It's funny, for the first few centuries, it worked just fine for many in ministry...didn't it? To deny that is to deny history. Some were married. Some, like Paul and Barnabas, were not. Pope Siricius was married with children and then he sinned by abandoning his family so he could become a pope. He then tried to force that type of life on many...but it didn't take. Damasus allowed marriage...but said priests couldn't have sex with their wives. History is not your friend on this issue. What man has done is taken something God made...and ordained...and screwed it up. What man has done is taken something scripture makes CLEAR: A calling by God-in which SOME have been granted grace to remain unmarried (Paul) and some have not (Peter)...and made ALL abide by something unnatural. THIS is history and scripture. It is clear. 1 Timothy 4:1-4...."who forbid marriage"...and now we see the consequences of that action.
If you cannot see this, I cannot help you. It is very clear. Read 1 Timothy 3. Read Titus 1. I have done my homework. Thanks. Nelson111-MDiv, Th.M., Th.D.
I don’t see any indication you understand what rightly dividing the Word of Truth means. You continue to miss the mark in that area.
In addition, you are either not reading my posts or are not comprehending what I am saying. I asked you to explain where I cited Scripture to support my position.
Instead of addressing that, you go on an emotionally-driven rant; nonstop diatribe to counter a point I did not even try to make!
Not that it matters but Peter may have been married at one time but there is no evidence he was married when answering the call by our Lord. Maybe she was already dead. Peter gave up everything he had to become the first Pope, did he not? Maybe he gave up his wife too (if she did not already die). Or maybe she left him already.
If Peter was a married man having physical relations with his wife (or raised a family) while he was Pope, then correct me if I’m wrong (with solid evidence please).
Still, it is a moot point because I never argued that Catholic Priests are prohibited to marry by virtue of the Holy Scriptures. But I did indicate that there are sound, practical reasons why they should not.
I believe 1 Corinthians 10 says that “All things are lawful, but all things are not expedient; all things are not edifying.”
That, my sister, is the basis for my position (with regard to Scripture), in addition to extensive personal experience as well.
Thank you for engaging me in this meaningful dialogue.