W. W. Prescott and the 1911 Edition of The Great Controversy

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8. Page 50

It is declared that “the pope has arrogated the very titles of Deity. He styles himself ‘Lord God the Pope.’” The definite reference for this ought surely to be given, if such instance can be found: if no such instance can be found, it does not seem proper to make this assertion. In all my reading I have not found one such instance, although I have found instances where others have applied this term to the pope. WWPGC 6.7

Response: Criticism accepted. The suggestion led to a careful investigation by the staff at Elmshaven and an extended outreach. While there were published works making this assertion, no statement was found in authoritative Catholic sources. Wording changed for accuracy of expression: WWPGC 6.8

1888 book read: “It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, the pope has arrogated the very titles of Deity. He styles himself ‘Lord God the Pope,’ assumes infallibility, and demands that all men pay him homage.” WWPGC 6.9

1911 book reads: “More than this, the pope has been given the very titles of Deity. He has been styled ‘Lord God the Pope,’ and has been declared infallible. He demands the homage of all men.” WWPGC 6.10

An Appendix note was added giving Roman Catholic sources on the title of the pope. WWPGC 6.11