Why Arguments for the Papacy Fail

This video is a piece I wrote on arguments in favor of magisterial authority, and why I do not find them to be compelling.

[WaterMelon-Cat]

The Papacy is true because what a certain Pope explicitly said multiple times that contradicts other authoritative teachings were not what he actually meant, you just need another Pope to interpret it but what he says that contradicts the last Pope is also just a misunderstanding because what he said is not what he meant and you need the next pope to interpret it.

[ericstratman]

"The papacy is true and you MUST submit to the Pope!" - signed, the Pope

[dallascopp]

For me all this boils down to, “We’re correct because we say we’re correct. And if you disagree, you’re wrong and you’re to ignorant to understand why we’re correct.” And not to be derogatory, but this is very anti-intellectual behavior and very cult like at its core.

[TheologyVisualized]

You and Issues, Etc. were instrumental to my conversation to Confessional Lutheranism!

[BigBobsho]

I always found the rejection of Papal Supremacy by the Eastern Orthodox Church to be the most convincing example through history and tradition that the Bishop of Rome is not the supreme unquestionable leader of the Catholic (meaning universal) Church. As a questioning Catholic I have to admit this one of things that make me pause and wonder about the whole thing.

[Stanzan]

Debating church history and scripture with Catholics feels like a dishonest exercise. At any point they can just say that you are outside the Magisterium, so your interpretation can be disregarded.

[bradleytarr]

It's always a game of "Simon Peter Says."

[Mark_Penrose]

2:15 In all fairness to Roman Catholics, when Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto wrote to John Calvin urging him to return to the Roman Catholic faith or to (come home), it made sense. "Rome" was once home to John as he was a "cradle catholic". However, for Catholics to use that phrase centuries later and then broaden it for those who were never catholic to begin with; I find that to be sentimentally manipulative.

[joabthejavelin]

Yes, please keep reading your substack. It's helpful because I can listen while I work, and I work with lots of English second language people, and I can share with them your videos more easily than written works.

[jeffryan]

As a former JW, their history of doctrinal flip/flops is described as “new light.” For example their failed history of end times dating interpretation failures ( 1874, 1914-1974, 75 that “this generation” would see Armageddon), was again revised as “new light’ during the 1990’s as a “wicked generation” wouldn’t pass away until Armageddon was fulfilled …

[Jerbear-da-crashout]

As a new lutheran, i really do appreciate your work

[elijahwall]

As an extremely confident Catholic who disagrees with your claim, your arguments are very respectable. It saddens me how rare it is to see christians of any kind evangelizing respectfully, kindly, and using reason, in the manner that Jesus intended for all christians to. Thank you for not being one of the apologists who is more anti other faiths than they are for Jesus. I hope you keep writing making videos for as long as you have the ability to spread the word of God.

[corylaflin]

RC apologist: *makes any argument about Roman Catholicism*
Me: Are you the Pope?
Them: ....No?
Me: So, you're obviously wrong. Yours is private interpretation.
Them: But St. Jerome...
Me: Was he the Pope?
Them: ....no, but Aquinas...
Me: Was he the Pope?
Repeat until they either give up or call Frank.

[tychonian]

Stellar work, Dr. Cooper. Keep writing!

[Scoma]

I'm not used to you being so straightforward in your videos lol. I got like halfway through this and started wondering "where are the tangents?"

[StephenJahn]

I've had a similar difficulty identifying precisely the criteria by which the RCC determines whether a magisterial, conciliar, or papal statement, doctrine, or proclamation is infallible or not. What are these criteria? And more fundamentally, what is the basis for such criteria? As much as I greatly appreciate many aspects of the RCC tradition, I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer to these questions.

Thank you much for this video, Dr. Cooper. God bless you in your ministry.

[srice]

Yes, continue these type of YouTube videos!

[meatballmusicman]

Do you think episcopal polity would be good within our church?

[lisajones]

Yes, Please keep reading your substack 🥰🥰🥰

[jamesbogart]

If St. Peter was the head of the early church then why did James the Just preside over the Council of Jerusalem?