renewed scientific investigation of all grounds, arrives at the positive conviction that the decision rests on an error.

Author Topic: Imperfections… a perspective (Read 9062 times)

Mark 79

Imperfections… a perspective

Mat183

Re: Imperfections… a perspective