The Evangelical Perspective on Papal Authority and the Catholic Church
> The role and authority of the Pope have been central to the Catholic Church for centuries. As the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual successor to Saint Peter, the Pope is considered by Catholics to be the vicar of Christ on earth, with a unique authority over the universal Church. However, this view is not shared by all Christian denominations. Evangelicals, in particular, have a distinct perspective on the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church, which is deeply rooted in their understanding of Scripture and church history.
Historical Context
The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century was a pivotal moment in Christian history that led to a divergence in views on church authority. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin challenged the centralized authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church, advocating for a return to the teachings of Scripture as the ultimate guide for Christian life and doctrine. This movement laid the foundation for what would become the evangelical understanding of church authority.
The Authority of Scripture
Evangelicals uphold the principle of sola scriptura, which asserts that the Bible alone is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. This conviction is grounded in passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which declares that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Evangelicals believe that the Bible, rather than any human leader or institution, should be the final arbiter on doctrinal issues.
Matthew 16:18 and Peter’s Role
One of the key Scriptures cited by Catholics in support of papal authority is Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Catholics interpret this as Christ establishing Peter as the first Pope and the rock upon which the Church would be built. Evangelicals, however, interpret this passage differently, seeing Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ as the true “rock” foundation of the Church, not the person of Peter himself.
Evangelicals respect Peter’s significant role in the early church as an apostle and leader, but they do not see this as establishing an ongoing papal office with universal jurisdiction over all Christians.
The Papacy and Church Tradition
The evangelical critique of papal authority often extends to the role of tradition in the Catholic Church. While Catholics view Tradition, alongside Scripture, as a means by which God’s revelation is transmitted and interpreted, evangelicals believe that traditions of the Church must always be tested against the teachings of the Bible. They argue that when tradition conflicts with Scripture, it is Scripture that must prevail.
John Stott, a prominent evangelical theologian, encapsulated this view when he stated, “The Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.” This perspective leads evangelicals to question doctrines and practices that they see as having no clear basis in Scripture, including certain aspects of papal authority.
The Role of the Church
Evangelicals do recognize the importance of the Church as the body of Christ and the community of believers. They value the historical contributions of the Catholic Church, particularly its role in preserving the Scriptures and its missionary efforts throughout history. However, they maintain that the true Church is not defined by allegiance to any single human leader, including the Pope, but by faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to the teachings of the Bible.
Conclusion
The evangelical view on the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church is one that affirms the centrality of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers. While there is respect for the historical role of the Catholic Church, evangelicals do not recognize papal authority as binding on all Christians. This understanding is rooted in a commitment to the Bible as the ultimate guide for faith and aligns with the convictions born out of the Reformation.
For those interested in exploring this topic further, “Evangelicalism Divided” by Iain H. Murray provides an in-depth look at the historical and theological differences between evangelicalism and Catholicism, including the issue of papal authority.
