02/20-21/2022 – Gospel of John – Chapter 20 commentary – 2 of 2 // Taking issue with my protestant brothers with their commentary on John 20: 22 – 23.
John 20: 22 – 23; “After saying this, He breathed on them (the 11 Disciples) and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any they are retained.’ “
I’ll start by outlining the comments for each commentator:
#1:My Apologetics Study Bible – Copyright 2007 by Holman Bible Publishers:
“(comment covering verses 19 – 23) … The authority he bestowed parallels that given first to Peter (Mt. 16: 16-19) and then to the Twelve (Mt. 18:18), It was fulfilled in the disciples’ preaching ministry in Ac. (Jimmy note – Ac = “Acts”?) Nothing is taught here about papal infallibility or apostolic succession.
My reply – I submit this is and example of the logical fallacy of “begging the question.” the bible footnote is obviously a criticism of catholic christian theology, but the fallacy is that not even catholics would argue that this designated authority by Jesus does not have anything to do with papal infallability or apostolic succession. Jesus is talking about forgiveness of sins by fellow souls in these verses, the sacrament of reconciliation not general gospel preaching! A priest is just a conduit, just as with sacrament of baptisms or the gospel writers for that matter. John didn’t write this gospel, the Holy Spirit did! Take John 17 as an example, do you think John knew word for word the prayer of Jesus for his disciples to the Father? Or did it come by way of the Holy Spirit?
Papal infallability only applies when the pope speaks “ex cathedra”, in union with the bishops. And ex-cathedra pronouncements in history are very limited, such as: Mary’s Immaculate Conception, made by Pius IX in 1854, and of her Assumption into heaven, made by Pius XII in 1950. A pope would not have to speak ex-cathedra on the sacrament of confession because it came directly from Jesus in the aforementioned scripture. And this answers a critic as well who points out that “ex cathedra” extends to teachings by the pope. Again, the pope does not have to teach it. The pope would be extremely busy indeed if he had to get involved with each individual soul confession in the world. So in a worldy analogy, begging the question is: “come on, get back in the stadium at least, so you can get back in the ballgame.”
#2 – William Barclay commentary
“This sentence (verse 23) does not mean that the power to forgive sins was ever entrusted to any man or men; it means that the power to proclaim that forgiveness was so entrusted; along with the power to warn that forgiveness was so entrusted; along with the power to warn that forgiveness is not open to the impenitent. This sentence lays down the duty of the Church to convey forgiveness to the penitent in heart and to warn the impenitent that they are forfeiting the mercy of God.”
- My comment – better but again the first sentence is “begging the question” again: “Who says a parish priest has the power to forgive sins in the sacrament of reconciliation? The priest is a conduit in all seven sacraments, that is integral to the definition of a sacrament.
#3 – John Gill
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/john-20-23.html
My comment : again, “begging the question.”
Luther appropriately of course took issue with the roman catholic church’s practice of indulgences as heretical. The eastern orthodox church did not practice indulgences.
https://www.christian-history.org/indulgences.html
definition:
“An ‘indulgence’ was part of the medieval Christian church, and a significant trigger to the Protestant Reformation. Basically, by purchasing an indulgence, an individual could reduce the length and severity of punishment that heaven would require as payment for their sins, or so the church claimed.”
Luther did not mention the sacrament of reconciliation in his 95 theses nailed to the church door in Wittenburg, nor did he ever write about the need to abolish it to my knowledge.
Sola scriptura : That includes 2 Thessalonians 2:15: “Therefore , brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message, or by our letter. So , it starts with Jesus’ command in John 20:23, and is carried through from the eleven disciples to the early church fathers, and to our day through the body of Christ and the communion of the saints.
Check out the attached three links on the writings and quotes of the early church fathers:
I was having trouble with the the 2nd and 3rd link below,l so you may want to start with this one. All are good articles.
https://www.catholic.com/tract/confession
Try the link below underneath the picture below:
Confession in the Early Church Fathers