Posted on 06/14/2013 6:42:52 AM PDT by marshmallow
I am an Evangelical and I like Francis. He is a good guy.
So? My statement didn't include him.
AAC, you forgot that cuban leaf both speaks Italian fluently and has absolutely no agenda.
The main ones involve his interpretation of Grace. And not coincidentally, Grace is THE main thing that separates Christianity from all the man made religions.
I for one both admire and appreciate Pope Francis.
Full disclosure: I have a lifetime of experience in the Evangelical world; born & raised in a conservative Baptist church; educated in Evangelical schools; earned Ph.D. and taught at Evangelical college; many published books on bible & theology topics; former missionary.
The above doesn't make me one whit better than any other Christian. I mention is solely because there are some on this forum who assume that a "true" Christian who "knew what the Bible says" wouldn't have anything to do with "popism" (who is probably the Antichrist anyway).
I like how Francis talks about having a simple faith in Christ, which for me is the heart of Christianity. Would that we could "agree to disagree" on non-essentials and appreciate those who come from a different background.
The main ones involve his interpretation of Grace. And not coincidentally, Grace is THE main thing that separates Christianity from all the man made religions.
Here is a thread:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3023264/posts
I have also been taken aback by some of his comments that sound sort of socialistic. "the voice of the poor", "if you throw away food you are stealing from the poor", etc.
Then I think what is the best way to help the poor?
Capitalism and free enterprise has helped the poor more than any system of government. Socialist countries often use the poor as their excuse to rob the rich but they never really help the poor.
So the Pope is pointing out a problem but he is not saying how to go about solving it. Which is entirely correct because he deals in faith and morals in pointing out the misery of the poor. He does not discuss governmental systems which are the probable solution to lifting them out of poverty.
I’m an atheist, and I like Francis.
Just make sure that you’re judging the stuff between quotation marks, and not the paraphrasing.
I’ve been burned too many times on FR back in the 2000’s by believing a paraphrase of someone’s words. When I see a headline about someone like the pope saying something they should never say, I’ve learned that most of the time it is someone just misinterpretting his words. It’s why I not only looked for the original translation of his comments but also the the context.
Sometimes people (even the pope) really do just misspeak.
Bravo! I suspect that Francis would very kindly encourage you to be open to Faith.
Oh, OK.
FYI, The Vatican saw such press coverage in Catholic sources and was mortified. The Pope said that Catholics can work with atheists to accomplish good works, not that such works merit salvation. When he said, “[w]e will meet one another there,” he meant where good works are done, not in Heaven.
Which misses the whole point of works regarding salvation.
And salvation is why Jesus was born.
Me too.
**a simple faith in Christ**
Amen!
Right... that’s my point: he wasn’t talking about salvation, merely cooperating with non-believers. I would, however, argue, that such cooperation may be a starting point for conversion.
The last 2 popes were John Paul II and Benedict. John Paul I preceded John Paul II.
The current Pope is popular with both liberals and conservatives—with liberals because he is a liberal; with conservatives because he is the Pope and everything he does or says is interpreted as “conservative.”
Jesus died and was raised for them as well. His redemptive embrace was for all, not just a chosen few.The choice to accept its reach is our own. The Holy Father was not teaching anything new. In fact, this hope that all who do not yet know God are not only capable of doing good - but will progress toward that knowledge of God by doing good - is ancient. The Church wants all men and women to be saved.This is the same as the prayer on Good Friday:
Let us pray also for those who do not believe in Christ,that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit,they, too, may enter on the way of salvation. Almighty ever-living God,grant to those who do not confess Christ that, by walking before you with a sincere heart, they may find the truth and that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life, may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world. Through Christ our Lord.
I worked with an elderly priest for many years.He was very popular.His motto was “Keep it simple”Pope reminds me of him.
This is the same as the prayer on Good Friday
I remember praying a lot for the Berlin wall to come down. I didn’t pick a particular day to pray, though. I gotta admit when I answered that prayer my jaw dropped.
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