This passage has nothing do with determining doctrines and such but its about church discipline.
This is what you have been taught to believe, because those who taught you must reject the authority of the Catholic Church. However, if you think about this, you will realize that persons who have not been given authority have no business in charge of church discipline. Furthermore, since most of the problems in Church are related to people not following right doctrine, this should never be separated from discipline. Correct discipline cannot be provided apart from right doctrine. If the people in charge cannot determine the one, then they have no right doing the other!
What was the unity that Christ prayed for to be based on?
The Rock.
Can there be true unity if there is error? Of course no. That’s why the Reformation happen.
The Reformation happened for a number of reasons. However, I agree with you that there is no unity if there is error, and error was committed. However, the wrongdoing of man does not change the Holy Teachings of God. Judas betrayal did not make null the Teachings of Jesus. He chose not to follow them, but that does not make them invalid.
The church was guilty of promoting error even by its own standards.
No.
Sinful men, who are always in need of reform were guilty of promoting error. Yes, by the infallible standards of the church were these sins committed. Rebellion against the authority appointed by Christ is not the answer, though.
How can there be “one faith” when the Catholic church has added and subtracted from what the apostles taught?
I am sure it seems this way to you, since you are missing part of the deposit of faith.
Take a look at the Marian doctrines for starters. You don’t see them taught in the NT.
Well, we do.
However, such a statement is based on the erroneous assumption that all of what they taught is found in the NT.
Where do we find anything about contraception in the Scriptures?
Good grist for another thread. Perhaps this is the source of some of your animosity toward the Catholic Church? My experience here has taught me that most of the animosity originates below the waist…
Portestant churches that i’m aware of do agree on core doctrines such as the deity of Christ and frogiveness through Him.
Seems like you have some awareness that will be raised!
The Catholic church on the other hand has made celibacy a requirement for church leadership (denies I Timothy 3:1-13). There are other things that we could discuss but i think this enough for now.
No, ja4. Somehow I knew this was going to get recycled again soon. Church leadership is not related to celibacy. In fact, in the West, most parishes are governed by a parish council that is comprised of married couples. The ministry of the priest is sacramental and teaching, and does not require a person who necessarily has leadership ability. Nor is celibacy required to be a pastor. This is an ordinance, a discipline that is used in the Latin Rite primarily. Many priests serve in roles other that parish priest or pastor, and have specific ministries that are not considered leadership, but service. The fact that a priest presides at the Mass does not necessarily make him a good leader either.
I think that it might be time to abandon this worn out lie. Do you really have no concern about bearing false witness against your brother?
Sometime I would like to plunk you in a Coptic Church, and talk to you again a year later, or maybe an Orthodox monastery. I think such an experience would do wonders to get you over your “Roman” bigotry.
