Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 06:18 (Aug 2002)
Article: The Power of the Catholic Popes
Author: Mal Couch

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CTJ 6:18 (August 2002) p. 148

The Power of the Catholic Popes

Mal Couch

President & Professor of Theology & Languages
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Below is the sixth article in a ten-part series on Catholic Theology and Dogma. Almost all of the material quoted comes from books and articles approved by the Catholic Church. The first article (March 2000) dealt with the Catholic view of the Church. It is hoped that many Catholics will read these articles and arrive at a conviction of the unbiblical nature of Catholic Theology. It is also hoped that Evangelicals reading this material will understand why it’s impossible for Catholics and Evangelicals to join hands in spiritual endeavors. The abbreviations for the references are explained at the end of the article.

In the December 2001 Journal article entitled The Power of the Catholic Priesthood, we observed how the Catholic Church gave such awesome spiritual power to the priesthood. In some ways, this article is an extension of that discussion, because the Pope and the Bishops are elevated priests who have been given, supposedly by God, the leadership authority over the millions of souls within the autocratic stronghold of Catholicism.

The Human Need to be Led

Because of depravity, and the sense of helplessness in a cruel world, the human race more often than not turns to a visible strong man, or powerful system, in order to find refuge. Kings, emperors, and religious leaders, too often replace the God who made this universe in the lives of so many. This is one of the reasons the Pope through the centuries has held sway in the realm of religion,

CTJ 6:18 (August 2002) p. 149

and also sometimes in history, even over the governmental powers that be.

The vast majority of people want someone to give them spiritual assurance and comfort. From the cradle to the grave, the Catholic Church has blindly led the followers of Catholicism. (It is one stop shopping at its best!) And at the head of that march, goes the Pope. To command such depth of loyalty, the Catholic Popes must cause millions to be awestruck with the argument that they have divine-like authority that goes all the way back to the apostle Peter.

Peter and Papal Authority

Catholics claim that Peter was the first bishop of the Church in Rome, and that all the later popes are his successors. But the best way to prove such a statement would be from the apostle himself, and no such hierarchical authority can be forthcoming. Neither in the book of Acts, nor in Peter’s two epistles is it possible to support such a theory.1 About himself, Peter writes:

“P...

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