The Latin Vulgate was translated from the original language texts into Latin by Saint Jerome in the 4th century; he spent 30 years in the desert doing so. It behooves anyone reading Sacred Scripture, however, to consult its Author, Holy Mother Church, for its interpretation because it was at the Council of Carthage in 397 A.D. that the books of the New Testament were compiled, deciding which were inspired. These were joined to the Old Testament so that Holy Scripture contains 72 books. Even the Bible tells us to go to its source for guidance and direction:
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
“…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
“And if he will not hear them: tell the Church. And if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.” (St. Matthew 18:17)
Notwithstanding the above, it’s against reason to base Christianity on only one of its two great pillars since for the first 400 years, there was no Christian Bible; rather, the Catholic Church and the Faith existed before the New Testament. Further, for the next 1,000 years the few Bibles that did exist were painstakingly written by Catholic monks until the invention of the printing press.
“But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written. (St. John 21:25)
Lastly, the dictates of reason compel us to recognize that all other churches were started by a person other than Jesus Christ, and to call oneself Christian when actually a member of another religious organization, results in the peril of one’s own soul.
“Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” (Psalm 126:1)
“For the gods of the Gentiles are devils…” (Psalm 95:5)
St. Jerome once said, “The whole world groaned and marveled to find itself Arian.” I wonder what his comment would be today?
CALL TO ACTION: Recognize that the one saving Faith has two pillars, Tradition and Sacred Scripture, and seek the guidance of everything contained therein through the direction of Holy Mother Church.