When considering the Roman Catholic Church vs the Protestant tradition, I consider, what is the church to look like? A visible organization? Or, a spiritual gathering, worldwide, that has individual small local manifestations? Well … what’s the Kingdom of God to look like. I think the 2 are the same thing.
Jesus said the kingdom is among you (spiritually). Paul said it’s not a matter of eating & drinking, but the kingdom is about righteousness and peace in the Holy Spirit (spiritual). Jesus said he would build his church on Peter (physical). Paul said it’s built on the apostles and the prophets (not sure). Jesus said you must be born again to see it (spiritual).
Should there be a physical organization isn’t a question that divides RCC and P. They both have answered “yes” in their own way. But, the matter of Peter and the Pope isn’t answered the same way.
The more important thing seems to be knowing Jesus evidenced by following his commandments. RCC would say knowing him is through the sacraments. But I think it’s more of a matter of “coming and believing” in Jesus (John 6:35), rather than eating and drinking. And believing rather than being washed with water.
It’s a difficult thing. I can see the RCC viewpoint and make sense of it. But, I think the spiritual matters (rather than the sacramental) are more important. For example, it may be more important to be obedient to the law of Christ than to keep the sacraments properly. But that argument doesn’t go against RRC any more than P. It just is something to keep in mind in particular situations.
So, it brings me to love as being the critical thing. The other matters we need to work out as best we can.
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