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Spiritual Darkness in the Early Church
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emperor should await the sanction of the pope before resuming the
insignia or exercising the power of royalty. Gregory, elated with his
triumph, boasted that it was his duty to pull down the pride of kings.
How striking the contrast between this haughty pontiff and
Christ, who represents Himself as pleading at the door of the heart
for admittance. He taught His disciples: “Whosoever will be chief
among you, let him be your servant.”
Matthew 20:27
.
Even before the establishment of the papacy the teachings of
heathen philosophers had exerted an influence in the church. Many
still clung to the tenets of pagan philosophy and urged its study upon
others as a means of extending their influence among the heathen.
Serious errors were thus introduced into the Christian faith.
How False Doctrines Came In
Prominent among these was the belief in man’s natural immortal-
ity and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation
upon which Rome established the invocation of saints and the adora-
tion of the Virgin Mary. From this sprang also the heresy of eternal
torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into
the papal faith.
The way was prepared for still another invention of paganism—
purgatory, employed to terrify the superstitious multitudes. This
heresy affirmed the existence of a place of torment in which souls
of such as have not merited eternal damnation suffer punishment
for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are
admitted to heaven.
Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by
the fears and vices of her adherents: the doctrine of indulgences.
Full remission of sins, past, present, and future, was promised to
all who would enlist in the pontiff’s wars to punish his enemies
or to exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy.
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By payment of money to the church, people might free themselves
from sin and also release the souls of deceased friends who were
confined in the tormenting flames. By such means did Rome fill
her coffers and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the
pretended representatives of Him who had not where to lay His head.