Posted on 06/22/2009 7:28:34 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
History is the great debunker of pre-conceived ideas that are rooted in ideology and false piety rather than in reality.
Without a grasp of history, and of the history of the papacy in particular, many Catholics are led to believe that the papacy must always have been as they have known it, and most popes have been just like the popes of the 20th and 21st centuries: Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.
The pontificates of a thousand years ago, however, were very different from any that we have experienced in our lifetimes.
First of all, we do not even know how the pontificate of John XVIII ended in 1009. Did the pope abdicate before his death and, if so, was it under duress?
If he did abdicate, what did he do after he left the papacy? No living Catholic has ever seen that happen. Indeed, for those who tend to look upon popes as quasi-divine figures, papal resignation is simply unthinkable. Once a pope, always a pope -- until death. No?
According to some historical sources, Pope John XVIII most likely did abdicate, or resign, the papacy shortly before his death, and then became a monk at the basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome, where he is buried.
Otherwise, little is known of his pontificate. We do know that during this period of church history, from 1003 to 1012, one of the powerful Roman families, the Crescentiis, ruled the city and dominated the papacy itself.
From 999 to 1003 the first French pope, Sylvester II, was seated on the Chair of Peter. A dedicated reformer, he denounced simony (the buying and selling of spiritual goods and church offices), nepotism (favoring members of one's own family for appointment to church offices), and violations of clerical celibacy. He also insisted on the free election of abbots by monks.
But in February of 1001 the Roman citizenry revolted against foreign domination. The French pope and his German friend and ally, Emperor Otto III, were forced to leave the city.
Otto died the following year, before he could reestablish his authority in Rome. The new head of the Crescentii family, John Crescentius II, allowed the French pope to return, but only on condition that he limit himself to spiritual functions. The pope died less than a year later.
A relative of the dominant Crescentii family succeeded Sylvester II in an election that was undoubtedly engineered by the family's leader. What was also remarkable, besides the decisive influence of a layman on a papal election, is the fact that the new pope, John XVII, had been married before ordination to the priesthood and was the father of three sons.
The pope's only notable recorded papal act was his authorizing of Polish missionaries to work among the Slavs. It is not even known how he died or how old he was at the time of death.
Although John XVII was pope for less than six months, his pontificate was not among the shortest in history. For purposes of comparison, Pope John Paul I was in office for just 33 days in 1978, yet his was only the 11th briefest pontificate in history.
John XVIII was cardinal-priest of St. Peter's Basilica when elected to the papacy on Christmas Day 1003 (the Vatican's official list begins his pontificate in January 1004). None of his accomplishments as pope have had any lasting historical significance beyond certain locales.
Thus, he restored the diocese of Merseburg in Germany, which Pope Benedict VII had sup-pressed and divided at the request of Emperor Otto II, and John XVIII also approved the establishment of the diocese of Bamberg in Bavaria.
He summoned the bishops of Sens and Orleans to Rome under pain of excommunication because of their threats to the papal privileges granted to the abbey of Fleury.
There is some evidence that relations between Rome and Constantinople improved during John XVIII's pontificate, probably because of the pro-Byzantine sympathies of the Crescentii family. The pope's name was restored to the list of those to be prayed for at Mass in Constantinople.
However, the thaw was relatively brief. Less than 50 years later, the formal schism between East and West began, and remains in effect to this day.
John XVIII was probably forced to resign in late June or early July, 1009 -- almost exactly one thousand years ago.
His successor was Sergius IV who, because his baptismal name was Peter, changed it upon election. Taking a new papal name was still not the custom.
Alas, Sergius IV was murdered.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
In the Middle East, EVEN TODAY, you call your cousin (1st or 2nd or any clansman), your brother. It’s just the way they use the language. the problem is that many sola scripturas read the Bible from the perspective of twentieth century Americana suburbia.
you’re right, please delete my post #124. I’ve depersonalized it
Jesus is The Creator, Word, God, I AM.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. – Colossians 1:15-17
And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: - Ephesians 3:9
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. – Exodus 3:14
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. – John 8:58
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground. - John 18:6
You wrote:
“you have the Bible according to Luther, but do you have the Bible according to Quix?”
That’s one version I don’t have!!! Is it the newest NIV? ;)
no, no, you take any Bible, reinterpret anything you want, toss out any parts you don’t like, even chop verses as per your taste. It’s sola scriptura baby!
no, no, you take any Bible, reinterpret anything you want, toss out any parts you don’t like, even chop verses as per your taste. It’s sola scriptura baby!
For the record, the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit existed from all time and will have no end.
The second person of that Trinity, the Son, became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary and was given the name Jesus, according to the instruction of the angel.
The Incarnation was a historical event and Jesus was a historical person.
Jesus has a birthday. We celebrate it at Christmas. We also celebrate the day of His conception; the day when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked for her agreement to God's plan. It's called "The Annunciation" in the Catholic Church.
Prior to the Son taking on human form and coming to Earth, there was no Jesus.
Happy to have helped.
Time is part of the Creation, not a property or restriction on the Creator.
For instance, Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. He is always the Lamb of God, thus His sacrifice is perfection. Unlike the blood of a mere mortal, His blood never fades, never fails, never runs out.
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. - Revelation 5:6
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. - Hebrews 10:14
Notwithstanding translations, the bottom line is that God's Name I AM is Truth regardless of when, or in what language, He announced that Name to us mere time-bound mortal creatures.
To God be the glory, not man, never man.
Uh, did he have a stepmother?
(shhhhh. don’t confuse them with facts.)
No human is infallible, including the Pope and the Saints. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
He was tempted in every way as we were. How else could He understand humanity? He just didn’t give in to that temptation as we are prone to do.
Many others like her have gone to Elim and gone on to do great things for the Lord. We have kids in our church who have gone to Elim and have gone out into the world as missionaries and teachers. It’s a good place. And certainly not a cult.
Rather sola scripura than the traditions of man as in your church.
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