God's Rottweiler?
by Charlie Hatchko
"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it" (Titus 1:9). This is the absolute duty of a Bishop. The Vicar of Christ-The Head Bishop of Rome-The Supreme Pontiff, The Pope - is Benedict XVI! The Pope is the head Bishop of the Catholic Church. God's Rottweiler is a disdainful, despicable name by the anti-Catholic press for Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger--Pope Benedict XVI. The liberal press has vehemently attacked this holy, humble, human being who is now head of the Catholic Church. The breadth, depth, and wisdom of the theological contributions of this humble soul of God is not very well known in the United States. Pope Benedict XVI was a professor of theology at the following German Universities. University of Bonn--University of Munster--University of Tubingen--University of Regensberg before becoming Archbishop of Munich in 1977 and prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981. Pope Benedict XVI has written many books on liturgical renewal in the Church. Liturgy involves the understanding of God and the world in relationship to Christ and his Church. Cardinal Ratzinger's immense contributions to theological scholarship are incredible. One of his great meditative books--Co-Workers Of The Truth--is meditation for every day of the year. The Co-Workers Of Truth--or Fellow Workers Of Truth can be found in the Third Epistle of John--Verse Eight. Cardinal Ratzinger adopted Co-Workers Of Truth for his coat of arms as an Archbishop (3 John 8) Co-Workers Of Truth. In my estimation, also in the estimation of many, many, Catholic Clergy and Theologians --Pope Benedict XVI-the former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger is probably one of the Church's greatest contemporary theologians of the 20th century. His Biblical wisdom and knowledge of Church doctrine are astonishing. His intellectualism is unbelievable, his background as a peritus at Vatican II and as Archbishop of Munich is incredible. His Book on liturgy, The Spirit of the Liturgy points out fundamental misunderstandings of the Second Vatican Council. His Book -- A New Song For The Lord -- depicts faith in Christ. Look at his brilliance and magnificent theological insights in some of his writings. Look what he has written about the sign of the cross. The most basic Christian gesture is and always will be the sign of the cross. It is a way of confessing Christ crucified with one's very body, in accordance with the words of St. Paul. "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews, and folly to the Gentiles, but to those who are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. 1:23-24) Again St. Paul says, "I decide to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Cor.2:2)
Pope Benedict XVI goes on to write, "to seal oneself with the sign of the cross is a visible and public "yes" to him who suffered for our sins--Jesus Christ the Lord". In his book Co-Workers Of Truth, his spiritual and theological insight is just magnificent. He has written, "we can say that God's power is explicitly revealed in the world in the power of Jesus Christ which comes from the unity of his will with the Father's and thus has its firmest foundation in the cross." He has written exclusively on the authority of the Church and the power of God in his books. He writes, "the authority of the Church is transparent to God's power and the inner commitment to the authority of the Church is consequently our hope. The inner commitment to the authority of the Church is an act of profound obedience and is the fundamental decision of priestly existence." His writings on art and liturgy, music and liturgy are unbelievable. His writings regarding images and icons are incredible. His writings regarding Old Testament to New Testament Liturgy, and the fundamental form of the Christian Liturgy, its determination by Biblical faith, is absolutely great. In summary, we can say that God's power is explicitly revealed in the power of Jesus Christ and is the absolute message of the gospel.
Pope Benedict XVI has been ridiculed as a hard liner and a brutal conservative by the anti-Catholic media because of his staunch Catholic views on the issues of abortion and gay marriage, and statements he has made regarding other forms of Christianity. The media has stated that Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger has made statements that there are deficiencies in other forms of Christianity. He is absolutely correct and I will prove it through the biblical texts.
Sacred Scripture gives definitive affirmation that Christ started a Church, that there is a demarcation of function for the Church. Also, there is Pastoral guidance for the Church. The truth is Jesus Christ! (John 1: 14; John 1: 17; John 14: 6)! In 1 Tim. 3: 15 St. Paul calls the Church 'The Pillar and Foundation of Truth." In Ephesians 2: 19-20, St. Paul gives definitive evidence the Church was started on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Read the words of Christ in the foundation of the Church in Matthew's gospel (Matt. 16:13-20): "When Jesus asked who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, "Some say John the Baptist: others say Elijah: and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But what about you?” he asked. "Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered "You are the Christ, the son of the living God." Jesus replied, blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven". Here St. Peter becomes the first Pope, the one who will lead the Church of Christ after his ascension into heaven. Notice Christ words "I will build my Church"--singular--not plural churches. St. Peter is given the keys of the kingdom of heaven from Christ.
He is the Vicar of Christ--The first Supreme Pontiff--The first Pope! Read Isaiah 22: 20-25 in connection to the keys. "In that day, I will summon my servant, Eliakim, son of Hilkiah. I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David: what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I will drive him like a peg into a form place; he will be a seat of honor for the house of his father. All the glory of his family will hang on him its offspring and offshoots." Following the keys to Peter to Christ--Oscar Cullman a great Lutheran Protestant Theologian makes the connection in his writings between Isaiah 22:22 and Matt. 16:19! In Matt. 16: 19 is presupposed is that Christ is the master of the house, who has the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, with which to open to those who come in. Just as in Isaiah 22:22 the Lord lays the keys of the house of David on the shoulders of his servant Eliakim, so Jesus commits to Peter the keys of his house, the Kingdom of Heaven, and thereby installs him as administrator of the house.
St. Peter's leadership of the
Church is evident in the Book of Acts:
Acts 1: 15 Peter takes charge of the Christian community and
conducts the selection for the replacement of Judas in the
selection of Matthias.
Acts 2:14- 40 Peter gives his great speech at Pentecost in the
proclamation of the gospel, the resurrection of Christ.
Acts 3: 1-12 At the temple gate, the first public miracle is
worked through the apostle Peter by the power of God. He healed
the crippled beggar.
Acts 4: 8-12 Peter filled with the Holy Spirit publicly professes
the Church's faith before the Sanhedrin.
Acts 4: 32-37 gives definitive affirmation of the fraternal
charity of the believers in the sharing of their possessions.
Acts 5: 1-5 Peter exercises Church discipline regarding
almsgiving. The apostolic believers mandate generosity.
Acts 5: 3-10 Look at Peter's ecclesial pronouncements
Acts 8: 14-15 Peter visiting Samaria. This can be absolutely
relevant to the Sacrament of Confirmation. The laying of hands in
the baptized believer.
Acts 8: 20-24 Peter makes decisions for the disciples and rebukes
Simon the Sorcerer for his trying to buy the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10: 1-48 Peter baptized Cornelius and his family.
In Galatians 2: 9, Peter is mentioned as one of the Pillars of the church. The great Apostle St. Peter is mentioned by far more in Holy Scripture than all the apostles together who walked with the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes St. Peter's name is mentioned more in the Biblical Texts than all of the other eleven Apostles who walked with Christ. More than all of the other eleven Apostles combined. The Fundamentalist Protestant denial of the Church's authority coming from Christ given to Peter , who was the first Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth and passed on in the Catholic Church in a line of succession, is absolute falsehood. Biblical and historical facts support Catholic Truth. The successor to Peter is a historical reality and two successors can be found in the Bible. The first successor in about 67A.D is Linus (Cf. 2 Tim. 4: 21)! and then Clement (Cf. Philippians 4: 3)! Presented is the absolute authority given by Christ to the Church and Old Testament correlation to the power of the keys. According to the sacred Scriptures, Jesus passes the authority to him by the Almighty Father to the Apostles. Authority is an attribute intrinsically connected to Sovereignty. God's heaven on earth is the Church---the Church is to present herself to God as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Cf. Eph. 5: 25-26). The ultimate authority given by the Almighty Father to the Lord Jesus Christ can be found in the following Biblical texts: Matt. 11: 27, Matt. 28: 18, John 17: 2! The authority of the Lord Jesus Christ given to Peter and the Church can be found in the following Biblical texts: Matt. 16: 13-20, Matt. 18: 15-18, Matt. 28: 16-20, Mark 16: 15-16, 2 Cor. 11: 1-12, 2 Cor. 13: 1-10, Titus 2: 1-15. The first anathema - -the power of ex-communication -- can be found in the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Galatians (Gal.1:6-9): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned. As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than the one you accepted , let him be eternally condemned."
Pope Benedict XVI has emphasized that the fullness of truth is in the Catholic Church -- The Church started by Jesus Christ himself. Two statements of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger disturbed the anti-Catholic media. First, that homosexuality is intrinsically evil. The anti-Catholic news media hates the Catholic position against abortion and euthanasia. Second, there are deficiencies in Christianity outside the Catholic Church. Let us look at natural law and biblical revelation. Natural law is the infusion of the grace of God in man's heart established by reason. Natural law is God's magnificent work that provides a solid foundation in which man can build a solid structure of moral rules to guide his choices. Natural law is the participation in God's wisdom and goodness by man who was formed in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 26-27)--(Genesis 5: 1-2)--(Romans 2: 14-15)! Homosexuality and lesbianism and all sexual perversity absolutely violates Natural law, and is condemned by biblical revelation (Genesis 18: 16-21)--(Genesis 19: 1-14).
Leviticus 18: 6-30 gives evidence regarding unlawful sexual relations. "Do not lie with a man as one with a woman; that is detestable" (Leviticus 18: 22). Leviticus 20: 13 states, "if a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death." The Old Testament punishment for sexual perversion was death. Romans 1: 18-32 gives the absolute definitive affirmative truth of the wrath of God for sexual perversity. The condemnation of sexual perversity is absolutely clear here in the biblical texts. The New Testament condemns social sins. 1 Cor. 6: 9-10 states, "do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Tim. 1: 9-10 gives absolute definitive affirmation that the law was made for the unrighteous, the ungodly, the lawbreakers, murderers, adulterers and perverts. and for whatever is contrary to sound doctrine. The Pope's position against homosexuality and lesbianism is absolutely in line with sacred Scripture. Let us never forget that God does not hate the sinner; God hates the sin. (Cf. Matt. 9: 13) Christ has not come for the righteous but for sinners to repent . Let all of this liberal agenda that favor pro-choice and gay marriage repent of their sinful ideology and turn back to Christ and the teachings of the Church. Again, Remember! God does not hate the sinner; He hates the sin.
Many people have asked me if there is salvation outside of the Church. The answer is in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Learn the truth from the catechism that bears the imprimi potest of Cardinal Ratzinger, Interdicasterial Commission. Look at the following catechetical information taken form catechism of the Catholic Church.
"846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the on Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God Through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.
847 This affirmation is not aimed a t those who through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ of his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience – those too may achieve eternal salvation.
848 Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who through no fault of their own are ignorant of the Gospel , to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men.
Look what the Catechism of the Catholic Church states regarding the Church's relationship with Muslims. Regarding the Church's relationship with Muslims, the Catechism states, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the creator, in the first place amongst whom are Muslims: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, great merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day." In Acts 10:35 St. Peter states, "truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was the head of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from whence the Catechism of the Catholic Church came. Many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church. The phrase "no salvation outside of the Church" means the Catholic Church is the one, all-encompassing sacrament of salvation. There is only one mediator for salvation - Jesus Christ. Sacred Scripture gives definitive affirmation of this fact (Acts 4: 12)--(1 Tim. 2: 5)! The application to non-Christians who believe in the Almighty God and lead good, just, holy and pious lives are going to hell would not be compatible with God's justice, judgment, and love for all of mankind. Let us get back to his statement of deficiencies in other Christian denominations and Bible churches. Sacred Scripture gives definitive affirmation that the Church must have unity, oneness in Christ. Sacred Scripture gives definitive evidence of delegated authority and apostolic pastoral guidance. In John 10: 16 Jesus exhorts, "there will be one flock, and one shepherd." In Luke 10: 16, Jesus says, "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The Biblical texts presented gives definitive evidence showing without discrimination that the Bible gives authority to Christ's Apostolic Church. Jesus Christ gave his apostles the absolute delegated authority to run the Church. Look at Matt. 16: 13-20. Christ gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus changes his name to "Peter", meaning Rock. Jesus exhorts, ..."and on this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."
In Mattthew 20: 25-28, Sacred Scripture gives definitive affirmation that the authority of Christ has been given to the Church. Jesus tells the disciples that they are the rulers over the Gentiles; Lord over them, and their high officials, exercise authority over them. In Ephesians 2:19-20, the bible gives definitive affirmation that the Church is founded on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone. The absolute duty of the Church can be seen in the following biblical texts: 1 Tim. 4: 11-13--Titus 2: 1-5--Titus 2: 7-10--Titus 3: 1-8---1 Pet. 5: 1-3. Sacred Scripture gives definitive evidence of the mission and obligation of the Church is to teach sound doctrine and evangelize.
Look at these amazing facts. The Oxford Christian Encyclopedia in 1982 gave the definite statement that there were over 20,800 different Denominations and Bible churches in the body of Protestantism since the Protestant Reformation that was started in the year 1517. This is absolutely tragic and a bad witness for evangelization. It is absolute biblical evidence that no Protestant Church could be the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible gives definitive affirmation and evidence that there must be unity in the Church. Look at the magnificent prayer of Christ to the Almighty Father. In John 17: 20-23 Jesus prays, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you and I are in me and I in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." In 1 Cor. 1: 10 St. Paul exhorts, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
Acts 2: 42-47 gives definitive affirmation of the teaching of the Apostles must be adhered to, and the Eucharistic devotion of the Apostolic Church. Philippians 2: 2 states, "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." Look at Romans 15: 5-6, Ephesians 4: 3-6, and Colossians 3: 12-14. The truth of the gospel must be preached. Private interpretation of Scripture leads to hermeneutical anarchy and denominational factionalism. This is the main problem with Protestantism. Everybody is his or her own Pope.
The Catholic Church teaches that there is a material sufficiency in Scripture for salvation. The Catholic Church also teaches that there is no formal sufficiency in Scripture for salvation. Why? Because every Protestant Denomination interprets the Biblical texts in their own method. Look at the difference in main line doctrines as justification, salvation, priesthood, baptism, etc. The Catholic Church in her mandate from Christ has taught the same way for almost 2000 years. The denial of Apostolic Tradition, paradosis, is the main cause of the immense disunity in Protestantism. The denial of paradosis violates biblical mandates. Sacred Scripture teaches Apostolic Tradition.
In 2 Thess. 2: 13-15 St. Paul states, "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. he called you to this through our gospel that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word or by letter." This absolutely gives evidence of Apostolic Tradition.
Read 1 Cor. 11: 2--1 Cor. 11: 23-26--1 Cor. 15: 1-4--1 Thess. 3: 6. All these Biblical texts give definitive affirmation regarding Apostolic Tradition. John 20: 30-31 and John 21: 25 gives absolute Biblical evidence that everything Christ did and said is not contained in Scripture. Sacred Scripture is written so that we may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in his name. According to sacred Scripture, Christ gave the authority of the Church to the Apostles and disciples. Historical evidence by the early Church fathers gives evidence that the true Church was the Catholic Church. The following members give witness and affirmation of the primary jurisdiction of the Catholic Church. Every one mentioned has written 1000 years before the Protestant Reformation. St. Ignatius of Antioch--St. Irenaeus of Lyons--St. Clement of Alexandria--St. Polycarp--Eusebius---Tertullian--Bishop St. Dionysius of Corinth--The Papal Legate Philippus at the Council of Ephesus--432A.D.--St. Jerome--St. Augustine--St. Ambrose--Pope St. Stephen I---all have written of the primary jurisdiction of the Pope.
The Bible castigates heretics. The Church has always castigated heretics. Sacred Scripture gives numerous evidence regarding heretics. Acts 20: 28 states, "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock, which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and not spare the flock." 1 Tim. 3: 14 gives definitive evidence of the Church's authority to teach, admonish and ex-communicate heretics. 1 Tim. 4: 1-2 states, "The Spirit clearly says in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teaching comes through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. Look at the duty of the Bishop and obligation of the Church." Titus 1: 9 states. "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine, and refute those who oppose it." 2 Tim. 1: 13-14 states, "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 John 9-11 states, "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God: whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked works."
The Biblical facts were presented. Pope Benedict XVI is absolutely right in his position on sexual perversity. Biblical revelation condemns homosexuality. Pope Benedict XVI is absolutely right that there are deficiencies in Protestantism. He did not state that Protestants cannot get to heaven. He stated that there are deficiencies in Protestantism. He is absolutely right. I truly believe after reading this article you truly have to agree with him.
Pope Benedict XVI is not God's Rottweiler! Pope Benedict XVI is a humble servant of God, the Vicar of Christ.
May God Richly Bless You! Amen! Hallelujah!
Charlie Hatchko
The Catholic Legate
June 10, 2005