_{^{by Patrick J. Z}}

It is quite amazing, but not surprising, how claims of supremacy continue unabated by many of the world’s power religions today. Religious suppositions, or religious leaders and their suppositions, that claim peculiar dogmas of their faith are not to be disagreed with, or challenged, usually emanates from a blind ego rather than indisputable doctrine. Anyone who disagrees is anathematized of course (super suus caput capitis tantum); and if it is within their power, much worse. The old fear factor - nothing new here! Religious authorities of every flavor, including Christianity, have been illicitly intimidating people this way for ages. And it is why so many want nothing to do with organized religion. The Pharisees in Jesus' time made it very clear that they were the ones who decided doctrinal integrity. Woe unto anyone within the scope of their rule that defied them. Roman Catholic inquisitions followed in A.D. middle Ages. Anglicanism displaced Catholicism to become the tyrannical state church in England after Henry the VIII; while Anglican Puritanism (not Pilgrims) in the early part of New England America left its scars of repression. Islamic extremists throughout history, and in recent years, have been determined to serve the world notice of their superiority. How many other "ism's" that religious mankind can invent will make their demanding voice heard?

On the Roman Catholic doctrine of supremacy and infallibility in matters of faith, popes have condemned hapless souls only to have their decrees reversed by future popes. Joan of Arc was one of these excommunicated victims, only to be pardoned, and then elevated to sainthood by a later pontiff. Galileo’s theories were denounced by a papal inquisition as, “contrary to Holy Scripture.” Again, a censorship that had to be recanted by a humbled modern day Roman hierarchy, which proved to be not really all that infallible in matters of faith. Interestingly, what is not well known by most people is that a number of popes have rejected the idea of infallibility, Adrian VI being one of them. So there are some embarrassing contradictions and moments in Catholic history on this doctrine, which Roman Catholic apologists have tried to feebly, or even forcibly, explain away (One might add, without much success). Furthermore, these are not protestant, or merely Protestant investigations into the question of papal infallibility. These findings have the full support of a wide variety of secular, non/partisan, scholars, including free thinking Catholics.

“A few present-day Catholics, including priests and bishops, refuse to accept papal infallibility.... A recent (1989–1992) survey of Catholics from multiple countries (the USA, Austria, Canada, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Peru, Spain and Switzerland), aged 15 to 25 who may not yet fully understand the theology of infallibility, showed that 36.9% accepted the teaching on papal infallibility, 36.9% denied it, and 26.2% said they didn't know of it.” (Source: Report on surveys of the International Marian Research Institute, by Johann G. Roten, S.M.)   http://www.thenazareneway.com/papal_infallibility.htm

According to Scripture, the true Church, i.e., those persons truly redeemed in Christ, who will be gathered together in the resurrection out of all  _⁽¹⁾ creeds and nations (Rev. 7: 9-12 ), does have a promised future reign of supremacy with the Lord. Yet, that is future, and only with the Lord. In this age, for those who would be a part of that true church, it is not supremacy but rather service and the cross. If not in the same caliber as, very much like:  _⁽²⁾ Lilias I. Trotter, John Wycliffe, Washington Carver, numerous protestant charity and outreach ministries, the Franciscans, mother Theresa, and basically anyone (in Christ's name) dedicated to helping others, especially at the expense of self. Because of her natural weaknesses, the nominal institutional Church - Catholic, Protestant, et al. - is far from any kind of infallibility, as historical shame and new uncovering scandals continue to sadly prove.

There has always been, and ever will be, a need for the perpetual sanctifying, renewing, and reforming of the organized church by the Holy Spirit, which not only purifies her members, but also cleanses away the decrees and doctrines of past error. The ongoing Reformation has been a wonderful manifestation of this cleansing process, along with bible studies, repentance movements, intercessory prayer ministries, etc.. May these faith restoring activities within Christianity continue strong and blessed under The Most High's auspicious protection until He returns to receive His redeemed.

"...oh Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” _{^{Psalm 84:12}}


              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


(1) The word 'creeds' is not used in the NIV , KJV, or other versions for Revelation 7:9-12. The actual wording in most MSS is 'tongues, tribes, nations.' I chose to use the word 'creeds' because most people who are redeemed by the light of the gospel are from a former false belief system, i.e., they are redeemed out of the error plagued creeds of man into the perfect grace of God's Son.


(2) Using personages of different dogmatic backgrounds as examples of  Christ centered faithfulness can at times cause consternation and division; simply because of the divided theologies that exist between the personalities, and how the denominations and persuasions they represent can be in steep conflict with one another. It is crucial  for believers to seek an accurate exegesis of scripture in order to establish solid foundational theology. However, it should be clear to the student of scriptures that even the best of Christ's disciples and servants of God have been theologically defective in one way or another, at one time or another. Furthermore, that did not necessarily cause them to lose their place with God or their salvation as far as we know (see the life of Solomon: book of Kings; the Life of Peter and Paul in the book of Acts and the Epistles.) Yes, the Lord corrected them, as He will do with every one of us; but that is precisely the point. Salvation has much more to do with God's grace than it has to do with anyone achieving a personal theology that is perfect. The Lord God may see fit to hand out test papers and pencils for those who are ready to enter heaven, just to make sure everyone has their theology right. And then again He may instead choose to look into the hearts of all present and see how much love was expressed to others in His name. Jesus has a lot to say about the boasting of one's theology vs. how one's life is actually lived among men - Matthew 23: 12-39.

In the final analysis believers would be wise to go ahead and fervently state what they believe the scriptures teach. They even must do this. But as far as condemning a Catholic or Protestant, or anyone else, either because they are in biblical error or believed to be in error, that is treading on thin ice; especially if the persons being so condemned have shown much more love and sacrifice toward fellow humans than the one doing the criticizing. It is always best to let the Holy Spirit do the justifying and condemning, which He does through faithful and wise servants of His own choosing.


<sub><sup>Notes and sources:

Catholic Encyclopedia; Microsoft Encarta; Wikipedia: Papal Infallibility; Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by Mark Twain; The Crime of Galileo Indictment and Abjuration of 1633 www.cas.sc.edu/hist/faculty/edwardsk/hist310/reader/galileocrime.pdf ; The Vicars of Christ: Dark Side of the Papacy, by Peter De Rosa; The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days, by David Hunt; King James Bible</sup></sub>

                                       ^{_{Patrick J Z}}

I leave behind the dreary lands,
for o'er the deadly horizon I set my sights,
there my banner flies.
To such a mountain now I've come,
to lift the veil off the ancient curse, this tale of woe.
Keep me in Thy Holy Hands,
hold me in Thy Sacred Palm, ne'r to let me go.

^{"Behold, I make all things new..."}

 

by Patrick J.Z.


Sarah Palin drew the hatred and bitterness of liberal groups - political, media, et.al. - who despised her basic traditional values. Apparently groups who have a larger market share in the information distribution network. Is it any wonder that Barack Obama got away without being excoriated for making statements like: "I have been to fifty seven states. I have one more to go, Alaska and Hawaii.." Or what about this relish: "Let me be absolutely clear, Israel is a strong friend of Israels." And one more out of dozens that could be listed. "...We should react appropriately and forcefully on any attack (by Israel), nuclear, or otherwise, upon Iran..." Barack's gaffe hits just kept coming. So why not the labeling of "ditzy" or "dummer kopf" upon him by the main stream media?

This blog is not going to focus on Obama blunders. The honeymoon is passing quickly, and everybody - left and right- is going to start compiling the old and the new into satiric volumes. Alas, he could very well become the unhappy owner of the, "Gaffer-in-Chief." title. However, I seriously doubt the main stream media will allow that to happen. This article will instead take a closer look at the heart of leadership.

Aside from Sarah Palin's poor performance with her MSM interviews - fumble events that were probably caused more by underlying nervousness and self consciousness than anything else - she in fact does have a keen mind. Adding to her IQ of 120 (above average), a bachelor degree in communications and journalism, and her superb handling of the debate with Joe Biden, she also has that something else very important to leadership qualities - A GOOD HEART.

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." - book of proverbs

Higher levels of scholarship are not always the most important gifts for a commander to possess, as the urbane elite tend to promote. There are other virtues to consider. When we remember that a President of the United States surrounds himself with the best of minds, he would do better to excel in the virtues of fearless courage, insight, and applied wisdom, much more so than ‘knowledge-ability.’ Of course a U.S. executive must have the basics in national and international facts, this goes without saying. And neither Sarah Palin or Barack Obama have shown any real deficiency in the aptitude of being able to assimilate basic governing intelligence. Nevertheless, his main function is to lead the nation through dangerous shoals and toward her desired haven of well being. The only way he will do this is with a strong and courageous heart. Two past presidents come to mind, when we look to other qualities of leadership apart from academic excellence:

Jackson, who didn't seem to fear anyone or anything. He stood up against powerful money brokers and defeated them with all their Ivy League degrees. And Abraham Lincoln, who weathered the civil war, not by great knowledge (which he did possess) but by his home spun wit and a persevering heart of faith.


                       The Gust: Willem van de Velde II 1680

America is, at this moment in time, like a ship on the high seas entering into a massive hurricane. We all better hope and pray that in certain respects, regardless of our convictions, the current president does succeed, or we are going under. Conservative caucuses should hold Barack Obama faithful to his centrist promises. They must counter his administration when it trails off into far left directions that are detrimental for this nation. And they must do their best to work with him for the health and well being of the commonwealth.

When all is said and done, good and strong hearts, much more than intellectual prowess and political savvy, are what it takes to prevail whenever the Sovereign Hand uses the crucible of crisis for national or personal correction. Sarah Palin, human as can be, has a good and strong heart. That is why she will ultimately triumph over the petty cheap shots against her. That is why we need people like her in government. She loves her country, her family, and traditional Founding Father values. These deeper values are not merely apropos, they are essential to the survival and prosperity of any nation.

May God Bless and oversee (*and now correct) our new president as he takes on the onerous tasks ahead of him (yes, I know, more than a few of us do not agree with his leftist philosophy, but being boldly constitutional is better than whining). God bless Sarah Palin with renewed strength and vigor. God Bless these United States of America.

*Addendum, March 2009: Just a little over fifty days in office and it is clear that President Obama is turning very quickly and sharply to the harmful left and toward eccentricities of left wing carelessness. There is nothing like hasting severe consequences upon this nation.
To wit: Government funding for overseas abortions, controversial and ethically questionable embryonic stem cell research, flooding the economic carburetor with excessive spending, closing down the Gitmo detention center with no real rhyme or reason for national security or international justice, only the keeping of a politically unwise campaign promise (but what of the other good promises?). No clarity, no transparency, no sound judgment, only nice sounding talk and a bunch of lopsided legislative activities (a lot due to Pelosi and an imbalanced congress) that are ushering in a wake of severe trials. Yet, this is what many Americans unwittingly voted for and did not want. But America always gets what it deserves.

God bless, protect, and strengthen, everyone who is diligently and effectively countering this far left democrat controlled government in Washington.

We the People call on you Mr. President, to halt this careless trailing off into non-centristic policies for many reasons, but more immediately because this national ship "is" entering into a major hurricane. And your administrations current headings are toward gales of strife and disunity. We don't expect you to advance the causes of the conservative agenda, but we do expect better judgment from our executive leadership. God Bless and guide you into a more balanced piloting of this ship.  May He give you the grace, courage, and wisdom, to "turn" and do what is best for the whole country.

And all who know the Word of God, "we call on you" to pray for this government and president as scripture commands. They do need to be confronted with dynamic political and media counter measures, but they also need grace like everybody else, so pray for them even if you don't feel like it, for 'it will work' to everyone's good when we obey this instruction.