Pope Assures Rabbi Church Will Not Proselytize

[Apotheoun]

Perhaps Pope Francis should issue a clarifation indicating that he intends to have the Catholic Church evangelize the Jews.

[Apteka]

Let us recall the media scandal that broke out when Pope Benedict's Summorum liberated the Tridentine Mass. Various anti-defamation groups said the revised '62 prayer in the Latin Liturgy was offensive and anti-Semitic:

 

"Let us also pray for the Jews: that our God and Lord may illuminate their hearts, that they acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men."

 

In Era's lexicon however, this would be evangelization and not proselytism since the call is to Christ and not a religion.

[Era Might]

Era,

 

I take it by your words that you don't believe there is such a thing as a true religion, and specifically, that the Roman Catholic Church is the true religion. It seems like you're saying evangelization is a call to Christ, but there is no particular ideology, doctrine, or ritual that one must adhere to. Essentially, the call to Christianity is just making people aware of what is believed, but there is no actual intention of bringing that person to Christ?

 

I hope you can elaborate and or clarify so we can engaged in a meaningful discussion

 

Yes, I believe in a true religion. It is the Gospel.

 

 

 

If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. --James 1:26-27

 

As far as bringing someone to Christ, I'm not sure what that means. I don't look at the Gospel as a marketing campaign. It is a life of friendship with Christ. To bring someone to Christ can be as simple as eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. You have brought Christ to them. And perhaps they will choose to follow him, like the people who fill the pages of the Gospel, or like the Apostles themselves.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Era Might

[Apotheoun]

The word proselyte was used by Christ Himself, and He did not see it as a negative word.

[Apotheoun]

A proselyte in the Book of Acts is one who gives himself over to God, so I do not see why the word must be held to be negative.

[Era Might]

A proselyte in the Book of Acts is one who gives himself over to God, so I do not see why the word must be held to be negative.

 

No word must be held to be anything, they are simply collections of letters. Nevertheless, words do not live in a theoretical vacuum, they live and breathe and have contexts and histories. And the word proselytize did not cease to live and breathe in the 1st century AD. In English, the word originally referred to Gentile converts to Judaism.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Era Might

[Apotheoun]

In the New Testament the Apostles always went first to the synagogue in order to bring the good news of Christ to the Jews. It is a Christian duty to preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike.

[Era Might]

In the New Testament the Apostles always went first to the synagogue in order to bring the good news of Christ to the Jews. It is a Christian duty to preach the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike.

 

Have you been to any synagogues recently?

[Apotheoun]

No word must be held to be anything, they are simply collections of letters. Nevertheless, words do not live in a theoretical vacuum, they live and breathe and have contexts and histories. And the word proselytize did not cease to live and breathe in the 1st century AD. In English, the word originally referred to Gentile converts to Judaism.

I believe that words bear meaning. They are not empty, which is why I am not a nominalist.

 

I suppose the Pope could have been misleading his Jewish friend by saying that the Church will not proselytize people, while still evangelizing them and making proselytes (or converts if you prefer), but that does seem rather underhanded.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Apotheoun

[Apotheoun]

Quite honestly I think that if what the Rabbi reported is accurate, and I have no reason to doubt that it is, that Pope Francis was telling him that the Catholic Church will not try to bring Jews to faith in Christ. That seems like the most straight forward meaning.

[Era Might]

I believe that words bear meaning. They are not empty, which is why I am not a nominalist.

 

What meaning does the word f.art hold?

Edited September 30, 2013 by Era Might

[Era Might]

Quite honestly I think that if what the Rabbi reported is accurate, and I have no reason to doubt that it is, that Pope Francis was telling him that the Catholic Church will not try to bring Jews to faith in Christ. That seems like the most straight forward meaning.

 

How many synagogues and rabbis have you preached to this month? Have you met your quota?

[Apotheoun]

What meaning does the word f.art hold?

It describes a specific bodily act. The emission of gas. At least that is its literal meaning. It can be used in other ways, but it always bears that literal meaning, which is why it can be used to convey the notion that something smells, etc.

[Apteka]

Yes, I believe in a true religion. It is the Gospel.

 

Please define "religion"

 

Can this "religion of the Gospel" be identified in any community or Church today? Or is it something invisible?

 

As far as bringing someone to Christ, I'm not sure what that means. I don't look at the Gospel as a marketing campaign. It is a life of friendship with Christ. To bring someone to Christ can be as simple as eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. You have brought Christ to them. And perhaps they will choose to follow him, like the people who fill the pages of the Gospel, or like the Apostles themselves.

 

 

Is it absolutely necessary that people come to Christ? Or is it optional?

[Apotheoun]

How many synagogues and rabbis have you preached to this month? Have you met your quota?

In my life time I have spoken of Christ (or preached Christ if you will) to lots of Jews. I have also had religious conversations with Muslims, probably more of them than Jews. I was active in both the Jewish Studies Department and the Islamic Studies Department at SF State University, and have a minor in Jewish Studies, so I have talked about Christ with lots of Jews, and even got a nice Jewish young man and his girlfriend to come to Church with me (more than once).

Edited September 30, 2013 by Apotheoun