ch government
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Church GovernmentChurch Government
Issue: Papal primacy
Roman Catholicism on the authority of the Pope
Roman Catholicism on the authority of the Pope
• First Vatican Council: “We, therefore, for the preservation, safekeeping, and increase of the Catholic flock, with the approval of the sacred Council, do judge it to be necessary to propose to the belief and acceptance of all the faithful, in accordance with the ancient and constant faith of the universal Church, the doctrine touching the institution, perpetuity, and nature of the sacred Apostolic Primacy” (Pastor aeternus, 1870)
• First Vatican Council: “We, therefore, for the preservation, safekeeping, and increase of the Catholic flock, with the approval of the sacred Council, do judge it to be necessary to propose to the belief and acceptance of all the faithful, in accordance with the ancient and constant faith of the universal Church, the doctrine touching the institution, perpetuity, and nature of the sacred Apostolic Primacy” (Pastor aeternus, 1870)
Cont’d (quotes)Cont’d (quotes)
• Catholic Catechism: “The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him” (section 100).
• Catholic Catechism: “The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him” (section 100).
Cont’d (quotes)Cont’d (quotes)
• Vatican 2: “In order that the episcopate itself might be one and undivided, He placed blessed Peter over the other apostles, and instituted in him a permanent and visible source and foundation of unity of faith and fellowship. And all this teaching about the institution, the perpetuity, the force and reason for the sacred primacy of the Roman Pontiff and his infallible teaching authority, this sacred synod again proposes to be firmly believed by all the faithful.”
• Vatican 2: “In order that the episcopate itself might be one and undivided, He placed blessed Peter over the other apostles, and instituted in him a permanent and visible source and foundation of unity of faith and fellowship. And all this teaching about the institution, the perpetuity, the force and reason for the sacred primacy of the Roman Pontiff and his infallible teaching authority, this sacred synod again proposes to be firmly believed by all the faithful.”
Summary of claims made by RCSummary of claims made by RC
• 1. Peter was placed in a position of authority over the other apostles by Christ.
• 2. Peter was the first bishop of Rome and his primacy was passed on to his successors.
• 3. The above has always been the ancient & constant faith of the church
• 1. Peter was placed in a position of authority over the other apostles by Christ.
• 2. Peter was the first bishop of Rome and his primacy was passed on to his successors.
• 3. The above has always been the ancient & constant faith of the church
RC claims: Scriptural supportRC claims: Scriptural support
• John 21: 15-17
• Luke 22: 31-32
• Matt 16: 13-20
• John 21: 15-17
• Luke 22: 31-32
• Matt 16: 13-20
Evaluating the claims: ScripturesEvaluating the claims: Scriptures
• A. John 21 – Is the context emphasizing supremacy or
restoration? • B. Luke 22: 31-32
– Does talk of “strengthening” establish Papal superiority?
– Such terms (ie. “strengthening”) are common in the NT: Rom 1:11; Rom 16: 25.
• A. John 21 – Is the context emphasizing supremacy or
restoration? • B. Luke 22: 31-32
– Does talk of “strengthening” establish Papal superiority?
– Such terms (ie. “strengthening”) are common in the NT: Rom 1:11; Rom 16: 25.
Evaluation – Scriptural claimsEvaluation – Scriptural claims
• C. Matt 16:18– A play on words: “You are Peter (Petros) & on
this rock (Petra) I will build my church.” – Ref seems to be to Peter but does it establish…
• Peter as more authoritative than the others? No
• Office of Pope? No
• C. Matt 16:18– A play on words: “You are Peter (Petros) & on
this rock (Petra) I will build my church.” – Ref seems to be to Peter but does it establish…
• Peter as more authoritative than the others? No
• Office of Pope? No
EvaluationEvaluation
• D. Further considerations: – 1. Metaphors can be used in more than 1
way in the Bible: e.g.– Jn 9: 5, Jesus → light of the world– Matt 5: 14, Disciples → light of the world
• D. Further considerations: – 1. Metaphors can be used in more than 1
way in the Bible: e.g.– Jn 9: 5, Jesus → light of the world– Matt 5: 14, Disciples → light of the world
Evaluation Evaluation
• 2. Paul: church is founded on the “apostles” (Eph 2:20; 1 Cor 12: 28)
• 3. Peter sees himself as a “fellow-elder” (1 Peter 5: 1-2)
• 4. Paul: Peter sent ►Jews, just as Paul sent►Gentiles (Gal 2:7)
• 2. Paul: church is founded on the “apostles” (Eph 2:20; 1 Cor 12: 28)
• 3. Peter sees himself as a “fellow-elder” (1 Peter 5: 1-2)
• 4. Paul: Peter sent ►Jews, just as Paul sent►Gentiles (Gal 2:7)
Evaluating the historical claims: Evidence for the supremacy of the bishop of Rome? Evaluating the historical claims: Evidence for the supremacy of the bishop of Rome?
• A. Clement (ca 95)
• B. Ignatius (ca 112)
• C. Irenaeus (ca 170-180s)
• D. Tertullian (ca 190s)
• E. Cyprian (ca 240-250s)
• A. Clement (ca 95)
• B. Ignatius (ca 112)
• C. Irenaeus (ca 170-180s)
• D. Tertullian (ca 190s)
• E. Cyprian (ca 240-250s)
Evaluation – historical claimsEvaluation – historical claims
• Claims to the superior authority of the bishop of Rome: after the time of Constantine (after 337).
• Shelley: “Up to the time of Constantine history offers no conclusive evidence that the bishop of Rome exercised jurisdiction outside of Rome.”
• Claims to the superior authority of the bishop of Rome: after the time of Constantine (after 337).
• Shelley: “Up to the time of Constantine history offers no conclusive evidence that the bishop of Rome exercised jurisdiction outside of Rome.”