The infallibility given to the early Church Fathers in sorting out what are the true words of God is the highest form of authority. This lasted for nearly 300 years over different popes when the canonical texts were approved in AD 382. That Petrine authority did not suddenly evaporate with the Reformation.
This is precisely why droves of pre-eminent Lutheran theologians have decamped and converted to Catholicism. This is the teaching of over 2000 years, the teaching accepted by the saints and martyrs of the Church and the brilliant minds of Augustine, Aquinas, Newman (a convert) and Benedict (called the “theological Einstein of our times) and one that is not open to confusing and contradictory interpretations from every branch and sub-brach of Protestantism.
This is why the brilliant essayist Hillaire Belloc wrote in his book “Heresies” (a copy of which I have with me), wrote that unlike other heresies, Protestantism “spawned a cluster of heresies.” Fortunately, leading Lutheran and Episcopalian theologians who have spent a lifetime of scholarship have realized the central errors of the Reformation and the logical nonsense it leads to. You have a First Baptist, First Presbyterian, First Emmanuel and every other kind of first class nonsense.
yeah, yeah...your standard, stock answer, unassisted by ANYTHING other than you said so because you were told so and you believe what you are told. I’m not at all impressed by “pre-eminent” theologians who for God only knows what reason decided to “Pope”. The truth has NEVER changed. “Your” church has, many times.
There weren't any individual popes in the first 3 Centuries...