[QueenAngie]

The Pope had a message this week restating the
belief that the Catholics were the only true christian church.

Anyone care to discuss this message?

What does it mean for Catholics?

What does it mean for other Christian churches world-wide?

[siageah]

I didn't read the Pope's message so bear with me...

But don't a lot of denominations/religions think that they are the one true path? Isn't the entire reason The Latter Day Saints exist is because they created the "one true christian church?"

Catholicism has long held that they are the one true church and the only path to eternal life. I'm not sure what the Pope said is particularly new. And although other denominations will, obviously, disagree (The Reformation sealed that one) they probably feel the same themselves.

[BuckeyezRule74]

Funny, you should mention both LDS & Catholic. I'm currently Catholic, living in Utah, learning about the LDS faith. I've always been a true, strong Catholic (went to Catholic school, church every week until I was 18, &, honestly, I do not agree. There are many faiths that are Christian. Jesus was Jewish! Was He 'wrong'? Who am I to say I am 'right' or 'better' than anyone else? I go against faith in okaying homosexuality as well (I am not that way, but I'm okay w/ it) . Again, who am I to judge anyone? 'He who is w/o sin, shall cast the 1st stone'. I've always believed in that. Some believe homosexuality IS a sin. I do not. Sorry, trying to shut the can of worms!

[purelegance]

i read an article on the pope's message. honestly, i think it's a load of crap. i could really go on and do my little catholic rant, but i won't. basically, the only way to be saved is through Jesus (it's in the bible, sounds pretty cut & dry to me), not the Pope, so i'm not really too concerned with what he says. And to extend my honesty.. I think the position of a "Pope" needs to be done away with, as i see so many people worshiping HIM and not God. Obviously, i'm not Catholic, so i don't really know the ins & outs of Catholicism, and i don't understand the pope's actual role but i would imagine that the basic biblical rules still apply (worship no one else before me, etc). I think Pope John Paul did a ton of great things for the world & i think he was a great guy, but this Pope Benedict seems to just rile me up.

obviously, i don't agree with his message, and think it's very egotistical for him to think he can release messages like this on God's behalf. I go by what the bible tells me, and based off that - the catholic church seems to be pretty backwards in alot of their policies.

[BuckeyezRule74]

We are a bit 'behind the times', but we're trying. As you can tell by my prev. post, I do not agree & follow blindly everything that is said in our religion. I have not really followed Pope Benedict (I can't even remember the number he is! ) all that much.

[mcmama]

16. He's number XVI.

The understanding is not that Catholics worship the Pope or come to salvation through him. The pope is supposed to be the vicar of Christ on earth.

I believe that what he is attempting to do is clean up a bit of an internal mess. When I was raised Catholic in the 1960s, there was a real "so what do your own thing" attitude in the American church. A lot of people my age were raised to be so called "cafeteria Catholics" - that is, you pick and choose what you will and won't follow. It led to a lot of confusion, and ultimately I think really contributed to people leaving, and to the sex scandals. (I know, most people think that is because of strictness and celebacy, but I really believe it is the other way around)

In a global church, there are a lot of local cultural influences that come into it - and I think he is trying to establish for Catholics around the world what is uniquely Roman Catholic. Including "Hey, I'm the Pope! Listen up!"

My oldest boy just graduated from a small Catholic college, and is not a Catholic. He got a little tired of religious discussions and prayer groups which never specifically mentioned Catholicism, but called it "christian" - but the classmate who was raised in an evangelical church and he who was raised in a liberal Episcopal church were "the protestants". He was asked on some panels to "represent the Protestant point of view" and a lot of people never understood it is really not a monolithic thing.

There are a lot of Protestant influences in American Roman Catholic worship - for example, the last time I visited the church where I was raised, they sang "A mighty fortress" which is really a Lutheran hymn. There are also charismatic Catholics, and at times their prayer can remind one of Pentacostals. I think the Pope is looking at all that and saying to not lose or confuse what is uniquely Catholic, and therefore "true church" for those who consider themselves to be Roman Catholics.

[QueenAngie]

Gotta love those good Lutheran hymns!

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

"Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word"

"From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"

"Out of the Depths I Cry to You"

"Oh Lord We Praise Thee"

[swt1899]

I have a problem with what the Pope said.... I mean I am Lutheran and believe in grace... God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Through Jesus we have salvation. I don't think just because some denominations don't do certain tradiations or rituals that they are not a true Christian Church. Our focus and our love is with Jesus, not how or what kind of building we worship Him in.
Sometimes what is said about the many denominations are what politicians say about their opponents to stir things up.
Denominations also interpret parts of the Bible differently. Pentacostals do not believe in adorning themselves in jewelry or make up or wearing pants or shorts. Many Southern Baptists believe that dancing is not appropriate, Many church of Christ churches do not have organs or musical instruments in their worship. But the focus of all of these denominations is salvation through Jesus.
My faith renewed when I had the opportunity to see the Dead Sea Scrolls here in Houston. These people back then had hopes of a Messiah. Christians as a whole believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Seeing the actual writing on these scrolls from thousands of years ago just anchored me to believe that He is. That hope was fulfilled. No one can tell me that I am not of the Christian church. I have my proof.
Just my two cents...

[mrs_ray]

Originally Posted by BuckeyezRule74

Funny, you should mention both LDS & Catholic. I'm currently Catholic, living in Utah, learning about the LDS faith. I've always been a true, strong Catholic (went to Catholic school, church every week until I was 18, &, honestly, I do not agree. There are many faiths that are Christian. Jesus was Jewish! Was He 'wrong'? Who am I to say I am 'right' or 'better' than anyone else? I go against faith in okaying homosexuality as well (I am not that way, but I'm okay w/ it) . Again, who am I to judge anyone? 'He who is w/o sin, shall cast the 1st stone'. I've always believed in that. Some believe homosexuality IS a sin. I do not. Sorry, trying to shut the can of worms!

Matthew 7:2-5 says it best.

[twinzplus3]

I didn't hear the message but. . .

There's something that's being confused here in this discussion. The church, as in the one in the Bible from Acts onward has always referred to itself as the 'catholic' church. In fact, if you take Greek class you will learn that the word catholic is from the Greek katholikos which means "concerning the whole". And why did the church (as in the one that evangelicals would claim to follow?) because when Christ was talking about his church he used it in the singular. Not his churches spread throughout in little subdivisions but one whole church--katholikos.

In fact the Apostles' creed (as in THE apostles) at one part says, "We believe in the Catholic church." They're not catholic as you're thinking of, they're belong to the one catholic church as in one body of Christ. Some have changed the wording to the Apostle's creed (I assume so it's not confusing) to say we believe in one Christian church.

So. . .while I recognize not everyone on this board would call themselves an evangelical Christian, but if you do, and you believe what the Bible says (one way to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ's), then you too also believe that there is one 'catholic' church as this is the Biblical teaching: one Body of Christ ergo, one church. (I hope that made sense.)