Where I come from if you use one single verse to create a new theology, this is called 'Proof-texting' and a great way to start your own cult.
Contradiction and lack thereof is one of the key tools in discerning the true meaning of scripture. Such a principal of interpretation and reading comprehension is ageless.
I am truly trying to understand a frame of mind that can allow for such a large exception in interpretation.
2007-10-17 14:54:45 · 14 answers · asked by realchurchhistorian 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, if you will do a careful (and unbiased) study of Church history, dogma and the Bible you will see that nothing declared infallibly by any Pope since the time of St. Peter has contradicted Jesus or the Bible.
In fact, a lot of what Jesus said has been largely ignored by mainstream "Bible Christians." Yet the Catholic Church alone has maintained a continuity with Scripture and Tradition.
There is much more to the doctrine of papal infallibility than "one single verse." By your statement, you make it very obvious that you do not understand this Catholic teaching, and you would do well to study it better before jumping to conclusions and pointing fingers.
A good place to start would be:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
By the way, how do YOU interpret Scripture correctly? How do you know you're right? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that YOU can teach infallibly (without error).
You talk about "discerning the true meaning of Scripture" like it's all so clear to everyone. That's very interesting considering that we have 22,000 (and counting) Protestant denominations that teach contradictory things.
2007-10-18 03:54:23 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Not really.
No pope would declare a doctrine that would contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Bible is a bit different. For example, the Bible tells us that we should use capital punishment for many crimes including:
+ Murder (Gen 9:6, Ex 21:12, Numb 35:16-21).
+ Abuse of father or mother (Ex 21:15).
+ Speaking a curse over parents (Ex 21:17).
+ Blasphemy against God (Lev 24:14-16,23).
+ Breaking the Sabbath (Ex 31:14, Numb 15:32-36).
+ Practicing magic (Ex 22:18).
+ Fortune telling and practicing sorcery (Lev 20:27).
+ Religious people who mislead others to fall away (Deut 13:1-5, 18:20).
+ Adultery and fornication (Lev 20:10-12, Deut 22:22).
+ If a woman has intercourse before marriage (Deut 22:20-21).
+ If two people have intercourse when one of them is engaged. (Deut 22:23-24).
+ The daughter of a priest practicing prostitution (Lev 21:9).
+ Rape of someone who is engaged (Deut 22:25).
+ Having intercourse with animals (Ex 22:19).
+ Worshipping idols (Ex 22:20, Lev 20:1-5, Deut 17:2-7).
+ Incest (Lev 20:11-12, 14, 19-21).
+ Homosexuality (Lev 20:13).
+ Kidnapping (Ex 21:16).
+ To bear false testimony at a trial (Deut 19:16, 19).
+ Contempt of court (Deut 17:8-13).
However Catholic doctrine only allows the death penalty as a last resort. http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.htm#2267
Although Jesus spared the adulterous woman from stoning, he did not specifically condemn capital punishment as laid out in the Old Testament.
Catholic doctrine contradicts the biblical teachings noted above but follows the spirit of the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Does this doctrine contradict the Bible? Yes and no.
With love in Christ.
2007-10-18 17:32:32 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where I come from, the Bible is interpreted from a contextual approach, and also whether a particular interpretation is consistent with the whole of Scripture.
The verses you allude to -- Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 -- are but two from which apostolic authority is derived. Some of the others are:
Matt. 10:1,40
Luke 9:1; 10:19
Luke 10:16
Luke 22:29
John 13:20
John 16:14-15
Acts 13:3
Acts 15 (entire chapter)
Acts 16:4
Acts 20:28
2 Tim. 4:1-6
See also, in the Old Testament:
Jer. 23:1-8
Ezek. 34:1-10
2007-10-17 16:40:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
Catholics believe the Pope is the successor to Peter who was commissioned by Jesus as head of the Church as God's representative on earth. Peter or Kephas which means rock was the change of name designation which signifies a change of a person's life or vocation. Other examples would be Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Saul to Paul.The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church but the Rock is actually Christ who designated Peter as the rock of his representative on earth and the popes who have succeeded Peter carry on the tradition down to Benedict XVI himself.
2016-05-23 06:30:09 · answer #4 · answered by tamra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, obviously you have not educated yourself about what Catholics truly believe about papal infallibility. Here is a short primer:
1. Jesus himself promised the apostles and their successors the bishops, the magisterium of the Church: "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16), and "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matt. 18:18).
2. The infallibility of the pope is not a doctrine that suddenly appeared in Church teaching; rather, it is a doctrine which was implicit in the early Church. It is only our understanding of infallibility which has developed and been more clearly understood over time
3. An infallible pronouncement—whether made by the pope alone or by an ecumenical council—usually is made only when some doctrine has been called into question.
4. Infallibility applies ONLY to solemn, official teachings on faith and morals, NOT to disciplinary decisions or even to unofficial comments on faith and morals. A pope’s private theological opinions are not infallible, only what he solemnly defines is considered to be infallible teaching.
2007-10-18 03:59:02 · answer #5 · answered by Knight of Malta 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
When the Pope speaks ex cathedra on matters of faith and morals the Holy Spirit *prevents* him from speaking falsehood. Thus, when the Pope speaks ex cathedra, he never contradicts the Bible and Jesus! When he isn't speaking ex cathedra, his opinion holds as much weight as any other person.
What does Proof-Texting and Contradiction have to do with this?
2007-10-18 11:58:30 · answer #6 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pastor Billy says: provide an example and I'll rebut it!
You sir are a liar I've read several of your other question/ answers you are not "truly" seeking any understanding of Catholicism.
2007-10-19 03:57:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me ask you a question:
Do you understand the concept of papal infallibility as taught by the Catholic Church and formally defined at the 1st Vatican Council?
From your question it appears you do not.
It's so much easier to jump to conclusions based upon biased opinions you have about the Church. Please do your research first.
Read the documents from Vatican I. Google it. Or read the Catholic Catechism.
2007-10-18 04:01:45 · answer #8 · answered by Guardian 2 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
Not really but there are also 40,000 other Christian denominations that partially contradict Jesus and the bible as well... starting with Luther.
I guess all churches go back to the statement that says what you bind on earth is bound in heaven. That statement certainly gives a lot of leeway to Christian leadership don't you think?
Cheers,
Michael Kelly
2007-10-17 15:24:05 · answer #9 · answered by Michael Kelly 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
WHY are there so many people on these answer boards that seem so bent on bashing Catholics?
Catholics are Christians
I am a Catholic, and I think of myself, first and formost, as a Christian.
Why don't you take the plank out of your own eye before you point out the splinter in your neighbor's eye?
2007-10-17 15:41:54 · answer #10 · answered by micheleelainehood 2 · 7⤊ 1⤋