[Terabitten]

By that standard we must conclude that Pope John Paul II was no more a success than his predecessors since the time of the Reformation.

Let's spend less time polishing our armor and fighting each other. There's a war on, and Catholic Christians are our allies, not our enemies.

Frankly, I'm surprised that Reformed protestants even care. God can choose to elect anyone He chooses - even the Pope.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I assume Topcat posted this thread in response to Benedict's recent declaration that we Protestants are in grave error...

Vatican reiterates hardline on primacy of Catholic Church

Or this version from Forbes/AP of the same story posted by Alex Murphy...

POPE: OTHER CHRISTIANS NOT TRUE CHURCHES

[Augustinian monk]

Nonsense. All popes are blasphemous. No man sent by God would call himself “Holy Father” and “Vicar of Christ” being fawned and adorned as if he himseld is special. And then they proclaim that they are sucessors of St. Peter.
From Acts-

25 And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Luther and the his fellow reformers were right the first time.

[twonie]

Not quite sure God elects the pope.

[topcat54]

There's a war on, and Catholic Christians are our allies, not our enemies.

Allies in what war? The Christian faith? Conservative politics?

If you believe that the gospel of Roman Catholicism is the gospel of the Bible, then you ought to be a Roman Catholic. They were here first, after all. (No offense to the Orthodox.)

Frankly, I'm surprised that Reformed protestants even care. God can choose to elect anyone He chooses - even the Pope.

If you think this is about God's secret sovereign election (decretive will), then you do not understand reformed theology.