Date: January 4, 2023
Host: Jim Schneider
Guest: Mike Gendron
MP3 | Order
On December 31st, the media was reporting that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had passed away. The Associated Press reported that at least 25-30,000 would come on Monday, but by the end of the evening, Fox News reported that 65,000 had passed through St. Peter’s Basilica. Tomorrow will be the funeral mass, presided over by Pope Francis.
Why are so many people fascinated by the pope and the Catholic religion itself? Returning to Crosstalk to deal with these and other related issues was Mike Gendron. Mike is founder and director of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry. Mike was a devout Roman Catholic for over 3 decades and was taught to rely upon the authority of the church above all else. Mike searched the Scriptures and was amazed to find that what he read in Scripture contradicted the teachings and traditions of the church he had been a part of for so long. He trusted Jesus as his Savior and now the Bible has become his sole authority in all matters of faith. Mike is the author of the books, Preparing for Eternity and Contending for the Gospel and has produced numerous videos with warnings concerning false teachings vs. the truth of the Scriptures.
According to Mike, Catholics will say that Pope Benedict was the 265th leader of their religion and the first German pope in over a years. That’s interesting when you consider that Germany is a nation that was at the center of 16th Century reformation.
Pope Benedict was ultra conservative and considered to be the doctrinal guru of the Roman Catholic religion. Before being elected pope in 1994, he co-authored the Catechism of the Catholic Church which has become the doctrinal authority of the church ever since. His view of the Bible was consistent with historical Roman Catholicism. This means he believed the Bible was the word of God but he also said the word of God is bigger than the Bible. In other words, the Bible had to be supplemented by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He also taught that the Bible must always be read under the authority of the magisterium (bishops of the Roman Catholic Church).
Pope Benedict inherited the widespread sexual abuse scandal, so as pope he was finally able to move against the clergy whom the previous pope (John Paul II) had protected.
In 2013, Pope Benedict shocked the world by announcing that he was resigning from office, a move that upended some 600 years of tradition, as normally a pope would hold that position until death.
As this program continued, Jim had Mike delve into the following, while listeners added their questions as well:
- What is the significance of the holy water, the rosary around his fingers, and the place where he’s lying in repose?
- How will this affect Pope Francis?
- What’s going to take place at the funeral mass?
- Does the Bible support the papacy?
More Information
Special offer: The DVD Prophecy and the Pope is available at a discount along with a complimentary publication, Have You Ever Been Deceived, by calling 817-379-5300 or from proclaimingthegospel.org (Click on “store” and then on “Video Messages on DVD.”)
