Monday, October 26, 2009

Church pastors rulers; state rules pastors

Calvin's Institutes (1559)
Book 4 of 4 - External Means by which God Invites Us into the Society of Christ and Holds Us Therein

Chapter 11 - Jurisdiction of the Church and its abuse as seen in the Papacy
11-16 - Rome's claims, usurping worldly power
11. Rome now claims the whole empire, but it was never Peter's to hand down to the popes. Bernard argues this with the pope in his day. "Lordship is forbidden [to apostles]; ministry is bidden."
12. The Donation of Constantine document, in which that emperor gives jurisdiction of much of the empire to the pope, was forged in the mid 700's. Popes long after Constantine spoke as the emperor's rightful subjects, contrary to this document.
13. The papal empire actually arose just 500 years ago, when Henry IV (1056-1106) fell out of favor with princes and Pope Gregory VII took advantage of it, subjugating Henry to himself. Later popes found it easier to do the same, after this, with "careless and cowardly" emperors.
14. Gregory the Great forbade clergy taking land, but Rome has done it with force and treachery for years. They violate Ezek. 34:4.
15. Rome claims immunity for all clergy from civil court charges. But the church did not object when Constantine and other emperors after him summoned clergy to court or expected obedience to civil law. In a matter of faith, the bishop judges the emperor; in a matter of civil law, the emperor judges the bishop. "A spiritual case ought not to be taken to a civil court."
16. The church sometimes welcomes civil authority in church matters if it helps establish order and isn't done with selfish intent. "The church does not have the power to coerce." The church should obey the state "as far as his conscience will allow."

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