Posted on 04/18/2005 4:35:41 PM PDT by churchillbuff
Evangelical Protestants pray that the next pope will be in their biblical corner. First, they pray he will be the defender of babies in the womb. In being that defender, he will forcefully speak out against those who murder infants in females’ bodies. And he will state such forthrightly, in no uncertain terms, just as Pope John Paul II held such convictions.
Second, evangelicals pray that the next pope will defend the culture of life by opposing euthanasia. That oft soft-pedaled issue cannot afford to be sidelined by both evangelical Protestants and the Vatican; therefore, it is prayed that the next Roman Catholic spiritual leader will put that matter front and center, especially with the secular world becoming more enamored with euthanasia.
Third, biblical Protestants pray that he will hold the biblical line regarding practicing homosexuality. While mainline denominations such as the Episcopal Church of America, United Church of Christ (Congregational) and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America ("evangelical" in that title having lost its biblical definition) have gone apostate in baptizing practicing homosexual lifestyles as blessed by the divine, evangelicals continue to hold to the scriptural truth. They need a companion voice in the next pope.
Fourth, evangelicals are seeking fellowship with a pope who disciplines the theologically liberal professors and writers within the Roman Catholic Church. Too many have sided with theologically liberal authors and professors within Protestantism, considering it posh to quote many of these writers as if doing same is ecumenical. Theological liberalism has torn apart the Christian witness within Protestantism. It has ruined seminaries and seminary students. It has slain the Christian testimony in one pulpit after another.
Fifth, biblical believers pray that the next pope will define New Age for what it is — anathema to Christian truth. There are scores of Catholics — both laity and clergy — who have traded in the biblical postulates for a feel-good New Age philosophy. That heresy discounts the biblical warnings concerning sin, Satan, hell and accountability at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Evangelicals still hold to these basics. They pray that the next pope likewise will give support to the fundamentals while exposing the lie of New Age religion.
Sixth, evangelicals pray that the next pope will regard the evangelical witness within Protestantism as friend and not foe. At times Pope John Paul II referred to "evangelicals" as if they were the enemy. They really are not the enemy in working together with devout Roman Catholics. Instead, they are fellowship friends to devout Roman Catholics, especially at the grassroots level. Therefore, it is hoped that the next pope will build more bridges to evangelical Protestantism.
Seventh, evangelicals understand the stark, real threat of Islam. They have studied its tenets. They know its basic dogmas related to the Koran and Allah. They are not naïve to the Muslim practices and teachings. In fact, they are hard at work in educating their congregations concerning the bald truths of Islam. Therefore, evangelicals need a partner in the next pope in exposing the horrific teachings and practices of zealot Muslims, such as "honor killing," slaying all infidels (that is, non-Muslims), hatred toward Jews who are referred to as "Jew-pigs" by Muslim global murderers, and so forth.
The evangelicals are most attuned to the present deliberations of cardinals in Rome. They are not ignorant as to what is going on and as to the consequences of the next pope’s presence. Therefore, they pray for the next pope to be friend to evangelicals’ biblical allegiance.
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Joseph Grant Swank, Jr., Pastor, New Hope Church
I don't think it's possible for the new Pope to accomodate #6 as written. He can recognize that we are not his foe, but he will probably never recognize any other denomination as his friend. That assumes an affinity that simply is not reconcilable with the claim of primacy of the bishop of Rome.
In the end, EVERYONE else must be held at arm's length.
Well, I pray that the new Pope will teach the Catholics the mystery of the church as given to the Apostle Paul by God...The plan of salvation...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (+ nothing else)...Faith thru grace, without works...
From Rev. Swank's mouth to God's ear.
It's pretty much up to the Catholics to decide who they want as pope. I don't think evangelicals would appreciate the Vatican weighing on who will be their new church leaders when that time comes.
You left out trolls. I pray for unity in Christ and an end to the many evils that afflict the world.
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