April 1st, 2005 at 8:45 pm
On the LiveJournal Lutherans community, Jeshohiah put forth the question, “I was just wondering how everyone feels about the state of the Pope, and the state of Roman Catholicism.” All responses can be read here; my response is reposted here:
With Reagan’s passing, the decline (not dead yet) of Margaret Thatcher, and the imminent calling home of the Pope, this is as good a time as any to recognize the three people who only slightly arguably did the most to rescue Soviet Christians (and the world) from an atheist state intolerant of the Bible and bent on world subversion.
Unfortunately in the U.S. lawyers and judges wielding the sword of separation of church and state are without question trying to divorce our moral values from our government, replacing obedience to God with dominance of the State.
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” We cannot let an amoral State become the sole provider of behavioral guidance. People need Christ. People need the moral life that comes from being thankful in Christ’s purchase of our eternal soul. The Pope has been instrumental in this promotion, with his protection of life both born and unborn, conscious and unconscious, and for this we should be thankful.
If I had to find a reason to criticize the Pope it would be his handling of priests and bishops committed to patterns of sinful behavior. Luther argued that forced celibacy would cause priests to sin sexually, and in several cases in the U.S. it would seem Luther was right. The Pope in my recollection only called it a mysterious sin, and should have taken the initiative to rout out those who were unrepentant and repetitive in their behavior. The Catholic church would have saved a lot of face if it were more proactive in the correction of its priests.
I’m thankful that we did have John Paul II as a moral champion. I’d never kiss his ring, but every person who brings Christ to others is a powerful ally. While he will rest in peace, we must not until everyone hears the word of God.
(0 votes, average: 0 out of 5)You need to be a registered member to rate this post.
Loading ...