A Believer's Perspective of the True Church Amidst Claims of Religious Supremacy

It is quite amazing, but not surprising, how claims of supremacy continue unabated by many of the world’s power religions today. Religious suppositions, or religious leaders and their suppositions, that peculiar dogmas of their faith are not to be disagreed with, or challenged, usually emanates from a blind ego rather than indisputable doctrine. Anyone who disagrees is anathematized of course; and If it is within their power, much worst. The old fear factor - nothing new here! Religious authorities of every flavor, especially in the name of Christianity, have been illicitly intimidating people this way for ages. And it is why so many want nothing to do with organized religion. The Pharisees in Jesus' time made it very clear that they were the ones who decided doctrinal integrity. Woe unto anyone within the scope of their rule that defied them. Roman Catholic inquisitions followed in A.D. middle Ages, Anglicanism displaced Catholicism to become the tyrannical state church in England after Henry the VIII, and Puritanism in the early part of New England America left its scars of repression. Islamic extremists throughout history, and in recent years, have determined  to serve the world notice of their superiority. How many other "ism's" that religious mankind can invent will make their demanding voice heard?

On the Roman Catholic doctrine of supremacy and infallibility in matters of faith, popes have condemned hapless souls only to have their decrees reversed by future popes. Joan of Arc was one of these excommunicated victims, only to be pardoned, and then elevated to sainthood by a later pontiff. Galileo’s theories were condemned by a papal inquisition as, “contrary to Holy Scripture.” Again, a censorship that had  to be recanted by a humbled modern day Roman hierarchy, which proved to be not really all that infallible in matters of faith. Interestingly, what is not well known by most people is that a number of popes have rejected the idea of infallibility, Adrian VI being one of them. So there are some embarrassing contradictions and moments in Catholic history on this doctrine, which Roman Catholic apologists have tried to feebly, or even forcibly, explain away (One might add, without much success). Furthermore, these are not protestant, or merely protestant investigations into the question of papal infallibility. These findings have the full support of a wide variety of secular, non/partisan, scholars, including free thinking Catholics.

“A few present-day Catholics, including priests and bishops, refuse to accept papal infallibility.... A recent (1989–1992) survey of Catholics from multiple countries (the USA, Austria, Canada, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Peru, Spain and Switzerland), aged 15 to 25 who may not yet fully understand the theology of  infallibility, showed that 36.9% accepted the teaching on  papal infallibility, 36.9%  denied it, and 26.2% said they didn't know of it.” (Source: Report on surveys of the International Marian Research Institute, by Johann G. Roten, S.M.) 

According to Scripture, the true Church, i.e., those persons truly redeemed in Christ who will be gathered together in the resurrection (out of all creeds and nations. Rev. 7: 9-12), does have a promised future reign of supremacy with the Lord. Yet, that is future, and only with the Lord. In this age, for those who would be a part of that true church, it is not supremacy but rather service and the cross (if not in the same caliber as, very much like: Lilias I Trotter, the Franciscans, and mother Theresa). Because of her natural weaknesses, the nominal institutional Church, or churches- Catholic, Protestant, et al. - is far from any kind of  infallibility, as historical shame and new uncovering scandals continue to sadly prove.

There has always been, and ever will be, a need for the perpetual sanctifying, renewing, and reforming of the organized church by the Holy Spirit, which not only purifies her members, but also cleanses away the decrees and doctrines of past error. The ongoing Reformation has been a wonderful manifestation of this cleansing process, along with bible studies, repentance movements, and intercessory prayer ministries. May these faith restoring activities within Christianity continue strong and blessed under The Most High's auspicious protection until He returns to receive His redeemed.

"...oh Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.”   _{Psalm 84:12}