| Infallable? The Pope does not sin? | | | | * As the leader of the Church founded by |
| | | | Christ (Matthew 16:18-19), Christ promised |
| Many Protestants do not understand Catholic | | | | the assistance of the Holy Spirit to his |
| terminology (many Catholics don't either!) | | | | Church, and promised he would be with it |
| Suffice to say, some of them believe that | | | | forever. (John 14:8-17) |
| Catholics profess the Pope to be without sin. | | | | |
| ImageThis idea is of course inconsistent with | | | | * Paul wanted complete unity among all |
| Scripture (Romans 3:23). As such, this is | | | | believers regarding their doctrines and |
| certainly not the position of the Catholic | | | | belief (1 Corinthians 1:10) |
| Church. Infallibility refers to his teaching, | | | | |
| not his conduct. Infallibility does not mean | | | | The above passages demonstate that the Holy |
| impecability. | | | | Spirit never lies, and as such, the Catholic |
| | | | Church, when invoking the assistance of the |
| Simply put, the Catholic term "infallability" | | | | Holy Spirit, speaks without error. This is |
| refers only to the official teachings of the | | | | the ultimate meaning of infalliblity. |
| Pope when the following conditions are met: | | | | |
| | | | Sometimes Scripture is not Enough for |
| * he is teaching to the universal Church | | | | Protestants. |
| | | | |
| * it is an issue regarding faith and morals | | | | Non-Catholics may debate the interpretations |
| (not merely customs and discipline) | | | | of the above verses. You may be prepared to |
| | | | answer their objects verse by verse, or you |
| * he specifically intends to profess such a | | | | may not. The following is a line of logic for |
| teaching | | | | the absolute "need" for Papal authority: |
| | | | |
| The personal opinion of the Pope about the | | | | In the United States we have a master |
| Middle Eastern conflict, while perhaps | | | | document that guides much of our lives: the |
| valuable for all mankind to consider, would | | | | Constitution. For Christians, they have a |
| not fall under the doctrine of infallability. | | | | master document as well: the Bible. |
| Nor would his hope for a certain soccer team | | | | |
| to win the World Cup. Finally, it should be | | | | The Founding Fathers of the United States |
| noted that the use of this ultimate authority | | | | realized that if everyone were able to |
| is very rare, having taken place only a few | | | | interpret the Constitution as they saw fit, |
| times in history. | | | | that there would complete chaos and anarchy. |
| | | | As a result, they instituted an ultimate |
| Where is it in the Bible? | | | | authority, the Supreme Court, to interpret |
| | | | the Constitution for us. |
| Simply communicating, with charity, to | | | | |
| Protestants what Catholics actually believe | | | | In a similar way, the Founding Father of |
| about the Pope and his authority, is the | | | | Christianity realized that if people were |
| first step in discussing this topic. The next | | | | able to interpret the Scriptures on their |
| step is to demonstrate from Scripture that | | | | own, that complete anarchy and division would |
| the Catholic position is in fact the position | | | | persist within Christianity. As such, he |
| taught within its pages. | | | | instituted an ultimate authority, the |
| | | | Catholic Church, to interpret the Bible for |
| * First, Christ appointed the first Pope, | | | | us. |
| Peter. (Matthew 16:18) | | | | |
| | | | Protestantism has demonstrated Scripture to |
| * Christ gave specific authority to Peter, | | | | be true. This is why they have over 30,000 |
| alone. (Matthew 16:19) | | | | denominations and divisons. This division is |
| | | | counter biblical. According to Scripture, |
| * Peter confirms the Catholic interpretation | | | | unity and truth are lost when individuals |
| of Matthew 16:18-19 when he exercised | | | | take it upon themselves to privately |
| authority during one of the earliest disputes | | | | interpret Scripture. They do this, according |
| mentioned in Scripture. (Acts 15) | | | | to the Bible, "to their own destruction." |
| | | | (2nd. Peter 3:15-18) Fortunately for the |
| * Peter was often mentioned first when the | | | | majority of Christians in the world --- who |
| other Apostles were named. In other cases, | | | | happen to be Catholic --- they have the |
| Scripture just names Peter, and then mentions | | | | successor of Peter, to whom the assistance of |
| the others who "were with him". (Matt. | | | | the Holy Spirit was guaranteed, to guide them |
| 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13 | | | | on issues of Scripture interpretation, faith |
| Luke 9:32) | | | | and morals. And following his guidance is |
| | | | something in keeping with the Bible, which |
| * Peter was so important to the early | | | | they do to their own benefit. Indeed, the |
| believers that even Peter's shadow brought | | | | infallibility of the Pope does make the |
| about miraculous healings. (Acts 5:15) | | | | Catholic Church a Church with a lifetime |
| | | | guarantee. |