Why do Protestants reject the Pope's authority?

[SteveVH]

Easy. Scripture says, by their fruits you will know them.
If the actions contradict the teachings of Jesus, then how can he be under the guidance of G-d and why would I support that?

Popes are sinners. Evidence of this is that our current Pope goes to confession nearly on a daily basis in order to remain as pure as is possible. He would not go to confession if he had nothing to confess. So what? Are you going to cast the first stone?

Yes, scripture says by their fruits you will know them. I challenge you to find any other institution that has influenced humanity as profoundly as the Catholic Church, headed by its popes. Do you have any idea of the accomplishments that have benefited the entire world; morally, scientifically, educationally, artistically, musically, socially and medically? We haven’t even mentioned the fact that it is the greatest advocate for the poor in the world. No one else comes close. All of this under the direction and guidance of the popes. So if you ever want to compare fruit…

 

[Micah11]

No Catholic (including the popes) I know has ever claimed that everything that all popes have done has been, or is even supposed to be, led by the Holy Spirit. What we claim is that, in the matter of faith and morals…I said FAITH AND MORALS, the popes and our current pope is led by the Holy Spirit when making those decisions ex cathedera (officially,in other words)and is protected by the Holy Spirit from error. The pope cannot rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal what team will win the world series but he can lead his flock in the direction we need to go…always without error. You must be very busy keeping up with all “the other believers on the planet”.

Let me ask you this-
Would you believe a person’s teachings of FAITH and MORALS if they didn’t practice it?

 

[JonNC]

Easy. Scripture says, by their fruits you will know them.
If the actions contradict the teachings of Jesus, then how can he be under the guidance of G-d and why would I support that?

Do you have a specific you’d like to mention about Pope Benedict?

The actions of all of us, at times, contradict His teachings. Hence, the need for the means of grace, such as confession/Holy Absolution.

Be that as it may, I was speaking of the office of Bishop of Rome, and that office has authority.

Jon

 

[Micah11]

Yes, scripture says by their fruits you will know them. I challenge you to find any other institution that has influenced humanity as profoundly as the Catholic Church, headed by its popes. .

Oh, they had influence alright, but not all of it good.
As a result, the whole “apostolic succession” falls apart and I have no reason to believe it.

 

[Micah11]

Do you have a specific you’d like to mention about Pope Benedict?

The actions of all of us, at times, contradict His teachings. Hence, the need for the means of grace, such as confession/Holy Absolution.

Be that as it may, I was speaking of the office of Bishop of Rome, and that office has authority.

Jon

Pope Paul IV

 

[JonNC]

Let me ask you this-
Would you believe a person’s teachings of FAITH and MORALS if they didn’t practice it?

You haven’t listed the communion/denomination of which you are a member, so my question has to be general: do the human leaders of your communion always practice the faith and morals they preach?

Jon

 

[Simka]

Authority was given to Peter by Jesus.

If there is any one single cause that anyone rejects the authority of the Pope, it is that this one statement is regarded as so inflammatory. Most of the rest of the Christian Church disagrees with the Roman Catholic understanding of Peter’s “authority”. What authority are you referring to?

 

[JonNC]

Pope Paul IV

How does this respond to my question about Pope Benedict XVI?

I have great respect for the office of President of the United States, regardless of how some of the individuals who have held that office act. I don’t reject the Constitution because of them.

I’m not Catholic, not because of the way some popes have acted, but because the claims they make about the extent of his authority doesn’t seem to match what is expressed in the early council. His role in the Church, however, is distinct and vital.

Jon

 

[Micah11]

You haven’t listed the communion/denomination of which you are a member, so my question has to be general: do the human leaders of your communion always practice the faith and morals they preach?

Jon

Because I do not participate in that nastiness.
I am a Messianic/Sabbath keeping believer in Messiah Yeshua.
I gave up denominationalism a long time ago because all they do is fight with each other.

 

[JonNC]

Because I do not participate in that nastiness.
I am a Messianic/Sabbath keeping believer in Messiah Yeshua.
I gave up denominationalism a long time ago because all they do is fight with each other.

So, does that mean you always practice what you believe regarding faith and morals?

Jon

 

[Micah11]

How does this respond to my question about Pope Benedict XVI?

I wasn’t thinking of Benedict.

I have great respect for the office of President of the United States, regardless of how some of the individuals who have held that office act. I don’t reject the Constitution because of them

.

The difference there is that you have some say in what goes on there, in the RCC you don’t.

I’m not Catholic, not because of the way some popes have acted, but because the claims they make about the extent of his authority doesn’t seem to match what is expressed in the early council. His role in the Church, however, is distinct and vital.
Jon

Distinct, yes. Vital, no.

 

[Micah11]

So, does that mean you always practice what you believe regarding faith and morals?

Jon

Of course. Who practices what they don’t believe?
Am I perfect at it, no. But I’m not telling a billion people what to do either.

 

[pismopal]

Let me ask you this-
Would you believe a person’s teachings of FAITH and MORALS if they didn’t practice it?

Our Holy Father takes the Sacrament of Reconcilliation (confession) daily…because he is a man…a sinner. As far as having faith and morals…he has those in spades and you have no information to the contrary. As for the popes of the past…what decision made ex cathedra regarding faith and morals do you find in error? By the way…you neglected to answer my question about how you know so much about all the other believers on the planet. Please no generalities displaying your dislike for Catholic popes…specifically…what is your beef about decisions that we say are protected by the Holy Spirit? I suggest you do some research about the definition of papal infalibility before asking or answering any more questions because I suspect that you have no idea what you are talking about…sorry:blush:

 

[Nicea325]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Micah11
Let me ask you this-
Would you believe a person’s teachings of FAITH and MORALS if they didn’t practice it?

And how does one’s personal errors compromise doctrinal Truth?

 

[Micah11]

Our Holy Father takes the Sacrament of Reconcilliation (confession) daily…because he is a man…a sinner. As far as having faith and morals…he has those in spades…

And you know this how, precisely? Assumptions don’t count.

…and you have no information to the contrary.

Nope. But you have to admit, the butler’s comments are very intriguing.

As for the popes of the past…what decision made ex cathedra regarding faith and morals do you find in error?

How about a papal bull containing the words, “will be in force forever”.
Will that do?
Papal Bull

By the way…you neglected to answer my question about how you know so much about all the other believers on the planet.

I didn’t say that. I said,
I do not find the papacy any more “inspired” than any other believers on the planet, and some of the actions were certainly not spirit led- at least not the Holy Spirit anyway.

Please no generalities displaying your dislike for Catholic popes…specifically…what is your beef about decisions that we say are protected by the Holy Spirit?

Just that- that you say so. What evidence is there that this is true?

I suggest you do some research about the definition of papal infalibility before asking or answering any more questions because I suspect that you have no idea what you are talking about…sorry:blush:

Well, you’d be wrong.

 

[pismopal]

And you know this how, precisely? Assumptions don’t count.

Nope. But you have to admit, the butler’s comments are very intriguing.

How about a papal bull containing the words, “will be in force forever”.
Will that do?
Papal Bull

I didn’t say that. I said,
I do not find the papacy any more “inspired” than any other believers on the planet, and some of the actions were certainly not spirit led- at least not the Holy Spirit anyway.

Just that- that you say so. What evidence is there that this is true?

Well, you’d be wrong.

Your answers are more nebulous than your questions but both reveal an ignorance and prejudice that are,as far as I am concerned,invincible.

 

[Micah11]

Your answers are more nebulous than your questions but both reveal an ignorance and prejudice that are,as far as I am concerned,invincible.

A remarkable statement considering we haven’t even discussed the issue yet.

 

[GaryTaylor]

.I am a Messianic/Sabbath

Seventh Day Adventist? So then you follow the understanding the Pope is the anitichrist and the rest of her biblical comprehension from… Ellen White?

 

[Micah11]

Seventh Day Adventist? So then you follow the understanding the Pope is the anitichrist and the rest of her biblical comprehension from… Ellen White?

No, I’m not SDA. Simply a messianic/sabbath believer.

 

[Porknpie]

No, I’m not SDA. Simply a messianic/sabbath believer.

Oh good. A guessing game!

Jewish?