Here is an article by Richard Bennett of Berean Beacon called "The Pope’s Plans on Organizing
Political, Economic and Religious Activities Worldwide". Here is a link to the Vatican document, Caritas In Veritate.
Richard's concerns may seem far-fetched, but it was not so long ago in history that the papacy had much more political power than it has now. Time will tell, and prophecy already has foretold these things. See my series of posts on 'The Harlot Church'. This false church that has left her husband and linked with worldly governments, first as her protectors and then also in order to gain power for herself, has been seen before and it is prophesied that she'll be seen again at the end, persecuting the true church whose faith will be tested and perfected by the trials she endures. The Lord tells all believers who recognize the Great Whore of Babylon to “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:4-5 This first of all means to come out of any church that has killed or persecuted believers in Christ in the past, or is doing it in the present. The Roman Catholic Church is not the only one who has done this, though it far exceeds any other in this. Many protestant churches have histories of this as well. It means to recognize our sins and repent of them. See Revelation 2 and 3 which contains Jesus Christ's judgments and commands to the churches. We shouldn't assume that we are innocent without examining ourselves and our churches in light of God's word. Please read and pray with the fear of the LORD.
10 comments:
Jennie, exactly what are you opposed to with regards to the Pope reaching out around the world? I am not Catholic but what wrong is he doing in this instance?
As for the RCC rising up again to dominate religion, that will never happen. Jesus' gospel of the kingdom will go forth just as He said in Matthew 24. One-world religion will come after that, but it won't be Catholic.
Hillary,
Have you read the article by Richard Bennett yet? The concern isn't that the pope is reaching out, but that the Catholic Church may be setting up an infrastructure for world control that works along with a world governing body.
Oops! Busted!
What a lot of trash. Using Berean Beacon to support any postition is wacky to say the least Just one question for now. Have you actually read the full encyclical? If not, your criticism is worthless.
No I haven't read the whole encyclical yet. I do trust Richard Bennett and others who are wary of what the Vatican is planning. Going by its long history, there is much reason to be concerned. Going by what's going on now in other countries where the Church has more control, and by what has happened in Europe within living memory and in Mexico in the present time, there is even more reason to be concerned.
It's certainly not 'worthless' to post a link to an article that expresses a concern by a person who is very knowledgeable about the Vatican and it's ways in other countries. Richard Bennett was a priest in South America, I believe, for many years.
I just found the article yesterday. I will finish the encyclical soon.
Thoughts on the Introduction to the encyclical:
The intro. mentions an earthly city which it seems the pope thinks is the goal of the church's social doctrine. However, the goal of the church scripturally is to spread the gospel and make disciples in all nations. God is building a heavenly city and kingdom, 'not of this world' as Jesus said.
Thoughts on Chapter One of the encyclical:
The [Vatican 2]Council probed more deeply what had always belonged to the truth of the faith, namely that the Church, being at God's service, is at the service of the world in terms of love and truth. Paul VI set out from this vision in order to convey two important truths. The first is that the whole Church, in all her being and acting — when she proclaims, when she celebrates, when she performs works of charity — is engaged in promoting integral human development. She has a public role over and above her charitable and educational activities: all the energy she brings to the advancement of humanity and of universal fraternity is manifested when she is able to operate in a climate of freedom. In not a few cases, that freedom is impeded by prohibitions and persecutions, or it is limited when the Church's public presence is reduced to her charitable activities alone.
First, is the Pope talking about 'the Church' as in 'the individuals who make up the local churches' or is he talking about 'the Church' as 'the institution ruled by the magisterium'? To answer, the Pope and other rulers of the Roman Catholic Church, when they speak of 'the Church', are almost always speaking of the latter. So, to analyze the quoted statement, the public role ,the Church, supposedly has in the advancement of humanity is impeded when 'she' is not allowed the freedom to act because of 'persecutions and prohibitions' and when Her 'public presence is reduced to charitable activities alone'. IF this is talking about the individual believers or local church bodies being impeded in spreading the gospel and doing good works because of persecution or other limitations, then this is commendable. IF however, as I believe is obviously true, the Pope is talking about the HIERARCHICAL INSTITUTION of the Church being impeded from carrying out some imposed plan for the betterment of mankind because of 'prohibitions and persecutions', then
I think we do well to beware of 'the Church'. Jesus commanded the first disciples, and us through them, to go into all the world to make disciples in all nations. He DIDN'T command 'the Church' to rule over the world and enforce policies for the betterment of mankind. He didn't command 'the Church' to build an 'earthly city' but to spread the gospel so HE can build His heavenly kingdom through each of us, and through local church bodies united in love showing His love to those around them.
I don't think Catholics understand why some non-catholics object to the papal system. First, for me, it goes back to the Great Commission and the early Apostolic church. As I said above, Jesus isn't building an earthly kingdom and He didn't commission the disciples to build a kingdom on earth governed by a central magisterium, but to spread over the earth as individuals and begin small congregations that would in turn spread the gospel and make more disciples.
Secondly, I go back even further to the Tower of Babel in Genesis. I believe this really happened, and also I believe it is a picture of what happens when God's people disobey Him and try to build their own kingdom with their own king and reach their own way to heaven. I believe this is exactly what the Roman Catholic Church has been doing since the earliest days when the Church united with the State and sought to have earthly power back in the fourth century. I believe that finally God came down and 'divided their languages' and forced the churches to divide and spread over the whole earth, as they remembered His gospel and His command to 'go into all the world' NOT to 'rule the world' as the popes did.
More on Chapter One of the encyclical:
Quote: The Church's social doctrine illuminates with an unchanging light the new problems that are constantly emerging[22]. This safeguards the permanent and historical character of the doctrinal “patrimony”[23] which, with its specific characteristics, is part and parcel of the Church's ever-living Tradition[24]. Social doctrine is built on the foundation handed on by the Apostles to the Fathers of the Church, and then received and further explored by the great Christian doctors.
Sorry, but this is Nicolaitism, 'ruling over the laity', the doctrine which Jesus said He hates. Here is who the faith was 'handed on' to:
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
It wasn't delivered to the 'Fathers' by the Apostles, but was delivered and passed down by the Apostles and ALL the earliest believers to ALL the new believers, and so on down the line.
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