Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: narses; CynicalBear
Interesting that Pope JPII has this to say about the keys.....

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19921125en.html

"Jesus indeed said to Peter: "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt 16:19). This is another simile Jesus used to show his will to confer on Simon Peter a universal and complete power guaranteed and authenticated by heavenly approval. This does not mean only the power to formulate points of doctrine or general norms of action. According to Jesus, it is the power of "binding and loosing," that is, of doing whatever is necessary for the life and development of the Church. The opposing terms "binding-loosing" serve to show the totality of the power.

It should be immediately added, however, that the aim of this power is to open the entrance to the kingdom, not to close it: "open," that is, to make it possible to enter the kingdom of heaven and not to place obstacles that would be equivalent to "closing" it. This is the proper purpose of the Petrine ministry, rooted in the redemptive sacrifice of Christ who came to save and to be the gate and shepherd of all in the communion of the one fold (cf. Jn 10:7, 11, 16)."

The kingdom of heaven was opened for all when Peter preached the gospel in the book of Acts. It was made known for all mankind that whoever wants to may enter. I see no provision for use of the keys to keep people out and to the pope's credit, neither did he.

So the issue about Peter having the keys to open and close is now moot. The kingdom of heaven is already open and no man can close it to keep people out.

495 posted on 11/27/2011 4:10:57 PM PST by metmom (For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore & do not submit again to a yoke of slavery)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 456 | View Replies ]


To: metmom

Great find! I wonder if that Pope is now considered fallible in that opinion. LOL


500 posted on 11/27/2011 4:34:52 PM PST by CynicalBear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 495 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson