How can the catholic church claim to be the original church if it keeps flip flopping?

Question

First, the old pope says that jews and muslims are brothers and that evolution is correct, and now the pope is saying that catholicism is the only way and to go back to the traditional beliefs. Not to mention this is the same church that used to persecute and kill noncatholics in the inquistion and the crusades.

Answer 1

You are a bit confused.

Here is the full text of the new document that states nothing new: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

Most Christian denominations believe that each of them is the fullest version of the Church of Christ.

While the Catholic Church also believes that she is "the highest exemplar" of the mystery that is the Church of Christ, she does not claim that non-Catholic Churches are not truly Christian. The Catholic Church teaches:

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.

All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 819: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

The true church is the body of believers in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament there is no mention of the early church being Catholic. As you have pointed out, there are a number of instances where the Catholic Church has done or said things contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Did you know that Christians were also killed for not renouncing Christ during the inquisition. Martin Luther was labeled a heretic for saying what the Bible says..We are saved by faith alone, not works.
The start of the church was with the approximately 120 people in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Mary the "mother " of Jesus was there). praying for and receiving the Holy Spirit. Then they received power to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. The more you know about what Jesus teaches us, and how to correctly apply His teachings, the less likely you will be fooled by those who say one thing and practice another.

Answer 3

Well, they *are* one of the four oldest Christian sects, with a history that begins no later than the 5th century C.E., and they *did* evolve from what might be called the Christian Church of the Roman Empire, whose history goes back possibly to the first century.

There is a difference between the "pope" flip-flopping and the RCC flip-flopping. First, it's hard to claim that the pope is flip-flopping since, according to your question, there are two different popes making these statements. Second, I don't see any disagreement or contradiction between your evaluation of the dead pope's statements and the living pope's statements.

Another point: just because the pope says something does not mean that it is now a part of RC doctrine. Really. Honest. The pope, like you or I, has his own opinions. He just gets more air time. When he *does* make a statement that changes or adds to RC doctrine, it will be a much more significant event, especially to RCs.

Conclusion: different popes have different opinions - but this by itself does not change the *teachings* (doctrine and dogma) of the RCC.

As for RCC history - yes, like many older Christian sects (Lutherans, Episcopalians, etc. etc.) religious war was approved of and carried out in the name of God. The RCC *has* changed, as nearly all churches do, over time. Although I do not agree with all the RC teachings, I *do* believe that they have *improved* since the times of these crusades and inquisitions. Is the RCC to blame for these things? Of course they, *as an organization*, are responsible. Is anyone living responsible for these things? Of course not, according to the bible.

Even if their claim of being the first (or oldest) church is accurate, it does not mean that they have always acted in accordance with the will of God. The RCC is well aware of this.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 4

The Pope is not going back on teaching that Jews and Muslims are Catholics brothers and sisters and what he has been saying has been consistent. Have you read the text from the Office of the Defense of the Faith that you are erferring to? It doesnot seem so.

Also, the Catholic Church has condemned and repented of its role in persecuting others in the past and itis now at the forefront in defending the human rights of all,especially the most defenseless.

Answer 5

Pastor Billy says: answer coming shortly, the Catholic Church has not switched it's position what is the flip flop you assume?


addendum: critical thinker? I think you are not. Regarding the temporal head of the Church, Catholics have one pope, Protestants have millions they call them pastor/preacher/elder/ or simply each individual.

BTW the inquisition was never enquiry of non-catholics.

Answer 6

The word Christian means Follower of Christ. In order to be a Follower of Christ, you need to acknowledge him as the Head of the Church because that is what is taught in the Bible.
The Catholic Church claims that the Pope is the head of the Church. Therefore by definition, Catholics cannot be considered Christians. The correct designation for Catholics is Paptist which means Follower of the Pope.
Also, the Catholic Church claims that their religion goes all the way back to the original group of believers and that Peter was the first Pope. However, the idea of one person being Head of the entire Church didn't come into existence until four hundred years after Peter died. Therefore, he could not have been the first Pope.
In summary, Catholics are not Christians. They are using the name of Jesus as a marketing tool to promote their own religion.

Answer 7

yes,the Catholic church made a public apology after they had supported hitler in his horrilbe reign so,what does this tell you huh?but you know what? being Catholic must be really fun huh,i mean,you get to do anything you want and still have forgiveness,you can even be gay!! heck,you can be a priest and be gay!!WOW!!this really must be the original religion right?oh wait wait,,,,,,,didnt God destroy Soddom and Gomorra because af all the homosexuals? OOps,i guess i was wrong,, but wait,,,Catholics celebrate Christs' birthday right?,,,yeah,that makes them the right one,YEAH!!,,oh no,hold on,,,,,the bible doesnt even show that date,darn,,,and i dont think Jesus celebrated his birthday here on Earth,neither did his apostles oh man,i Guess that isnt biblical either,well,,,,hmmmm,
Catholics do everything the bible says NOT to do,
right religion??? I think not.

Answer 8

Sorry honey.

You've been misled by the media. Our Catechism, that is the teachings of our church, says that Jews and Muslims are our brothers. No pope has changed this.

The church has never flip flopped. Ever. Our dogma has never changed.

Stop believing the media lies.

http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio.jsp?id=154889&eng=y

Answer 9

Um, have you actually read what was said? (Which by the way, was NOT the Pope?)

http://www.zenit.org/article-20090?l=english

This statement abrogated none of that... nor is any of this new, it is drawn from a document (Dominus Iesus) that the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith put out during the last Pope's tenure.

Answer 10

you know there are many religions out here claiming to be the only true relgions, but it all depends on their actions. wat i believe is that the true religion can be found depending on their actions, if you read the bible, you;ll see, that Jesus himself Never was involved in any political movement, it was all for the honor and glory of his Father, even when they tried to make him king, he refused and said the only one we should glorify is God himself, Jesus always occupied himself in preaching the good news to world and baptizing people who would listen and accept what he was sent to teach, ummmm, it also says in the bible, that a quality of this true religion was the love the people in it have for each other, because 1John 4:8, "it says God IS love", not that he simply HAS love, but that he IS. and because of this love he gave his son for us, and another thing that God sent his religion to do is to Preach these news to the world just as Jesus did. Matthew 24:14. so our job is to find this religion and accept it, because if there is only 1 bilbe, 1 God, isnt it reasonable there is only 1 true religion?