While working in my study this morning I noted that the news media is giving much attention to the visit of Benedict XVI to the USA. It is difficult to tell if the head of the Roman Catholic Church is the head of a political state or a spiritual leader.
I was surprised to hear that the jet that the pope flies on is called Shepherd One. Makes me wonder. If Jesus got a jet what would it be called. Maybe Servant One.
Jesus said,
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Peter is the supposed first pope according to Catholic theology. This is a claim not sustained by the Bible. Peter claimed to be a fellow shepherd, but that Jesus is the chief shepherd.
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
The photo below, taken at the Nazareth Village, shows a shepherd tending his flock.
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Hi- my name is Herb and I became Catholic in 2008. Though I am now Catholic, I still struggle with certain things, one of them being this plane called “Shepherd One”… And Christ didn’t even have a place to lay his head. Today I began reading on the Internet about this very topic as I lay in bed unable to sleep in consideration of this practice which seems so absurd in contrast with the destitute and dust-covered Rabbi.
But the more I read and considered the Pope’s position on the World Stage (apart from his ecclesial role), the more it makes SOME sense that there would be a chartered flight for him. Could a Pope fly coach? Sure, but would it be prudent? Maybe not.
Either way, I am writing today to say that I, too, have reservations and questions concerning so many Catholic topics. However, SOMETHING is happening in the Christian world today… Many Catholics are flocking AWAY from the Church while a small but very committed number of Evangelicals, Baptists (Former Biblicists) are BECOMING Catholic. It’s a bizarre situation for me, having been raised in a quite Reformed Baptist environment. But I can say with a straight face that the Bible made me Catholic… Which is a familiar refrain from those former Baptists, etc. Who’ve found, against all likelihood, the case for Catholicism entirely compelling.
So I write to you today with an invitation to dialogue. I am not here to attempt to persuade you of anything… But I’d like to share my experience with you and learn more of your perspective, about how you make sense of certain Boblical passages in light of denominationalism and a number of other things. If you’re not interested in sharing, I understand. Afterall, I am a stranger. However, if you feel at all inclined to take me up on the offer to consider the Scriptures together, by all means, e-mail me!
Herbert Vanderlugt
E-mail: herbert.vanderlugt@gmail.com
it was just a nickname…. actually it’s just an ordinary Alitalia plane chartered