----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Seeberger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 7:40 PM Subject: Re: Catholicism Re: james ossuary a fake - scientists
> > > > Not being argumentative, but making assumptions based on what I remember > being taught as a child, I have to ask if the authority of the Pope existed > pre-Constantine? No, not really. The Catholic church's understanding of the authority of the pope has evolved. For example, the doctrine of Papel infallibility was a Vatican I document. The local kings had a lot of power in appointing bishops in the Middle Ages. > The assumption being that Peter was the first Pope and Popes led the Church > from day one. That is a rather old example of historical revisionism. Instead of asking the question "what was the structure of the church during early times?" they already knew the answer and fit the history to the understanding. There is no real evidence that the Christian curch before Constantine submitted to the authority of the pope. Thinking about it, it makes sense that the bishop of Rome would be first among equals..given that the church now had the support of the empire. Further, it also makes sense that the Eastern church never really submitted to the surpreme authority of the pope, even before the Eastern and Western split. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
