Roman Catholic apologists routinely object to Sola Scriptura on the grounds that it results in doctrinal anarchy. It has been asserted that an infallible Magisterium is a requirement in order to obtain unity in the church. That may sound like a good proposal on a surface level, but the suggestion itself is also a subtle problem for Catholics.
The claim of the Roman Catholic Church being infallible puts its apologists at a huge disadvantage. If just one of its dogmas is refuted by Scripture or logic, then it follows that the entire system falls apart. If the Roman Catholic Church can be shown to not be infallible in teaching, then its claims to authority are not binding on us at all. In that scenario, faithful Catholics would have no choice but to give up Christianity altogether.
In Protestantism, one has to use Scripture and logic to discern truth from error. The ability to make independent decisions exists, with there being options to choose from. That comes with the advantage of a person being able to change his or her viewpoint in accordance with available evidence.
If, however, one wishes to defend the Roman Catholic Church's claim to infallibility, then he or she must be entirely consistent. The idea must be defended at all costs. That would place an excessive burden on one to believe ideas that are potentially absurd beyond all measure. This framework would make any thinking person susceptible to apostasy from the faith.
The claim of the Roman Catholic Church being infallible puts its apologists at a huge disadvantage. If just one of its dogmas is refuted by Scripture or logic, then it follows that the entire system falls apart. If the Roman Catholic Church can be shown to not be infallible in teaching, then its claims to authority are not binding on us at all. In that scenario, faithful Catholics would have no choice but to give up Christianity altogether.
In Protestantism, one has to use Scripture and logic to discern truth from error. The ability to make independent decisions exists, with there being options to choose from. That comes with the advantage of a person being able to change his or her viewpoint in accordance with available evidence.
If, however, one wishes to defend the Roman Catholic Church's claim to infallibility, then he or she must be entirely consistent. The idea must be defended at all costs. That would place an excessive burden on one to believe ideas that are potentially absurd beyond all measure. This framework would make any thinking person susceptible to apostasy from the faith.
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