As a former Catholic, you can tell a lot about the direction of a church based it’s leadership. Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, is now calling for priests to forgive any woman who has terminated a pregnancy. During a recent interview on cable news, a member of a local archdiocese summarized this theological change. In the past, female Catholics who had an abortion were excommunicated from the church, viewing this act of killing an innocent life. Today, Pope Francis wants to focus on love and forgiveness by extending grace to those who have fallen short of God’s glory.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
When I heard excerpts of this interview, I wasn’t sure what to think. However, now that I have had time to digest this new stance, there are two possible explanations. First, the church is lowering the bar by altering the expectations of what it means to be a modern day Christian. Just as public education has changed the standards for a passing grade, clergy is now more accepting. As godliness diminishes within society it’s hard to find willing servants of Jesus. Thus, many churches are being forced to overlook past transgressions to fill half empty buildings and worship services.
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace, Romans 11:6.
The other logical explanation is a shift from an Old Testament view of God’s wrath and judgment toward a New Testament approach based upon the love of Jesus. This theological position points to the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. God is already working in the lives of the righteous according to Matthew 9:9-13. It’s the rebellious, lost and those wandering in the dark who need help. Instead of emphasizing church growth, pastors have become more evangelistic to reach out to a generation of people who have not grown up in the church. Depending upon your theological beliefs, you may lean toward one of these two positions. Nonetheless, the church is suppose to be the hands and feet of Christ, like a beacon of light piercing into the darkness of a spiritually dead and dying world.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 