Pope Francis: Did he announce a New Teaching on Salvation?

 

Pope Francis proclaims

that “Christ Redeemed the entire word; Muslims included.”  …Can it be true?

For hundreds of years now, we Catholics have made the following proclamation, when saying the Stations of the Cross: …

Leader: “We adore thee O Christ and we bless thee”

People: “Because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.”

A few days ago, [05/22/2013] Our Pope, Francis was quoted as saying that…

cf. “ALL are redeemed, even the Muslims.” Like sharks smelling “cut-bait-blood“, the Secular Press was on this story without understanding; but making up for it with malicious intent. Many others have gleefully joined the fray.

While our Holy Father; Pope Francis can, with varying degrees of understanding and truthfulness, be called many things; one thing he cannot be rightly called is “stupid.”

What DO catholics Teach, understand and believe about 1. Redemption 2. Salvation?

While Christ is and must be cast in both Roles; the roles of “Redeemer” and “Savior; the means of salvation,” they, never the less are necessarily separate and separated roles. Right understanding uncovers the truth expressed and taught by the Catholic Church.

Protestantism exist primarily because they are gullibly incapable [unguided by the Holy Spirit] and therefore prevented from right understanding of the bibles use of these terms.

Eph.3:  9 to 12 “And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church[SINGULAR: meaning  Christ own CATHOLIC Church] the  manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.”

This was written more than One Thousand years before the Protestant revolution:

Eph. 4: 1-7  “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”  Eph. 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [singular]built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Acts 20:28-30  Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God,

which he hath purchased with his own blood. I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

For those interested; here’s why the problem exist.

Truth can never be discovered; or uncovered with carefully selected culled passages alone.

Matthew 4:4 “Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God” 2^nd. Timothy 3:16 “All scripture, [is] inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice”

Matt.13:9-12 “He who has ears, let him hear.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”  For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. “

Because there Is but One True God, who is All Good and Perfect in every good thing, it follows logically and Morally that This “One God” can have only One set of Faith beliefs. This is evidenced in both the Old and the New Testaments, and under both the Old and the New Covenant.

“To Redeem”; which does apply to All of humanity; of all times, and forever, and excludes no-one, is accomplished by means of a “buy back;”  “a repayment of a debt;”  or “to make good.” Because of the sin of Adam and Eve; which is far more grievous than merely “eating an apple” or a simple matter of disobedience. This act was an direct ATTACK of God’s Sovereignty. It was a prideful attempt and desire to be “like” [equal too] God>>>>

Genesis 3:1-5 “Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise? And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die. And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death. For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.”

This then explains why God’s response was so severe; it was directly proportionate to the act itself from God‘s perspective and Perfect understanding.

One of many things this sin caused, along with the introduction of physical death, sickness, misery and suffering; none of which where originally planed or desired by God in His decision to Create man, was the blockage of access to heaven. … Recall that God expelled them from Eden. A severe break, a chasm had been wrought, between God and man that would require mans freewill  and rightful application with great effort to restore this man-abandoned relationship. In effect man had to once again, having proved themselves “unworthy” of God’s Love and Trust to now PROVE his worth anew. To merit salvation and Gods Presence once again, in precise manners determined by God Himself would be a lifelong and arduous task; not the simplistic versions invented by men founding faiths and churches that actually compete with His Truths; His Faith and His only Church.

“Salvation on the other hand“: relates to redemption only in that both it and salvation reflect God’s Perfect Will, and both have a “heaven connection.”  And while Both reflect the Devine Will; “Redemption” is an already accomplished fact: once and for all; and for all time.  While salvation remains a “work in progress” and can be gained and lost while still on earth. Everyone who Knows, and fully- accepts Gods conditions, merits God’s salvation; and will only be able to do Only by doing it God’s Way. Man’s many recent, innovative, easier, faster schemes will not be accepted by God who must be Fair and Just. God can’t demand something of Catholics that He lets slide with protestants. This is a Moral impossibility.

Luke 2:29-34 “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, [“Israel” here represents the entire world: Mk. 16: 14*15; Mt. 28: 118-20]and for a sign which shall be contradicted”

Deuteronomy 9:26 “And praying, I said: O Lord God, destroy not thy people, and thy inheritance, which thou hast redeemed in thy greatness, whom thou hast brought out of Egypt with a strong hand.”

Psalms 76:16 “With thy arm thou hast redeemed thy people the children of Jacob and of Joseph”

Luke 24:21”But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done.”

Revelation 5:9 “And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

Luke 3:6 “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Verses 7-10 “He [John the Baptist]  said therefore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him: Ye offspring of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance; and do not begin to say, We have Abraham for our father. For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire.  And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do?”

Verses 11:17 “And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner. And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do? But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay. And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ;

John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire”

Acts Of Apostles 13:26 “Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God, to you the word of this salvation is sent.”

Acts Of Apostles 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.”

Romans 1:16 ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and to the Greek.” The biblical issue of “For All” or just “for many”; has in the past few hundred years received a great many very human interpretations. From Predestination to Faith Alone, and ALL of them are gravely wrong.

LOOK carefully at the very precise and singular commands of Christ:

Mt. 28:16-20

“And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [means: and I now pass it on to you, my Apostles ONLY: SEE  Mt. 10;1-8; jn.14:16-17; Jn. 20;21-22, Jn. 17:14-20 and mark 16:14-15 for proof of this] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

Here’s a KEY to unlocking God’s and the Bibles Right Understanding of these two terms. 

When one reads “ALL”; the reference when applicable, is to the issue of Redemption Only. When ones reads “some or many,” the reference is to God’s highly conditional salvation; effective and accomplished Only as God commands, not as mortal men desire it to be.

Matt.22: 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matt.26: 28 “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”

Mark.10: 45 “For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke.13: 24 “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able”

John.1: 7 “He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.”

2Cor.5: 14-15  “For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.  And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

1 Tim.2: 6 “who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.”

Heb.9: 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

Summation : Pope Frances did not error; did not announce a new Catholic Position on Salvation; but did use biblical terms correctly as they ARE to be understood. “Redemption” applying to ALL humanity; past, present and future; while “Salvation” remains a life-long struggle, can be lost, and can only be attained in full accordance with Christ Devine Will and commands.

God Bless you,

Pat Miron