Way to go big guy! Pope Benedict, spitting in the face of Vatican II, tightens up his belt and let's all us protestants know that we have no means of salvation. BOOM! This guy has moxie! What does he base all of this on? Nothing other than Catholic doctrine. No matter how much Holy Scripture disagrees with that doctrine. What a pair of big, brass, infallible ones on this guy.
Here's what I love the most. He sees the differences. I firmly believe that he's incorrect, but he isn't willing to look at all the world religions and say that they are streams or spokes in a wheel. For that, I have to applaud him. Maybe this will stir up the debate between Catholics and Protestants?
Right now, I am in the middle of Vodie Baucham's book "The Ever Loving Truth" and he's dealing with the Post-Christian culture and touching on Post Modernism. I like that the Pope isn't Post Modern. He's wrong, but he's sure there is absolute truth, which I like. I'd like to see a little bit of that fire burning in Protestants, but tempered with love.
Wouldn't it be nice if the great big body of Christ actually got together and said, "Hey. . .Christ said He was the only way to know God. I bet He meant it." Then we all figured out the ramifications of our Saviors statements and acted on them. The scary realization of Christ making exclusive statements of His lordship would spur us on to evangelism, hopefully.
I'm not trying to make Christ sound like he's exclusive to a certain group. I firmly believe there is a flock, or a number, of chosen individuals who will be saved. But, I don't know who those people are and they were chosen completely outside of their own merit. What I am trying to say is this, He is exclusively The Savior. Why should we mince words?
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Let's step it up, Protestants. We're kind of getting shown up by the Pope. This is not a matter of personal truth, it's a matter of eternal signifigance. Let's stop going where the breeze leads and start standing up for what scripture teaches.
Thanks,
Chris
14 comments:
This is a really great article, Chris. I'm planning on linking it from the mainpage of Strange BaptistFire.com- probably early next week.
Wow. I really appreciate that. I'm humbled. I can put a picture of you up on my fridge in return. How's that sound?
Yes! You're absolutely right! That Pope Benedict KNOWS there's a difference between Roman dogma and Protestant faith, and he's willing to say so!
The Pope IS a Catholic!
(I'm a Baptist. A Reformed Baptist)
Chris - as a former Catholic I knew the true belief of the church a long time ago. This is nothing new - what is interesting that an organization (Gov't included) can state what they think is correct law or understanding then when a different Pope (Supreme Court or new President) come in they can change those laws etc. and make a new law. We as Christians believe and trust the WORD of GOD and it does not change!!! I am 63 so I went through the change of english for latin and we always had been taught Catholic only and we would go to hell if we went into a Protestant church - what a great way to "control" folks. God Grace.
Catholicism teaches so many non-Biblical ideas such as Mary being Mother of God. HOW could a human (as dear as she was) be MOTHER OF GOD???? Mary only provided the womb thru which Jesus came into this world. HIS LIFE and BLOOD came from Father God. HE is GOD in the Flesh but HIS LIFE came from God.
Catholics teach that she is C0-Redeemer with Jesus!! What a farce! Jesus is the ONLY WAy to the Father.
First I think its important if you are planning on bashing the pope in what he said that you at least support it with some evidence.
You said that the pope is more on the side of tradition than scripture. How so? I dont understand how you can state this from a pope who holds more knowledge about scripture than probably most theologians. He loves scripture, and really tradition is based upon* scripture. He does not go off in his own way and create his own Church. Thats not what being the pope is about. remember that Catholicism has its roots in the early Church..The one where the apostles chose a someone to succeed Peter.
Thre were many popes during the reforomation who were self centered men. But unfortunatly it could still be one Church had the Church taken some of luthers arguments more seriously.
Christian unity? Lets come to realize that the Church was founded by Christ, but it is not perfect in all its members...but docrines and what the chruch teaches are found in scripture.
in lukes gospel Martha says when she sees Mary..."how is it that the mother of my lord shuold come to me? And the angel gabreal says to mary before hand...Hail Favored one, full of grace the lord is with thee. so catholics when they say there rosary (having its roots in scripure echo what was said...hail mary (mary is the favored on the angel speaks of) the lord is with theee, and then catholics go on to say blessed are you amoung woman and blessed it the fruit of your womb jesus....It was only later on in the 3rd 4th centuries that the question was arising...Is jesus human, divine, what is his nature...this is when the argument of the Mother of God came about. It was an argument betweent Cyril of Alexandia and Nestorious.
If Jesus christ is truly fully God and fully man, than who is Mary. Did she just bear the son who is Man or did she bear the son who is truly God and Truly man. well..as it turns out saying that Mary is the mother of God is actually a christological argument about who is Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is human and divine by nature (he is truly God by nature and truly fully man by nature...it is important here to recognize that these two natures...human and divine make up his personhood. Who is Christ is his personhood? Human and divne...
A mother is a mother of someones personhood. not there nature. So Mary is the mother of Jesus personhood which is both human and divine.
Since she is the motehr of the divine nature of Christ, she is as marth says...the mother of of "her Lord" "Mother of" "her Lord" found right in scriptures...but whos the bad guy? the pope...of course..
One last thing..The catholic church does not teach that if your not catholic you go to hell. Oh no....doctinally...no way.
(1) The Catholic Church is the Only Full Bible (No Spins) Church in the World. (2) Our Lord Himself Founded The Catholic Church (74% of All 2 Billion Christians in World): Mathew 16:18-19, With Little Pebble Peter the BIG ROCK (Petras/Petros............Cephas/Cephos) Upon Which He Building Church. (3) Our Lord Gave THE Keys to Heaven to Peter, The First Pope. Matt 16:18-19. (4) Pope Benedict Never ever said Only Catholics Saved. (4) He Said Precise Point That Only Roman Catholic Church (With our Eastern Rite Brothers, United) Is the Only FULL Jesus Church, Of The Bible. Full Jesus Church IS the Church Begun By Our Lord, With 7 Sacraments (IN BIBLE, Authorized by Lord), And REAL PRESENCE EUCHARIST >> 1 Corr 11:21-27 << (5) Catholic Church Teaches ONLY Our Lord decides Who Saved. RCC Has Never said in 2000 Years that Anyone has gone to Hell. Nopt for Us to Know. (6) Lord Gave Truth on Earth Where, In Bible? NO > In Church He Began > 1 Timothy 3:15 <<<< (7) Where did Our Lord Put Authority on Earth? In Bible? Nowhere, But IN His Apostles He Chose >> Matt 28:19-20; John 20:21-23; Matt 10:>>37<<----->40<; Matt 11:1; Matt 18:17; Acts 15:22-27, And More! (8) Our Lord Told us to Follow Apostolic Authority, Nothing Else > Acts 5:13. And it is the Magesterium > Council of 4500 Bishops, That Has Dogma, Never changed Basically, in 2000 Years. (9) Lord Authorized Transfer of Apostolic Authority to Latter "Bishops", By Layiong on of Hands. Apostles chose Replacement for Judas. Acts 1:15-26>>>>>22<<<, Acts 6:6, Acts 13:3 (10) Fastest Growing (Massivelly) Chutrch in USA is RCC, According to National Council of Churches Annual Data > About 4.7 Million MOre Catholics (Mostly Returnees) in Last 3 Years > 2.6 % Growth 3 Years ago, 2 % Growth top 69 Million 2 Years ago, 1.6 % Growth, in 2006. (11) Brother Martin Luther said 450 Years ago, That THE TEST of Full Christianity is Whether REAL PRESENCE OPF LORD Eucharist Believed. That called Preachin and Singin only Calvin Not a Christian (12) The Awesome Lord's "Last Supper Feast" is the Oldest Christian Ritual, After Baptism. FEATURES REAL PRESENCE EUCHARIST, As Always. (13) >>>>>And, The Novus Ordo Mass (New Name for Last Supper Feadt of Apostoilic Times, IS ALL FIRST 2 CENTURIES Solemn Congregation JOINING Prayers, Last Supper Feast > Highly Documented in MASS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS, By Baptist Convert Aquilinna/$12.95. Cites, Qoutes Earlist Documents,. IN PRAYERS USED. (14) Our Lord Repeatedly Said "Unless Ye Eat my Flesh....Drink My Blood, Ye Cannot have Life". He wasNot Teaching Cannibalisam. HE MEANT TO "BLESS"/Consecrate Bread/Wine Into His Real Presence, Universally Felt. CONSECRATION is What LOrd told us to do in Remembrance. (15) The Apostles Did the Kiss of Peace, now done in West as Sign of Peace, at EVERY Daily Mass. (16) The Catholic Chutrch NEVER Conflicts with the NT,. Only It Follows All Bible, As Lord set up. (17) The New Testament is the Operationsd Manual of the Early Church/Apostles. Not everything in Bible. Reading it as New English Writing of 20 Years ago, IGNORES CULTURE OF TIMES, Understandimngs of Times. (18) And Authentic Books of New Testament (Were Hundreds of Phony "epistles", "Gospels", Like Gospel of Judas :)...Authentic Books of Bible weere Not Selected Canonically Until Council of Carthage, YE$AR 394, And Council of NIcea, Council of Rome Approving, Right After. Same Bible we ALL Use, Except Brother Martin Luther Removed 7 OT Books, And Changed Wording of Romans, Tio His Liking.
You said that the pope is more on the side of tradition than scripture. How so? I dont understand how you can state this from a pope who holds more knowledge about scripture than probably most theologians. He loves scripture, and really tradition is based upon* scripture. He does not go off in his own way and create his own Church. Thats not what being the pope is about. remember that Catholicism has its roots in the early Church..The one where the apostles chose a someone to succeed Peter.
A. There is no record of the apostle's choosing someone to succeed Peter. Rather, they chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot.
B. Where is the list of infallible proclamations infallibly exegeting Scripture?
C. Petrine Primacy is by no means established by tradition, since no less than 3 different views were held in the Ante-Nicene Church alone.
D. Did the Ancient Church hold to the Marian dogmas, papal infallibility, purgatory, etc.?
A mother is a mother of someones personhood. not there nature. So Mary is the mother of Jesus personhood which is both human and divine.
What Protestants disagree with this?
However, where does Scripture declare her "Queen Mother" or "Ark of the Covenant" or "Co-Redemptrix" or "Queen of Heaven?"
i am in agreement that if nothing else, at least the pope isn't spouting out a bunch of "same mountain//different sides" garbage.
perhaps this *will* start a brass tacks discussion b/t roman catholics and protestants as to what we believe and why.
-stephen
Zoinks, there are quite a few comments. I apologize, as I've been away for a week. Thank you all for writing. It seems like quite a few of your comments could be far better prepared than my rant.
Whom ever said I need to back up my assertions, you are absolutely right. I'll do my best to respond again with evidence.
I myself being American can completely understand having a leader say something you disagree with. To my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, I apologize for tossing Pope Benedict's words onto you, unless you agree with him.
Again, thank.
Great post.
(Lisa, Jon's wife)
It troubles me greatly to see that the new pope is more for creating divisions than he is about building bridges.
I believe the words of Jesus are true; that the only to God is through him. But what if that means simply that he's the one who will be looking at every indivdual and what they've done with their life and if they've tried to love God with all their heart, mind, body, and spirit - and loved their neighbor as themself? Without claiming some divine knowledge that I obviously do not have, I think our entrance into the presence of God is going to be more about if we chose to love and less about what doctrine, dogma, theology, creed, etc. we chose to strictly adhere to in this life.
Great post, as always.
I promise I am going to attempt a comment to respond to the complaints. Although, I do think Mr. Bridges covered most of your arguments quite well.
On a side note please don't be afraid to put a name with your post, if you have a blogger account. I don't have enough readership for anyone to come hunting you down.
And finally, RCC Anthony, I'm probably not going to respond to your comment because I don't want to decipher what was written. I know the comment box isn't the best place to write a full defense of your faith, so, no hard feelings.
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