authoritiran nature of the church

[Daniel_Marsh]

“roman” catholicism
mormonism
jehovah’s witnesses

Christian fundamentalists view groups like the above as being authoritiran in nature and therefore should be avoided.

When in fact, fundamentalists are just as authoritarian.

What are the postative and negitive effects authoritrianism in the the church?

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

Dr. Peter Kreeft puts “authority” in context by noting that the word means “author’s rights”. The Author, Jesus Christ, has given the Church charge over these author’s rights, not for the good or advancement of those who exercise them, but for the sake of the salvation of the souls in the Church. Seen that way, the authority is a proper thing. Considering the nature of the people in the Church – that is, fallen (though redeemed), it is also a necessary thing.

Consider just one thing – the interpretation of Holy Scripture. If there were no authority to interpret it, one would have, well, Protestantism, where everyone, by default, becomes his or her own interpreter in the absence of an interpreting authority. On the issue of same sex “marriage”, for example, one finds proponents who quote Holy Scripture in support of the notion, and without an interpreting authority, how can one rebut them to effect?

So yes, our Holy Mother the Church does have authority, from her Head and Founder. It is His authority granted to Her, and I, for one, and very grateful to Him for doing so – not because it makes life easy, but because it makes a life seeking to move closer to Him possible.

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[LatinCat]

“roman” catholicism
mormonism
jehovah’s witnesses

Christian fundamentalists view groups like the above as being authoritiran in nature and therefore should be avoided.

When in fact, fundamentalists are just as authoritarian.

What are the postative and negitive effects authoritrianism in the the church?

If God established the authority of the Catholic Church, then we must submitt to that authority or we sin against God, whether we like it or or not.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

“roman” catholicism
mormonism
jehovah’s witnesses

Christian fundamentalists view groups like the above as being authoritiran in nature and therefore should be avoided.

When in fact, fundamentalists are just as authoritarian.

What are the postative and negitive effects authoritrianism in the the church?

Can you define what you mean when you say “authoritarianism.” Do you mean to ask what are the good and bad aspects of an established authority on matters of doctrine and morality, or do you mean to ask what are the good and bad aspects of believing there should be an established authority on such matters. These are two entirely separate questions.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

Matt 7:9 “he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”

Luke 10:16 “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me”

I believe the Church speaks with authority, but is not authoritarian.

 

[6YRSHOME]

Every protestant church I have ever been to does not claim any type of authority othe than the Bible.(except for the SDA’s. They claim the Bible is their authority but it is really E.G. White that they measure everything against.)
We were kind of left hanging. So if there was never final resolution to a question that needed a concrete, rock bottom answer. It was all specutlation and opinion.
But then again people don’t want authourity. They want a religion that fits their beliefs rather than the other way around. Why do you think there are so many denominations. Everytime there is a major conflict, just go start another church. Somehow I don’t think this is what Jesus had in mind when he founded His Church. :nope:

 

[Kitty_Chan]

“roman” catholicism
mormonism
jehovah’s witnesses

Christian fundamentalists view groups like the above as being authoritiran in nature and therefore should be avoided.

When in fact, fundamentalists are just as authoritarian.

What are the postative and negitive effects authoritrianism in the the church?

As a non catholic heres a view, mormons and jehovahs although strict do not recognize Jesus properly. Ive never heard authortiran used to describe them

Maybe the Catholic Church, but more in a way of ruling the people. And yes you are correct about some fundamentalist churches. The Word of Faith my friend was a member of they thought that if you said the wrong words you are damming yourself. Now there may be a truth in that but when carried to the top, it makes for a very jittery bunch that cant relax.

So theres a pro for proper authority. Sometimes a church so wants to distance themselves from the Catholic church authority, and end up with rules just the same. maybe because there has to be a certain amount of rules.

The SDA’s they figure everyone but them are wrong. Everyone is the same. All protestant churches are junior Catholic churches because they follow the ** to you-know-where and dare to worship on Sundays.

Theres a con for authority.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Kitty, answered the question I was asking. Others did a knee jerk response. To the person who asked, what did I mean by my question, follow Kitty’s lead.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Just imagine the state of existence if each one of the Apostles and Deciples went each their own way with each their own personal interpretation…

What do you believe would have been the ultimate outcome of such a possibility?