An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI
— Monday, February 11th, 2013 —
With Pope Benedict XVI’s shocking resignation this morning, evangelical Christians might be tempted to see this the way a college football fan might view the departure of his rival team’s head coach. But the global stakes are much, much higher. As Pope Benedict steps down, I think it’s important for us to recognize the legacy of the last two bishops of Rome that we ought to honor and conserve: an emphasis on human dignity.
As a Baptist Christian, I disagree with Rome on many things, of course, and some of those things relate to the nature of the Petrine ministry, the relationship of the Bishop of Rome to the rest of the church, the merging of civil and ecclesial power, and so on. It might surprise previous generations of Protestants, though, that one of the primary emphases of the Vatican in the last generation has been on the dignity and liberty of the human person.
When the world was threatened by Soviet totalitarianism, Benedict’s predecessor, John Paul II, communicated a vision of human flourishing and freedom that sparked resistance movements in his native Poland, throughout occupied Eastern Europe, and to the rest of the world. Benedict, then a cardinal, worked internally to root out Marxist mash-ups with Catholicism in the so-called “liberation theology” movements of Latin America and elsewhere.
Since assuming the papacy, Benedict has called for a counter-witness to the bloody persecution of Christians by Islamic authoritarian regimes in Africa and the Middle East, to the church-outlawing police states of China and North Korea, and to the soul-decaying secularism of Western Europe and, increasingly, the United States of America.
Benedict has countered the sexual revolution with an Augustinian view of the meaning of human personhood. A human person, he has reminded the world, is not a machine. We are not merely collections of nerve endings, that spark with sensation when rubbed together. Instead a human person is directed toward a one-flesh union, which is personal and spiritual. Destroying the ecology of marriage and family isn’t simply about tearing down old “moralities,” he has reminded us, but about a revolt against the web of nature in which human beings thrive.
And Benedict has stood against the nihilism that defines human worth in terms of power and usefulness. He has constantly spoken for those whose lives are seen as a burden to society: the baby with Down syndrome, the woman with advanced Alzheimer’s, the child starving in the desert, the prisoner being tortured. These lives aren’t things, he has said, but images of God, and for them we will give an account. When society wants to dehumanize with language: “embryo,” “fetus,” “anchor baby,” “illegal alien,” “collateral damage,” and so on, Benedict has stood firmly to point to the human faces the world is seeking to wipe away.
As Protestant Christians, we will disagree with this Pope, and with the next one, on all sorts of things. Here we stand, we can do no other; God help us. But let’s pray the next Pope, like this one, will remember what it means to be human, and will remind the rest of us when we forget.
62 Responses to “An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI”
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on human dignity . . .
if we look with the eyes of faith on the bottom of the foot of every human being on this earth, we will find an indelible printing that reflects who we ALL are who are made in His image.
That inscription?
. . . ” FOR I AM
FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE”
(from Psalm 139:14)
So I guess he isn’t the antichrist after all?
thanks for letting us know…pls read this and email me if you want to know more. Trajan was the ‘man of sin’ that Paul wrote of …without a doubt.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biblepostcards/8400191717/in/photostream/
@Christian Gale,
My own edit here since I see I cannot edit the original post ….I said without a doubt…but put the wrong emperor name there…sorry. It was Emperor Hadrien that was the ‘man of sin’ that Paul spoke about. Many years of study and it is all clear in text.
here is some of the research…if you can edit my orig. pst or email me to correct it…thank you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biblepostcards/8352716766/in/photostream
Meant to put Emperor Hadrian in the above text reply…pls click on this info. It was not Trajan, that’s what I get for saying ‘without a doubt’…an error on the comment post!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biblepostcards/8352716766/in/photostream
@Christian Gale,
the “man of sin” that Paul was talking about in II Thessolians was Nero Caesar, but all the emperors that attacked the church fit the description of man of sin for they loved their sin and despised the things of God. Tajan, Domitian, Hadrian, Diocletion, etc. were men of sin. Paul was alluding to Antiochus IV Epiphanes and how he wanted to rid Israel of Judaism, while the Roman Emperors who came against the church wanted to get rid of Christianity.
Dr. Moore (and others),
Can you recommend a few of the best writings of Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict?
Thanks,
Dave
@Dave Ainsworth,
For John Paul II, the work he will be remembered for most in 500 years will be ‘Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology Of The Body’. This is a collection of public addresses from his first 5 years of his papacy. It’s a formalized teaching on the theological nature of our bodies, sexuality and marriage, and a defense of the Catholic Church’s teachings on sex and love. (John Paul was the driving force behind the Humane Vitae encyclical that reaffirmed the Church’s contraceptive stance in 1968, a decade before he became Pope)
He also wrote Love and Responsibility as Karol Wojtyla.
Pope Benedict wrote a three part work on Jesus called Jesus of Nazareth (his look at the infancy narratives were released just before Christmas), as well as these:
Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church;
Saint Paul;
The Apostles: The Origin of the Church and Their Co-Workers;
The Fathers of the Church: From Clement of Rome to Augustine of Hippo;
The Fathers, Vol. II;
Great Christian Thinkers: From the Early Church Through the Middle Ages;
Doctors of the Church,
The Joy of Knowing Christ: Meditations on the Gospels;
The Spirit of the Liturgy;
God Is Love: Deus Caritas Est;
In the Beginning…’:
A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall;
Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life, and three encyclicals (official teaching documents of the Church): Charity in Truth; Saved by Hope; and On Christian Love - God is Love.
Great thoughts, Dr. Moore. I particularly enjoy your reflections because you’re able to break out of unnecessary boxes and dichotomies (such as expressing appreciation for the pope, whereas other evangelicals might not).
In that same spirit, it’s also worth noting that not only has the Catholic church condemned the excesses of Marxism and European secularism, but also the excesses of radical laissez faire capitalism. North American evangelicals in many cases have syncretized their Christian faith with a commitment to capitalist ideology, precisely in the same ways that liberation theologians wed their faith to Marxist ideology. The Catholic teachings can be a tremendous resource for evangelicals, on that score, as well.
Dr. Moore, thank you for the reminder that the Catholic Church, while certainly different from Evangelicals in various doctrinal areas, is our friend and a firm supporter of life—often firmer than our own. I jokingly told my husband on a few occasions this last year that I was converting to Catholicism because of the strong stance the Pope, Cardinal Dolan, and our local bishop made for pro-life platforms and candidates. I did not see the same public stance from Evangelicals. Granted, Evangelicals largely do not have the platform Catholics are given, but their position has been unwavering in recent memory and has certainly risked alienating their own congregants, believing the risk was worth whatever loss they may incur. I wish Evangelical ministers had the same backbone. Many, many thanks to Pope Benedict for being the stalwart defender of all life that he has been.
@Becky Warmack, Thanks Becky for such a warm letter. Mnay of us are broken hearted that Benedict is stepping down. Nice to see the respect shown to him by some of our Evangelical brothers and sisters.
@Becky Warmack,
Let me quote what your friend The Pope believes in, upholds, affirms and expounds all his life and which is a valid and authoritative in Roman Catholic Church now as when it was framed as such on January 13Th 1547
CANON IX.-If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.
Council of Trent
With “friends” like that who needs enemies?
Wouldn’t it actually be better if a fundamentally false religion that dooms its adherents to hell justly for attempting to combine faith and works showed its true colors? I understand that common grace can be seen in the “morality” of any unregenerate organization, but a false religion that claims to be the one true church… you’d think it would be better if Rome showed its satanic source, so that it would be clearer what is the eternal result of its error.
@Busdriver4jesus, Good heavens, in what century were you born? It’s pretty easy to read books now, they’re printed and not rolled up in scrolls. Start with the Catechism and try, try to find a single proof of what you claim.
Disagree with the church over its claims and sacraments, fine, honest disagreement, but don’t slander.
@Busdriver4jesus, faith without works is dead. And yes, do read the Catechism as Therese Z suggested. You might learn something other than what someone is brainwashing you with.
@Therese Z , @Andy R
:0) It would be great Therese and Andy if you would apply the “medicine” you have so superfluously administered to Busdriver4jesus and read Roman Catechism yourself in ENTIRETY and connecting its points. Even more it would be a blessing if you would read the Word of God and understood it so you could perceive deeply nefarious nature of Roman Catechism and its teachings such as these below for example:
“This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation …. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”
Point 969 of Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church
Official Vatican Site: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2C.HTM
The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”
Point 841 of Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church
Official Vatican Site: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM
Otherwise do dare to tell us how Roman Mary is your Mediatrix and how Muslims are your true brothers saved and by and worshipping THE SAME GOD as you are… Do tell.
@Busdriver4jesus, Absolutely agree.
Dr. Moore, I enjoyed reading your blog on our dear Pope Benedict XVI. His decsision to step down will no doubt let loose a whirlwind of speculation and encourage the not so latent anti-Catholicism in media to spin wildly. As a Catholic active in my church and faith, I thank you for for recognizing what binds us together as fellow Christians. I am sorry to say that the future for Catholic thought and reason looks like a darkening sky. I pray our fellow Christians do not forget that Catholics are first Christians in a tradition that goes back centuries. Christian morality requires and in faith states clearly our judge, Jesus Christ, will decide our eternal fate. That is rejected by pop culture and ridiculed by media pundits. If we all are to remain loyal to the gift of faith we have been given, we all will continue to face challenge after challenge of what we hold to true, good and beautiful in the eyes of God, our saviour and our judge. When the time comes to serve up Catholics in the arena of public and government sensure, I pray all Christians will bow their heads and pray for God’s mercy and justice. It is what Benedict would do.
While I too appreciate his views on the abortion/Life issue, the heaven and hell issues, not to mention the rest of the terrible theology of this group of HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of people needed to be noted more in this piece. Catholic=Christian=Protestant? Nope. Theology matters. I love your work, but this one confused me. It was an opportunity to undergird many a weak brother’s understanding of orthodoxy and more importantly the Gospel of Grace versus the gospel of works.
Regardless, thank you very much for your body of work, brother.
1 Cor. 15:58,
Mark
@Mark Applegate, actually the Catholic Church has over 1 billion followers world wide. As a confirmed Catholic myself married to a Baptist pastor I can tell you that Catholic does not always = Christian just like Protestant does not always = Christian. But I heard the Gospel preached at every Mass and was not taught that works alone get one to heaven. I do not consider myself to be a “weak brother” just because I was Catholic. I do not agree with all of the theology taught by Rome nor do I agree with all of the theology taught at Baptist seminaries but I would not go so far as to say Catholic theology is “terrible”. I appreciate my time spent in the Catholic Church and I love and respect all of my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, including the Pop. I agree that “theology matters” but so do compassion, understanding, grace, and respect.
I am glad to see this post. The issues that divide different types of Christian from each other are real and should not be swept under the rug. At the same time, however, in the cultural context that we all find ourselves in, what unites us is far more important than what divides us. It is good to see Christians in different denominations publicly recognizing the good that so clearly exists in other denominations. We need to be more united; the enemy definitely is.
I invite you to take a deeper look at the doctrines you disagree with. You will be surprised at how your heart opens up. God Bless.
What would you say, Dr. Moore about his statement that “we are all still sinners in need of God’s grace to transform us”? I do believe that he wrote a paper in 1976 saying that the Catholic church should sign the Augsburg Confession. Is there a chance that this man might be a saved individual? I personally think so based on so many of the statements he has made throughout his time as Pope.
@Michael Beauharnois,
He is saved. He has a close relationship with Jesus Christ and implores others to also have a relationship with Jesus Christ. More Catholics are saved than some of you can even imagine.
@Michael Beauharnois,
Is he? Of course that is hard to discern for mere human beings but that is why we do have a Word of God to state what it takes to discern that. Although not always easy and can be different even with one person in different times of person’s life can saved person teach and expound lies about the Gospel??? Why don’t you check this out from Benedict XVI and his newest book stating many things. Sometimes true and useful and but all of them in the framework of false God, false soteriology and false anthropology. Here is from the departing pope about his “god” who is DEPENDENT upon man…
“He needs human freedom. The only way he can redeem man, who was created free, is by means of a free “yes” to his will. In creating freedom, he made himself in a certain sense dependent upon man. His power is tied to the unenforceable “yes” of a human being.
Pope Benedict XVI (2012-11-21). Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives: 3 (Kindle Locations 471-473). Image. Kindle Edition.
Thank you, Dr. Moore for this post.
The Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of life, is our unifying “force”. As Christians we must be united in our stance for life.
How can we be TRUE witnesses to a world that has lost its sense of Who God is; has lost its sense of sin?
If we tear each other apart, how can we be witnesses to those who still do not know Jesus, much more, accept Him as Lord and Savior?
All believing and “living” Christians need to uphold the dignity of human life… from conception to old age.
As a former Evangelical, now Catholic for Scriptural reasons, let me say that I am glad to see you treating this issue respectfully. May God bless you.
Dr. Moore,
I agree with just about everything you wrote, except including “illegal alien”‘ in the list of ways we “dehumanize with language.”
An “alien” is a non-citizen. Someone who broke our law entering the country has done so - what term shall we use to describe this - how about “illegally”?
I much prefer “illegal alien” to something like “a non-citizen who entered the United States by by breaking our laws.” And “undocumented worker” seems worse still. Talk about sterile, impersonal, and yes, kind of dehumanizing.
In our age of political correctness, sometimes the best solution is simply to call a thing what it is.
Thanks for spending time in order to publish “Moore to the Point - An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI”.
Thanks a ton once again -Yukiko
In the sixteenth century, an Anglican divine called Richard Hooker made the observation that one did not have to have one’s doctrine of Justification by Faith perfectly understood, in order to be Justified by Faith. Your understanding of the doctrine might be wrong, but you could be still saved.
I keep thinking of that when I think about the Catholic Church. Yes, aspects of its doctrine are badly, badly off-kilter, and can often lead to its followers worshipping a false Christ. But - here’s the paradox - not always so. Perhaps the Catholic Church is like China; it is so big that whatever you say about it will be true at least some of the time. So Catholics like Benedict I can acknowledge as a Christian.
As a devout Catholic and stumbling upon this site - I am touched by the comments and thoughts from Russell Moore that started this dicussion. I am a convert usually fondly said by other Catholics in reference to me. As I read and go thru the discussion here I was sadden by the lack of understanding of the faith that I CHOSE. I did alot of research and study in Theology trying to understand, most I find do the one mistake and use only a King James Version of the Bible. Take the time to educate yourselves on the difference between Bibles. See the Catholic faith has existed for more than 2000 years that is alot older than the King James Version. The chair that Pope Benedict sits upon is the Petrine Throne left to us from St. Peter. Let me clarify that the actual phyical chair is not what I am referring to. I was asked once why I go to the Catholic Church after some thought I replied, ” If you could go to the church left to us by Jesus why would you want to go to any other church.” I want anyone who reads this to understand I am not trying to belittle anyones faith here or anywhere else. I just believe I have found the one faith and one church that Jesus left us. I firmly believe this is where Jesus wants us to be. Jesus knew he was going to die. He also knew that we as his flock needed a individual to suceed him, to lead us, St. Peter was chosen by Jesus to be his rock and upon that rock he would build his church. He gave St. Peter the keys to heaven. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed, even in heaven.” (Matt.16:19)
Noted here with thoughts on it:
http://www.catholicbible101.com/thouartpeter.htm
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/origins-of-peter-as-pope
Here you will find the facts on the language used in the day were most non-Catholics try to point out the difference in the meaning of the word “rock”. Jesus spoke Aramaic not only Greek. We know this because some of his words are saved for us in his native tongue, He says from the cross, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That isn’t Greek; it’s Aramaic, and it means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Noted here with thoughts on it:
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/peter-the-rock
I just want to maybe clear up some confusion I found here. On salvation: http://www.catholic.com/tracts/assurance-of-salvation
This site will answer our beliefs on it.
on why we have a Pope — I refer to him as PaPa with much love and respect.
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/browse/Papacy
Please take the time to look up the links they are most enlightening and I pray that maybe this will answer some questions someone may have on my faith or clear up some confusion to other things. May My Lord and God Enlighten your hearts and open them up and my He Bless each and everyone who takes the time to read this and meditate on it.
/smile
@M. Chapa,
“As I read and go thru the discussion here I was sadden by the lack of understanding of the faith that I CHOSE. ”
Indeed and you chose according to your nature and could not chose against it on your own. As it is written as to the nature of men and their choices and the context supports this:
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?
Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.”
(Jeremiah 13:23 ESV)
Mr.Chapa as to the popular Roman Catholic isogesis of Matt.16:19 please DO UNDERSTAND and DO READ that the power to bind and loose on earth i.e. keys whose function is exactly that was not given to Peter alone but to ALL DISCIPLES of JESUS. Proof:
“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18 ESV
You may want to know to whom those words were directed for you will automatically assert that it has to Peter. Not so. Context, context and context Mr. Chapa and here are the addresses and recipients of this power:
“At that time THE DISCIPLES came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
~ Matthew 18:1 ESV
Yes, Mr.Chapa THE DISCIPLES of Jesus received the power to bind and loose on earth and not one disciple i.e. Peter as it was misrepresented to you to confuse you and to draft you…
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 ESV
Please abide in His Word as documented and not in man’s word about that Word… Also a word of information. Christians do not relay on KJV translation only. I for that matter almost never use it for there are far better translations. I use many and in different languages among them NASB, NET, ESV and others. Please discard this cliche Mr. Chapa.
@M. Chapa,
The church is built on Jesus the Christ: the confession of Peter.
Peter’s name means rock but Jesus is the Rock to which He is referring. In this same conversation with Peter, Jesus says to Peter, “Get thee behind me Satan.” So is Peter Satan as well as the rock upon which the church is built? Certainly not. Peter was no more Satan than he is the rock upon which the church is built.
Jesus and Him alone is the Church’s Corner Stone.
I was disappointed in the article. I am however not surprised at the posts that followed. We had and have a reformation for a reason. I think Scott Meadows in his post From One Antichrist to Another: Thoughts on The Papal Transition, lays out a good foundation http://reformedbaptistfellowship.org/2013/02/14/from-one-antichrist-to-another-thoughts-on-the-papal-transition/
To all sides, read Trent. Case closed. We Protestants and RC have 2 different gospels. This does not mean we have to say mean things to each other and be hateful. We should both be honest and say we completely disagree on the gospel. I have more respect for the RC who thinks I’m wrong than the Prot brother who thinks the differences do not matter. They do matter and I pray that all will be saved through repentance and faith in the work of Jesus and His work alone.
It really came as a shock but I think his work deserves to be appreciated. What I liked most of all were his strong beliefs in the area of environmental responsibility. In fact, Benedict XVI was much more than the head of the Catholic Church. He was also an intellectual with an extensive knowledge of a variety of subjects whose thoughtful remarks often made us think about the world’s most daunting problems. He spoke openly about the threats such as global warming and other challenges we’ll have to face in the years to come. In my native Vancouver there’s now a project called Greenest City 2020 Action Plan whose aim is to eliminate the negative impact that our actions often have on the environment and it seems to me that those in power are reluctant to speak about these problems or support the activities carried out by various environmental movements. And I have to say Pope Benedict was never afraid to raise his voice to warn against the possible disastrous consequences in this particular area. I think he should be a source of inspiration for a number of leaders and that’s why he will definitely be missed by many here in Canada.
The Gospel is not humanistic at all in its focus and core and henceforth this attention to this philosophy as so worthy of praise is a at least a sign of author’s deep confusion if not of a massive misdirection. Applauding humanism in a pope and the system he represents is as valid as applauding the defense of equality and virtue by Maximilien de Robespierre during his support for bloody terror at the time of French Revolution. He too had deep beliefs in peoples right to dignity, liberty and justice… The deep irony of the opinion presented by Mr.Moore is hard not to notice… While the author cheers the popes and makes surface lavel statements like this one: “And Benedict has stood against the nihilism that defines human worth in terms of power and usefulness.” he is completely oblivious to the fact that the papacy and Roman Religion represents probably the biggest and most efficiently organized system of spiritual holocaust this world has seen since the canon of the Scriptures was closed. Nihilism? Seems like you are missing an eight hundred gorilla sitting in your office with his feet on your desk Mr.More. There is more here Mr.Moore and that more escapes you despite all of the vague disclaimers you have made about “all sorts of things you disagree with the popes”. For how would you made this analogy that Roman pope is “rival team’s head coach” for you if you would not believe in the first place that this team and this “coach” is engaged in the same “game” and same league you are in? Well dear Professor he is not and for you to fail to grasp this most fundamental difference while holding your position is truly a sign of our confused times and what is being done to young men in most seminaries nowadays… In the end as always, Veritas Dei vincit…
@Despeville, thanks for posting here. I was saved by the grace of God out of the RCC.
The sad part of this for me is to read the responses of those here who do not see the Truth. The even sadder part is the lack of response to them by Russell Moore.
Pam
The difference between Rome and a Christian is that Rome requires the sinner to do something but Christ does the saving for the Christian. That is why I view a pope’s departure with no more interest than I do that of a leader of the Morman, JWs or Islam.
@Martin Yirrell, Amen, brother!!
Mr. Moore,
Just wondering if you would not be happier to move you and your family to Rome where your praise of the Pope would be better appreciated. There is rumor that a postion as ‘cardinal’ will soon be open and who knows, you may be just the guy to fill it (maybe in twenty years or so you could become Pope).
Your praise of the enemies of Christ is noted and therefore taints all that you have said up ’til now and unless you repent, will put the rest of your words in the tank also.
Matt. 7:21-23 speaks to preachers (mostly) and most especially to the self-appointed variety. If indeed you are a born again child of God then repent of this wickedness and return to your first love.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/12/world/asia/australia-abuse-scandal-attard/index.html
http://www.smh.com.au/world/irish-pull-away-from-scandalhit-catholic-church-20121117-29jke.html
http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/03/28/the-decline-of-the-catholic-church/
http://carm.org/roman-catholicism
Mr. Moore is taking a dangerous turn with his shocking, praiseworthy article on the Pope, specifically, and the Catholic church in particular. As Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” What the Protestant doctrine (Christian doctrine) teaches is that our works are like a dirty rag or a pile of dung. What Mr. Moore is sayingis that althought he Cathoic church teaches a false Jesus and false doctrines, we Protestants MUST forget about the Catholic churches significant faults (that will lead many to the gates of hell!) and just look at their “good” works!! I’m sorry Mr. Moore, but you are seriously misguided on this topic. Yeah, I’m a former Catholic, and I thank God every day for taking me AWAY from that apostate, Satanic religion!!
@Tim Yakich, What makes you think YOUR religion is so “Perfect” I see you have a site on abuse scandals…have you ever checked the number of abuses in other religions? Even yours? Any “religion” who is free of abuses, let them cast the first stone! Tim, what ever happened to my brother? Your family misses you but your radical ways keep us from wanting to be harassed by your strange religious beliefs. We pray that you’ll one day come home. Love, your sister Peg
@Tim Yakich,
@Tim Yakich, What makes you think YOUR religio is so “Perfect”? I see you have a site on abuse scandals…have you ever checked the number of abuses in other religions? Even yours? Any “religion” that is free of abuses, let them cast the first stone! Tim, what ever happened to my brother? Your family misses you but your radical ways keep us from wanting to be harassed by your strange religious beliefs. We pray that you’ll one day come home. Love, your sister, Peg
Mr. Moore, you finished this article/commentary with the following “request”: “But let’s pray the next Pope, like this one, will remember what it means to be human, and will remind the rest of us when we forget.” Uh, how about we pray that the next “pope” acknowledge who Jesus is, that He CANNOT be forced from the right hand of God to come down to be “sacrificed” every time a priest performs the Mass (transubstantiation), that we are saved by grace through faith alone, that there is NO pergatory, that Jesus is our ONLY mediator, that we pray in Jesus’ name, that the next “pope” is born-again and that the whole Catholic church’s eyes are open and they turn from there sins of false doctrine that are leading many away from the true Jesus!!! Now THAT would be a proper prayer for a lost people…that would show our true love for them, to be saved from a corrupt, false religion!!
Mr. Moore, you finished your commentary with the following request: “But let’s pray the next Pope, like this one, will remember what it means to be human, and will remind the rest of us when we forget.” Uh, how about we Christians pray that the next “pope” be born-again, that he leads that apostate church away from its false doctrines, that they no longer lead billions of people through the wide gate that leads to destruction? We Christians are NOT showing the love of Jesus by enforcing and praising a false churches works!! We show the true love of Jesus by praying for them to turn away from their false teachings and by evangelizing to those in that apostate church the love, grace, mercy, and wrath of our God!! Please remember that we are NOT of this world and that this is NOT our home…we MUST do those things that glorify God…THAT is why we are here, to preach and teach the gospel and to glorify our Creator!! I know what it means to “be human” and that frightens me because we are a fallen race, and I sure do know what it means to be a follower our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and THAT gives me hope…I choose the latter.
@Tim Yakich,
And also that he commands the title holy father, wears a two horned mitre, claims to be Christ on earth, accepts men kneeling dowm before him, advocates and urges worship of Mary, is the head of a religion that claims to turn bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ and offers it every day as another sacrifice, that presents mortal men as mediators between us and God. O and that the Catholic church has replaced Israel. So much for the word of God versus tradition. Maybe another look at popery is in order.