I am simply pointing out that the Catholic church has maintained organizational integrity well enough to claim, for instance, allegiance to a line of popes extending to the First Century. The Reformers never agreed exactly what the true alternative to Catholicism, except that there ought to be one. The result has been an endemic sectarianism. Roman Catholicism has never been as unified as it sometimes pretended, but the organization integrity has been preserved.
“the Catholic church has maintained organizational integrity well enough to claim, for instance, allegiance to a line of popes extending to the First Century.”
True, agreed.
“The Reformers never agreed exactly what the true alternative to Catholicism (should be), except that there ought to be one.”
I think that would depend on who you consider to be “The Reformers.”
I believe that the one true church consists of every true believer in Jesus. Ultimately of course only God knows who we are. He warns us that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing out there. So, we are supposed to listen to His voice (My sheep know my voice, etc.)
The Protestants would largely argue that His voice is being or has been ignored in certain areas within the RC church. The RCs of course point out their continuity.
I don’t think a division at Coral Ridge should be rejoiced over. I could sort of understand if several hundred left to join the RC church, because you view yourselves as the one true church. But Coral Ridge and the RC church have very similar values, particularly on issues of the day, despite some essential doctrinal differences.
I should stop myself, though, we probably all know the doctrinal differences between RCs and Protestants, and I didn’t mean to hijack the thread in order to debate them.