[TML] China Regulates Buddhist Reincarnation

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 8/25/07 3:37 AM, shadow at shadowgard.com wrote:

>> Just out of curiousity: What's the difference between "sources of guidance
>> in the faith" and "prophet?"  Sounds like a difference in degree, not in
>> kind.  To me, anyway.
> 
> Popes/patriarchs are "sources of guidance for the faith". You can
> even argue for folks like Martin Luther and the founders of some of
> the other Protestant sects. They are not prophets. Prophets speak the
> Word of God.  
> 
> Rather large difference.

This is a matter of perspective.  If you stand between John and Tom, they
seem diametrically opposed.  From my position 100 feet away, you are all
three clumped real close together.