Expert: Dean Gade - 12/8/2011

Question
I hear sometimes Peter of the Bible being called the first pope or that he set up the Catholic church. But so many people say Catholicism is not christian, so could you talk a little about this. Thanks so much.

Answer
Josh,

The word "pope" comes from the Latin and it means "papa", as a "father", head of the household. However, the Bible teaches that we only have one spiritual father; and that is our God, Who gave us His Son to take our sin and punishment on Himself and give us His righteousness.

The error of trying to set up some human or groups of humans to be the head of God's church on earth is not unique to the Roman Catholic Church.  Many man-made denominations have a hierarchy to make rules which control the people of their group. Usually, Protestant groups call that leader a Bishop, which means, "overseer".  That isn't harmful IF the person or group in charge makes it clear that they only have authority based on the will and word of God, that is: all of the Bible with nothing contrary to the Bible.

Denominations which have a "Father" on earth, no matter what they call him/her/them are always in danger of being outside Christ's Kingdom.  These denominations usually end up with the most common of heresies which is to set up a legalistic system of theology based on law (the 10 Commandments plus many man-made laws)and not on Jesus and the grace(love and unmerited favor) of God towards people. The sad fact is that since we all have what the Bible calls "the flesh", no person's natural motives are pure and always holy. The ego of those who rule often give into the temptation of thinking more highly of themselves than the people that they say they serve for God.

Matt 23:9-12
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. RSV


Matt 23:1-12
Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. 9 ***And no man father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.*** 10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. 11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; 12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
RSV

Gal 5:16-19
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law.
RSV