Quote:
Originally Posted by pianoperformer  In Theology on Thursday, the professor used Matthew 16:18-19:
[18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
...to say that the Catholic church is infallible because God would not allow anything false to be taught within it. |
I looked and looked at that verse and darned if I see a single thing in there about infallibility.
I see a metaphor for endurance and ultimate victory of the church, and some sort of mystical keys that could be used to carry out the will of god on earth. But these "keys" would have to be used correctly to be any good, and I don't think it follows that just because you have an ability that you auto-magically get the benefits regardless of whether you do anything with them or wield them for good or for ill for Just Because You Can.
The Catholics look at this verse and see what they need to see to justify their actions and shut up potential critics.
I look at it and see it as no different than taking an earthly job. The boss may show you your cushy new corner office, your company car, and add you to the list of people who can summon the company jet, no questions asked. But does it then follow that how you use those things is infallible and guaranteed to succeed? And that you should automatically be bowed and scraped to? Or that you can't lose those privileges if you use them unwisely or contrary to the interests and purposes of the company?
If you accept that a person who was in fact god historically said this, then you should take the statement as far as it goes and no further. Peter was being handed the privileges AND responsibilities of his office, with the full backing of god, but it was still up to Peter and his successors to live up to that trust. And look at what a job they've made of
that.
--Bob