The pope, the successor of Peter, does, in fact, call himself, the servant of the servants of Christ, and the reason he does so is for love of Christ, So he does, like Peter, consider himself the servant of Christ.
Also, 'evangelical', of course, comes from the Greek word 'evangelion' for Good News. The pope IS evangelical because he proclaims the Good News of the Gospel that Jesus came to bring salvation. It is also good news that he said he would be with his Church until the end of time to lead her into the fulness of truth. That truth, though, from the very beginning of the Church, was difficult to comprehend without someone to teach officially on behalf of the Church. Thankfully, Jesus gave her leaders to guide her into truth.
The media, including some in the Christian media, throw around the word evangelical with little understanding of its proper definition. Most recently, the media has done this in referring to Pope Benedict XVI as the “Evangelical Pope.”
In an attempt to say he’s a missionary-minded Pope, or a proselytizing Pope, they impart a title that would probably make him most uncomfortable.
I have a deep respect for Pope Benedict. Respect for his impressive intellect. Respect for his strong stand on moral issues. Respect for his belief in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ for salvation. Respect for his levelheadedness in understanding other...
Excellent post rbrady,
Yes indeed. To spread the Holy Gospel of Jesus, you have to know what it is first. Only the Catholic Church has it completely right. There are whole RAFTS today, of self-ordained free-lance pastors; doing a Bible Thump of their own ambitions. Sure all of them pose as evangelicals at heart;
But their credentials are all spurious. They don't preach the same salvation (good news of) first revealed by Christ's apostles. They aren't apostolic messengers of the Evangelium. Regrettably.
Those who the traditions and commandments of men, and who 'add to', 'take away from' or 'twist' God's word for their own purposes are NOT 'disciples' of Christ, do not 'abide' in His word, do NOT know the truth, and are NOT free...
We only know that the Holy Spirit stayed within the Church Jesus founded; at the time of a so-called reformation. He did not change into A Bible-thumping ministry like those who followed after heretical teachers. That led Bible Thumpers into the spiritual wilderness; such as Rev Jjim Jones of Bible Kool Aid who poisoned his flock, or David Koresh; a minister who Thumped his Bible all the way to Waco, Texas and destruction of his flock, Branch Davidians.
Or Mary Baker Eddy; who got Christian Science rolling; or Holy Rollers; themselves a Thumping sect. I could list another twenty like them. They have in common a worship of the Bible. A Bible Habit is all !
There are among the true Christians here, Catholic faithful;
Wolves in sheep's clothing. Andy 544 is dressed in sheep's clothing. Absolutely!
Andy 544 is one of those "ravening wolves" Jesus prophesied would come to scatter us.
And faithless men left behind the Holy Spirit to follow after deceitful renegade Catholics; who ever since have been called "The Reformation."