Posted on 09/05/2015 10:15:40 AM PDT by Salvation
Msgr. Charles Pope OSV Newsweekly, September 13, 2015
Question: A Protestant co-worker said to me recently, “Who needs a pope? We have Jesus and the Bible and don’t need some man to tell us what to do.” How do I respond?
— Name withheld, location withheld
Answer: At the heart of the office of the papacy is the uniting of the faithful around a visible vicar (or representative) of Christ. Denominations and groups that left the Church and severed their ties to the pope demonstrate this very fact by their subsequent disunity.
The fact is that thousands of denominations have emerged in the wake of the Protestant movement that broke from Catholic Church and rejected the pope’s authority. And though they claim that Christ and Scripture are the only sources of authority and unity, the remarkable disunity among these denominations belies their claim. Simply put, if no one is pope, everyone is pope.
It is not enough to say, “the Bible clearly teaches ‘A,’” because too easily another person will say, “No, Jesus and the Bible actually say ‘B.’” Both camps are invoking the Bible and what they sense Jesus and the Holy Spirit are saying to them. So now what?
What usually happens is just what has happened among Protestants: divisions into new denominations or branches of denominations. They all claim the authority of the Bible and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit but cannot agree even on essentials, such has how one is saved, and if once saved, are they always saved? Protestants also have serious divisions regarding the moral issues of our time: abortion, same-sex unions, euthanasia, etc. These are very serious divisions, and there is no real way for Protestant denominations to resolve them. They say Scripture alone is an adequate source of authority. But without an authentic and authoritative interpreter, their own history shows that Scripture can divide as often as it unites. A text, even a sacred text, needs an interpreter that all agree who can authoritatively deal with differences.
And this is a central reason of why we need the pope. Jesus said to Simon Peter in Luke’s Gospel, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:31-32). Peter and his successors therefore represent (not replace) Christ, and through the grace of the Jesus’ prayer, accomplish the necessary work of uniting the Church. This ministry of unity is shown in many events in the Acts of the Apostles.
Monsignor Pope Ping for OSV article.
Which of the two guys is the pope?
It’s just awesome having a communist in charge of a church .
Church = body of Christ
If it is Christ body then Christ is the head
A pope is great until he disunites us. We are still left with discernment. This present one is confusing.
Good afternoon.
This thread could reach 500 posts.
5.56mm
>>What usually happens is just what has happened among Protestants: divisions into new denominations or branches of denominations. They all claim the authority of the Bible and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit but cannot agree even on essentials, such has how one is saved, and if once saved, are they always saved?
Even if Protestants disagree, we all look to Jesus as the answer. If I am Calvinist and my friend is Arminian and we have significant differences on many theological issues, the article overlooks the fact that we both look to Christ and hear the counsel of the Holy Spirit. I do not think that Calvin saves me or condemns my friend. He does not think that Arminius or Wesley saves him or condemns me. So, our differences do not matter.
The Roman Catholic Church had splits before Luther. Some of them exist to this day in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. But most were crushed by the forces of the RC Church (or, more correctly, by secular armies of nations controlled by the Pope) so that their division would exist no more.
>>Protestants also have serious divisions regarding the moral issues of our time: abortion, same-sex unions, euthanasia, etc.
Yes we do. Its caused by people placing the things of this world above the things of the next. Sadly, Pope Francis is bringing those kinds of divisions to the RCC too.
Well, that’s certainly the Roman Catholic line. However we Orthodox have gotten on quite well since Rome went her way. Moving on...
Believers need a “pope” like a fish needs a bicycle.
You’ve got two popes wrong in one article! New record.
>>Well, thats certainly the Roman Catholic line. However we Orthodox have gotten on quite well since Rome went her way. Moving on...
I agree. But in the context of the Roman “they split so they aren’t a real church” story (which I was responding to), the Eastern Church has split since letting Rome go its own way.
As I pointed out, I do not think that splits along theological/soteriological/eschatological lines are bad as long as Christ still reigns over all. I do think that the American type of split over music styles or the color of the bathroom fixtures is wrong.
” Simply put, if no one is pope, everyone is pope. “
Martin Luther’s been there and done that.
It’s called the priesthood of believers.
There is no need for mediation between the believer and his God. To practice otherwise is asking for a cathedral of charlatans.
Apologies. I had intended that as a general reply. It should have gone to post #1. I appreciate your response though.
If Jesus appointed Peter as “pope”, why did we get must of our doctrine from Paul?
*8Its just awesome having a communist in charge of a church**
??
Good prediction
The Catholic Church looks to Christ too. In fact the entire Mass is focused on Christ — The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
“??”
Yes the current Pope is a communist
Actually all doctrine comes from God.
My apologies, all *true* doctrine comes from God.
Obviously, but why did He reveal most of it through Paul?
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