To Bind and to Loose

Recently, a Catholic friend of mine posted an apologetic of sorts on the power to bind and to loose. It is quite good and can be found HERE. While I enjoy studying Catholicism – I do not agree with the claims of the Catholic church. My studies have allowed me to dispel some of the misconceptions I have had of Catholicism and I have found many truths in the Catholic church. What qualifies me, or anyone, to dispute the authority of man’s theological systems? The Holy Spirit and the final authority that rests upon the Word of God.

I am Sola Scriptura, however, this assent to the Word of God’s authority does not in and of itself lead to unity of doctrine. I’m perfectly fine with that – realizing I will answer to Christ alone in regard to truth – apart from the claims of other men. The honest Catholic would have to admit that there is absolutely no unity within its church as well. Many are “cafeteria” Catholics – something the system does not allow for, anathematizing those in the church who would disagree with its decrees. The claims of unity, I see as a façade – something to hide behind while calling people “home to Rome” – a home that is as much in disunity as the rest of Christendom. I see much pride and arrogance in Catholicism. I see as much pride and arrogance among protestants. What I respect among both is humble conviction – it is only with this spirit that we can have meaningful dialog with one another. Humble – recognizing God alone is the author of truth and any truth we possess is His. Conviction – being convinced that the truths we hold are of God and not of ourselves or any other man.

I would say the ability to Bind and to Loose is God’s and bestowed upon those He puts in authority to judiciously uphold. However, I don’t believe that power has been given….yet.

The way I see it, the power to bind and to loose belongs solely to God, the only lawgiver. The power to announce what has been bound and what has been loosed WILL be given to those who co-reign in the Kingdom (faithful believers) – charged with binding that which has already been bound by God and loosing that which has already been loosed by God. The keys to the Kingdom are that which open up fellowship with God and that which close fellowship with God.

Matthew 16

15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

The keys (plural) represent authority to bind each matter in the Kingdom that has already been bound in Heaven and loose each matter in the Kingdom that has already been loosed in Heaven. It is the power to announce and uphold as opposed to the power to legislate and dictate. In order to qualify for this position of authority – one must be a believer. It is this point of Scripture that we see Peter making a profession of belief and the declaration of Christ that He “will” give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a position of authority that Peter is eligible for based on his faith and Christ’s foreknowledge of his faithfulness. These are not the keys to Heaven – but the keys to the "Kingdom of” Heaven. Christ will make good on his promise to Peter. Had he been willing to bestow the keys then and there would He not have said “I give you the keys” rather than “I will give you the keys”? Would He give the keys to someone of the flesh who He knows will betray Him three times in one night? Or, would he give the keys to someone whose flesh has passed away, who has been glorified and made perfect as He is perfect?

The other thing Catholicism claims to support its view and dispel a common view of protestants is that Christ spoke in Aramaic. This is important to them because in Aramaic there is no difference between “petra” and “petros” – no “small stone” and “rock” – both would have to be “rock” if this were the language He spoke. Christ did speak Aramaic, however – He also spoke Greek and Hebrew. More importantly, the New Testament was recorded in Greek by the power of the Holy Spirit. God easily could have dictated the record in Greek to use the same Greek word here – He does not. That to me is telling and speaks to the heart of God’s intent in regards to this passage.

This power to bind and to loose in Catholicism has already been transferred to Peter, whom the church claims to be the first Bishop of Rome – a lineage they recognize to form the papacy which in turn transfers the power to each successor and ultimately the church as a whole. I have found no document outside of Catholicism, including the Word of God, that verifies Peter ever held this office. That again, is telling. The enormous implications here of a church claiming infallibility crumble on the silence of the Word. It would be disingenuous, if this were true, for the Word to remain silent in regards to papal authority, apostolic succession and infallibility of a church – regardless of what you understand the church to be.

I have often said that if I were persuaded that “Calvinism” were a true representation of Biblical Christianity – I would cease to be Christian. I hold the litmus test for error to be contradiction. I feel the same about Catholicism. However, I accept many who hold to these systems as brothers in Christ. I see the same of Paul in regards to the Corinthians. Often times, protestants hold Catholics to not be "Christian" - which is disconcerting to me as I see many of them would answer the question posed to Peter "But who do you say that I am?" the same exact way - "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".

What do you think? To borrow from my friend Rose – Reasonable?

Max Lucado

I've been a little lighter lately (theologically, weight wise - I'm still pretty heavy) - and I came across this devotional that I thought was really cool by acclaimed author Max Lucado.... CLICK HERE.