The Pope's "mistake" and the Boston Globe, what do Christians think?

Question

I find this article interesting (below), with perhaps the most interesting line including the words "none of the actual Apostles thought that they themselves were establishing a "church" in our sense, independent of Judaism." Is this common thinking among Catholics, or Christians in general? I am also impressed with the lines "Pope Benedict is attempting to restore, by fiat, the first naiveté of "one true church." In an age of global pluralism, this is simply not tenable." What do you think?


http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/07/16/pope_benedicts_mistake/

Answer 1

This pope already stated back in 2001 that the Catholic church was indeed the one and only church, and that only Catholics could be saved.

Sounds like cult dynamics to me.

.

Answer 2

Its gonna get allot of Christians upset.

Although his reasoning is pretty right on.

When the Apostles started proclaiming the Good news, they weren't trying to establish Christianity, they were claiming that Judaism was continuing on but that it had been fulfilled, through Christ.

It took many years of doctrinal discussions and changing doctrinal beliefs around the prophesies that fortold a messiah before 'Christianity' became separate from Judaism.

Paul probably was the greatest influence for the split by agressively adopting the Gentiles into the fold.

Answer 3

Jesus was a Jew and never denied His faith. He said He came to establish the kingdom of God and based it on the Jewish belief system. Denominations are not of God and the apostles even said we should not argue as in the Paul or Appolus issue. The Apostles were spreading the good news that the sacrificial lamb had been slain and risen. They were not establishing a new religion but were showing a marvelous provision in the way to salvation and to enter into the presence of the Father in Heaven eternally.

We are to be believers and followers of Christ who pointed us to the God of the Jews. He came as the final sacrifice not to establish a whole new religion. Historically denominations have divided the body of believers not united them. The Biblical Text tells us that all parts of the body play a different role and need to be counted as important to the whole.

Rev. Dr. S.L. Gardner
Spokane Valley, WA U.S.

Answer 4

This is not an article reporting events. It is an editorial of one person's opinion.

In his "article," Mr. Carroll makes some interesting claims but refuses to cite sources or documentation to support his historical claims.

I find it hard to believe that the Apostle Paul, who went from a religious persecutor of the new Christians to one of the greatest Christian leaders of all time would not believe "they themselves were establishing a "church" in our sense, independent of Judaism."

Pope Benedict is not attempting to restore anything. The Catholic Church is as large and vital as it has been at any time in history. The Pope did not even say anything new, he simply approved a 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 5

Unfortunately, the Globe is not recognized as an accredited theological institution. But they do seem to have their facts straight.

Answer 6

There is no "pope" in the Bible, so that false prophet has no authority with me.

Catholics are not saved and are not Christians. Catholics believe a false gospel of works that leads to eternal hell (Galatians 1).

Bible teachers that said the Vatican and the catholic cult are an antichrist: John Bunyan, John Huss, John Wycliffe, John Calvin, William Tyndale, John Knox, Thomas Bacon, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Samuel Cooper, John Cotton, and Jonathan Edwards

Answer 7

I am a Roman Catholic, and I do not believe that Catholicism is the only path to salvation.


It's the path that I feel works best for me.