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To: Natural Law
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.

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.

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.

I agree and I do appreciate your response.

391 posted on 06/15/2011 8:51:12 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
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To: boatbums
"Yet this "doctrine" is not found in Scripture specifically...

That is because neither I nor the Catholic Church accept the modern doctrine of Scriptural exclusivity; that is the theological construct that all of the Revealed Word is and is only found within the Canon of Scripture and more specifically, within those Pauline letters intended for the Gentiles. It ignores the Word contained within the Apostolic Traditions.

"There is way to much negative history to overcome to seriously claim infallibility of the Magesterium."

Are you ready to similarly condemn the ministry of Jesus based upon the conduct of His Apostles, in which one doubted Him, one denied Him in his moment of need, and one openly betrayed Him?

High office in an organizational church, we can see, does not guarantee that man is lead by God."

Of course it doesn't, but although the Church aspires to perfection, it is comprised of people, burdened by original sin and human weaknesses. That is which is is an institution that moves exceedingly and at times painfully slow and distributes decisions, doctrines and dogma across a Magisterium comprised of over 31,000 current bishops and their successors.

398 posted on 06/15/2011 9:31:08 PM PDT by Natural Law (For God so loved the world He did not send a book.)
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