Pope Rebuked For Claiming The Heart Is Inherently Good: ‘Jesus Taught To The Contrary’

Harbingers Daily ^ | 5/24/24 | Decision Magazine

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Pope Francis is under fire after claiming that human beings are “fundamentally good” in a recent interview with 60 Minutes host Norah O’ Donnell. “We are all fundamentally good,” he said. “Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good.”

Evangelical leaders have pointed out that the pontiff’s statements are contrary to the teaching of original sin, one of Christianity’s basic doctrines. “If this is true, we don’t need a Savior to die on the Cross,” wrote Eric Metaxas, best-selling author and national radio host.

Alluding to the pope’s statements in light of the 24/7 news cycle, Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber posted on X: “The remainder of the content of this news program and all the other programming on your TV suggests otherwise. And certainly Jesus taught to the contrary.”

Allie Beth Stuckey, conservative Christian author and podcast host, pointed out that the Bible refutes Pope Francis’ claims that humanity is inherently good. She quoted Mark 10:18—“No one is good except God alone”—and Jeremiah 17:9—“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick”—among other verses. “This is core to Christianity,” Stuckey wrote. “Because if everyone is basically good, the Gospel is not good news. If the Gospel is not good news, what’s the point?”

Some X users also noted that Pope Francis’ statement echoed Pelagianism, a heresy spread by 5th century monk Pelagius and his followers. They denied original sin and taught that human beings are completely free to choose between good and evil.

Franklin Graham speaks out regularly on sin—and how it is the root cause of every problem in our world. “There is no place in the human heart or on the Earth where sin hasn’t wrought its deadly work,” he writes. “Sin brought death, both physical and spiritual, to the entire human race. When you took your first breath, outside your mother’s womb, you were already a sinner, alienated and separated from a holy God.”

But the Good News of the Gospel is that sin does not need to have the last word. As Franklin pointed out last week at the U.S. Capitol, during the unveiling of his father’s statue: “God so loved this world that He sent His Son on a rescue mission to save sinners. He didn’t come to condemn; He came to save. And if we would confess our sins and repent and believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be saved.”

[af_vet_1981]

I think you know the answer to your question regarding David. Does it change your opinion of him?

...
What they didn't realize was no matter how much a person tried not to break the Law, they were already condemned by the Law as no one could keep it perfectly.

I think that view of the law is faulty. No, not condemned by the law already; but perhaps guiltless as evidenced by this scripture.

Matthew 12:

1. At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
5. Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6. But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

[af_vet_1981]

The Bible says stealing is stealing....the amount or the item doesn't matter.

Where does the Bible say “stealing is stealing?” Is is not rather that what you wrote is not written and that “ the amount or the item doesn't matter” is your personal interpretation which, it seems to me, is similar to interpretations the Pharisees adopted to try to keep the people from sin ?

[ealgeone]

Exodus 20:15. Thou shall not steal.

It is Rome that has become the modern day Pharisees by attempting to minimize the clear teaching of this commandment.

The commandment is clear: you can’t steal. Period.

[af_vet_1981]

Exodus 20:15. Thou shall not steal. It is Rome that has become the modern day Pharisees by attempting to minimize the clear teaching of this commandment.

The commandment is clear: you can’t steal. Period.

Interesting, so is it your position that the commandment would make any other explanations unnecessary ?

For example, did you steal today ?
Did you steal on April 15th ?

[ealgeone]

Yeah, I’ve stolen before. It may have been a pen from work. That’s stealing. I’m sure I’ve stolen time as well.

When we think about every aspect of our lives it becomes clear we’re all guilty of sin. And that includes our thought lives.

That’s what most people don’t think about. They think if I haven’t actually done the physical act it doesn’t count.

Jesus made it clear your thoughts are on the table when it comes to sin.

[af_vet_1981]

Yeah, I’ve stolen before. It may have been a pen from work. That’s stealing. I’m sure I’ve stolen time as well.

Interesting response although not what these two questions were referring to; they pertain to two passages which had to explain, or add to, the commonly understood meaning of "Thou shalt not steal" or in Hebrew לֹא תִגְנֹב

1. For example, did you steal today ?
   
   This refers to:
   Zechariah 3:8
   and there were three tithes, not just one.
   
   Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
   
   
2. Did you steal on April 15th ?
   
   And this refers to all currency belonging to the issuing governing authority of said currency and giving that currency back to that authority when requested: there are a lot of taxation laws and rules.
   Mark 12:
   
   14. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
   15. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
   16. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
   17. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

[ealgeone]

We’re not under the OT tithing system.

And on April 15 I wrote a check to the gubmint. Boy, did I write a check.

[af_vet_1981]

We’re not under the OT tithing system.

Well, the topic was "Thou shalt not steal" and your opinion that it was a simple and absolute commandment. I pointed out that the scriptures show that it is not so simple and absolute.

Do you agree that the scripture (Malachi 3:8) says it is stealing from God not to bring all the tithes and offerings ?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

I understand your point that you do not feel obligated to keep this commandment since it is in the Old Testament, but so is "Thou shalt not steal" so it is not as simple as claimed and scouter was making cogent points about sin and serious matter.

[ealgeone]

Let’s be clear: you’re saying one of the Ten Commandments is not absolute.

A Commandment from God is not absolute per you.

[af_vet_1981]

Let’s be clear: you’re saying one of the Ten Commandments is not absolute.

Where in the Bible does it say there are only "the Ten Commandments" and can you explain by what authority this commandment is not kept absolute but has been changed ?

Exodus 20:

8. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 31:

14. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

[ealgeone]

Let’s stay on the not stealing one for now.

[ealgeone]

22“These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud and of the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more. He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. 23“And when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders. 24“You said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire; we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives. 25‘Now then why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer, then we will die. 26‘For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27‘Go near and hear all that the LORD our God says; then speak to us all that the LORD our God speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.’

28“The LORD heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the LORD said to me, ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. 29‘Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! 30‘Go, say to them, “Return to your tents.” 31‘But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I give them to possess.’ 32“So you shall observe to do just as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33“You shall walk in all the way which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess. Deut 5:22-32 NASB 95

[ealgeone]

Where in the Bible does it say there are only "the Ten Commandments" and can you explain by what authority this commandment is not kept absolute but has been changed ?

You might want to take it up with the Author Himself.

God does not contradict Himself.

Your understanding of the passages is what's in question.

[af_vet_1981]

Let’s stay on the not stealing one for now.

Okay, I posted three scriptures showing that commandment and you, it seems to me, wrote that the Word of the LORD that came to Malachi no longer applies absolutely: Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

By what authority does "Thou shalt not steal" no longer apply to robbing God ?

[ealgeone]

The issue of the Old Testament tithe was a part of the Law. We are no longer under the Law; hence the tithe no longer applies.

In the passage you cited from Malachi the people were not giving the tithe as required by God....and IIRC it would have been around 23%...not the 10% most think of today.

God rightly judged the people of robbing Him.

IF we were still under the Law then we would have to be giving 23% of our income/first fruits.

[af_vet_1981]

There were 3 tithes, so 30%.

The issue of the Old Testament tithe was a part of the Law. We are no longer under the Law;

Thou shalt not steal was also part of the Law, as were the other commandments. By what authority are some of these commandments omitted or modified and others retained ? That does not fit the model of absolute and clear.

[ealgeone]

As I said before....you'll have to take it up with the Author Himself.

I will again say God does not contradict Himself in any matter.

I will say regarding the issue of the sabbath you raise, I believe additional information is provided, much as we have in Genesis 2....nothing contradicting anything.

[ealgeone]

There were 3 tithes, so 30%.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.

https://www.gotquestions.org/tithing-Christian.html

[scouter]

Actually, I’m not contradicting the Bible at all. The existence of sins that do not lead to death (what Catholics refer to as venial sins) is explicitly spoken of by John.

1 John 5:16-17 says “16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”

[ealgeone]

The wages of sin is death. The RC understanding is incorrect.