[marshmallow]

So don't get too obsessed with the "clear cut doctrine", OK?

[punknpuss]

I like clear cut doctrine with no blurred edges.

[circlecity]

"God's law is about love for God and for others, not cold, abstract doctrine,"

The phrase "God's law is about love for God and for others" is itself doctrine.

[edwinland]

either. or.

That’s his favorite formulation. No room for anything complex.

[BlessedBeGod]

Doctrine — that’s so old hat. Get with the program.

[Valin]

I had a pastor many many many years ago, who once said to me, "Theology and Doctrine Are Important....as long as you don't take them too seriously. Because I guarantee you at some point your theology/doctrine is wrong, as wrong as it can possibly be."

Getting into Heaven is literally a case of Who You Know (and who knows you), not what you know.

[lastchance]

The word “only” makes a big difference in what the Pope did say.

[Jeff Chandler]

A small sample. There are more.

*****************************************************************************

I take joy in doing your will, my God. Psalm 40:8

Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Deuteronomy 11:1

No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you. Psalm 84:11-12

This is what I told them: “Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Only do as I say, and all will be well!” Jeremiah 7:23

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:2

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:9-11

Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. Romans 1:5

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Revelation 14:12

[MDLION]

I think the Pope is trying to get at the Jansenistic spirit. Yes, they defended doctrine, but they were so mean and merciless about it, they turned many off. I’ll paraphrase Benedict on this:

“Love without Truth is insipid. But Truth without Love is cold.”

We should defend Truth in a Merciful, Loving way. Doesn’t Paul say to defend Truth but to keep your conscience clear in doing it. Francis at times could be a bit more clear about what he is trying to communicate.