[betty boop]

Back at post 56, I tried to head off what I thought would be the likely contention that would result from discussing Pope Benedict's latest encyclical between the opposing views of Catholicism and Protestantism.

You were prescient dearest sister in Christ!

The odd thing is that Protestants are deeply concerned with End-times prophecy, while Catholics (for some strange reason) seem almost perfectly indifferent to it. They just don't seem to worry about the End-times much at all. They know there will be an End; the Pope references it in this encyclical. They just don't seem to exercise themselves too much about it. I can't explain the reason for this difference, but observe it is definitely there.

Anyhoot, that's just one more difficulty standing in the way of "both sides" getting on the same "playing field," so to speak.

Speaking for myself, the way I read Caritas in Veritate is as (1) a biblically-based Christian and (2) as a person schooled in classical philosophy. To me the authority of the Pope is either a gift or grace of God directly or it is no authority at all. In that light, I see this encyclical as having been composed in the full light of the Holy Spirit; it is replete with the pleroma of Christ.

JMHO FWIW.

The Pope wasn't writing just to Catholics; but to universal humanity — just as you suggested. Universality ultimately is a philosophical notion. And the Pope (among other things) happens to be a philosopher. So we "get along fine." :^)

Thank you ever so much for your wise and gracious essay/post, dearest sister in Christ!

[1000 silverlings]

The odd thing is that Protestants are deeply concerned with End-times prophecy

Not all of us because really, to be in Christ is to be already in eternity. We are to be awake though and we are positively confident that it is not possible for the elect to be deceived

[1000 silverlings]

To me the authority of the Pope

Here is the rub, very simply

[Frumanchu]

The odd thing is that Protestants are deeply concerned with End-times prophecy

Correction: MANY Protestants are deeply concerned with End-times prophecy. There are still a signficant number of us who are not wrapped up in eschatolaughable hysteria, particularly those of us who are not in the pre-trib, pre-mill camp.

At a time when the push for globalization is on a steep incline, and the popular speculative interpretations of Biblical prophecy include one-world government, it's no surprise that people's eschatological views increasingly color their commentary and even affect their short-term decision making. If I didn't think Christ were sitting on His Throne right now, I'd probably be worried too. Nevertheless, His Kingdom is advancing (and is no way tied to the rise or fall of the United States of America).

[1000 silverlings]

And the Pope (among other things) happens to be a philosopher.

Well now you see, the bible warns us against philosophers. I like Plato and others but the Word of God will always outweigh them

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so very much for your encouragements, dearest sister in Christ!

I strongly agree with you that Pope Benedict is a world class philosopher. And I can see why you appreciate him so much.

I also perceive him to be quite conservative in his theology, but he should be read through the Catholic lens to be understood.

The odd thing is that Protestants are deeply concerned with End-times prophecy, while Catholics (for some strange reason) seem almost perfectly indifferent to it. They just don't seem to worry about the End-times much at all. They know there will be an End; the Pope references it in this encyclical. They just don't seem to exercise themselves too much about it. I can't explain the reason for this difference, but observe it is definitely there.

I suspect that if the Pope were to announce that the end times prophecies are being fulfilled right now, then all the Catholics would be on high alert.

Many Protestants and some Catholics are already on high alert because of what they see in the world v what they understand from Scripture. I share many of their views, but I am not concerned at all - instead I say:

Maranatha, Jesus!!!