A story for every day...
Free examination.
The principle: “Everyone can explain the Bible as he likes” is false, because in this case two contrary opinions could both be true, which is absurd, because truth is one. 2X2 make 4: there is nothing to change in this for mathematics and for religion. The following example shows us where free examination can lead: A man had stolen a coat, and when asked about it he answered that he had only acted according to the precepts of the apostle who writes: “Let one bear the burden of the other.” (Gal. 6:2.)
A Muslim as judge.
One day, four members of the Christians of a Turkish city – a Catholic, a Protestant, a Greek and an Old Catholic – took a Muslim as arbiter of the truth of their Church, to decide which of the four was founded by Jesus Christ. The Mohammedan first asked them the following question: “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God and founded a Church?” They answered affirmatively. Then he asked the Protestant: “When was your church formed? – About 400 years ago,” he said. “And what were your forefathers before that? – They were Catholics.” The Muslim was satisfied with this answer and addressed the schismatic Greek: “How long has your Church existed? – For nearly 900 years,” he replied. “And what were your forefathers before that time? – Catholics.” Finally the Muslim asked the opponent of infallibility, “How long has your Church existed? – Since 1870,” he replied. “And what were your forefathers before that date? – They were Catholics.” Then the Mohammedan addressed the Catholic: “How long has the Catholic religion been propagated on the earth?” The Catholic answered, “Since nearly 1900 years ago, that is, since the time of the apostles. – How do you prove the great antiquity of your religion?” the Muslim replied. “Nothing simpler,” replied the Catholic: “the proof is in the uninterrupted succession of our popes from Saint Peter to Pius X.” Whereupon the disciple of the prophet of Mecca concluded, “If Jesus Christ founded only one Church, and that was 1900 years ago, the Catholics alone have the true religion, since they are the only ones who go back to the apostles.”
The truth is one. A cat can be all black or all white. It is impossible for it to be all black and all white at the same time! If two people are arguing, each one asserting the opposite, it is certain that one of them is mistaken. She could be blind and mistaken in good faith, but she is still wrong!
