Pope

[Hatikvah]

Martin Luther especially, John Calvin, John Knox all taught the view of the Pope as antichrist. Some noted Protestants who have held to that view include Charles Spurgeon (Baptist), Archbishop Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury (English Reformation under Henry VIII, Edward VI), and John Wesley (Methodism/Wesleyanism). [Source]

The view was understandably political rather than theological at first, with Martin Luther decrying the simony and abuse of indulgences he found in Rome, along with other subjects in his Ninety-Five Theses. To differentiate, the initial political changes in the Protestant Reformation are called the Magisterial Reformation, with the initial religious changes being called the Radical Reformation.

Some evangelicals today seriously hold to this view, especially Calvinists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses eschatology may permit that view (though some views have been changed since the 2009 International Convention).

It’s pretty ridiculous to me: why would the position of Pope, which has since had many people wilfully brought to faith in Jesus around the world and allowed for them to be saved, be so sinister as to deserve such a title?

 

[adamhovey1988]

I don’t understand why people keep calling the pope the anti christ I think this is personally crazy. Besides, I don’t think God would allow the devil to infiltrate this holy man.

Also, I have heard that people started doing this sort of thing after the protestant reformation. I guess maybe they do this as a way to attack the catholic Church because the catholic church taught things at that time that not all protestants agreed with.

The best thing that I think Catholics should do is pray for the pope and those people that are casting these names at him so they can find the truth, and to stop believing all the lies and falsehoods that are being sometimes bred by these different sects. To then come to the Church of truth, that is led by the Holy Spirit.

I personally think that the catholic church because of the sacrament of reconcilliation is the only true way into eternal bliss with God. This is because as a church we have something that no other church has and that is the forgiveness of sins by God through a priest.

Technically, the Orthodox also have forgiveness of sins through God by a priest. I understand what you’re getting at, and it does get annoying. The Pope is the Pope, and I think we do well to remember that.

 

[The_Apostolate]

The Pope is the leader of the Catholic church, he is not the Anti Christ,the people saying this, is people that have fallen away from the Grace of GOD.let us always pray for our Holy Father. AMEN

 

[corsair]

I do not care for much of what the Holy Father says BUT he is the Pope and I will not publicly “bash” him. I will increase my prayers for him.

 

[amsjj]

Amen, corsair. In his special position, he needs many prayers.