Moderators John317 Posted May 25, 2013 Moderators Posted May 25, 2013 Pope defends atheists: Atheists who do good are good, says Pope Francis Pope Francis said yesterday that atheists (like everyone) have been redeemed by Christ Jesus, and that their goodness is determined by their acts, not their faith (or atheistic lack thereof). By Philip Pullella, Reuters / May 23, 2013 VATICAN CITY Atheists should be seen as good people if they do good, Pope Francis said on Wednesday in his latest urging that people of all religions – or no religion – work together. The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics made his comments in the homily of his morning Mass in his residence, a daily event where he speaks without prepared comments. He told the story of a Catholic who asked a priest if even atheists had been redeemed by Jesus. "Even them, everyone," the pope answered, according to Vatican Radio. "We all have the duty to do good," he said. "Just do good and we'll find a meeting point," the pope said in a hypothetical conversation in which someone told a priest: "But I don't believe. I'm an atheist." Francis's reaching out to atheists and people who belong to no religion is a marked contrast to the attitude of former Pope Benedict, who sometimes left non-Catholics feeling that he saw them as second-class believers. Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-Ne...ys-Pope-Francis Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted May 25, 2013 Author Moderators Posted May 25, 2013 Pope Francis said yesterday that atheists (like everyone) have been redeemed by Christ Jesus... What do you think? Is the pope right, or is he teaching heresy? Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Windsor Posted May 25, 2013 Posted May 25, 2013 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 The Catholics sure have come a long way since Vatican II. Quote Remember Adventists Online?
Moderators Gerr Posted May 26, 2013 Moderators Posted May 26, 2013 ESV | ýRo 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Ro 5:8 | but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Christ did pay the redemption price for everyone. Quote
LifeHiscost Posted May 26, 2013 Posted May 26, 2013 Quote: What do you think? Is the pope right, or is he teaching heresy? I posted this today on another thread. It would seem to verify, at least to some degree, what the Pope said. Quote: Wherever there is an impulse of love and sympathy, wherever the heart reaches out to bless and uplift others, there is revealed the working of God’s Holy Spirit. In the depths of heathenism, men who have had no knowledge of the written law of God, who have never even heard the name of Christ, have been kind to His servants, protecting them at the risk of their own lives. Their acts show the working of a divine power. The Holy Spirit has implanted the grace of Christ in the heart of the savage, quickening his sympathies contrary to his nature, contrary to his education. The “Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9), is shining in his soul; and this light, if heeded, will guide his feet to the kingdom of God. {COL 385.1 God cares! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
Windsor Posted May 26, 2013 Posted May 26, 2013 I think there's a difference between those who have never had an opportunity to hear the name of Jesus and those who reject His very existence. Quote Remember Adventists Online?
olger Posted May 26, 2013 Posted May 26, 2013 Pope summed up his point by adding that atheists could be saved by their works. This flies in the face of John 14:6, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 4:12, and dozens of other scriptures that teach that salvation is found exclusively in Christ. Other scriptures clearly teach that one cannot be saved simply by doing "good works" (Eph. 2:8-9, etc.) He (Pope) is teaching falsehood and will lead many to trust in their own goodness rather than in Christ. All were in Christ on the cross yes, but not all are in the resurrected Christ. Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
Administrators debbym Posted May 26, 2013 Administrators Posted May 26, 2013 something tells me atheists who do not believe in God will not be in any way lead by the pope. i don't see a danger here. this idea of being saved by good works is nothing new. that is what the whole catholic faith is about. you do specific things, you say certain prayers, you appeal to certain saints, you attend certain services, and light so many candles, and pray certain prayers through the rosary, you go to confessional and say certain things and obtain forgiveness obtain words from the priest. I trust God is up to the challenge of more misinformation. He can make the truth known and will make the truth known to anyone whom he can see is willing to follow Him. Quote deb Love awakens love. Let God be true and every man a liar.
LifeHiscost Posted May 26, 2013 Posted May 26, 2013 Quote: The Holy Spirit has implanted the grace of Christ in the heart of the savage, quickening his sympathies contrary to his nature, contrary to his education. The “Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9), is shining in his soul; and this light, if heeded, will guide his feet to the kingdom of God. {COL 385.1 Not having seen the instruction of the Pope in context, the bold in the Spirit of Prophecy would seem to be the proper mitigating instruction. God cares! Quote Lift Jesus up!!
Moderators John317 Posted May 26, 2013 Author Moderators Posted May 26, 2013 Vatican corrects Pope: Atheists are still going to hell Secular May 25, 2013 By: Michael Stone After Pope Francis told the world even atheists can go to heaven, the Vatican issued a correction: Atheists are still going to hell. The Vatican issued an “explanatory note on the meaning of “salvation,” on Thursday, May 23, after media reports circulated indicating that Pope Francis” promised heaven for everyone engaged in good works, including atheists. In response to the media attention, the Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesman, said that people who know about the Catholic church “cannot be saved” if they “refuse to enter her or remain in her.” (Translation: Atheists are going to Hell if they don’t accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.) Rosica also said that Francis had “no intention of provoking a theological debate on the nature of salvation,” during his homily on Wednesday. The current theological confusion began after the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics made comments during the homily of his morning Mass on Wednesday, May 22, indicating that atheists would enjoy the fruits of eternal salvation if they were good people. Francis said: “ The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there. What do you think? Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted May 26, 2013 Author Moderators Posted May 26, 2013 Did the pope's original comments mean atheists can go to heaven without accepting Christ? I didn't get that out of his words. I believe his words meant that Christ's work at the cross was for everyone-- He has redeemed them, including atheists-- which is different from saying that everyone will be saved. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted May 26, 2013 Author Moderators Posted May 26, 2013 Quote: The Holy Spirit has implanted the grace of Christ in the heart of the savage, quickening his sympathies contrary to his nature, contrary to his education. The Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:9), is shining in his soul; and this light, if heeded, will guide his feet to the kingdom of God. {COL 385.1 Not having seen the instruction of the Pope in context, the bold in the Spirit of Prophecy would seem to be the proper mitigating instruction. X10 Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
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