Pope's Angelus: “Jesus is the Epiphany”, the Lord does not proselytize but loves

Vatican Radio ^ | 1/6/2013 | Vatican Radio

[pax_et_bonum]

Does not proselytizing = evangelizing?

***

No, it doesn't.

To proselytize means to recruit someone to you faith (or other organization) or even to induce them to join your group.

To evangelize comes from the Latin (orig. Greek) evangelizo, which means to "preach, declare, proclaim, always with the accessory notion of bringing good tidings, proclaiming the Gospel".

There's a big difference.

Jesus shared his good news, but he always left people free to follow him or not.

[Biggirl]

“Here’s my opinion: Saying “that’s your opinion” in response to legitimate criticisms is lame and useless.”

Rather making a BIG DEAL over to interpit what Pope Francis says is “lame and useless” and not legit.

[Biggirl]

BINGO! We have a WINNER!

[pax_et_bonum]

Biggirl needs to apply for the job.

***

Making it personal gives the impression that your argument is weak.

[.45 Long Colt]

Please support that principal with sound Scriptural exegesis.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

[Biggirl]

Post 21 really goes into detail and says it better.

[Biggirl]

Thank-you and God Bless.

[Biggirl]

The question I have is, if Pope Francis is so bad in his preaching, WHY is he attracting more people to pay attention to him and is drawing in more people?

Thank-you for your responses.

[.45 Long Colt]

That’s not an argument from Scripture.

[Biggirl]

But the poster is CORRECT.

[pax_et_bonum]

Love is truth; loving is being truthful.

As any good parent knows, loving often involves being stern or even angry, but it always points toward the good end, which is God.

Of course Christ was stern with people who were using their authority over others to promote themselves.

Of course He was angry with the money-changers in the Temple.

But these are incidents of real love - what we call “tough love” today.

[Biggirl]

Maybe Pope Francis’s preaching is considered refreshing, simple, and direct?

[pax_et_bonum]

Maybe because people see Christ in him?

It’s always the simple ones who can see more clearly.

[.45 Long Colt]

Numbers prove nothing. The Mormons get numbers. Joel Osteen gets numbers. Creflo Dollar gets numbers. The Muslims have huge numbers. Never allow earthly success to fool you. Satan does his best work in the arena of religion. You must base your thinking on Scripture or you will run off the cliff.

[Biggirl]

AMEN. People DO SEE Jesus in Pope Francis.

[.45 Long Colt]

I’m asking you to defend your St. Francis quote from Scripture. Scripture is all that matters to me, not what seems right in the eyes of men.

[Biggirl]

Or rather Satan does his best when people argue over small details rather than see the “big picture” that God gives.

Pope Franics is doing the Lord’s work. God Bless him.

[.45 Long Colt]

But is it the biblical Jesus or the Jesus they want to see?

[Biggirl]

One of the great saints, a giant in the Christian faith. St. Francis served the Lord faithfully.

[Biggirl]

The former.