Joy Comes from Faith, Not Doctrine, Pope Says

Catholic News Service ^ | 3/26/15 | Carol Glatz

[marshmallow]

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God's law is about love for God and for others, not cold, abstract doctrine, Pope Francis said at a morning Mass.

"It's sad to be a believer without joy and there is no joy when there is no faith, when there is no hope, when there is no law, but only rules and cold doctrine," he said at the Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae March 26.

"The joy of faith, the joy of the Gospel is the touchstone of a person's faith. Without joy, that person is not a true believer," he said, according to Vatican Radio.

In his homily, the pope pointed to Abraham as a model of faith, hope and joy in God's covenant. But such joy was absent in the doctors of the law described in the day's Gospel reading; they threw stones at Jesus after he told them how Abraham "rejoiced to see my day."

"These doctors of the law didn't understand," Pope Francis said. "They didn't understand the joy of the promise; they didn't understand the joy of hope; they didn't understand the joy of the covenant."

The doctors of the law "didn't know how to rejoice because they had lost the sense of joy that only comes from faith," he said. Not only did they lack faith, "they had lost the law. Because at the heart of the law is love -- love for God and for one's neighbor."

"They only had a system of clear-cut doctrines," he said.

As "men without faith, without law and attached to doctrine," they lived in a world that was "abstract, a world without love, a world without faith, a world without hope, a world without trust, a world without God. And this is why they could not rejoice," the pope said. "Their......

[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.

[Valin]

Old Hat?

Nicene Creed 325

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Works For Me. But then I’m not That bright! :-)

[gemoftheocean]

Agree. OH for German precision and clear meaning rather than Arggie waffle and piffle. Can’t the man just leave us alone to enjoy Holy Week?

[Repent and Believe]

“’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.”

That’s a nice answer.
But why did Jesus discuss doctrine if it’s that simple?
He knows that we are not simple creatures.

You better get your doctrine correct, so you know what Jesus wants. He expects obedience. Doctrine first then action. The current “pope” has one cold, abstract doctrine: Seek happiness even at the expense of doctrine.

Doctrine is defined by the visible church which Jesus founded. Caveat: Some popes and councils were and are manifestly heretical and thus not valid, inasmuch as they are at conflict with tradition, which Paul warned about that we are not to conflict with tradition, so be wise. This is not the first time we have been without a valid pope, yet we have and can recover if we cooperate with the grace of God.

[lastchance]

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

[Jeff Chandler]

Another straw man argument.

[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.