I certainly learned a lot from this post! I never truly understood the position of the Pope. Though my mother was a Catholic for many years, we've never spent much time talking about their beliefs & customs. I enjoyed reading what you had to say. :o)

Keep blogging!

Very interesting blog! I would have to agree with Sophia, though--a man (i.e. the Pope) is, when it comes down to it, incapable of ever being "infallible" (I read your earlier post on this, just to be sure what you were saying :-) ). When Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against his church, I think he meant that the church itself would not be destroyed--and it hasn't. To say that this verse talks about infallibility of the Pope is a bit of a stretch.
I will be sure to come back--keep it up!
~writer4him

A mere man can't be infallible, but the Holy Spirit speaking through a mere man can.
I'm Shutting up now.

I just wanted to say, again, that I love this blog. I always enjoy reading and I keep you in my prayers. Keep up the good work.

Sylvia,

Thank you for writing such an interesting post in response. However, there seems to be a few mistakes in your argument. You said that the apostle Simon Peter was given a shepherding authority. You also interpreted this as a supreme authority over the Church that was to be passed down 'century after century.' In the time of the apostle Peter, there was no 'Church. It was a Christian fellowship, first made up of Christ's disciples and later expanding as more and more converts were added. What is more, the apostle Peter was not the head of this fellowship. Most certainly not. There were a number of leaders who helped the people, Paul, John, Mark, Peter and many others. In the verse you used, John 21:15-17, I think that Jesus was giving Peter the command that he repeated to ALL the disciples in Mathew 28:19-20. There was nothing to indicate that Peter alone was the chosen 'Father of the Church.' Since Peter is not the 'father of the church' we can say also that there should be no 'Father of the Church.' In Protestantism the pastors are numerous leaders, who help the people in their walk with God. But they do not have power like the Pope. Not only does the Scriptures specifically say you shall call NO MAN FATHER, but when you DO have one man in absolute control, it will eventually, and already has, as Sophia pointed out, turn to evil. God is against Kings as he made clear to the people of Israel, and in the modern world ,Popes represent Kings, only they have even MORE power, which makes it even worse. Many of the popes of the past were certainly not righteous and used their power for their own good. That is absolutely unbiblical. You also said, 'As for your comment, Sophia, about a corrupt person being in power - that doesn't pose a threat when you take into account Papal Infallibility, which I have written about already.' I read your post on Papal infallibility, and I am afraid all I can say to it is this. There is nothing in the Bible that speaks of Papal Infallibility. The idea of a perfect man is absolutely unbiblical. ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is no proof that the Pope is infallible, and popes of the past have proved wicked. I hope you understand my point. I will wait for your response to my other statements in my last comment, especially those concerning tradition.

As to what you have to say about praying to the saints. I do not pretend to know the answer. I do not think that anyone knows it. Your commenter Rebecca made a very good point, and I believe that you answered her very well. But it leaves a question mark at the end. We do not know hardly anything about this subject. I am not sure that you need the saints to intercede for you as if you could not pray directly to Christ. When individuals pray for each other they are with each other. They are on the earth together. The saints are persons of the past, with whom we have no relation or contact. There is no reason we should pray to them instead of God. When we pray with each other, we pray FOR each other, not TO each other. Still, though, it is very possible that those who have finished the race and reside in heaven, pray for us and witness us. I would not confine this to only those whom the Catholic church name saints, however. The fact that this has been a continuing practice, (you claimed) seems to indicate that it is a possibility, but I do not believe that the Church knows.

Still, this subject is not as important as that concerning Papal authority. I repeat, 'How can you answer the Bible's SPECIFIC command that you shall call NO MAN FATHER? Mt. 23:9 Catholics obviously trespass the scriptures here. What can you say to that? That is my main reason for rejecting the Catholic Faith. As one of your other commentors remarked, 'I would have to agree with Sophia, though -- a man (i.e. the Pope) is, when it comes down to it, incapable of ever being "infallible." Completely correct. There are other things in the Catholic religion that I would consider, 'stumbling blocks' if not entirely wrong. But this is my main point.

Sincerely,
Nerdanel

P.S. I hope that I have not defended my beliefs in an offensive way. Inspite of our differences in faith, I have been very impressed with both of your blogs. I have noticed the way you handle controversy on HSB and I congratulate you for your discreet, prudent actions. Your writings and actions that I have witnessed show you to be a godly young lady. Keep it up!