For many who study what is known as the “Meat of the Word” of the Holy Bible, there are many scriptures that talk about following Jesus Christ, instead of just being a fan. One such command is to evangelize to people who haven’t heard about the Son of God. As a matter of fact, it is considered the last command by Jesus Christ before he ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives.
However, a recent report by the Catholic Register is getting the attention of many evangelical online communities and websites in which Pope Francis reveals the top ten secrets to happiness. What is peculiar about this report is that strong evangelical Christians are seeings some things that Pope Francis said that may be contradictory to what Jesus Christ and God called Christians to do.
It should be noted there are plenty of points by Pope Francis that are very honest and respectable. This includes point four, which expresses a healthy sense of leisure, and point six, which pushes us to find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people. However, point nine is the one that is getting a lot of fire from online forums like Facebook’s Pre-Tribulation Rapture forum . Simply it reads the following:
“Don’t proselytize; respect others’ beliefs. ‘We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes: ‘I am talking with you in order to persuade you,’ No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing.”
To many, the word “proselytize” might sound like it belongs with “condemn” and “abomination” and those who do it might come off as a modern “pharisee.” And in all respects, online dictionaries explain that the word means to try and convert somebody to a religious faith or political doctrine. However, a follow-up article by Now The End Begins reports synonyms for it which include “preach” and “evangelize”. The article also brings into account James 5:19 and 20 which reads:
“Brethren, if any of you do err from truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
We did report here on The Inquisitr other times when Pope Francis said something that would be taken one way or the other. This includes saying that atheists are saved and that the only way to be saved is through the Roman Catholic Church . But we want to know what you think? Is Pope Francis saying something that is being taken out of context or did he really mean it when he said not to evangelize to the lost? Let us know in the comments below.
[Image via Bing]
