"The magnificence and grandeur of this corrupt religion that has become so rich at the expense of people, at the impoverishing of people, has bewitched the gullible world. They preach another gospel. How can we not see that? And for any man to be called “Holy Father,” and accept it...Jesus called God Holy Father in John 17 in His high priestly prayer, Jesus said, “Call no man father,” as if any man is the source of spiritual life, “Call no man father,” and yet the whole priesthood, they’re all called father...occasionally I’m even called father which is no small offense to me. He is called Holy Father, he’s usurped the title intended for God. He’s called the Head of the Church, he’s usurped a title intended for Christ. He’s called the Vicar of Christ, vicar connected to the word vicarious, the one who stands in the place of Christ and he has stolen that from the Holy Spirit. He has set himself in the place of God, he has set himself in the place of Christ and he has set himself in the place of the Holy Spirit, and that is overstepping your bounds. I don’t think Jesus or God the Father or the Holy Spirit would go to a meeting with Muslims, say they share a common spiritual bond and kiss the Koran." -- John MacArthur, THE POPE AND THE PAPACY
Exactly...
While MacArthur is right, he needs to chill some on that issue.
While technically Catholics are wrong in this area, they do not see it and are doing it out of recognition of his role as a spiritual leader and honor to him. Some Catholics honestly don't know any better and would not know to use the term *Pastor*. No Catholic takes spiritual leadership lightly but has great respect for the position, even for other denominations with which they don't agree.
He should recognize the intent with which it's used and worry about correcting their misconception only in regards to himself, that he's not Catholic but prefers.... Pastor (I'm presuming)
However, it is also still true that CHRIST SAID HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US. I believe HE IS IN US VIA HIS SPIRIT. It is still existential Biblical truth that HE NEEDS RETURNED TO HEAVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER THAT HOLY SPIRIT COULD DO HIS--CHRIST-IN-EVERY-BELIEVER WORK. There are mysteries involved. However, I think that much is clear. I'm not, at this stage of my growing out of the "terrible two's" overly dogmatic about every nth detail of "THE REAL PRESENCE" in the Lord's Supper issue. I can argue both sides of it, to SOME degree. My bias still is that CHRIST set it up as a commemoration rather than an existential magical moment. Holy Spirit already resides as Christ within every Believer. I am UTTERLY CONVINCED that the 'magical moment' industry that the Vatican edifice foists on the world is at best a grossly distorted into an ALMOST exclusivist gig that is a travesty against the broken Body and Blood of Christ. I can imagine that God is large enough, gracious enough and Merciful enough that HE WOULD STILL, nevertheless, meet many folks AT THAT POINT AND INSURE THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR FAITH--IT WAS MADE SO BE IT, UNTO THEM to some serious, real, Biblical degrees and ways. HE IS SOVEREIGN IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL regardless of a lot of other stuff. I'm convinced that God is much, MUCH more intent on Holy Spirit dividing between the bone and the marrow within each Believer's heart, mind, soul and body in ways that produce spiritual growth and ultimately register in their conscious, moment by moment, daily, praying always, life. Coasting through the day on a magical moment with the Lord's Supper is NOT HIS focus, nor His way, imho. However, Pentecostals, Calvinists et al can also construct idolatrous magic moment talismans* in their own systems and habits, too. [*yes, I checked the spellling, for once. LOL]