Pope Benedict made the news last week by declaring publicly that the only way to salvation was through the Roman Catholic Church. I was away in Queens, with 44 other people, doing some urban missions stuff, so I was not able to comment. Forgive me my tardiness, for this is one of my favorite stories ever!
Why?
Because the Pope told what he believed to be true, nothing more, nothing less. Why is that a problem?
"It's insensitive to other denominations," say some and again. "It is offensive to all and rude to the Muslims," say others.
However, these critics reveal their over-sensitive, politically correct, historically ignorant point of view.
The Roman Catholic church believes it is the only way, and it always has. That shouldn't be news. The Eastern Orthodox denominations would disagree and have since 1100 A.D. (around there) when they decided that their pope was the true pope that went back to Peter and the Romans disagreed. Of course I disagree, as a reformed protestant. But, this is not news. It has been this way for centuries.
The Pope told the truth of what his church teaches. What's wrong with that? Palestinian and Arab leaders are constantly talking about how they need to push the Jews into the seas and murder all the infidels. We are VERY TOLERANT of such violent points of view. But let a Christian state what he believes and oh what a ruckus!
Do you want to know why the whole world gets more stirred up when Christians speak up than when Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, secularists, and others say what they believe? I know the answer. It is because Jesus Christ really is the Son of God. He really is the only way to heaven. And it just makes people mad who don't want to follow Him.
The opponents only confirm the truth. Jesus said that He came not to bring peace, but a sword (figuratively --He's not Mohammed!) --dividing people into two camps. There are those who are for Him, and then there are those who hate him. There is no middle ground.
Go, Pope, Go! I don't agree with you, but there is nothing wrong with telling the truth about what you believe.
