What do you think about what the pope said?

Question

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19692094/?GT1=10150

Answer 1

It doesn't matter what any man says (people change there mind).
The church was started in Isreal.
Paul was converted on the road to Damascus.He was going to persecute christians there.
Damascus isn't in Italy.
The first believers to be called christians were in Antioch (Antioch isn't Rome).
Why were early christians fed to hungry lions???

Answer 2

This is nothing new to the Catholic Church. They have always claimed that other churches are not true churches. It is just the first time that this Pope has come out and said it publicly.
Alignment with Scriptural teaching, not apostolic succession, is the determining factor of the trueness of a church. What is mentioned in Scripture is the idea that the Word of God was to be the guide that the church was to follow (Acts 20:32). It is Scripture that was to be the infallible measuring stick for teaching and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the Scriptures that teachings are to be compared with (Acts 17:10-12). Apostolic authority was passed on through the writings of the apostles, not through apostolic succession.

Recommended Resource: The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy.

Answer 3

Old news already. It merely restates what the Catholic Church has been teaching for centuries. It states what the Catholic Church defines as a church, that apostolic succession is required to be considered a true Christian Chruch.

He said no more and no less. He doesn't mean to imply that there are no other legitimate congregations of believers, but simply that the Christian church begun by Christ was founded upon a succession of apostles. Without this, the Catholic Church does not believe that other congregations are the legitimate church that Christ began.

If the Catholic Church was started by Christ, and if he instituted a system of apostolic succession, then any group without such succession cannot legitimately claim to be a true church as sanctioned by Christ.

The Catholic definition of a Church is quite different than the legal definition of a church, and the Catholic doctrine does not imply that other churches should have no legal standing as such.

Answer 4

The main problem here is that too many Protestants do not understand Catholic lingo. Read the whole document, then have someone who knows what it's saying explain it to you. Also, maybe Protestants need to watch a program that I saw the other night called "What Catholics and Protestants can learn from each other" it was very informative. Go to the website www.protestantcatholic.com

Answer 5

I believe that the biggest problem with Christianity is Christian on Christian hatred. I'm disappointed to see the pope act in this way. I think Benedict is undoing a lot of the progress made by John Paul II. Let's hope that all Christians can see past this and understand that we all are members of the body of Christ and one Christian denom is as valid as another.

Answer 6

I am tugged by the Holy Spirit in one direction to glorify God, away from the proclamations of a man who serves to glorify an organized religion.

Don't genuine shepherds spread the pure Gospel, rather than persuade others to follow manmade doctrine loosely defined by some scripture?

I will continue to be led by the Spirit regardless.

God Bless you!

Answer 7

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 8

Well, that's like a Baptist Minister saying "everone else is wrong", and guess what! That's what they say. I mean, why would you believe a certain denomination's ideas and not find them to be true. This is something that the Catholic Church has believed all along.

Answer 9

I don't agree at all...Jesus came to abolish or do away with religion...tradition..."demon" nations (domination's)! How could Catholics be the true church when they totally go against the Word of God. They still require you to confess your sins to the priest. Who are they for me to confess my sins too...they aren't God. That's crazy...I can go to the Father thru Jesus Christ....Jesus said that He is the High Priest. He said that no one can go to the Father except thru Him.

John 14:6 (Whole Chapter)
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Additionally...they call their priest father....only my heavenly Father can be called that. They also worship idols...Mary mother of Jesus...the saints!

All of these things contradict what the bible says! I don't agree with the religion at all!

Oh...by the way...I am a Christian!

Answer 10

HE is wrong and he is not God, he is a mere man and his religion is false. When a man claims he can give absolution for sins and Jesus says only He can, sorry charlie. HE says we can pray to someone other than to God thru Jesus, and God says otherwise, those things along say I am dealing with false religion. Others can believe it all they want, and I dont disrepect them, but I follow only what the God of the HOly Bible says. and HE says, if someone comes to you with GOd, that doesnt have the full teachings of Jesus, that it is false and we are to flee. Read it in SEcond John, its there.
SO what the pope says about anything doesnt concern me or anyone else that knows the precious word of God. Anyone that raises themself above God is not someone I would ever deal with, let alone to trust or hear. no thanks.
I stick with God in the Holy Bible, and Jesus is LOrd.