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Daylux, I do agree with you (although I don't really care whether or not this man identifies as a liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between)... As someone who loves Christ and is a Christian, it scares me to see so many people (catholic and non-catholic alike) worshiping this man. He is flesh and blood. He can't forgive our sins. He can't bring mankind closer to God. Yet, people are falling down over themselves to see him, to touch him...to be in his presence...as if he were the Savior.
While I have nothing personally against him, I'm appalled by the attention and idolatry he attracts. There is but One being who deserves our worship, our praise, our adoration...and that is Christ alone.
But in world and time where people reject Christ, and belittle those of us who believe in Him, none of this media frenzy and public fawning comes as a surprise.
I believe that religious leaders can inspire people to try and be better themselves. Compared to some so called Christian leaders that are taking full advantage of their positions to enrich themselves or taking the opportunity to jack off other men in restrooms after condemning homosexuals(Calling Ted Haggard), at least this pope has tried to act out in a humble, contrite manner.
He has reached out to the dredges of society, has extended his hand to virtually everyone and has not been afraid to court controversy, I'd say he is closer to following the path of Christ than most of these modern day leaders.
If his words and actions can inspire and lead people to do better in their own lives, I'd say he is doing a good job in his position.
Catholicism is a cult and contradictory to the Word of God.
A priest cannot forgive your sins, neither can the Pope, only Jesus. People are crying and carrying on over just a man in a funny costume who possesses absolutely no spiritual authority regarding their salvation or anything else.
The Lord Jesus of Nazareth disagrees with you …
from Matthew 16:17-19 --
"Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven."
-- The Lord Jesus (the Christ) of Nazareth, to Simon Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, the first Pope
and from John 20:23 --
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
-- The Resurrected Lord Jesus (the Christ) of Nazareth, to The Apostles
He didn't single out the U.S. or any other individual country. He doesn't have the power to do the things you are bringing up but he is trying to get others to think precisely as you are. I am quite sure if he was given the opportunity to sell Vatican treasure and give it to the poor, he would. He is doing what HE can, which is quite limited despite his title. Again, what do you want from him that is actually realistic?? What is really the basis for all this anger towards him? I honestly don't get it.
The real hypocrisy I see is on these boards. One second I'm arguing with people on a Kim Davis thread that she needs to do her job religion not allowed in a state office, and her defenders scream "We're a CHRISTIAN country founded on Christian principles!!!" now the same folks are here going "He's a religious leader, he should stay out of politics!"
But again some trailer trash 4-times married woman is a hypocrite, but she's at least a conservative hypocrite, who believes in the good old fashioned God of fire and brimstone and gay-bashing and the red, white and blue! Not some foreigner with a liberal agenda!! So her we'll defend the other we'll crucify.
I agree with those who believe it's because in so many ways, despite his religious representation, he's espousing the socialist/liberal agenda, a mindset favored by the media. The Pope's visit to Philadelphia in the 1970s (I was old enough to remember this event) was also accompanied by much pomp and ceremony although, admittedly, the publicity and coverage surrounding Pope Francis' arrival does seem much more extravagant and over the top.
Also, the Pope coverage conveniently distracts the public from other, more controversial news. Not that the following is earth shattering (after all, what else might we expect??), but:
Earlier today, President Obama released yet another prisoner from Guantanamo Bay. The free bird this time is Shaker Aamer, a citizen of the UK, and believed to have former ties to Al Quaeda and Osama Bin Laden.
The coverage of Pope Francis is a nice break from political campaigns dominating the news, for a little while anyway. I see absolutely nothing creepy about it, and would not use that word when talking about the pope. He is only the 4th pope to ever visit this country in its 239 year history, so the coverage is going to be excessive. Trump will be back in the headline next week.
"Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven."
-- The Lord Jesus (the Christ) of Nazareth, to Simon Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, the first Pope
and from John 20:23 --
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
-- The Resurrected Lord Jesus (the Christ) of Nazareth, to The Apostles
You're taking passages out of context.
What is the context of Matthew 16:17-19? Jesus initiated the conversation with Peter, which is the context of the entire passage we're looking at. Which is, 'Who do men say that I am?' Jesus asked Peter specifically 'Who do you say that I am?' That's when Peter confessed 'you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus responded 'Upon this rock (the statement that Peter made of Jesus being the Messiah) will I build my church.' What rock? The confession of Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, Mediator between God and man. Jesus is the rock. Not a priest. Not a pope. Jesus Christ himself.
I Corinthians 10:4 And they all did drink the same spiritual drink (Israel in the OT) for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Jesus is the Rock. He's the Mediator between God and Man, and this is what the church was built on.
Context is extremely important, as always. The context is 'who do men say that I am' It's all about Jesus saying he is the Son of God, the Mediator between Man and God. Has nothing to do with Peter.
Nowhere in the Word of God does it say Peter is a Pope. That is purely man-made religion.
What is the context of Matthew 16:17-19? Jesus initiated the conversation with Peter, which is the context of the entire passage we're looking at. Which is, 'Who do men say that I am?' Jesus asked Peter specifically 'Who do you say that I am?' That's when Peter confessed 'you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus responded 'Upon this rock (the statement that Peter made of Jesus being the Messiah) will I build my church.' What rock? The confession of Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, Mediator between God and man. Jesus is the rock. Not a priest. Not a pope. Jesus Christ himself.
I Corinthians 10:4 And they all did drink the same spiritual drink (Israel in the OT) for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Jesus is the Rock. He's the Mediator between God and Man, and this is what the church was built on.
Context is extremely important, as always. The context is 'who do men say that I am' It's all about Jesus saying he is the Son of God, the Mediator between Man and God. Has nothing to do with Peter.
Nowhere in the Word of God does it say Peter is a Pope. That is purely man-made religion.
The texts say what they say …
I know that various Protestant teachers and preachers like to claim that the texts don't say what they plainly say … *shrug* …
How about this … ??? Read the texts for yourself without preconceived ideas …
(I notice that you go out of your way to avoid the brief quote I gave from the text of The Gospel According to John … in which The Resurrected Lord Jesus the Christ of Nazareth specifically clearly gives The Apostles -- and the Bishops, their successors -- the power and authority to forgive sins …)
Not catholic but LOVE IT- and what I feel- is PEOPLE are in search of HOPE- so much NEGATIVE crap 24-7 we are horrible - never hear anything positive- and when something does come our way that is a PLUS...you question it and shun it bla bla ugh-- POPE ON!
BTW.... the Chinese prez came- and Castro went to NY to the UN_ and the DALI LAMA was coming but is sick right now -- now-- go back to being negative
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