(I've been terribly busy over the past week or so, what with the standardized testing and meetings and community chorus and whatnot, so I haven't had a chance to post this until now. The article I refer to was printed in Vol. 135, No. 74 of the Calhoun Times, dated Wednesday, April 13, 2005.)
While reading our local newspaper, which is full of the usual small town fare, I noticed a small section tucked away under the obituaries entitled "Bible Questions of the Week". It's not uncommon to see articles or ads for the many churches in our area, so I didn't think much about it...until I saw the question:
Does the Bible authorize the office of "pope?"
This is certainly not a question I would have expected to see, and it was made all the more intriguing by seeing the word 'pope' in quotation marks and not capitalized. Red flags immediately began springing up in my mind. I will now relay to you, word for word, what I found.
Bible Questions Of The Week Does the Bible authorize the office of "pope?"
The death of John Paul II has turned the world's attention to the Roman Catholic organization, especially toward the election of a new "pope." People are curious as to who this next man will be. But does the Bible even authorize the office of "Pope?" This should be the question people are asking. The entire doctrine of the papacy, for Catholics, revolves around the Lord's promise of the church in Matthew 16:18. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Peter "was selected as the Rock (his name!) on which the church would be built" [vol. 11, p.202]. This is erroneous, to suggest that the Christ built His church on the foundation of Peter, since the Bible clearly states that the foundation is the Christ Himself (1 Cor. 3:11). When Jesus converses with Peter [Gk. petros, "a stone; pebble"], He indicates that He would build the church upon the "rock" [Gk. petra, "a large rock ledge; cliff; bedrock"]. The discussion center on Jesus, not Peter, and the rock upon which the church is built is the fact that Jesus is God's Messiah -- the fact which Peter has just admitted. Catholicism responds by saying that Peter was preeminent among the apostles, claming "it is always Peter who is mentioned first" [Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 11, p.202]. But this is also untrue. Both John 1:44 and Galatians 2:9 show other men listed before Peter. In addition, Peter was a married man (Matt. 8:14), thus adding a final blow to the false doctrine of the papacy. Catholics are right when they say "the whole doctrine of the Catholic Church rests upon this basis" [The Papacy, p. 22-23]. Since the doctrine of the papacy is false, the whole doctrine of the Catholic religion falls. May men be wise enough to turn to the Bible for answers and not a human organization that is built upon misrepresentations of the Word of God.
I sat back, stunned by what I had just read, and thought for quite a while. I read it again. Then I investigated further. The previous week's newspaper had no section entitled "Bible Questions Of The Week", nor did any of the previous weeks' papers. After studying the article some more, I realized that it was not an article at all...it was an advertisement. The author actually paid to get his views published.
I became enwrapped by a fit of rage, the likes of which I had never experienced before.
I don't care if you agree or not. I don't care if the author (who preaches at a Church of Christ) is right or wrong. What I do care about is that a Christian preacher is calling the entire Catholic faith a lie. This is probably the most un-Christian occurrence I have witnessed in quite a while.
But wait! Was not the Church of Christ founded on an interpretation of the Bible? Who's to say if that interpretation is correct? I'm sure that there's a Catholic priest somewhere who feels that devotees of the Church of Christ are in the wrong. I'm sure this also applies to the Baptists, Methodists, Church of God, Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Episcopalians, Lutherans...even the Mormons! And I'm sure the feeling is mutual.
In fact, isn't the reason why there are sooooo many different denominations of religion because of different interpretations of whatever Holy Scripture the religion is based on? Think about it. It's not just Christianity. EVERY religion in this world is divided because of differing interpretations - Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. The most extreme example would be that of Islam. There are two prevalent interpretations of the Koran. One has led many Islamic people to live peacefully among their fellow humans; the other has led Islamic people to bring death upon their fellow humans. Quite a contrast, wouldn't you say?
When it comes down to it, the interpretations and ideologies are better left to the scholars and theologians. The leaders of any organized religion should discuss their beliefs with their respective congregations, for that is the whole point of going to church. Any commentary reserved for religious viewpoints other than your own should go no further than the front door of your church. Believe what you will, but there is no need...NO NEED...to inflict it upon others just because of your self-inflicted moral superiority.
It's bullshit like this that turns me (and a continually-growing number of others) further away from organized religion.
What makes this even more sickening to me is that the author knows Catholics will be reading this. Calhoun actually has a sizeable Catholic community. I am well acquainted with many of them, and I have many more friends outside of Calhoun who are Catholic. In fact, my stepfather's entire family is Catholic. So the author of this "article" has not only insulted my intelligence and convictions, he has insulted my friends and family.
This land was partially colonized by groups of people seeking refuge from religious persecution. And now, over 270 years since Georgia was officially formed as a colony, the persecution continues.
If you would like to let the author of the "article" know how you feel on this issue, please feel free to contact him:
David B. Smith
Northside Church of Christ
700 Jolly Road
Calhoun, GA 30701
706-625-8722
Email: ConFTFaith@aol.com