Stephen M. Adams wrote:

>
> So who gets this special revelation? And why do so many who claim to
> have the Holy Spirit (even very godly living men and women) come to
such
> diverse understandings of the scriptures? And not only diverse, but
flat-
> out contradictory.
>
When debating with RC theologians I have found this question concerning
unity to be almost always, if not directly, at least indirectly made as
a point of debate to argue against the Protestant claim as to
perspicuity. And often, the question you ask:
>
> How do we judge between two people who claim alternate, and
incompatible
> understandings of the Scriptures?
>
is raised in regards not so much concerning individuals (though it is
implied) but as to various denominations within the Protestand camp.
The trick of their debate is to confuse unity and authority.
Protestant denominations who are heirs of the Reformation are united in
the understanding of the gospel and in respecting one another as
brothers in Christ. My RC opponents often wish to compare RC theory to
Protestant practice. Sometimes this is a deliberate confusion,
sometimes it is an honest mistake yet in both cases, it is an unfair
presumption. Theory must be compared to theory and practice with
practice.

As for practice, Rome is just as diverse as Protestantism. Even though
RCism claims the infalibble papacy, it has not created any unification
of the various schools within RCism. Nor has the papacy made a clear
presentation of the basic content of the gospel. Turretin cleal back
in the 17tth C brought up the question as to why the pope was unable to
settle doctrinal disputes if his office was indeed the direct
authoritative descendant of the Apostolic line and the supreme Vicar of
the Church. Not much has change over the years and still the question
has no resolve.

It is interesting to note Paul's insight into your question when he
writes:

1 Cor. 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, in order that
those who are approved may have become evident among you.

Divisions are actually useful in Pauline insight. They force the body
to turn back to the standard as given to us in the Scriptures alone.
As for the Roman argument, it boils down to little else than "believe
Rome because Rome says so." But Scripture plainly and often speaks
that enlightenment to true doctrine comes only from the self attesting
Scriptures. Ps 119: 99, 100, 105, 130 sort of paraphrased reads:

I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Thy
statures. I have mor understanding than the elders, for I obey Thy
precepts. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.
The unfolding of they words gives light; it gives understanding to the
simple."

I my formal de