There was tremendous pressure especially by the Jesuits who controlled Rome at the time to agree to this teaching that no precedence in church history, even though Catholics today are told that the idea goes back to the medieval church and even to antiquity. Arguments for "the primacy of Peter" were not initially directed to doctrinal truth, but rather as an attempt to strengthen the church's power. On this day in 1870 the council overwhelmingly adopted this statement:

Some of his books were totally devoted to the Puritans, including his 1990 volume, A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life (Crossway). I have already discussed this book in various articles. Six years ago I penned a piece on his chapter on Puritan preaching: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2018/08/29/packer-preaching-and-the-puritans/

In the current controversy within the worldwide church regarding the ordination and induction of practicing homosexuals to the Christian ministry there is much said with regard to the methodology and motives of those opposing this measure. Those upholding an orthodox position are variously characterised as being fundamentalist or literalist in their interpretation of the Scriptures and motivated by prejudice, bigotry and homophobia.

The justification of the tax collector occurred instantly with his anxious cry to God, "God have mercy on me, a sinner." There was no ceremony or ritual or human affirmation present in his acceptance with God. His circumcision was only routine and he was most unlikely to have received John's baptism. The great prophet's ministry as Messiah's forerunner spelt out no profit to his sense of greed.