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The Catholic Church and the Pope
1. The Catholic Church and the Pope
This content looks some history and origins of the Catholic Church and of the Pope and other positions in the Catholic Church.
Rhetorical question: Is the Pope Catholic?
Keep in mind that however the religious hierarchy might stray or wander from what Jesus taught to do,
every Christian group has some (usually at the bottom) who are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Some more than what they need to do.
Whatever criticisms one may have of the religious hierarchy and teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, every other Christian group (Protestant, etc.), has to some extent, many of the same shortcomings, and, perhaps, additional shortcomings.
2. Rock and sand
Build your house on the granite
rock of Jesus and not on the human sand (or stones) of man, Matthew 7:24-27. Sand is a chip off the old block of granite and made in the image of granite.
Church of believers built on the rock of Christ .
Church of believers built on the sand of man .
The higher one goes up the human
sand hierarchy or
sand tree, the more the temptation to ignore the foundation of the
rock and to start to "
influence" or "
manipulate" others as "
leaders" for one's own purposes.
To the extent that the Church of believers built on the sand of man helps one do what Jesus wants them to do, it is good. To the extent it does not, it is not good.
Some
birds will make "
stones" (sand on which to build their birdhouse) appear as "
bread". That is, give "
bad" "
gifts" or "
houses" to their "
children".
3. J. R. Tolkien and Gandolf
J. R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic and a contemporary and friend of C. S. Lewis. Tolkien incorporated many Biblical principles into his works such as "
The Hobbit" and "
The Lord of the Rings".
In "
The Lord of the Rings", The wizard Gandolf does not want the ring, the "
Ring to rule them all", as he knows that it's power would tempt and corrupt him. This appears to be motivated by the part of the Lord's prayer that goes "
and lead us not into temptation".
4. A monk swimming
The angel is speaking to Mary.
Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. [kjv]
και εισελθων προς αυτην ειπεν χαιρε κεχαριτωμενη ο κυριος μετα σου [gnt]
The title of the book "
A monk swimming" by Maclachy McCourty comes from mishearing, as a child, a Catholic
rosary prayer. Instead of "
amongst women" he heard "
a monk swimmin'".
Book:
A monk swimming, Maclachy McCourty, 1999, Hyperion, 978-0786884148.
5. Hail Mary
Cute and quick prayer:
Hail Mary full of grace, help me find a parking space.
Where did the football phrase Hail Mary originate?
After a last-second TD against the Vikings in 1975 playoffs, Cowboys QB Roger Staubach, Naval Academy graduate, told the press that 'I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary'.
[a hold on letting go]
6. United Methodist Apostle's Creed
Versions:
Traditional Ecumenical
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker creator of heaven and earth;
And I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and was buried;
he descended to the dead
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
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and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come and will come again
to judge the quick living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
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The
"catholic church" means the
"universal church" and
not the Catholic Church.
7. Journey to Rome
Ignatius of Antioch was an early Church Father who was martyred in Rome. On the way, he was allowed to greet and meet fellow Christians and wrote a number of letters to churches.
The ancient Greek name
"Ἰγνάτιος Ἀντιοχείας" ≈ "Ignatios of Antioch". A holiday (Catholic Church, Anglican Church, and some others) in his honor is usually on October 17 of each year.
8. Ignatius: Letter to the Smyrnaeans
Early church father
Ignatius of
Antioch first uses the phrase
"catholic" "church" in his letter to the Smyrnaians in about 175 AD.
English: Wherever the bishop appears, there let the congregation be; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic church. (Holmes, 2007, p. 255)
Greek: Ὅπου ἂν φανῇ ὁ ἐπίσκοπος, ἐκεῖ τὸ πλῆθος ἤτω, ὥσπερ ὅπου ἂν ῇ Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, ἐκεῖ ἡ καθολικὴ ἐκκλησία. (Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, 8.2)
In the historical interpretation, Ignatius writes this during the time of the "
wheat" and the "
tares". Some things are good. Some things are
not good.
9. Acts 4:18 Catholic Church
10. Three grouped parables
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Kingdom parables:
1. Sower
2. Wheat and tares
3. Mustard seed
4. Woman and leaven
5. Treasure in a field
6. Pearl of great price
7. Nets into the sea
8. Scribe and householder
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The "
enemy" as the
birds snatched up the seed in parable 1 and appears to have deposited the changed
seed as
weeds in parable 2.
The
birds nest in the mustard
tree in parable 3. The
false doctrine gets mixed in parable 4. Is the woman a seed, a bird, a weed or something else?
Might there be a reason why parables 2 (wheat and tares), 3 (mustard seed) and 4 (woman and leaven) have been grouped together?
Wheat and tares starts at verse 24.
Woman and leaven stops at verse 33.
11. Interesting connection
Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [kjv]
εν δε τω καθευδειν τους ανθρωπους ηλθεν αυτου ο εχθρος και επεσπειρεν ζιζανια ανα μεσον του σιτου και απηλθεν [gnt]
13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [kjv]
αλλην παραβολην ελαλησεν αυτοις ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ζυμη ην λαβουσα γυνη ενεκρυψεν εις αλευρου σατα τρια εως ου εζυμωθη ολον [gnt]
"καθολικός," ≈ "universal" is from
"καθόλου" ≈ "at all" is from:
"καθ" ≈ "according to" and
"ὅλος" ≈ "whole, all".
Verse 25 start: "καθεύδω" ≈ "lie down to sleep, be still, be idle"
Verse 33 end: "ολον" ≈ "whole" as in "the whole lump" (verse 33)
Verse 25 has the beginning of "
catholic" near the beginning and verse 33 has the ending of "
catholic" at the end. Is this just
random chance or might this have been on purpose?
12. Ignatius: The church
English: Similarly, let everyone respect the deacons as Jesus Christ, just as they should respect the bishop, who is a model of the Father, and the presbyters as God's council and as the band of the apostles. Without these no group can be called a church. (Holmes, 2007, p. 217)
Greek: Ὁμοίως πάντες ἐντρεπέσθωσαν τοὺς διακόνους ὡς Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, ὡς καὶ τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ὄντα τύπον τοῦ πατρός, τοὺς δὲ πρεσβυτέρους ὡς συνέδριον θεοῦ καὶ ὡς σύνδεσμον ἀποστόλων. χωρὶς τούτων ἐκκλησία οὐ καλεῖται. [3.1]
Analogies made by Ignatius:
The "deacons" are as "Jesus".
The "bishop" are as the "Father" or "God". The top office will becomes the "Pope".
The "presbyters" or "elders" are as "God's council" as the "apostles".
13. Ignatius: Commandments
After warning about the poison of false teachers, Ignatius tells the Trallians in the very next line that being puffed up with pride makes one susceptible to such false teachers (part 7.1).
English: Therefore be on your guard against such people. And you will be provided that you are not puffed up with pride and that you cling inseparably to Jesus Christ and to the bishop and to the commandments of the apostles.
Greek: Φυλάττεσθε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. τοῦτο δὲ ἔσται ὑμῖν φυσιουμένοις καὶ οὖσιν ἀχωρίστοις θεοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καί τοῦ ἐπισκόπου καὶ τῶν διαταγμάτων τῶν ἀποστόλων. [7.1]
Did the "
apostles" have "
authority" to issue "
commandments"?
Who are these "
such people"? Might they be anyone who
disagrees with the "
bishop"?
Ignatius speaks many times about the importance of "
unity" in (his idea of) the "
church".
14. Matthew 19:28 Thrones
Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν οτι υμεις οι ακολουθησαντες μοι εν τη παλιγγενεσια οταν καθιση ο υιος του ανθρωπου επι θρονου δοξης αυτου καθησεσθε και υμεις επι δωδεκα θρονους κρινοντες τας δωδεκα φυλας του ισραηλ [gnt]
Is it good, bad, or indifferent, to
"sit" on a
"throne"? What about
"sitting" in the
"seat" of the "
scornful" (as a "
bird")?
Does Jesus ever teach or condone a person sitting in
"judgment" over another person?
Are people to have "
dominion" over other people?
15. Divisions
English: Flee from divisions as the beginning of evils.
Greek: Τοὺς δὲ μερισμοὺς φεύγετε ὡς ἀρχὴν κακῶν.
The Greek for "
division" is not that of "
heresy" but of "
compartmentalization".
Is "division" in a group of believers the beginning of "evils"?
Are we always "better together"?
Is anyone who is "not with us" the "enemy"?
The Greek for "
evils" is that of being "
bad".
In Matthew 18, Jesus provides a
fault-tolerant way to resolve conflict among believers.
Establish all facts, from one on one, escalating, if necessary, to two on one, etc.
If not resolved, report all facts to the church.
Let everyone make their own decision.
At worst, the follow believer is now treated as a neighbor.
16. Overseers
English: You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and follow the council of presbyters as you would the apostles;
Greek: Πάντες τῷ ἐπισκόπῳ ἀκολουθεῖτε, ὡς Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς τῷ Πατρί, καὶ τῷ πρεσβυτερἰῳ ὡς τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις.
How did Jesus Christ "follow" the Father?
Was Jesus Christ also the Father?
Did Jesus intend believers to "follow" the "apostles"? How about the "elders"?
The "
bishop" was the local leader of the church. Later, bishops had more than one church to "
oversee" as a "
sheep dog". The danger is that the "
sheep dog" might become a "
wolf dog".
A "
wolf dog" can be equated with a "
bird" in which case a
true prophet might be considered a "
bird dog" (
not appreciated by the "
birds").
17. Eucharist
English: Only the Eucharist which is under the authority of the bishop (or whomever he himself designates) is to be considered valid.
Greek: Ἐκείνη βεβαία Εὐχαριστία ἡγείσθω, ἡ ὑπὸ ἐπίσκοπον οὖσα, ἢ ᾧ ἂν αὐτὸς ἐπιτρέψῃ.
Jesus says to break the bread and drink the wine in his "
remembrance".
Did Jesus ever intend the Eucharist to be a "gatekeeper" that could be used as a "yoke of compulsion" in order to "influence" others?
If you are in
front of the "
altar" (sanctuary) and you "
remember" that
the brother (Jesus) has something
against you, go and "
interact" with
the brother (Jesus) and then
go (not back to the alter) and offer your
gift (yourself).
18. Blood shed for you
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [kjv]
τουτο γαρ εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το περι πολλων εκχυννομενον εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων [gnt]
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. [kjv]
και ειπεν αυτοις τουτο εστιν το αιμα μου της διαθηκης το εκχυννομενον υπερ πολλων [gnt]
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. [kjv]
και το ποτηριον ωσαυτως μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εν τω αιματι μου το υπερ υμων εκχυννομενον [gnt]
In Greek, if the context does not make it clear that two things are
"equal" using "
is", then the explicit ancient Greek word
"ισα" ≈ "equal" is needed. This word is
not in the above verse.
Does the
context of these statements at the Last Supper using
"is" constitute
equality, as in
transubstantiation? Is an explicit
"equals" in Greek needed? Luke does not have an
"is" for the "
blood" but is more indirect.
19. Valid baptism
English: It is not permissible either to baptize or to hold a love feast without the bishop. But whatever he approves is also pleasing to God, in order that everything you do may be trustworthy and valid.
Greek: Οὐκ ἐξόν ἐστιν χωρὶς τοῦ ἐπισκόπου οὔτε βαπτίζειν οὔτε ἀγάπην ποιεῖν· ἀλλ’ ὃ ἂν ἐκεῖνος δοκιμάσῃ, τοῦτο καὶ τῷ Θεῷ εὐάρεστον, ἵνα ἀσφαλὲς ᾖ καὶ βέβαιον πᾶν ὃ πράσσετε.
What if the "bishop" approves something that is against the laws of God?
Is the "bishop" infallible?
Can the "bishop" decide to go against the laws of God?
Does tradition take precedence over the word of God?
20. Catholic hierarchy
| English |
Latin meaning |
| Pope |
Abba or Father |
| Cardinal |
hinge of a door |
| Archbishop |
high bishop |
| Bishop |
visiting overseer |
| Priest |
holy |
| Deacon |
servant |
| Laity |
person |
|
 |
In the fourth century AD, the small churches (i.e., mustard seeds of souls) grew into a big tree (human organization) such that the "
birds" came and made a "
home" or "
nest" in the "
tree". Jesus did not come to "
reside" or make a "
home" in the "
law".
21. German bishop
The ancient Greek word
"ἐπίσκοπος" ≈ "oversee, visit" and become the Christian "
bishop".
The German word
"Bischof" ≈ "Bishop".
The German word "Schaf" ≈ "sheep".
The German word "Biss" ≈ "bite, sting".
Church members (even Bishops) are often characterized as sheep. So a German pun was to call the "
Bischof" (not to his face) a "
Biss Schaf" (sheep that bites or someone that bites the sheep). A "
biting" sheep as a
leader can be compared to a "
bleating" or "
bleeding" sheep as a
follower.
In Philippians, Paul takes the "
bishops" to task for not doing what they are supposed to do and doing things they are not supposed to do. Using many play on words, illusions, etc., many, due to mistranslations, do not realize the purpose of the message. Some transform the book into a topic such as "
surprised by joy".
22. Cardinals
The English word
"cardinal" comes, through French, from the Latin word
"cardinalis" ≈ "pertaining to a hinge" which comes from
"cardo" ≈ "hinge".
It is interesting that that the word "
cardinal" is the name of a "
bird". Early European settlers in North America were reminded of the red robes and hats worn by Roman Catholic cardinals which provided the name for the "
cardinal" "
bird".
23. Matthew 10:29,31 All the sparrows
Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [kjv]
ουχι δυο στρουθια ασσαριου πωλειται και εν εξ αυτων ου πεσειται επι την γην ανευ του πατρος υμων [gnt]
10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
μη ουν φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις [gnt]
Paraphrase:
All the sparrows (of the evil one) who sell themselves (or others) out for earthly gain will fall on that earthly ground because they are without God the Father ... Fear not. You are different than sparrows.
It takes "
two" to work a "
deal" - for or against God.
The Greek word for "
hairs" is that of general "
hairs" and
not the Greek word for "
well-behaved hairs" which is a play on words with (un-walled) "
town" or "
village". [sheep and (young) goats]
Which birds stick together the best?
Velcrows
24. Abba: Son of the Father
The word "
abba" is used in the
GNT (Greek New Testament) in Greek but was not a Hebrew word. It was an Aramaic word. In the garden, before the arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus says the following.
Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. [kjv]
και ελεγεν αββα ο πατηρ παντα δυνατα σοι παρενεγκε το ποτηριον τουτο απ εμου αλλ ου τι εγω θελω αλλα τι συ [gnt]
… Abba … calicem … [v]
The word "
abba" is the source of the English words
"abbot" and
"Abby".
The Latin term "
pappa" for "
daddy" came to denote the "
Pope" as in the "
Papal" authority, etc.
25. Matthew 23:9 Human tendency
Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [kjv]
και πατερα μη καλεσητε υμων επι της γης εις γαρ εστιν υμων ο πατηρ ο ουρανιος [gnt]
… patrem … terram … Pater … caelis … [v]
… padre … tierra… Padre… cielo. [es]
Since Jesus says
not to do this, one should
not be surprised that throughout history some have wanted to be called "
Father". The
TR (Textus Receptus) adds "
which is in" instead of "
heavenly Father".
There is a human tendency to take what the Bible says, and then pervert it or take it in an unintended way. Some churches have pastors that are addressed as "
father" and act as an agent between the "
Father" and the ordinary person.
When this is pointed out, the organization with that policy may go to great length to point out why what they are doing is not what is says not to do.
The Spanish word
"padre" ≈ "father" as in the Major League Baseball team name San Diego Padres.
The Catholic word Pope comes from the word for "father" as "pappa".
26. Matthew 23:2 Sitting to teach
Matthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: [kjv]
λεγων επι της μωυσεως καθεδρας εκαθισαν οι γραμματεις και οι φαρισαιοι [gnt]
At the time,
teachers usually
sat to
teach. An "
endowed chair" in an academic school has that notion of "
sitting" as a "
teacher". A king or queen would rule from the "
throne" in a sitting position.
The Latin phrase
"ex cathedra" ≈ "from out of the chair" is used for the Pope to make "
infallible" pronouncements.
27. Matthew 5:23-24 Gift at the alter
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; [kjv]
5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. [kjv]
There are two main events or competitions.
Great Commission (what Jesus wants you to do)
Gifts on the altar (what birds want you to do)
Which is the most important event or competition?
Which is just a shadow of an event or competition?
28. Ignatius: The sanctuary
English: The one who is within the sanctuary is clean, but the one who is outside the sanctuary is not clean. That is, whoever does anything without the bishop and the council of presbyters and deacons does not have a clean conscience. (Barnes, 2007, p. 219)
Greek: ὁ ἐντὸς θυσιαστηρίου ὢν καθαρός ἐστιν· τοῦτ’ ἔστιν, ὁ χωρὶς ἐπισκόπου καὶ πρεσβυτερίου καὶ διακόνων πράσσων τι, οὗτος καθαρός ἐστιν τῇ συνειδήσει. [7.2]
29. Interesting situations
Call no one your father. So call the priest father.
Confess your sins before Christ. So confess your sins to your human father.
A city on a hill cannot be hid and cannot remain (not good). So build monasteries on a hill.
Be in the world but not of the world. So create monasteries.
Suffer for Christ. So inflict pain on oneself.
[Anglican church, Eastern Orthodox Church]
30. Feast of Saint Valentine
The Feast of Saint Valentine was established on February 14 in 496 AD by
Pope Gelasius in honor of
Saint Valentine of Rome who was martyred in 269 AD, about 50 years before Christianity became tolerated and then the official religion of the Roman empire.
Saint Valentine's Day become connected with romantic love in the 1300's and 1400's with ideas of "
courtly love", "
lovebirds" in early spring, etc.
In the 1700's in England it became a time when couples expressed their love for each other with gifts and other tokens of love such as cards, candy, etc.
31. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Apostasy
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; [kjv]
μη τις υμας εξαπατηση κατα μηδενα τροπον οτι εαν μη ελθη η αποστασια πρωτον και αποκαλυφθη ο ανθρωπος της ανομιας ο υιος της απωλειας [gnt]
… seducat … modo … discessio … revelatus … peccati filius perditionis [v]
The ancient Greek word
"ἀποστασία" ≈ "defection, revolt" and is the source of the Latin word
"apostasia" ≈ "apostasy" (not used here in the Latin Vulgate) and which is the source of the English word
"apostasy". The ancient Greek word
"ἀφίστημι" ≈ "stand off, stand away, depart".
The word
"apostasy" was
later given a more technical meaning by the Catholic Church that, going against the fault tolerant systems principles stated by Jesus, assumed that they (the church) were always right.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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32. Acts 3:6-7 Gold and silver
After the resurrection, a beggar in the temple expects money from Peter.
Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. [kjv]
ειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου περιπατει [gnt]
3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. [kjv]
Folklore story: (paraphrased):
Pope to Francis of Assisi, showing him a treasure of gold and silver: "They can no longer say gold and silver have we none.".
Francis of Assisi to Pope: "But now you cannot say, in the name of Jesus get up and walk.".
The
KJV (King James Version) uses
"have I none" where the Greek is
"does not exist".
33. Indulgences and selling forgiveness
Pope Leo X (Catholic Church) had huge debts and a love of money.
The Catholic Church used "
indulgences" as a way to print money, offering forgiveness for sin by a payment. One could even buy forgiveness before the sin was done.
Tetzel: "As soon as money in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory's fire springs." (marketing slogan)
Luther: "Church had no right to sell forgiveness. People's lives and eternity are at stake."
[Luther found and then hid again]
34. Martin Luther
Some parables with historical interpretations have interesting meanings. The parable of the
hidden treasure found and
re-hid in the
field takes place during and after the
Reformation where John 3:16-17, etc., became important.
Martin Luther had been
hidden as a trained professor in the Bible in an Abby of the Catholic Church for many years in what is now Germany. When
found by the world, his comments sparked the Reformation. Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, wanted to protect Martin Luther by
hiding him. He had his people
hide him in one of his castles without telling him where. When asked, he could
truthfully say he did not know where Luther was.
This is an interesting but minor connection. Martin Luther did re-appear and had an impact on events going forward (Luther Bible, Lutheran Church, etc.).
35. Pope Francis
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: … [kjv]
και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον αλλα ρυσαι ημας απο του πονηρου [gnt]
In mid-December of 2017,
Pope Francis (Time Person of the Year in 2013) made headlines by stating that he wanted to revise the traditional translation of the Lord's Prayer.
Pope Francis suggested that the phrase "
lead us not into temptation" should be changed to "
do not let us fall into temptation" as a better translation of what Jesus actually said. More precisely, what is written in the original Greek text of the Gospels. The Pope did not suggest that the original words be changed, just the translation of those words.
36. Matthew 4:1-11 Examining evil temptations
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: … [kjv]
και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον αλλα ρυσαι ημας απο του πονηρου [gnt]
The four words important in the phrase "
and lead is not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" of the Lord's Prayer are the following.
"lead" and "deliver" (verbs)
"temptation" and "evil" (nouns)
The verbs have nuances of meaning that fit the nouns better if the meaning of those nouns reflects the history and meaning of those words as often used at the time.
It then appears that the meaning, and warning, of the phrase was changed in a manner that the original phrase warned about. Let us investigate.
37. Matthew 16:16-20 The rock and the church
Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [kjv]
16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [kjv]
16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [kjv]
16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. [kjv]
The disciples are not tell anyone about this. How long does this "
secrecy" requirement extend? Modern "
secrecy" requirements in the military extend to the end of one's life. To insure that one does not violate this "
secrecy" requirement, most people will not talk about anything related to that "
secrecy".
Perhaps Jesus indicated to Matthew that he should write what was said but nothing more.
38. Nonverbal communication
Here is a brief summary of possible nonverbal communication between Jesus and Peter with Jesus speaking.
(point to Peter): You are Peter.
(point to himself): and on this rock (Jesus), I (Jesus) will build my church.
(point to gates): and the gates of hell will not be at full strength
(point to himself): against it (the kingdom of heaven as the church).
(point to Peter): I will give you the keys to (shut or open those gates to)
(point to himself): the kingdom of heaven (to yourself and others)
(point to Peter): what you bind/glue on earth (including yourself)
(point to himself): (to me) will be bound/glued (to me) in heaven
(point to Peter): and what you loose/separate on earth (including yourself)
(point to himself): (from me) will be loosed/separated (from me) in heaven.
As a model, which parts of this possible nonverbal communication do not fit this and other parts of Matthew?
39. Logo: Catholic Church
The ancient Greek word
"λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, reasoning" and is the source of the English word
"logo" (from 1937) which is a shortening of
"logogram" or
"logotype".
The silk canopy is a symbol of the Pope's authority with the Papal colors yellow and red.
The keys are the keys of heaven. Note the cross in the keys.
The rope symbolizes the binding on earth (and in heaven).
40. Church conflict review
Consider
two viewpoints of the same phenomena from Matthew 18:15-17.
Discuss:
Why is it important that no action be taken against the individual and why might such actions not have been included in the guidelines provided by Jesus?
Discuss:
Do churches that have established a book of discipline, or something similar, violated what Jesus says in Matthew 18:15-17
Are we "
better together"? Are we "
better apart"? Jesus answers this question in the next verses. [Paul, Early Church Fathers, Catholic Church]
An issue with "
division" without "
action" is when the "
gathering of believers" has stored up "
treasure" on earth in terms of property, buildings, investments, etc. In any division, each side tends to want that "
treasure".
41. Roosters and weather vanes
42. Notre Dame Cathedral rooster
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 |
The rooster at Notre Dame Cathedral in France is well-known.
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The Apostolic Clock at the Hershey Museum has a depiction of Peter's denial of Jesus. At the denial, the Jesus figure turns his back.
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A "
rooster" makes a "
voice" just as a "
pipe" in on "
organ" is said to make a "
voice". The settings on an "
organ" are called "
voices".
43. Church calendars
The Roman Catholic Church church (and the Western world) uses the Gregorian calendar for dating.
Christmas on December 25.
Saint Stephen's Day: December 26.
The Eastern Orthodox Church still uses the Julian calendar for religious dating (13 days difference).
Christmas on January 7.
Saint Stephen's Day: January 9.
England and the British Colonies, switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in September, 1752.
44. Holy schism
Common misinterpretations of these verses.
7:1-2: Do not judge! It is not for you to decide what is right or wrong.
7:3-5: Do not be hypocritical. So do not tell anyone not to sin since you are a sinner.
One line summary (heard in some prayers by pastors):
... help us not to be judgmental or hypocritical ...
Would the misinterpretations of these verses ever create a
holy schism in the church? Never? Well, certainly it would! Is that right?
What does Jesus say? Jesus appears to answer this at the beginning of the next verse.
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. [kjv]
45. Matthew 7:6 Holy split
46. End of page
Acts 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [kjv]
και καλεσαντες αυτους παρηγγειλαν το καθολου μη φθεγγεσθαι μηδε διδασκειν επι τω ονοματι του ιησου [gnt]
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, … lest … [kjv]
μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν … μηποτε … [gnt]
