randy said:
<<I guess some people see a man who is God's representative in this
world. Others see an old guy in a dress who is head of the world's
largest cult. Until God settles the argument, that's where I'll leave
it.>>
and is often the case, these are polarized extremes ...
the study of the field of patristics (first few centuries, the period of the
early church fathers), the direction of angelo roncalli (john xxiii), the
second vatican council and its documents, albino luciani (johnpaul I),
ecumenical anglicans and lutherans...all have remarkable harmony that:
a kind of primate with reduced powers is envisaged, a kind of 'president'
among
bishops worldwide...and there would then hopefully be 'congressional', meaning
episcopal checks to the 'presidential' power (term limits, powers of
impeachment etc)...
such studies indicate this is closer to the way it was meant to be...including
the reformation principle that there is no higher authority than Holy
Scripture....not anywhere on earth at least!
oh how i wish...
shane
