I oppose the circumnavigation of the Bible by traditions that ignore what is said in the Bible like this:
1 Timothy 3:1-7 KJV “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Shared using AndBible: Bible Study. (https://andbible.github.io)
---
Here's a Vatican translation:
Chapter 3
1
1 This saying is trustworthy: 2 whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
2
Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach,
3
not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.
4
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
5
for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God?
6
He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil's punishment. 3
7
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil's trap.
Login to reply
Replies (2)
Wait, I'm confused. You're acknowledging that Scripture says we need bishops?
Are you saying that the problem is that the Catholic church fails to live up to these standards? That's true, the church is made up of sinners. But you're suggesting that the solution is to... do away with the office of bishop (that Scripture tells us is important and good).
I must be misunderstanding the point you're trying to make here...
How many Catholic Bishops are married to a woman, one woman and have a family?