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SPEAKER PELOSI TIGHT WTH JESUS

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the world Jesus guides her political decisions. Now to some detractors this might seem a bit far fetched; insanely far fetched. But, before one goes off on a skeptical tirade perhaps they should consider the fact that many a Bible believing, Jesus loving soul, embraces liberal politics, particularly in relation to social issues. After all, what sort of knave really wants people to starve? Remember, as liberals so readily do, Jesus said if you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me. 

I take issue with the implications of Ms. Pelosi's traditional final authority base. She is, after all, a Roman Catholic. Catholics receive their authority from the Bible via bishops and priests. Protestants, on the other hand, operate from a more autonomous base. They receive authority directly from the scriptures and reject human wisdom as the vehicle for authority. Ms. Pelosi's Catholic faith raises a couple of questions. One, if she bases decisions on values of Jesus, then surely in Roman Catholic tradition her stance on abortion fails to line up with Jesus via the Church's official stance. Secondly, one must observe her philanthropy. A person's pocket book speaks volumes about their allegiance.  Read Pelosi's comments on her faith/politics behavior here. 

FATHER RICHARD JOHN NEUHAUS RIP

Influential Christian and cultural leader Father Richard John Neuhause died yesterday. His intellectual commentary and publication First Things, served to bring Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals, and Liberals together. No one else could accomplish this daunting task as profoundly and effectually as Father Neuhause. For more on this remarkable man's accomplishments go here. 

CATHOLIC VOTE LARGER THAN EVANGELICAL?

Evangelicals traditionally carry profound political clout. But, Carl Anderson, head of the Knights of Columbus determines Catholics carry their own concerns and with them possess potentially more influence than evangelicals. Given the fact that Catholics outnumber evangelicals approximately 2/1 conservatives might do well to take notice. Listen to Anderson address Catholic concerns.

POPE BENEDICT XVI AIN'T GOT A CLUE

Poe Benedict may theologize with the best of them, yet he fails to comprehend life outside the sphere of his own little Roman Catholic world. He ought to stick with pontificating in the church and stay clear of Muslim and American affairs. But, then he might sense that his opining about American imperialism is his duty as a prophet.

Pope Benedict XVI issued one of his strongest appeals for peace in Iraq on Sunday, days after the body of the kidnapped Chaldean Catholic archbishop was found near the northern city of Mosul. The pope also denounced the 5-year-long Iraq war, saying it had provoked the complete breakup of Iraqi civilian life.

"Enough with the slaughters. Enough with the violence. Enough with the hatred in Iraq!" Benedict said to applause at the end of his Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square.

On Thursday, the body of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho was found near Mosul. He had been abducted on Feb. 29.

Benedict has called Rahho's death an "inhuman act of violence" that offended human dignity.

On Sunday, Benedict praised Rahho for his loyalty to Christ and his refusal to abandon his flock despite many threats and difficulties.

He recalled Rahho's death as the Catholic Church opens Holy Week, the most solemn week in the liturgical calendar in which the faithful recall the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Benedict said Rahho's dedication to the Catholic Church and his death compelled him to "raise a strong and sorrowful cry" to denounce the violence in Iraq spawned by the war that began five years ago this week.

"At the same time, I make an appeal to the Iraqi people, who for the past five years have borne the consequences of a war that provoked the breakup of their civil and social life," Benedict said. [bold mine]

Read the rest of the story here.

RELIGION IN VIETNAM

Catholics and evangelicals are making a difference in Vietnam. According to Vietnam News:

The Viet Nam Committee for Catholic Solidarity held a meeting yesterday to celebrate Christmas.

The Committee president, Priest Nguyen Tan Khoa, said the Vietnamese Catholics were happy to reflect on the great achievements that the country has gained during more than 20 years of renewal.

The Viet Nam Catholic Church had developed in many aspects this year, he said.

On behalf of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, VFF Vice President Huynh Dam sent his best wishes to Vietnamese Catholics. He said he appreciated the achievements that the Committee has gained during their term. Dam said he believed that the Committee would make more contributions to the country’s development and the building of unity among all the people.

Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen The Doanh visited pastors and dignitaries of the General Confederation of the Evangelical Church of Northern Viet Nam yesterday.

Doanh sent his best wishes to the Evangelical Church and said he hoped the Church would unite to develop the economy and raise living standards.

Head of the General Confederation of the Evangelical Church of Northern Viet Nam, Pastor Phung Quang Huyen, thanked the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and expressed the aspirations of the Protestants to contribute to develop the country.

On the same day, Tran Dinh Phung, standing member of Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee visited and presented gifts to pastors and dignitaries of the Evangelical Church. – VNS

Go here to read yet another compelling article about the growth of evangelicalism in Vietnam.

CLARIFICATION ON PAPAL AUTHORITY

I must admit, I mistakenly labeled the latest debate over Papal authority a result of the Pope reverting back to pre Vatican II. In my careless attempt to address the issue I bit on the media's erroneous assumptions that this Pope personally reiterated the doctrine of Papal authority as though the church gave up this teaching long ago. Truth is the Vatican published a document recently clarifying ecclesiastical doctrine often confused by various theologians' commentaries on the subject. The document reaffirms the Pope's commitment to Vatican II and reminds Catholics of his commitment to theological and doctrinal accuracy. The publication also reaffirms the statements of faith contained in the Catechisms of the Catholic Church. Although I erred in the use of my sources I still maintain the position that exclusivity brings division both in the church and personal families. For many Protestants the Pope represents an anachronistic political figure.

REVISED PAPAL AUTORITY II

The Christian Science Monitor offers added enlightenment to the Pope's more traditional moves. His reinforcement of traditional Catholicism, one that claims Papal supremacy, prompted the righteous ire of a few Protestants to say the least. The Vatican's press secretary seemed a bit perplexed over the Protestant reaction:

The Vatican said it was surprised Protestants would feel anger at being described as less than churches in hundreds of stories in English-language papers around the world and asked them not to "overreact." "This isn't about Protestants, it is an internal theological document for purposes of clarity," Father [Federico] Lombardi stated.

As a Protestant I care little for the Pope's declarations. They mean nothing to me personally. But, his position possesses personal implications for many families. Supremacy and exclusivity often tear families apart. Because I pastor a diverse group of people I witness this immature position frequently leave scars on the Christian landscape. Lately I've studied a handful of Catholic material trying to understand a church often shrouded in mystery to the common Protestant. I must say along with the song writer, "Thou almost persuadeth me," until you declare me an apostate. Yes, I understand the authority of Bishops. Indeed I in theory, accept that authority as received from the scriptures. But, I also believe in the depravity of human beings. And that depravity, unchecked, leads to indulgences even in the highest human authorities. Such was the case in 15th and 16th century Europe. A man can declare another man saved yet, that declaration alone carries little animus within itself toward changing one's behavior. Soul saving grace enters a person when they repent and believe in Jesus Christ, not a human declaration. A person's lifestyle attests to one's saving faith as declared in this New Testament passage:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-25)

That Spirit enters Catholics and Protestants alike. It emphatically declares that we belong to God.

Furthermore, the Pope's declaration carries sociopolitical implications. The news of extremist Muslims affects the Christian community. The secular community often fails to draw a line between religious groups. Exclusivity prompts disagreements alluded to in this piece, drawing cynicism and ridicule from secularist bent on delegitimizing the Christian religion. The Pope may fare much better by publicly pointing to Christ's supremacy instead of his own, thereby leaving no doubt of his subservience to Christ and his need for redemption. A terrorized, empty, and materialistic society needs a Gospel unshaken by human conceit.