Paragraph 19 begins the third section of the encyclical which is titled, “Pastoral Directives”:
19. Our words would not be an adequate expression of the thought and solicitude of the Church, Mother and Teacher of all peoples, if, after having recalled men to the observance and respect of the divine law regarding matrimony, they did not also support mankind in the honest regulation of birth amid the difficult conditions which today afflict families and peoples. The Church, in fact, cannot act differently toward men than did the Redeemer. She knows their weaknesses, she has compassion on the multitude, she welcomes sinners. But at the same time she cannot do otherwise than teach the law. For it is in fact the law of human life restored to its native truth and guided by the Spirit of God (See Romans 8).
For several centuries, all Christian denominations condemned the use of contraception. It wasn’t until the 1930s when at the Lambeth Conference, communities began to break from this teaching one by one. The culture in general followed suit. The Catholic Church remained steadfast in this teaching.
Even so, there were some within the Church who wanted the Catholic Church to revise her teaching against contraception. Some took it upon themselves to teach something different. Chaos followed, and even today we are still dealing with its effects. But here in paragraph 19, Paul VI says that the Church must hold to the Truth.
“She [the Church] cannot do otherwise than teach the law”. The role of the Church is to be both mother and teacher (Mater et Magister), and in fulfilling this role, she teaches the Truth: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20). It is the Truth of Jesus Christ that gives life to the world.
(Posted with permission from Fr. Lee Acervo at http://fatheracervo.wordpress.com)
Steve Finnell
/ December 18, 2014LIBERAL INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE—BY STEVE FINNELL
Liberal interpretation of Scripture is normally preceded by studying creed books and Bible commentaries written by men.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (NKJV)
Reaching an inaccurate interpretation of Scripture is difficult if you prayerfully interpret Scripture using Scripture.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJV)
Liberal Interpretation: You been saved by grace “alone” because God imputes faith to those He has predetermined for salvation. Salvation is not God’s gift. Grace is the free gift.
Scripture: “For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. (NKJV)
Liberal Interpretation: If “faith only” believers were to use their criterion of interpretation, it would be interpreted; the blood on the lintel and doorposts was a work and had nothing to do with the pass over. The blood was simply a testimony of their faith.
Scripture: Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)
Liberal Interpretation: He who believes “only” shall be saved; but he who is not baptized will not be condemned because water baptism is not essential in order to be saved.
Scripture: Hebrews 7:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. (NKJV)
Liberal Interpretation: Faith only logic dictates that the walls fell down because of faith alone. Faith only reasoning would conclude that the walls fell down before Jericho was encircled for seven days.
Scripture: Acts 22:16 ‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (NKJV)
Liberal Interpretation: Saul had his sins washed away three days ago on the road to Damascus. Saul was saved by faith “alone.”
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
Liberal Interpretation: Water baptism is not essential for salvation. You can be saved by a good conscience only. Billy Graham says water baptism is not in order to have sins forgiven; if you cannot trust Billy? Who can you trust?
Why not use Scripture to interpret Scripture? Men write opinions. God inspired the Bible.
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