That gave us Protestantism, the Enlightenment, socialism, communism, scientific materialism, agnosticism, atheism, nihilism, relativism.
That gave us Protestantism, the Enlightenment, socialism, communism, scientific materialism, agnosticism, atheism, nihilism, relativism.
I’m not talking about “no pastors”. I’m talking about accountability for those who are. Upgrade not eradication. Right now you’ve got a bunch of Willy Wonkas leading the masses through Happy Jesus Bullcrap Land.
Clicked on the link for the book...speaking of unintended consequences, how about expecting the Germans to pay for St. Peter’s Basilica (via indulgences) and not bitch about it? Anybody see that one coming? That was a pretty big misread.
Come to think of it, Europe is right back where it was 500 years ago...the Krauts got the money and the Italians want it. Except today the establishment hierarchy is composed of bureaucrats and academics, not clergy (who appear content sticking their hands down boys pants). Turns out the same way. Krauts do the heavy lifting and destroy the Establishment assumptions, and God only knows what fills the vacuum (What is the secular equivalent of Joel Osteen?)
There is the doctrine of The Priesthood of All Believers...
It is the foundation of the Via de Cristo and Walk to Emmaus movements.
Stipulates that all believers are called to act as “priests”. Not in the giving communion and absolution sense, but in bringing others to Christ and ministering to them as Christ and the Apostles ministered to people.
It imparts a great sense of responsibility upon one, that Christ is counting on you to be his representative on Earth.
If you're talking pastor as in the role the priest has, then every Christian is supposed to be a priest. (See 1 Corinthians 4:1 and 1 Peter 2.)