Protestant Theologian: He Was My Pope, Too

christianity today ^ | 04.04.05 | Uwe Siemon-Netto

[Coleus]

For the last quarter of a century, this non-Catholic has had a pope. Now that John Paul II is gone, I am even more of an orphan than the Christians in the Roman church. For they will surely have another pope, but that one may not be mine, since I haven't converted.

I am sure I am reflecting the views of many Protestants. Who else but John Paul II gave voice to my faith and my values in 130 countries? Who else posited personal holiness and theological clarity against postmodern self-deception and egotism? Who else preached the gospel as tirelessly as this man?

What other clergyman played any comparable role in bringing down communism, a godless system? What other world leader—spiritual or secular—understood so profoundly how hollow and bankrupt the Soviet empire was, so much so that this tireless writer never bothered to pen an encyclical against Marxism-Leninism because he knew it was moribund?

Has there been a more powerful defender of the sanctity of life than this Pole, in whose pontificate nearly 40 million unborn babies wound up in trashcans and furnaces in the United States alone? What more fitting insight than John Paul II's definition of our culture as a culture of death—an insight that is now clearly sinking in, to wit the declining abortion rates in the United States?

In Europe some time ago, a debate occurred in Protestant churches: Should John Paul II be considered the world's spokesman for all of Christianity? This was an absurd question. Of course he spoke for all believers. Who else had such global appeal and credibility, even to non-Christians and non-believers?

Of course, there was the inveterate Billy Graham. There were many faithful Orthodox and Protestant bishops, pastors and evangelists.

[SoothingDave]

Are you not seeing something out of proportion here?

You certainly are. Examine the various mysteries which are the true focus of the Rosary, not the words of the prayers being said. They are in no way disproportinatly about Mary.

So many can't see the forest for the trees of the Rosary. It's a way to contemplate the various stages (mysteries) of the life of Jesus.

SD

[D Edmund Joaquin]

and the Word was God

[SoothingDave]

Didn't Jesus say when he was on Earth that there was nobody good but the Father?

So which error are you espousing, that Jesus was not good, or that Jesus is the Father?

I've had people on two consecutive days assert that Jesus is the Father. Of course, once you decide you are free to make it up as you go along, who knows what will result.,p> SD

[SoothingDave]

and the Word was God

Did you hit post too soon?

SD

[rwfromkansas]

"To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi…"; "to the saints who are at Ephesus"; "to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colosse"

So, Paul was only speaking to those who were canonized?

Obviously, no.

Scripture uses saint to refer to EVERY SINGLE CHRISTIAN IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

[johnb838]

Well, if you're keeping score I guess...

[SoothingDave]

This is not a reference to the unbiblical Catholic view of a saint as being a special class of Christians that are better than others.

Have you ever considered studying what Catholics teach? It might surprise you.

Catholic saints, formally canonized, are not the only ones we consider to be "saints." They are the ones we can know for sure are in Heaven. There are countless other saints there, we just don't know their names and tales.

SD

[todd1]

I witnessed a miracle from Saint Jude... It was either that or the stuffed bear that I had blessed by a priest heal a little girl with a heart defect and virtually no chance of surviving. Although, ultimately done in the power of the holy spirit..

[what's up]

you have been eager to dance on the grave of John Paul

Wrong, wrong, wrong. I have said I appreciated John Paul's stance on Communism. Despite your hyperbole, I do not "dance" on graves.

There are valid concerns I have with Catholic doctrine. If the Pope participated in these, I don't see why I can't bring up that fact. This is not "hatred" as you again hyperbolize.

[D Edmund Joaquin]

SD: This view is found nowhere in Scripture itself, a puzzling paradox. It is statements like this that lead some to consider Protestantism a bizarre form of book-worship. To a Catholic, it is simply bizarre to think that God reveals Himself sufficiently through His Written Word. God is mainly something you experience, not something you read.

DEJ: and the Word was God

And still is

[SoothingDave]

The Son, being divine, has the attributes of the Father, including omniscience. He intercedes on our behalf to the Father. Mary getting involved won't help matters at all because Jesus will make the proper decision in accordance with his divine nature.

So why petition the Lord at all? You've just undercut the entire idea of petitionary prayer. Congratulations.

SD

[Buggman]

Dave, with all respect, I'm seeing 53 "Hail Marys" against 12 "Our Fathers" or "Glory to the Fathers" in any given five-mystery Rosary. If this were a forest of 65 trees, 53 of which were pine and 12 of which were maple, would I be missing the forest for the trees if I looked own on it from a hill and called it a pine forest?

[D Edmund Joaquin]

the above was meant for you

[rwfromkansas]

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (I Timothy 4:16)

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John 1:9-11)

Galatians 1:6-7: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

Judging doctrine is vital, lest we be led astray.

[SoothingDave]

and the Word was God

I think you are proving my point wonderfully. Can you distinguish at all,/b> between the Bible and the Second Person of the Trnity, the Son, Jesus?

("The Word was God" does not mean that the Bible is the Word or that the Bible is God. This is how you are coming across. I'd like you to either affirm or refute this.)

SD

[Buggman]

It's not just a matter of keeping score, it's seeing who is emphasized more, God or His servant Mary. Look at who's ahead by a more than 4-to-1 ratio?

[workerbee]

And the Word became flesh.

[rwfromkansas]

"Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:11-12).

Christ paid it all.

[what's up]

Excellent point. It's way out of kilter. I suggested earlier that the Catholics invent a new rosary where the majority of the prayers are said to Christ; the imbalance in the current practice indicates they prefer to pray to Mary.

[workerbee]

Just to reemphasize: The Word became flesh. Not a leather-bound KJV.