Pope says baptism is for everyone, even Martians

Agence France Presse (AFP) via GMA News ^ | 13 May 2014

[Gamecock]

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Monday declared that everyone has the right to be baptized, even aliens should they come knocking on the church's door.

Christians cannot "close the door" to all those who seek baptism even if they are "green men, with a long nose and big ears, like children draw," the pope said at his daily Mass, according to Vatican Radio.

[Iscool]

Because God inspired the word. He did not write them.

So what then, the bible is not really the words of God, the bible is just a book with authors giving their thoughts with no real authority behind them???

[Vermont Lt]

So, when Paul wrote all of those letters he was God? Or was he Paul? Or was he was writing the teachings of Jesus who was the Son of God?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Speaking I think for both Petrosius and myself (if I may) we are not looking to human philosophers "instead of God." Some adjustment of your perception is needed.

G'night now: I've got an early morning tomorrow. And we just had a glorious rain: I've got a lot of weeding to do.

[daniel1212]

Is that a teaching of the extraterritorial magisterium?

[daniel1212]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought in Roman Catholic theology, baptism took away Adam’s sin. A Martian would not be a descendant of Adam, so why baptize? “Verily Christ took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham;” there is no salvation for fallen angels, but there is for the fallen sons of Adam.

They are the offspring of the Martian rover?

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

“...teaching of the extraterritorial magisterium?”

Francis - the first extraterrestrial papal nunnery magnet...

[D-fendr]

So, when Paul wrote all of those letters he was God? Or was he Paul?

Paul of course. The infinite comes to us through the finite. If we go the other direction we end up with the same theology as Islam. And we make a false idol of Holy Scriptures. Bibliolatry. The temptation for error of some adherents of Sola Scriptura.

[metmom]

What the Pope means is that, Christians are to obey the “great commission” given by Jesus at the end of the Gospel of Mathew to go forth and baptize all peoples of all nations.

Though it did sound silly, the Pope was simply refering to the need to obey that command of Jesus.

Is that your own personal interpretation of the popes comments?

[metmom]

I wonder if they’ll be next in line after muslims, but certainly before Protestants.

[boatbums]

So, when Paul wrote all of those letters he was God? Or was he Paul?

Paul of course. The infinite comes to us through the finite. If we go the other direction we end up with the same theology as Islam. And we make a false idol of Holy Scriptures. Bibliolatry. The temptation for error of some adherents of Sola Scriptura.

Let's hear what St. Peter has to say about sacred Scripture:

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 2:12-21)

What more sure word do we have than Scripture? Peter called Paul's writings Scripture (II Peter 3:16). Being that we have been given this sure word of God, and Peter specifically said, "I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.", what mere words of men can compare to what the Holy Spirit directs to be written? It is not "Bibliolatry" - which is a polemical trick word that implies some people WORSHIP the Bible - but a recognition that God's word IS truth and there is nothing man can devise that supersedes its authority. He gave it to us for HIS purposes, so that we may "always remember" those things He taught us.

When someone wants to assert authority OVER and above God's word, their temptation is to falsely claim sola Scriptura is Bible worship, as if God's word is an "idol". All we need do is look at how God used His word to establish absolute truth, to combat the distortion of truth (like Jesus did with Satan after Jesus' 40 day fast in the wilderness) and to ensure we know even today the difference between Divinely-inspired words and man's wisdom, to know that God's immutable and inerrant word is written both to establish truth and as reminders to stimulate us to wholesome thinking (2 Peter 3:1). That doesn't make it an idol - it is God's voice addressed to His dearly beloved children.

[D-fendr]

It is not "Bibliolatry" -

Unless it is. Was my post not clear about the distinction?

[boatbums]

It is not "Bibliolatry" -

Unless it is. Was my post not clear about the distinction?

Why don't you elaborate some more, then? What qualifies as "bibliolatry" to you? Where do you draw the line between honoring God's word AS the word of God with its inherent authority and worshiping the Bible as an idol? Do you actually know of anyone who worships the Bible and could someone venerate it without worshiping it?

[LadyDoc]

Well, then what about androids or intelligent genetically modified animals?

Codwainer Smith and Dean Koontz fans want to know...

[D-fendr]

Elaborate? I was quite concise.

“The infinite comes to us through the finite. If we go the other direction we end up with the same theology as Islam. And we make a false idol of Holy Scriptures. Bibliolatry. “

If you mistake the finite for the infinite, you have idolatry.

“Worshiping” is not really the criteria, although it can be involved. If you think God wrote Romans and not Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit, then you are on your way to Bibliolatry. St. Paul is not God.

If you wish to see the lean towards this error, you can see it on this thread, in comments indicating the poster believes “the bible is really the words of God.” The distinction here is between God directly writing Holy Scripture - dictating the words - versus Paul, a human, writing the words inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The dictation view is what Islam believes and why they view the Koran as an idol.

Is this what you believe about Holy Scripture, a dictation?

[Iscool]

If you wish to see the lean towards this error, you can see it on this thread, in comments indicating the poster believes “the bible is really the words of God.” The distinction here is between God directly writing Holy Scripture - dictating the words - versus Paul, a human, writing the words inspired by the Holy Spirit.

No error at all...

2Pe_1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

And they wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...They wrote so accurately that the Apostle John rests your eternal security on what he wrote...

1Jn_5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Rom_10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Now, Jesus is speaking about you people that want to downplay the word of God, the scriptures and the authors who gave them to us thru the Holy Spirit:

2Co_2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2Co_4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

The word of God, the bible, the scriptures, are the ONLY thing you have to fight off the Devil...Without those scriptures, you're sunk...

Eph_6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

There is nothing in your religion that is given to you guys to use to fight off the lies of the Devil...Absolutely nothing...Nothing except the written words of God that you are now trying to minimalize...

So who do you think your message of downplaying the scripture comes from??? And don't say God...I've already had my share of laughs this morning...

[Iscool]

If you mistake the finite for the infinite, you have idolatry.

Thanks for the admission...Eucharist anyone???

[MrB]

Well played sir...

I have a question though - would these martians be included in the pope’s idea of “fair distribution of wealth”?

[blackpacific]

If philosophia, the love of wisdom, does not serve theology, the science of God, then I agree with you.

As rational animals, being placed at the center of Creation, being composed of matter and a rational immortal soul, we are called upon by God to use our talents.

As Jesus Christ puts it:
“The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God. [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment.”

[blackpacific]

If the Christian parent desires baptism for his/her son, and the son has not reached the age of reason, the Sacrament would be valid. This would be the case if the son was severely diminished mentally.

On the other hand, if the son is of sound mind, he would have to desire it.

[blackpacific]

From what context does your question arise?