(January 29, 2018 at 4:53 pm)SteveII Wrote: Most don't realize the most significant difference between the two main branches of Christianity is that the Catholic Church follows the doctrine that the Catholic Church (via the Pope--the direct spiritual successor of the Apostle Peter) continues to be a conduit for new revelation from God that can add to the NT with the authority of Christ himself. The protestant branch believes that nothing should be added to the NT. Understanding this helps in understanding why there are added layers that Catholics believe.
I wouldn't say adding new revelation is really accurate. The Pope can confirm and validate new special revelations such as Marian visitations and saintly miracles but he cannot reverse previous doctrine. What he can do is clarify minor points within previously established doctrine, like the way Talmudic scholars argue over how many melons you can pick-up on the Sabbath before it's considered scattered fruit.
