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My friend Malcolm made a very powerful point in his comments on the issue of the retirement of the Pope. The Papacy is not simply another job from which one can retire, and there is a sense in which is detracts something from it by treating it as though it is.
As Christians we are all called out. The early followers of ‘the way’ as it was called (before we were first called Christians at Antioch) were distinguished by being called out from the ways of this world. This is clear from what may be the earliest Christian manual, The Didache:
There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, love your neighbour as yourself, and do not do to another what you would not want done to you. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there for loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect.
The sense of the document has resonance with all Christians. Its writers knew no Pope, but they did know prophets, teachers and Apostles, and advised communities to appoint bishops and deacons, as some have called them, although the Greek words can also be translated as overseers and servants. You cannot read the document without being impressed with the way in which its writers translate Christian teaching so well into so brief a text.
Such communities stood aside and apart from those in which they were embedded. We know from other sources that it was this quality which attracted suspicion from the authorities; but it also attracted many converts.
I am not, here, going to invoke any controversy about Popes, but simply want to comment that all Christians take on themselves a special charism when they receive the Lord. To my mind, one of the problems with the idea of an ordained priesthood separate from the priesthood of all is that it distracts us from the fact that it is not just one set of men who are set aside as called out by their ministry – we all are.
Some traditions have added qualifications to the succession to the Apostles, although there is no scriptural warrant for many of them. We need to recall, however, that prophets and teachers were equally important to the early Christians. One of the things which Protestantism brings to any ecumenical discussion is a reminder that there is a priesthood of all – and that even if you can retire from being Pope, you can’t from being part of the priesthood of believers.
All Along the Watchtower 
The priests are the born again, and theres only a few of them. Narrow is the road to salvation, and few be thereon.
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I am not a great fan of the idea of a separate and sacramental priesthood, Boso. I attend a small Baptist chapel.
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There is an interesting article in today’s Daily Mail regarding the Pope’s resignation. It posits that the reason is that the “Filth” had penetrated the Curia. By resigning all members of the Curia lose their jobs as they would have if he had died. The new Pope has a clear path to clean house.
It seems like a likely scenario yet a very difficult one to do in one fell swoop.
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That would certainly fit with what Chalcedon has been writing here.
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It will be the first time a leopard has changed its spots.
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Bosco, these scandals are not the first in the Church’s history as has been pointed out in previous comments. But, as the old debating topic goes, “A line has to be drawn somewhere.” This is the time and this is the line. It will take time and even several Popes.
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For some reason i believe this malachy guy. Im convinced this is the last Pope.I usually dont believe extra biblical prophesy, but hes been right all along.
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I really liked this article. My understanding of a separate and sacramental priesthood is that it is the church marking our particular people as priests from amongst the general priesthood of all believers. That marking out isn’t in any way saying that they are ‘better’ than other people. Rather it is saying that the church says that such people have been through certain standards of training (academic, formative) such that the church can categorically say that they are priest that others may come and engage with in respect of teaching. In addition the church is publicly marking out these people as those whom others may come to where confidences will be held with certitude.
In any event, it is apostolic ministry that is the ministry of Christ, and that sits with the episcopate. Priests are those who assist the bishops, and bishops will wish to have the flock engage in priests whom are known to have the right mix of gifts and training, as representatives of himself and of the church. To be so marked out is something that all of the priesthood of all believers are able to be tested for as a calling.
S.
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“marking out” , not “marking our”…..I really need to edit what I write before clicking the button. 🙂
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An interesting response. I have always been uneasy with the idea of setting side folk sacramentally – leads to clericalism – and we can see in your church and the catholic one where that can get us.
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I dislike clericalism too, so it needs to be watched. However, having an ordained priesthood (which is what most people – incorrectly in my view – mean when they say ‘priesthood’) is a matter of management and practicalities, combined with the sort of perpetuating through time or apostolic succession that some churches see as a part of their essence.
How does it work with independent Baptists ? Anyone who is in good standing with the congregation and is invited to preach can do the job ? I must admit to being a bit clueless about Baptists.
S.
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When a vacancy occurs we go through a process of discernment.We often have visiting preachers, and we will sometimes test them out. There is an ‘approved’ list, and men will usually have spent time at theological college (our current one served 2 years at the London Theological seminary). Every so often we will pay for a young man to go through the LTS course.
So our pastors are expected to know Hebrew and Greek.
They are then invited to preach, and we take the mind of the fellowship. In the end the elders will propose a name to the fellowship, and then we agree – or not.
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