St. Paul Was Not Ashamed of the Gospel — Are We?

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 10-16-17 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

St. Paul Was Not Ashamed of the Gospel — Are We?

Msgr. Charles Pope • October 16, 2017 •

Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome

St. Paul writes this in today’s reading from the Letter to the Romans: “I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16).

“Gospel” here refers to the whole of the New Testament rather than merely the four Gospels. The gospel is the apostolic exhortation, the proclamation of the apostles of what Jesus taught and said and did for our salvation. This proclamation was recorded and collected in the letters of the apostles Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude, and in what later came to be called the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospel is the transformative word of the Lord proclaimed by the apostles in obedience to the command of the Lord,

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt 28:19-20).

Of these apostles (“sent ones”) Jesus says this:

Very truly I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me (Jn 13:20).

So the gospel is the authoritative and transformative proclamation of the Lord’s word through the apostles in totality. Of this full and received message St. Paul says he is not ashamed, though he has suffered for preaching it; others have suffered and even been killed for it!

Can we say the same? Are we unashamed of the gospel? Sadly, too many people are to some extent ashamed of the gospel. Even among practicing Catholics and clergy, there are too many who promote a compromised, watered-down message rather than boldly, joyfully, and confidently proclaiming the full gospel.

• Many are ashamed of the gospel’s moral vision, especially those parts that challenge the rebellion of our times against marriage, the family, the proper purpose of sexuality, and the sanctity of human life. If a priest or lay person brings up such topics, too many Catholics cringe, embarrassed that a controversial subject has been mentioned. Some worry that someone might be angered, challenged, or “hurt.” The embarrassment and nervousness are often visible by the looks on their faces or their seeming need to change the subject, speak in euphemisms, or talk in generalities and abstractions. It seems that they want to avoid a clear discussion of the truth in such matters at all costs.
• Many are ashamed of the strong demands of the cross. Jesus wanted us to be under no illusions. Strong medicine is required for what ails us. The cross and the need for self-denial and sacrifice are at the center of the gospel, but many are ashamed when the concept of the cross goes from being an abstraction to something more specific. Thus when the world protests with rhetorical questions we are embarrassed and too often compromise or grow silent. For example, when someone indignantly asks, “Are you saying that a woman who is pregnant as a result of rape must carry the child to birth?” Instead of responding, “Yes, and we must help her to decide whether to raise the child or place the child up for adoption,” we often compromise, saying that maybe abortion is all right in cases of rape or incest—but it isn’t. The child is innocent; he or she does not deserve to be killed. We are easily ashamed of the cross in other cases, too, such as in the abortion of possibly “defective” babies or euthanasia/assisted-suicide for the suffering. We shy away from standing firm when it comes to embracing of any kind of suffering, inconvenience, or cross. It’s harder to get married and stay married than it is to divorce; it’s harder to resist sin than give way to temptation; it’s harder to delay satisfaction than to indulge right away. In these ways the cross is no abstraction; it is quite real. When it gets real, though, many of us are ashamed of the gospel and what it proclaims.
• Many are ashamed of the proclamation that Christ as the exclusive and only savior. In our “pluralistic” world, which “diversity” is an absolutized virtue, the thought that Jesus is the sole savior of mankind is an embarrassment to many Catholics. Scripture says of Jesus, He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:11-12). Jesus himself says, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jn 14:6). When the world says that there are many ways to God, that people have a right to worship the “god of their own understanding,” and that all ways are valid and good and true, too many Catholics are ashamed of our teaching that Jesus is the unique and only savior of mankind. If there are Muslims, Buddhists, or Zoroastrians in Heaven it is only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. Talk like this engenders shame in many Catholics, who cringe and want to parrot the world’s view that Christianity has no preeminence or saving value above any other view.
• Many are ashamed of what Jesus teaches on judgment and Hell. There are many passages in which Jesus and the apostles warn of Hell, judgment, and eternal exclusion from the Kingdom of God. Many shamefully dismiss Jesus’ parables and teachings about Hell and judgement as excess or hyperbole; strangely, they assert that when Jesus said that many would be lost and few would be saved that he meant precisely the opposite. They think that God will never say, “Depart from me you evildoers. Depart from me; I never knew you” Many are embarrassed by such teachings and simply dismiss them as implausible. They have shamefully reinvented God as a “sweetie pie” rather than the all holy God to whom we must be conformed if we ever hope to be able to endure His presence. Too many are embarrassed by the gospel and these teachings, most of which comes right from the mouth of Jesus.
• Many are ashamed of simple biblical terms such as sin (especially mortal sin), evil, repentance, conversion, judgment, Hell, and phrases such as “woe to you,” “vengeance is mine,” and “fornicators will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Many dismiss such common biblical phrases as “unwelcoming,” “unkind,” and “un-Christlike.” Never mind that many of these biblical phrases were commonly on the very lips of Jesus. Too many are ashamed of the real Christ and prefer a refashioned, softened one.

St. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel. What about us? Are we confident and uncompromising in proclaiming the gospel or are we ashamed and fearful? Do we compromise the gospel in order to avoid the scorn of an unbelieving, sin-sick world? Do we stand up without shame and proclaim the truth with love and confidence?

Are we ashamed of the gospel or are we joyful and confident?

This song says, “You should be a witness! Stand up and be a witness for the Lord!”

[af_vet_1981]

In modern-day Roman Catholicism, Mary is the highest of these demigods.

It seems to me that is a particularly pernicious and false statement. Catholics do not believe Mary is a deity. It was you who posted that she is and attributed it to Catholics.

Which denomination's, sect's, or faith community's views are you presenting (Protestant, Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Other) ?

[af_vet_1981]

Jesus teaches them this prayer, which you suggest is possibly one of two they prayed, and Jesus prays to the Father in the Garden something different??

I don't think so. Jesus isn't one to say do something and He do something else.

Do you mean that you think all the disciples prayed the same prayer about letting the cup (crucifixion for atonement) pass as the Messiah prayed ?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Catholics do not believe Mary is a deity. It was you who posted that she is and attributed it to Catholics.“

In practice, Catholic teaching makes dear Mary into a demigoddess- no sin, god powers, higher than ordinary people, spouse of God, etc.

None true.

[af_vet_1981]

Serious question: Do you ever just talk to God in your own words?

Yes. Is there a commandment somewhere to do that ?

I do notice that Sola Scriptura has been abandoned in this discussion. That does not surprise me.

[ealgeone]

Do you mean that you think all the disciples prayed the same prayer about letting the cup (crucifixion for atonement) pass as the Messiah prayed ?

Nope.

I'm addressing your suggestion there were only two prayers the disciples prayed.

I've illustrated by example that prayer is more than just rote repetition.

I'll ask again....do you ever just talk to God using your own words?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Which denomination’s, sect’s, or faith community’s views are you presenting (Protestant, Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Other) ?

My home page identifies my church.

[ealgeone]

Yes. Is there a commandment somewhere to do that ?

I do notice that Sola Scriptura has been abandoned in this discussion. That does not surprise me.

Hardly. It's perfectly in line with Biblical teaching on prayer.

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6 NASB

Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 2 Corinthians 12:8 NASB

Note the emphasis on praying to God and or the Lord. Paul did not appeal to Abraham or any of the OT saints.

[Mrs. Don-o]

AAUGH!!

That was a typo! What I meant to write was

"The Scriptures are from God."

Surely we all know that.

They come to us through a chain of custody and transmission, just as does everything that was handed down to us.

Otherwise, they would not be here for us today, since none --- not one --- of the original autograph manuscripts is now in existence, as far as we know.

What we have is what came to us through a chain of human beings who, obedient to God and reverent towards His revelation, copied, replicated, annotated, published, translated, laid down their lives to propagate and to defend.

This "handing down" is, literally, Tradition.

And one of the precious things handed down to us from this chain of transmission, this God-pleasing succession of faithful human beings, is Scripture.

And just as the Chosen People existed for a long, long time (how many generations from Abraham to Moses?) before there was a written Torah, the Church existed a long time (many generations) before there was a complete canon of Scripture.

Did you ever consider the fact that Paul urged his local churches to be faithful to the Gospel many times --- surely hundreds of times ---- before one written Gospel even existed?

His converts didn't become Christians because they had read a text and believed some written testimony. They believed because the Gospel --- the Good News of salvation in Christ --- was conveyed he them by preaching (Oral Tradition)---- faith comes from hearing and by the conduct and example of Paul and his many fellow workers.

This was inspired, and authoritative too. Not just the relatively few selections that were written down.

[af_vet_1981]

The cults that go door to door make the same claim. I’ve never known a Baptist that would mask his affiliation.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“The cults that go door to door make the same claim

If that is your reason to ignore the truth of Scripture, your choice. I value and love God and His inspired Word.

“I’ve never known a Baptist that would mask his affiliation.”

Since I didn’t say I was a baptist, it seems an odd statement.

[ealgeone]

That was a typo! What I meant to write was

"The Scriptures are from God."

Surely we all know that.

I'm glad to hear you clear that up....though we've been told numerous times the Roman Catholic church "gave" us Scripture.

This "handing down" is, literally, Tradition.

No it's not. "Tradition" comprises Roman Catholic beliefs not found in the NT.

It would be better to call this transmission.

And just as the Chosen People existed for a long, long time (how many generations from Abraham to Moses?) before there was a written Torah, the Church existed a long time (many generations) before there was a complete canon of Scripture.

And God would visit them. I'd rather have the visit than the word....I think!

Did you ever consider the fact that Paul urged his local churches to be faithful to the Gospel many times --- surely hundreds of times ---- before one written Gospel even existed?

You forget they had the OT. One can understand Christ in the OT.

His converts didn't become Christians because they had read a text and believed some written testimony. They believed because the Gospel --- the Good News of salvation in Christ --- was conveyed he them by preaching (Oral Tradition)----

I agree there was preaching of the Gospel.

However, what Paul didn't tell them was the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, purgatory, indulgences, etc.

...faith comes from hearing and by the conduct and example of Paul and his many fellow workers.

To be correct....16However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:16-17 NASB

Note: Paul referred back to the written word in this passage.

In fact, he cites the written word many times in Romans and his other writings. The appeal to the text is always there.

[af_vet_1981]

... it seems an odd statement.

Seems logical to me; I've found Baptists transparent about their affiliation. Even if they disagree with Catholics on doctrine I respect Baptists for that transparency.

[af_vet_1981]

I'm addressing your suggestion there were only two prayers the disciples prayed.

I did not suggest there were only two prayers the disciples prayed. You asked if I thought when the disciples prayed this is the only prayer they offered and I suggested another. This in no way was a suggestion there were only two prayers the disciples prayed.

I've illustrated by example that prayer is more than just rote repetition.

Prayer is faith and obedience working together.

I'll ask again....do you ever just talk to God using your own words

I compose my own prayers with faith, reverence, and sincerity. Whether they are really my own words, ...

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans, Catholic chapter eight, Protestant verses twenty sic to twenty seven,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[ealgeone]

I did not suggest there were only two prayers the disciples prayed. You asked if I thought when the disciples prayed this is the only prayer they offered and I suggested another. This in no way was a suggestion there were only two prayers the disciples prayed.

Sure sounded that way.

>>Do you honestly think when the disciples prayed this is the only prayer they offered????<<

I think they did precisely what the Messiah taught them to do. Giving up Sola Scriptura, going by tradition or speculation, one can reason that they also recited the Shema prayer for example, and not just the first verse of which the Messiah quoted in the Gospels as the Greatest/First commandment.

However, the only prayer that I know the Messiah taught them was the Our Father.

[af_vet_1981]

"I think they did precisely what the Messiah taught them to do."

This means they said the Our Father because the Messiah taught them to do so.

"Giving up Sola Scriptura, going by tradition or speculation, one can reason that they also recited the Shema prayer for example, and not just the first verse of which the Messiah quoted in the Gospels as the Greatest/First commandment."

This means if we turn from scriptural evidence and to our own speculation, I speculate they also said traditional Jewish prayers that the Messiah would have approved of, in this case, portions of scripture. They may also have said the Kaddish, if it was in use at that time. They may also have said the Priestly Blessing if The Priestly blessing has been used by the Catholic Church since the first centuries.

We know they asked the Messiah to teach them to pray and that He taught them the Our Father. None of this indicates they only said the Our Father.

Returning to the scriptures, there are other prayers some or all of them prayed specifically, and there are references to observing the Jewish hours of prayer (Third Hour/9am, Sixth Hour/Noon, Ninth Hour/3pm) and other liturgical prayers.

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

...

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour

...

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

...

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

...

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

...

And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

Acts, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses twenty four to twenty five,
Acts, Catholic chapter three, Protestant verse one,
Acts, Catholic chapter four, Protestant verses twenty four to thirty,
Acts, Catholic chapter ten, Protestant verse nine,
Acts, Catholic chapter sixteen, Protestant verses thirteen,
Acts, Catholic chapter twenty two, Protestant verses seventeen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[ealgeone]

We know they asked the Messiah to teach them to pray and that He taught them the Our Father. None of this indicates they only said the Our Father.

I'm glad you made that clear. I was beginning to wonder with the rote form of worship in Roman Catholicism if ya'll only said the Lord's Prayer/Our Father, Hail Mary and Rosary and would believe the disciples only said one or two prayers.

[af_vet_1981]

I see Catholic tradition as closer to Jewish tradition, in that both have liturgical prayers and personal prayers. A close reading of the New Testament convinces me that the apostles were familiar with, and participated in, Jewish liturgical prayers as well as personal prayers related to specific events.

[ealgeone]

A close reading of the New Testament convinces me that the apostles were familiar with, and participated in, Jewish liturgical prayers as well as personal prayers related to specific events.

I would agree with that.