Replies

"But you do admit that scoundrels, at times, were allowed into the fold, don't you? That wolves, disguised as sheep, were allowed into the very seat of Peter, yes?"

Of course, The forces of Satan have compromised individuals within the Church. Even the original 12 Apostles included those who would betray, deny and doubt Jesus whom they knew far more intimately than any person since. But that is precisely why God choose to use a Magisterium enjoined over 2,000 years and not a single individual preacher, rebel, or "believer".

" Why would the Holy Spirit guide those seeking truth from God's word differently than he would "officials" of the church?"

Because of the doctrine of Apostolic succession, that is a special status of those whose ordination is part of a direct line, through the laying on of the hands by those whose ordination is traceable directly to the original Apostles. What they bind on earth is bound in heaven.

"I ask these questions not to trick or harass but simply to challenge the lock-step thinking that has allowed error to slip into Christian doctrine."

The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for. You are justified in asking these questions. I only hope that I am up to the task of answering them.

Yet this "doctrine" is not found in Scripture specifically and was invented by the very people who claimed the authority. Though there are claims of direct lines, no unimpeachable evidence exists that was true. In fact, at times there were multiple people claiming to be the Pope. At other times, the one in that position - supposedly the hand-picked successor to Peter - was as unChristian and debauched as any pagan. I seriously doubt a priest would be able to trace his own ordination back to Peter. I fail to see how these instances could be blamed on God's own direction. Yes, the forces of Satan have compromised and deceived many people through the ages, yet the infallibly declared infallible Magesterium was supposed to be the guardian of the Church preventing such a person to have authority over the entire Christian world. Explain why they failed?

That's why I do not accept that the Roman Catholic Church as the one, true ONLY church of Christ. There is way to much negative history to overcome to seriously claim infallibility of the Magesterium. No, rather, I believe God is clear that those who place their trust in Jesus Christ and become his body on earth have the indwelling Holy Spirit within them and that combined with the Holy Scripture are protected in the faith. He leads us into all truth and we cannot and do not need to trust in men who may or may not have that same Spirit within them. High office in an organizational church, we can see, does not guarantee that man is lead by God. Sure it would be wonderful to be able to depend on such Godly men for guidance, but we see what can happen when we abrogate our responsibility to know the things of God. Just like in many other religions, of all kinds, that is a dangerous thing to blindly give up. Jim Jones, David Koresh, Mani, Buddha, Joseph Smith, etc.

I agree and I do appreciate your response.