Bible Question:
I’m probably going to open a can of worms here but let me anyhow. There has been great debate over the Catholic church and the Pope and his speaking infallibly, check thread Evangelicals and Catholics. Briang made one point that has me thinking, the Pope is head of the Catholic church and what he says the Catholic church does, call it what you will that is what it nets out to be. Is that any better or worst than what Evangelicals have? They may make the decision based on a vote by the congregation, a presbytery, council of elders, pastor or whatever but the end result is the same what ever the decision is you treat it as gospel and live by it. It is not open to discussion and you either accept it or leave and find another church/denomination. In a sense you could say their decision is infallible as far as the group/denomination/church goes. Then there is a argument is the Pope from the line of Peter, I think not, but does it matter? He was chosen to head the Catholic church how does that make him any different than the governing board of any denomination, or Pastor of an independent church? We call the Pope the antichrist but he isn’t condoning homosexuals like the governing board of Methodist are. He is not condoning abortion as the governing board of the Presbyterian are. What makes the Papal form of government all wrong and everything else okay? This is not an endorsement of Catholicism in any shape form or fashion. |
Bible Answer: No, I do not see the idea of one presiding individual over a body of believers (such as a denomination) as something that is 'wrong' or harmful in any way, as long as there is a system of 'checks and balances', that is- the Electoral College elects the President and the "Cardinal college"? elects the Pope. I think that the main "root" of the Protestant 'assault' against the authority of the Pope is.. 1) Catholics maintain that the Pope is a direct successor to the "Office" of Peter. 2) Catholics maintain that the Pope is infallible in his direction of doctrine and interpreting the Scriptures. These two reasons are the reasons why Protestants attack the Pope more often then they do the Methodists for their stance on homosexuality and the Presbyterians for abortion, both of which should warrant a "standing in line" protest from all believers! You are right, we should be more concerned about healing the heresies within instead of focusing on the Catholic church. --Nolan |