The Pope’s comments on the capacity of atheists (and others)
to “do good” leaves me confused. The Pope seems to saying three things:
1. All people have the capacity to do good, since all people
are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27);
2. Jesus’ death is redemptive for all humanity, whether or
not one “believes;” and
3. All good people can “meet” in acts of goodness.
Very heady stuff, but I’m not exactly clear as to what it
means. Let’s take up each point in turn.
1. All people have the capacity to do good. That itself is
very liberal, as so many Christians believe that only those who are guided by
God to the good can do the good. The Pope is saying that goodness is something
we humans can discern without the help of God, or at least without believing in
God, and I applaud him for that.
2. Is Jesus’ death redemptive for all of us, regardless of
believe or lack thereof? This isn’t what the Gospel of John tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son, so that everyone who believes
in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)…. Those who
believe in him are not condemned; but those
who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in
the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).
In other words,
just because Jesus died for all of us, only those of us who accept the
redemption offered by Christ are saved. And, according to Catholic doctrine,
that can be done only within the context of the Catholic Church: extra Ecclesiam nulla salus: "outside the church there is no salvation.”
So is the Pope saying there is salvation outside the Church,
and even outside Christianity? I don’t see that in his statement. Atheists can
do good, but without Christ and the Catholic Church salvation is something
beyond their reach.
3. The notion that all good people can meet in acts of
goodness only means that we can unite on social justice issues we have in
common regardless of our beliefs. Nothing all that exciting here.
So what is the commotion? Until Pope Francis clarifies his
understanding of redemption and salvation there is nothing to get excited about
here. I look forward to his telling us more.
PS: If I have misunderstood Catholic doctrine on these
matters, please set me straight in the Comments section. I do not pretend to be
an expert in Catholicism (or anything else for that matter).
5 comments:
But Paul says in Colossians and 1 Corinthians that God has reconciled all things through his son. So, who exactly does that reconciliation leave out? Sounds like everything is reconciled whether you believe it or not! And doesn't that make sense? Humans will always and have always questioned God, even in his presence. So why wouldn't God just make it all right? He's God isn't he?
I am no expert on Catholic theology, but I did go through Catholic catechism as an adult. What I found was, at least with post Vatican II thinking (and at least with the Benedictine sister who led our class)that Catholics are much more lax than the Evangelicals I grew up with concerning who receives salvation. They have a big loop hole where they allow that God knows people's hearts and can indeed bring people to salvation by other means and with the light they are given.
So there is salvation outside the Church? Why were the Protestant reformers more harsh than the Catholics they sought to reform?
I guess I am confused by the use of "reform" in Judaism. For us Reform is more liberal and welcoming not less.
Salvation? That's the problem. Never once had a Rabbi in all my 52 years speak to me about being "saved". It's hard for us to feel because it's like death. Ashes to ashes...we live we die not much talk about what's after that. So, it's almost impossible for me to understand the need to kill or be ruled by salvation. It's all about trying to live as best as we can and then making restitution for when we goof. Hopefully the new Pope spends more time on the living and getting along and less on the fear of dying.
Salvation? That's the problem. Never once had a Rabbi in all my 52 years speak to me about being "saved". It's hard for us to feel because it's like death. Ashes to ashes...we live we die not much talk about what's after that. So, it's almost impossible for me to understand the need to kill or be ruled by salvation. It's all about trying to live as best as we can and then making restitution for when we goof. Hopefully the new Pope spends more time on the living and getting along and less on the fear of dying.
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