That particular verse from Holy Scripture is what gives the Pope his doctrinal infallibility regarding matters of faith and morals. That being said, the Pope cannot teach in error, lest the entire theological construct of the church crumbles. So, in effect, if the pope proclaimed infallibly that God did not exist or some other absurdity along those lines, then the religion would then be in vain.
That being said, the matters which have been "bound on earth as they are bound in heaven" are few and far between- I believe the last one dealt with the assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
But it is an interesting verse for protestants; I find it difficult to see how one would interpret the verse if they deny the need for an authority figure in Christianity. I assume it would deal with just Peter, but then again, peter did start the Church. By that reasoning, then, the Catholic Church was infallibly given authority by Christ directly- none of the protestants can say the same.
Originally posted by Transfinitum
That being said, the Pope cannot teach in error, lest the entire theological construct of the church crumbles.
Originally posted by Transfinitum
But it is an interesting verse for protestants; I find it difficult to see how one would interpret the verse if they deny the need for an authority figure in Christianity. I assume it would deal with just Peter, but then again, peter did start the Church. By that reasoning, then, the Catholic Church was infallibly given authority by Christ directly- none of the protestants can say the same.