I learned early on not to argue too much with SJB. He's merciless.
Yes, when the spreading of error is at stake. But that's true mercy, not the human respect you seem to favor.
Btw, you seem to have little problem with Isaac calling me a liar. Why do think that is?
SJB, it is a sad fact that you are more concerned with "winning the argument" than you are with accepting the truth.
No, the "sad fact" is that you have only provided yourself as a source for your "understanding" of the issue. You dismiss or ignore all authorities.
Let's examine this statement:
-Pope Pius IX, First Vatican Council, Sess. 3, Chap. 2 on Revelation, 1870, ex cathedra: “
Hence, also, that understanding of its sacred dogmas must be perpetually retained, which Holy Mother Church has once declared; and there must never be a recession from that meaning under the specious name of a deeper understanding.”
The understanding of the Dogma has to always be understood how it was declared. Well who declared it? The Popes and the Councils (Holy Mother Church). Not the catechisms, the doctors or theologians, not Fenton, not Lefebvre, not anyone else who shares his theological opinion in the public forum. Only those who defined the Dogma, which IS the only infallible
explanation of Revelation.
When the Council says "as it is written", it would be to recede from the meaning to add "at least in desire". It would be specious or deceptive to add something like this. It is an error for those who think this dogma needs to be explained further because they think there is a deeper understanding of the Dogma, i.e. that all the effects of Baptism can be had, not as it is written, but merely through a desire for the sacrament. FALSE!
This is why when it comes to Dogma, Catholics can rest assured that they are receiving the faith from the Dogmatic Definitions. That is how we measure everything. We can learn from Catechisms and Theologians just fine, but when they say something that we are not sure of, we consult the Dogma. This is because it is the original and final rule of faith for which we measure all else.
It seems odd that you do not want consult the infallible teachings of the church and would rather consult fallible men.
One must be one of the faithful to be saved. No one outside the Church will be saved.
-Pope Innocent III, Fourth Lateran Council, Constitution 1, 1215, ex cathedra: “There is indeed one universal Church of the faithful, outside of which nobody at all is saved, in which Jesus Christ is both priest and sacrifice.”
I'm sure we all know the difference between the Faithful and Catechumens. Catechumens are not saved because they are not part of the faithful.
How do we become part of the Faithful?
-Pope Eugene IV, The Council of Florence, “Exultate Deo,” Nov. 22, 1439, ex cathedra: “
Holy baptism, which is the gateway to the spiritual life, holds the first place among all the sacraments;
through it we are made members of Christ and of the body of the Church. And since death entered the universe through the first man, ‘unless we are born again of water and the Spirit, we cannot,’ as the Truth says, ‘enter into the kingdom of heaven’ [John 3:5]. The matter of this sacrament is real and natural water.”
A person is not within the Church, nor a member, nor one of the Faithful, without first receiving the actual Sacrament of Baptism.
-Pope Julius III, Council of Trent, On the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance, Sess. 14, Chap. 2, ex cathedra: “...
the Church exercises judgment on no one who has not previously entered it by the gate of baptism. For what have I to do with those who are without (1 Cor. 5:12), says the Apostle.
It is otherwise with those of the household of the faith, whom Christ the Lord by the laver of baptism has once made ‘members of his own body’ (1 Cor. 12:13).”
Please give up your error and believe the Dogmas of the Catholic Church. It is plain language and easy to understand and will never lead you astray. Please Convert from your errors.