Why does the Pope take on an assumed name?

Originally posted by lucifershammer
Personally, I would love to see a Pope Thomas as well; named not just after the Apostle St. Thomas, but also St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor.

ivanhoe - I might expect such a Pope to put the intellectual programme near the top of his list; focussing on nurturing philosophical growth in the Church. I might also expect such a pope to reach out to the Churches in Asia - where St. Thomas the Apostle is the patriarchal figure.

Maybe next time. I'll see what I can do for you.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Why does the Pope pick a poping name, like a rapper or a boxer?

I was unaware of this practice. I'm so ignorant about some things, I thought that the last one really was named John Paul II.

I believe they get it from what Jesus did. Jesus Changed some or all of his disiples names. I remember being confirmed in the Catholic Church we had to take a Saints name. And the muslims do the same in that they add Muhammad to their name.

The Bibe does talk about Jesus changing every ones name when they are in Heaven.

Originally posted by sasquatch672
Do you get to pick? If you do, I want "Rufus". I always thought it would be cool to be a white guy named Rufus.

No he give you the name.

But when I was confermed I use Fransis of assisies.

Originally posted by sasquatch672
Do you get to pick? If you do, I want "Rufus". I always thought it would be cool to be a white guy named Rufus.

Isn't Rufus a dog's name?

Originally posted by sasquatch672
I don't think so, but so what if it is? My neighbors used to ahve dogs named Ricky and Todd. Stupidest thing I ever heard.

I've always wanted to name one of my dogs "Napoleon", but my Dad thought that was too silly. They got stuck with "Blacky" and "Bonny" instead.

Originally posted by Nemesio
Originally posted by no1marauder
[b]I thought his Gospel wasn't even allowed in the Bible. Since it was supposed to be sayings of Jesus, why was the Gospel of St. Thomas omitted (I know you've addressed this before, but I've never actually saw the reasons)?

There are a couple of reasons. The first is that it was a Gospel used in the Gnosti ...[text shortened]... larius II would be a cool name for a pope?[/b]

It would be sweeeeeeeeeeet, indeed.

Nemesio[/b]

I understood the bit about the current form of Thomas' gospel being the product of multiple revisions so therfore unreliable, but could you explain what you mean by "Gnostic" and "Synoptic" accounts, and why this makes it less valid just because it doesn't agree with the other books?

Cheers
Ignorant Jon

Originally posted by belgianfreak
...but could you explain what you mean by "Gnostic" and "Synoptic" accounts, and why this makes it less valid just because it doesn't agree with the other books?

Gnostisism was a branch of Christianity. It's emphasis was on
aceticism -- that gnosis (or 'knowledge'😉 comes from denial
of worldly things. Moreso than Pauline Christianity, Gnostics felt that
the flesh was evil and that the spirit was good and, consequently, all
pleasures of the flesh were indulging evil and denial of the flesh ought
to be a goal.

A detailed explanation (although significantly out of date) is found
here:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm

The 'Synoptic' accounts are those Gospels by Sts Mark, Matthew and
Luke. The reason why they are called this is because on most general
matters of biography, they agree (the word derives from 'Synopsis'
obviously).

The reason why the Synoptic accounts are considered more reliable is
because they are earlier. Particularly St Mark's, the accounts involve
a lot less 'redaction' (or interpretation). By contrast, St John's Gospel
(which has some Gnostic leanings) has creative interpretations of
events (I've noted some of these in my discussion on contradictions in
the Bible, such as the day which Jesus was crucified).

The earlier a text is, the less editorial consideration it will receive. As
people started to read texts and hear about Jesus, they started to
interpret it. Thus, the later theological texts are increasingly a
reflection of the community that used them than a reliable account of
Jesus's ministry.

I hope this helps.

Nemesio

Originally posted by ivanhoe
Pope Benedict has chosen his name because it refers to a "program" he wants to realise during his pontificate. The name tells us something about the Pope's intentions, his intended policies.

Saint Benedict is one of the patrons of Eu ...[text shortened]... New Age, moral relativism and the autonomy of the human self).

Of course I cannot be sure on this, but the new Pope will probably adress (part of) his intentions in the homily during his "coronation" mass this weekend, Sunday 07.30 GMT CNN.