My protestant brethren, and those who eschew that name, do you think about the pope too much?

[Xeno.of.athens]

I've observed several discussions about the pope, particularly regarding allegations of misconduct. It leads me to question why the pope is of such significant concern to Protestants in recent times.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

As someone who may fall under the umbrella of Protestantism I don't think about the Pope on a regular basis; sometimes when matters of the Roman Catholic church are tabled I may think about him, but other than that not really.

Still, he's the head of probably the largest Christian church denomination - so knowing what he stands for and what direction the Roman Catholic church is taking has my interest.

The movie 'The Two Popes' I enjoyed watching.

I also take an interest in the opinion/decision of other church leaders like the Anglican Church, the Orthodox/Copts and of course the many Protestant/Evangelical/Messianic leaders out there. But because there are so many of them that's more fragmented.

I find it impossible to believe in the Pope as being infallible in his decisions (the 'ex cathedra' phenomenon). I'm not against a church governance hierarchy per se though as it existed in the early church.

Be blessed!

 

[RandyPNW]

I've observed several discussions about the pope, particularly regarding allegations of misconduct. It leads me to question why the pope is of such significant concern to Protestants in recent times.

The Pope is a brother in the faith. We should be concerned about each and every brother and sister. We belong to the same family.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Almost never

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

I've observed several discussions about the pope, particularly regarding allegations of misconduct. It leads me to question why the pope is of such significant concern to Protestants in recent times.

Are the allegation true or not ? the truth is all that matters regardless of denominations

 

[Jamdoc]

I've observed several discussions about the pope, particularly regarding allegations of misconduct. It leads me to question why the pope is of such significant concern to Protestants in recent times.

Because just like Joel Osteen, he claims to represent Christ, and teaches millions, if not billions of people with wrong doctrine that may prevent their salvation and they'll be lost to hell.
Protestants lambaste Joel Osteen and Prosperity Gospel teachers as well, rest assured.

 

[BobRyan]

I've observed several discussions about the pope, particularly regarding allegations of misconduct. It leads me to question why the pope is of such significant concern to Protestants in recent times.

In truth - I almost never think about him.

I have seen conflicting views on the current pope coming from Catholic members themselves. I don't find it that useful to dwell too much on the subject.

Protestants in general do not seem to dwell on "finding fault with one single pope" though they will sometimes give examples of problems with one.

I find that for many non-Catholics it is not so much about "one individual" as with certain aspects of the teaching in general.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I've observed several discussions about the pope, particularly regarding allegations of misconduct. It leads me to question why the pope is of such significant concern to Protestants in recent times.

I can only speak of myself, but the only time I think about the Pope is when he is brought up in conversation by someone else.

The only time I think about the Papacy is when it is relevant to some other subject--historical or theological.

I would say 99.999% of my waking time is spent never thinking about the current Pope, or any Pope.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

I can only speak of myself, but the only time I think about the Pope is when he is brought up in conversation by someone else.

The only time I think about the Papacy is when it is relevant to some other subject--historical or theological.

I would say 99.999% of my waking time is spent never thinking about the current Pope, or any Pope.

-CryptoLutheran

Similarly, the Pope enters my thoughts only when I read an encyclical, come across a news report, or stumble upon a discussion thread on CF, often initiated by someone expressing outrage.

 

[eleos1954]

As someone who may fall under the umbrella of Protestantism I don't think about the Pope on a regular basis; sometimes when matters of the Roman Catholic church are tabled I may think about him, but other than that not really.

Still, he's the head of probably the largest Christian church denomination - so knowing what he stands for and what direction the Roman Catholic church is taking has my interest.

The movie 'The Two Popes' I enjoyed watching.

I also take an interest in the opinion/decision of other church leaders like the Anglican Church, the Orthodox/Copts and of course the many Protestant/Evangelical/Messianic leaders out there. But because there are so many of them that's more fragmented.

I find it impossible to believe in the Pope as being infallible in his decisions (the 'ex cathedra' phenomenon). I'm not against a church governance hierarchy per se though as it existed in the early church.

Be blessed!

Protestants believe the catholic church is passing along false doctrine. This has been the case in the past and is not much different now, except that many protestants are not fully adhering to biblical teachings that were put forth during the Reformation ... many are compromised in that regard.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Protestants believe the catholic church is passing along false doctrine.

Indeed, Catholics often observe that numerous Protestants assert that Catholics hold beliefs and teachings which, in reality, Catholics do not espouse or advocate.

 

[Jamdoc]

Indeed, Catholics often observe that numerous Protestants assert that Catholics hold beliefs and teachings which, in reality, Catholics do not espouse or advocate.

but in this case the Pope IS passing out false doctrine.
the pope is espousing doctrine that is ETERNALLY DANGEROUS.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

but in this case the Pope IS passing out false doctrine.
the pope is espousing doctrine that is ETERNALLY DANGEROUS.

As a Baptist, you may question whether Baptists are entirely orthodox in the eyes of Catholic doctrine. It is our belief that they are not. Therefore, how can one accurately evaluate Pope Francis's statements, made in Italian, when one's theological perspective is not Catholic? This suggests that one may not be suitably positioned to pass such judgment.

 

[Jamdoc]

As a Baptist, you may question whether Baptists are entirely orthodox in the eyes of Catholic doctrine. It is our belief that they are not. Therefore, how can one accurately evaluate Pope Francis's statements, made in Italian, when one's theological perspective is not Catholic? This suggests that one may not be suitably positioned to pass such judgment.

my judgement comes from John 14:6.

What the pope said directly conflicts with that.
Therefore, it is a heretical statement and a dangerous doctrine "just keep following Islam it'll lead you to the same God as our religion".
absolutely not.

if he's going to claim to be Jesus Christ's representative on Earth, he needs to be aligning what he says to what He says, get what I mean?
You don't want to have 2 horns like a lamb and speak like a dragon.

 

[Palmfever]

Don't think much about him at all.

 

[hedrick]

Only when something appears in the press or here. Otherwise he's irrelevant to me.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

my judgement comes from John 14:6.

Your interpretation of John 14:6. "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father.

 

[Bob Crowley]

I'm ex-Protestant so I don't really qualify. But when I was Protestant I rarely thought about him. I was still a fairly new Christian when Pope JPII visited Brisbane in 1986. His motorcade passed about a block away from where I was working but I didn't make the effort to watch him go past. I wasn't interested.

A couple of women from the office went and had a look, despite definitely not being Christian. In their case I think it was just to satisfy their curiosity.

Even now that I'm Catholic I don't think about him much either. I'm aware of the differences of opinion about him within Catholicism, although I'm probably a bit more tolerant than some others. For example I think when he spoke in Singapore about "all faiths having one God" (or similar words) I thought he was being diplomatic in a multi faith community which has Moslem Malaysia next door, and Moslem Indonesia not much further away, with Hindu India growing in strength, Buddhist SE Asian neighbours to the near north, and communist China playing power games in the South China Sea. We can shoot out mouths off if we want to but when he says something it has consequences.

As a rule I'm more concerned about the standard of my own faith, the parish I'm in, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference I volunteer with and so on. What the magisterium might be doing in the rarified or not so rarified air in the Vatican thousands of kilometres away barely impinges on my consciousness.

 

[JulieB67]

I rarely think about the Pope. He only comes to mind when he pops up on the news and then I take notice. As a watchman I like to be mindful of of what's going on in the world.

 

[Always in His Presence]

As a Baptist, you may question whether Baptists are entirely orthodox in the eyes of Catholic doctrine. It is our belief that they are not. Therefore, how can one accurately evaluate Pope Francis's statements, made in Italian, when one's theological perspective is not Catholic? This suggests that one may not be suitably positioned to pass such judgment.

Using that measure, it would then disqualify my Catholic Brothers and Sister from any comments on any Doctrine outside of the Roman Catholic Church. Because they may not be suitably positioned to pass such judgement.

In this case, we have the very words of Our Lord and Savior very plainly and that circumvents any authority on earth including the pope’s complete contradiction to Jesus.