text: Well, I do recognize what you're saying as being a fair expression of Catholic orthodoxy. And I don't mind at all declaring that in a number of matters of the gravest sort I consider myself quite heterodox, and make no claim to be orthodox. (Aber ich kann nicht anders, you see, Gott helfe mir.)
  
  That said, this orthodox talk of "the fullness of truth resides in the Church" has always struck me as the shallowest of Traditions. Or at least the RCC might do us a favor and define the terms "fullness," "truth," and "resides" in a nuanced way.
  
  The innermost heart of Christianity is very simple: It is a supreme good to be on good terms with God, and union with Jesus puts us on those terms. That's it, and all else is just explication (well done or not) or decoration (helpful or not), with nothing about other aspects of that good found only elsewhere. I love John 9.25, the ex-blind man's words: "I don't know whether he is a sinner; one thing I know: I was blind, now I see." Exactly! One thing!