GRGR: Gospels & stuff

[Peter Petto]

I'm a bit tardy in following up to David Morris' message on 1/2 in which he 
wrote:

>The point is that all [Biblical] text is subject to the fresh new words of 
>the Pope, no matter his footnotes. We all know interpretation is key. 
>Unless the forum allows direct challenge of interpretation, the preacher 
>on stand wins. When one has infallibility on his side, interpretation rules.

The interpreter can steer the conversation, but the writer of the text 
chose the subject. Despite some pretty wild interpretations, the force of 
the writers of the U.S. Constitution can still be felt.

Since I've been paying attention, the big change in the Catholic Church 
occurred through the mechanism of a Church Council (Vatican II), not 
through any infallible pronouncement of the Pope.

I certainly think the Pope had more arbitrary discretion back before the 
Holy Scripture was in the hands of so many followers, and in their own 
language.

I'd also note that many Protestant denominations that espouse the primacy 
of the Book, have clearly followed interpretations of that Book that don't 
seem equally autocratic.