THE REVEREND IAN PAISLEY used to rejoice in calling the Roman Catholic Church The Whore of Babylon.
When I heard him at it in the 1970's I was certainly shocked and deeply uncomfortable at what I saw was his hatred of Roman Catholicism - although he once explained to me personally that he only hated the institution but not individual Roman Catholics?
WIKIPEDIA SAYS:
The Whore of Babylon or Babylon the Great is a female figure and also place of evil mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Her full title is given as "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and Abominations of the Earth." (Greek: Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη, ἡ μήτηρ τῶν πορνῶν καὶ τῶν βδελυγμάτων τῆς γῆς; transliterated Babylōn hē megalē, hē mētēr tōn pornōn kai tōn bdelygmatōn tēs gēs.)
The Whore is associated with the Antichrist and the Beast of Revelation by connection with an equally evil kingdom. (The word "Whore" can also be translated metaphorically as "Idolatress").[1] The Whore's apocalyptic downfall is prophesied to take place in the hands of the image of the beast with seven heads and ten horns. There is much speculation within Christian eschatologyon what the Whore and beast symbolise as well as the possible implications for contemporary interpretations.[2][3][4][5]
Rome and the Roman Empire;
Many Biblical scholars believe that "Babylon" is a metaphor for the pagan Roman Empire at the time it persecuted Christians, before the Edict of Milan in 313: perhaps specifically referencing some aspect of Rome's rule (brutality, greed, paganism). Some exegetes interpret the passage as a scathing critique of a servant people of Rome who do the Empire's bidding, interpreting that the author of Revelation was speaking of the Herodians – a party of Jews friendly to Rome and open to its influence, like the Hellenizers of centuries past – and later, corrupt Hasmoneans, where the ruler of Jerusalem or Roman Judea exercised his power at the pleasure of the Emperor, and was dependent on Roman influence, like Herod the Great in the Gospel of Luke.
In 4 Ezra, 2 Baruch[10] and the Sibylline Oracles,"Babylon" is a cryptic name for Rome. Reinhard Feldmeier speculates that "Babylon" is used to refer to Rome in 1 Peter 5:13 In Revelation 17:9 it is said that she sits on "seven mountains" typically understood as the seven hills of Rome. A Roman coin minted under the Emperor Vespasian (ca. 70 AD) depicts Rome as a woman sitting on seven hills.
According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "The characteristics ascribed to this Babylon apply to Rome rather than to any other city of that age: (a) as ruling over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:18); (b) as sitting on seven mountains (Revelation 17:9); (c) as the centre of the world's merchandise (Revelation 18:3, 11–13); (d) as the corrupter of the nations (Revelation 17:2; 18:3; 19:2); (e) as the persecutor of the saints (Revelation 17:6)."[21]
According to Eusebius of Caesarea Babylon would be Rome or the Roman Empire:
"And Peter makes mention of Mark in his first epistle which they say that he wrote in Rome itself, as is indicated by him, when he calls the city, by a figure, Babylon, as he does in the following words: «The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so does Marcus my son.»(1 Peter 5:13)"
Pre-Reformation (Catholic) view[edit]
Dante equated the corruption and simony of the pontificate of Pope Boniface VIII with the Whore of Babylon in Canto 19 of his Inferno:
- Di voi pastor s'accorse il Vangelista,
- quando colei che siede sopra l'acque
- puttaneggiar coi regi a lui fu vista...
- Shepherds like you the Evangelist had in mind
- when he saw the one that sits upon the waters committing fornication with the kings.
Reformation view:
Historicist interpreters commonly used the phrase "Whore of Babylon" to refer to the Roman Catholic Church. Reformation writers from Martin Luther (1483–1546) (who wrote On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church), John Calvin (1509–1564), and John Knox (1510–1572) (who wrote The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women) taught this association.
Most early Protestant Reformers believed, and the modern Seventh-day Adventist Church teaches, that in Bible prophecy a woman represents a church. "I have likened the daughter of Zion To a lovely and delicate woman." (Jeremiah 6:2) A harlot, it is argued, is representative of a church that has been unfaithful:
- "Go, take yourself a e of harlotry
- And children of harlotry,
- For the land has committed great harlotry
- By departing from the LORD." (Hosea 1:2)
They also believed that the primary location of this unfaithful church is stated in the same chapter.
- "And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:18)
The connection noted above on the seven hills of Rome is argued to locate the church.
Identification of the Pope as the Antichrist was written into Protestant creeds such as the Westminster Confession of 1646. The identification of the Roman Catholic Church with the Whore of Babylon is kept in the Scofield Reference Bible (whose 1917 edition identified "ecclesiastical Babylon" with "apostate Christendom headed by the Papacy").
PAT SAYS:
First of all I think that angry word and expressions like "WHORE" which have much different meanings in today's world need to be used sparingly and very carefully.
Such expressions feed into religious fundamentalism, bigotry and the hatred of others because of their religion.
But I think we can RATIONALLY ask if the Roman Catholic Church - and indeed all the man made religious churches and institutions - have departed from the vision of Jesus Christ for his church and indeed what the Christian Church was like in the early centuries after Christ before men got their hands upon it and corrupted it.
Yesterday I jotted down what appears below:
JESUS CHURCH CHURCH OF ROME
Head = Jesus Head = Pope
Law = Love Law = Canon Law
Holy Book – Bible Holy Book = Catechism
Power = Community Power = Hierarchy
Treasure = People Treasure = Wealth
Worship = Homes Worship - Big Churches
Leaders = Married Leaders = Celibate
Clergy = Servants Clergy = Masters
Modus = Service Modus = Domination
Modus = Service Modus = Domination
Sex = Gift Sex = Sin
Prestige = The Poor The Rich
Greatest = The Least Greatest = Clergy
Preach = God's Word Preach = Man Made Dogma
Organisation = FamiIy Organisation = Institution
Policy = Openness Policy = Secrecy
Position = Freedom Position = Enslavement
Ambition = Kingdom of God Ambition = Earthly Empire
State = Separation State = Collusion
Party Politics = Avoid Party Politics = Interfere
Mary = Disciple Mary = Queen
In the Church of Rome we have the Tyranny of the Hierarchy.
In the Anglican Church we have the Tyranny of the Establishment.
In the Presbyterian Church we have the Tyranny of the Elders.
In the "Free Churches" we have the Tyranny of Fundamentalism.
The challenge of ALL BRANCHES of Christianity is to get back to the church Jesus founded during his lifetime that existed relatively unchanged during the period we call the APOSTOLIC PERIOD.
And let's forget that Jesus was BORN, LIVED and DIED as a JEW !
Christianity is really JUDAISM brought to its natural outcome = THE MESSIAH
We CHRISTIANS are really THE NEW JEWS!
It is SPIRITUALITY / FAITH that is needed not RELIGION!
In the Jesus Church they don't wear clerical garb - will you be discarding the purple shirt any time soon?
ReplyDeleteDont wear a purple shirt. Wear grey one.
DeleteSeriously, Bishop, you could do with some good PR advice on that image of yours that accompanies your every reply. It's not just the episcopal attire. That upward tilt of the head doesn't do you any good at all.
DeleteMaybe anon 15.11 will treat you to a makeover for a early xmas present and get new photos dun also . I need a new look also can I tag along ?
DeleteThank you for the comparison. I ll use that with your permission. Anglicanism has its share of beurocricy not unlike the civil service. In theory the seat of power is the PCC parochial church council. Consensus arrived at through dialogue and prayer. Abp of Canterbury one among equals. Paisley. My claim to fame I once sat in his chair in city hall on a school tour. Was this prophetic?
ReplyDeletePat have you noted the number of right wing catholic sites that fawned before Trump. Check. Catholics4Trump
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Pat! The truth will set the church free.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago my late mother said that a man she knew was in a Passionist seminary. She said that if he had sinful thoughts he had to whip himself. Does anybody know if that could be true. If it is then no wonder there are so few going forward
ReplyDeleteWasn't that pretty much standard practice in religious life before the Vatican council? wearing hair shirts and whipping yourself as penance has a long history in Christian spiritual practice. It appears to me to be a bit too close to sadomasochism for comfort, which is somewhat ironic if it is meant to curb sexual desire!
ReplyDeleteI hope these devices are not being used today.
DeleteThere is enough "penance" in all our lives without resorting to such questionable practices.
I hope these devices are not being used today.
DeleteThere is enough "penance" in all our lives without resorting to such questionable practices.
The rev Frank Pavone....a disgusting man, should never have been ordained
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell would he know about women or pregnancies
Yes fr Brian Darcy talked about this
ReplyDeleteIt was just how things were then....a bit like a woman having to promise to obey at her marriage 19 . 43
Or getting churched after childbirth
ReplyDeleteNuala...maybe that's What 50 shades of gray was based on lol
ReplyDeleteI was in dublin recently and visited a church where a big coffin was on display. I read it contained the remains of matt talbot and when he was alive he wore chains and a celeice as a act of penance . Whilst I don't doubt his faith I couldn't help but think to my self what a silly aul fart
ReplyDelete19 .43 it's called Self-flagellation
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the origins Though...just googled it
He was an alcoholic I think, so possibly mentally unstable.
ReplyDelete21.45
ReplyDeleteThat is so unfair
Mat Talbot Should be a saint, he overcame alcohol addiction, had little or no education
Please respect our history, and because of him the pioneer association was founded
Many lovely men and woman took the pledge and still do despite all the modern'' have a drink''
Let us judge Matt Talbot by the piety of his day - not ours ???
DeleteWell if he makes enough money by being on display as a side show in a chapel then I've no doubt he will be made a saint . All that's needed is a columbian nun with a hairy mole on her Diddy that dropped off after praying to matt talbot . Quick get the cards printed and the tacky souvenirs made and stick him on a cart to be wheeled round ireland it will make a fortune
DeletePat what did you think about
ReplyDeleteFr frank Pavone bringing a foetus onto the altar..
Both him and the pathologist should be arrested
There are some Catholics whose WHOLE MORALITY is about abortion.
DeleteGhoulish !!@
Exactly, Pat, no one Should set themselves up as judge and jury where pregnancies are concerned.
DeleteCan't believe it
ReplyDeleteTommy Tiernon was going to be a priest and still reads the bible
So was jonny Vegas
Delete