The headline on the Chicago Tribune this morning is "He was our Father." <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/uhoh.gif" alt="" />
Sadly, the pope was mentioned in our church yesterday. One of our elders used the Prayers of the People to extol the praises of the pope and ask God's comfort for our "Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ." It wasn't just a small portion of the prayer, either. It was the main substance. Needless to say, I was shocked and dismayed, as was my husband. Our pastor was not there yesterday. We had a guest speaker (excellent speaker from Trinity College). How difficult it must have been for him to take the podium after that prayer. He was preaching through Psalm 37, but he managed to find a way through his sermon to correct the impressions left by that prayer.
I couldn't stop thinking about it all day yesterday. It is still bothering me today.
Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." - St. Augustine Hiraeth
Our pastor also mentioned the passing of the pope yesterday when opening our worship service. However, he said how sad it was that the Roman Catholic church has remained basically the same as it was four hundred years ago when the protestant movement began. They still believe you can add to Scripture, tradition, and the Pontiff's authority over all the church.
It goes to show you how attractive a religion can be that looks like Christianity in many ways and yet adds so many errors to the teachings of the church. It's also amazing how many millions of people all around the world are blindly following this religion which calls this man holy father.
I sympathize with those who loved this man and feel his loss. But I don't think I could offer them the same words of consolation as if a Christian brother died.
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Obviously, as many of you know, I hold to the European Calvinist position that the Papacy is the specific and archetypal "man of sin", "that wicked", etc., so I am naturally disgusted and annoyed that some American pastors / public speakers are making the statements reported above. However, I'm pleased to see my good friends on this site are dismayed at this development. Whatever disparities there might (or might not) be between our views on the antichrist, at least we are all agreed that the pope is no Christian and that his religion is one of man-centred merit-mongery.
Maybe the Vatican will elect one of those flamboyant, Medieval popes who would wear gold armour, pronounced papal Bulls against his enemies and threaten to excommunicate whole nations. That would be cool to behold in our 21st century.
Fred
"Ah, sitting - the great leveler of men. From the mightest of pharaohs to the lowest of peasants, who doesn't enjoy a good sit?" M. Burns
Maybe the Vatican will elect one of those flamboyant, Medieval popes who would wear gold armour, pronounced papal Bulls against his enemies and threaten to excommunicate whole nations. That would be cool to behold in our 21st century.
<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> good one!
tj "-that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..."
Ooooh!!!! Ooooh!!! Can we have a 16th Century Pope???
I want to be anathematized again!!!
Justified by God, condemned by Trent. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bananas.gif" alt="" />
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
fredman said: Maybe the Vatican will elect one of those flamboyant, Medieval popes who would wear gold armour, pronounced papal Bulls against his enemies and threaten to excommunicate whole nations. That would be cool to behold in our 21st century.
Fred
The Papacy still wields two swords. The swords of diplomacy and ecumenicalism are just as deadly.
Ja. He is. (Well, he's URCNA, but the wooden shoe avatar says something...)
Hey, my ancestry on my father's side is Dutch, so I probably have good Reformed people in my background too. That is, before they all defected to PCUSA (and me to Reformed Baptist).
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
Does anyone know what the RC church believes about how long the pope will spend in purgatory. Will he get out before mother tereasa or will he pass go and collect 200 dollars?
I guess if you use the term "Dutch Reformed" generically. I am of Dutch decent, a son of dutch immigrants. I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, but am now a member of a church in the federation of churches known as The United Reformed Churches in North America. The same federation to which Michael Horton, Dr. Robert Godfrey, and Kim Riddelbarger belong.
Yankee said: Does anyone know what the RC church believes about how long the pope will spend in purgatory. Will he get out before mother tereasa or will he pass go and collect 200 dollars?
I assume Mother Theresa's in heaven already, seeing as how she's been beatified and all. Now the pope—well, if he had the ability of his office to free souls from purgatory as it is said, I imagine he already determined for himself that he would not be spending time there.
Kyle
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.