Can Christianity survive without the Pope?

[JacktheCatholic]

The Bible, in it's original language(s) is the full self revelation of G_d, according to the majority of Christendom, except the Catholic Church, eh? Does your Bible end at Revelation 21 by any chance?

Revelation 22

Revelation
Chapter 22
1 Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, 1 sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life 2 that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations. 3 Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will look upon his face, 3 and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. 6 4 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon." 7 5 "Behold, I am coming soon." 6 Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book. 8 It is I, John, who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9 But he said to me, "Don't! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets and of those who keep the message of this book. Worship God." 10 Then he said to me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words of this book, for the appointed time 7 is near. 11 Let the wicked still act wickedly, and the filthy still be filthy. The righteous must still do right, and the holy still be holy." 12 "Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." 8 14 Blessed are they who wash their robes so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city 9 through its gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit. 16 "I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, 10 the bright morning star." 17 The Spirit and the bride 11 say, "Come." Let the hearer say, "Come." Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. 18 I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book. 20 12 The one who gives this testimony says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/revelation/revelation22.htm

 

[katholikos]

The Bible, in it's original language(s) is the full self revelation of G_d....

No it is not. EVERYTHING that proceeded from the mouth of Christ is revelation, and the Bible itself says that not everything Jesus said is in the Bible. Since not everything Jesus said is in the Bible, how can the Bible possibly be the full revelation of God?

 

[MamaZ]

No it is not. EVERYTHING that proceeded from the mouth of Christ is revelation, and the Bible itself says that not everything Jesus said is in the Bible. Since not everything Jesus said is in the Bible, how can the Bible possibly be the full revelation of God?

Actually what is said is that there is not a book big enough to contain all He said and did.. But what was recorded is sufficient to fully equip the man of God meaning there is nothing lacking in the scriptures to fully equip us..

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Actually what is said is that there is not a book big enough to contain all He said and did.. But what was recorded is sufficient to fully equip the man of God meaning there is nothing lacking in the scriptures to fully equip us..

Doesn't it also say that these things are written so that you might believe?

 

[Heber]

That which G_d, in his infinite wisdom - far greater than ours (unless you know better, of course) - deemed essential for us to know is written in the Bible in its original language(s). I see you have read Yochanan - that is good - he tells us that if everything Yeshua ever said or did was to be written down, the world would not hold the books (or similar wording to avoid pedantry). That is quite true. If every word I or you said, and every thing we did, was to be written as a full and accurate account it would make a very large number of volumes - more so for a preacher! Yochanan was pointing to the logic that, quite simply, we do not have every word and action written from Yeshua's life, because there would be far too many books and it would take far too long to do it. It is a typical Jewish way of overstating a fact, to make a point. Just as I say at funerals - to do justice to some 80+ years of life would require far longer than we have the time for. What is said is sufficient for the mourners to re-build the picture they have in their mind/memory so as to paint a very real picture of the deceased. In the case of Yeshua, the things that are written in the Bible are the essence of who he was, is and will be - no more is needed. The whole Bible is G_d's self revelation to us - that is why I asked about Rev. 22. You seem to have forgotten that, or maybe it just isn't there anymore - another convenience? Maybe the printer forgot to print it. There are lots of very convenient things about your Christianity.

 

[Rick Otto]

Doesn't it also say that these things are written so that you might believe?

Exactly. And that is why what isn't written, hasn't been. It isn't necessary to faith.

 

[katholikos]

Exactly. And that is why what isn't written, hasn't been. It isn't necessary to faith.

....in your opinion

And even if it were not "neccessary", the more important question is: is it true

 

[mont974x4]

The Bible does sya we have already been given all things necessary. So, no need to go adding unbiblical traditions of men...oh, yeah the Bible warns against that too in Colossians 2.

 

[Bellicus]

Remove the pope all the empty churches, and maybe Christianity will survive a few years more.

 

[Rick Otto]

....in your opinion

And even if it were not "neccessary", the more important question is: is it true

If it isn't necessary, it's truth is LESS relevant Terry.
My opinion was formed by the plain words of scripture, not religious affection for empty traditions that make the word of God to no effect.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Remove the pope all the empty churches, and maybe Christianity will survive a few years more.

Catholicism has been around now for close to 2,000 years. I think it will be here quite a bit longer.

 

[HisWordisTruth7]

Sure, it's survival is not dependant on individuals.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Sure, it's survival is not dependant on individuals.

Very true. It is dependent on the Paraclete or rather God.

 

[katholikos]

Catholicism has been around now for close to 2,000 years. I think it will be here quite a bit longer.

That is right. If the Church survived the attacks by the Roman Empire, the Barbarian invasions, the 30 years war, plus Napoleon, Stalin and Hitler, it will survive the bush league attacks of modern anti-Catholics.

Uh oh, the VP debate is coming on. Gotta run.

 

[onwingsaseagles]

Of course christianity can survive without the pope, what christianity could not do is survive inside catholicism, that is why God induced the reformation. Even though the protestant denominations are not much better than catholicism, and most of the reformers where heretics. Catholicism had engulfed and was choking out true christians that now are able to survive because of the reformation.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Of course christianity can survive without the pope, what christianity could not do is survive inside catholicism, that is why God induced the reformation. Even though the protestant denominations are not much better than catholicism, and most of the reformers where heretics. Catholicism had engulfed and was choking out true christians that now are able to survive because of the reformation.

By the way Catholicism is not christianity.

God is not a God of division. Only the devil seeks to divide Christians. Think about it...

 

[The Princess Bride]

Sure, if you think that believing false doctrines is doing "quite well", then you're doing great.

I see no need to partake of the religious show and tell that occurs under the Pope's directive (except the fact that I always get a grand workout whenever I got to Mass, so that's a perk ).

I've no use for religion, it's a bona fide relationship with the Almighty that I want, can't find that anyplace in any "Hail Mary's" no matter how many times you say it.

Besides, who (aside from the Pope) can actually say that my doctrines are any more false than your own?



[I'm not bashing anyone who is Catholic, I just don't believe in it]

 

[Canaan-84]

Well, the EO has been surviving without the Pope of Rome for quite a long time. It is showing no signs of illness and is continuing to grow. I voted Yes.

Though we do pray fervently for true reconciliation.

But the EOC has mini Popes does it not?

Anyway, I think Christianity would survive.

 

[ticker]

Can Christianity survive without the Pope?

Does a tree falling in the forest with no one around make a sound?

 

[Heber]

Does a tree falling in the forest with no one around make a sound?

Sure does to all the animals & insects etc.