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Last Tuesday, September 22, Pope Francis arrived in Washington, DC, for his
first visit to America, during which he conducted mass, led prayer meetings,
canonized a priest and spent time with children at a Catholic school in Harlem.
He also met with President Barack Obama, addressed a joint session of Congress
and the General Assembly of the United Nations, participated in an interfaith
service at the 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial and visited prisoners at a
correctional facility in the Philadelphia area.
The pope commended America, Congress and world leaders at the United Nations
for their ideals and good works. He also called for greater cooperation to
tackle urgent challenges that affect us all, including migration of refugees,
poverty, religious extremism, injustice, hunger, human trafficking, the weapons
and drug trade, willful destruction of the environment for short-term profit,
protecting human freedoms and upholding the intrinsic value of all life.
He repeatedly emphasized "the common good" as the aim of all good
legislators. That goal can only be achieved, said Pope Francis, when leaders
and groups of people cooperate "in a spirit of subsidiarity and
solidarity." He warned against "simplistic reductionism which sees
only good or evil, or, if you will, the righteous and sinners," urging us
to resist the temptation to categorize others in either/or terms that divide
and polarize people into "us vs. them" camps.
Instead, the pontiff called for us to find "the courage and the
intelligence" to address our common concerns together in order to
"[restore] hope, right ... wrongs, maintain ... commitments, and thus
[promote] the well-being of individuals and of peoples," adding that
"we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mindset of hostility in
order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort to do our
best."
In response to the pope's speech at the U.N., international speaker and
author Lance Wallnau complained that the pope didn't use the opportunity
presented by the invitation to speak before Congress and the U.N. to clearly
present the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But in his message to the bishops in America, the pope said, "Wherever
the name of Jesus is spoken, may the pope's voice also be heard to affirm that:
'He is the Savior'! ... My first word to you is one of thanksgiving to God for
the power of the gospel ... I speak to you as the Bishop of Rome, called by God
in old age ... to watch over the unity of the universal church and to encourage
in charity the journey of all the particular churches toward ever greater
knowledge, faith and love of Christ. ... I too know how hard it is to sow the
gospel among people from different worlds ... I have not come to judge you or
to lecture you. I trust completely in the voice of the One who 'teaches all
things' (John 14:26). Allow me only, in the freedom of love, to speak to you as
a brother among brothers. ... It is not about preaching complicated doctrines,
but joyfully proclaiming Christ who died and rose for our sake."
More on this story can be found at these links:
Lance Rant ... The News You Didn't Hear on Pope's Visit to USA!
[video]. Lance Wallnau's Facebook page
The Big Questions
1. In the media's coverage of the pope's visit, how much did you hear about
Jesus? What was the content of the pope's message to America as you heard it?
Why do you think the pope's speeches to political leaders "sounded"
different from his messages to bishops, and again from his messages to
"the least of these"?
2. Do you think the pope missed an opportunity to preach an evangelistic
gospel message when he spoke to Congress and the United Nations last week? Does
the pope have to make a direct "pitch" about Jesus, or is it enough
for him to quote scripture and do things that Jesus might do, like have lunch
with the homeless and visit prisons?
3. What is the core gospel message? How do we convey or communicate it
effectively? Is our message essentially about securing our place in heaven and
eternal life after this life is over? If we can explain how a person can begin
a relationship with Jesus, is that the sum total of the gospel message?
4. If you were invited to speak to Congress or the United Nations, what
would your message include? What would it exclude? If you wanted to evangelize
a mixed group in such a large setting, how would you do it? Or if you would not
attempt it, why wouldn't you?
5. Business consultant Lance Wallnau said in his Facebook video that the
pope should have preached a Billy Graham-type sermon spelling out that
salvation is only through Jesus' death and resurrection. We know that Billy
Graham had conversations with several presidents, as have other Christian
leaders such as Rick Warren. We are led to believe that some of those conversations
dealt with the presidents' personal salvation and eternal destiny. Is it
reasonable to assume that these Christian leaders spoke of nothing else when in
the presence of the politically powerful?
Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
1 Kings 22:13-14
The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, "Look, the
words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king; let your word
be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably." But Micaiah said,
"As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak."
(For context, read 22:1-28.)
When Ahab ruled the northern kingdom of Israel, he asked Jehoshaphat, ruler
of the southern kingdom of Judah, to go to war against the king of Aram over
disputed territory. Jehoshaphat agreed, but first wanted to know what the
prophets of the Lord had to say about it.
The prophets who were called predicted that Ahab would be successful in his
military campaign. Apparently, Jehoshaphat felt uneasy for some reason, because
he wanted to know whether any other prophet had yet to weigh in on the matter.
Then Ahab admitted that there was another prophet, Micaiah, whose prophecies
were always negative toward him; that is why he had not been called.
Jehoshaphat asked that he be consulted, whereupon the prophet initially
parroted the "PC" advice all the other prophets had given. Ahab
insisted that Micaiah tell him "nothing but the truth in the name of the
LORD" (22:16). So the prophet predicted disaster, and in the ensuing
battle, Ahab was killed.
Questions: Have you ever been criticized for the way you
spoke about the things of God? Did the criticism influence how you spoke about
God and God's message thereafter? What obstacles do people face when they
attempt to speak truth to power? How do you handle these obstacles when you
face them? When other Christians disagree about what is the right message to
bring to power, how do you decide what to say?
Luke 4:16-19, 21
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the
synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the
scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found
the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the
oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." ... Then he
began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your
hearing." (For context, read 4:16-21.)
As Luke concludes his account of the life of Christ, he says Jesus explained
to his disciples all that is written about him in the law and the prophets
concerning his suffering, death and resurrection, and how repentance for the
forgiveness of sins in his name is to be proclaimed to all nations (Luke
24:25-32, 44-48). In Luke 4, Jesus points to one of those prophets, Isaiah, and
declares that his prophecy about the bearer of good news has "today"
been fulfilled -- that is, in Jesus himself. That prophecy does not
specifically mention Jesus' death and resurrection, yet it is clearly very good
news for the poor, the captive, the blind, the oppressed and the enslaved.
The gospel or "evangel" is literally "good news." Its
background is the runner arriving at the palace with good news of victory in
battle. The runner is the "evangelist"; proclaiming the good news is
"evangelism." The smile on the king's face is the only response the
runner needs to know that the message was heard and accepted. Is that all there
is to the runner's life? Is that all there is in the life of the king? Of
course not, but as far as the evangelistic element is concerned, the good news
is all there is. Yet we have four "good news" accounts -- the gospels
of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who chose to include much more that the
"basics" of the good news.
Questions: What is the content of the good news? Where does
Jesus begin to define the content of the gospel? What does it mean to declare
the gospel today?
Matthew 5:1-2; 7:12, 28-29
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down,
his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying, ...
"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is
the law and the prophets...." Now when Jesus had finished saying these
things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one
having authority, and not as their scribes. (For context, read chapters
5-7.)
Some Christians complained that Pope Francis did not invoke the name of
Jesus often enough during his trip. He did, however, quote many scripture
passages, among which was Matthew 7:12, to which he devoted considerable
attention, stating that the Golden Rule "points us in a clear direction.
Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to
be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for
ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped
ourselves."
Questions: Why do some people behave as though the only
things that matter are the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus on earth? Why
do others focus entirely on the teachings of Christ? How do the ethical
teachings of Jesus fit in with his self-sacrifice to save us from sin, death
and eternal punishment?
John 21:20-22
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them ... When
Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said
to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to
you? Follow me!" (For context, read 21:20-23.)
When Peter wanted to know what would happen to the other disciple (unnamed
in John 21), Jesus asked Peter what business it was of his to question how
another servant of God was called to serve; instead, Jesus said, he should focus
on following Jesus himself.
Questions: What might happen to us when we become overly
concerned about whether another believer or church is following God correctly?
How can we guard against a competitive or critical spirit?
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me. 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, and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am
with you always, to the end of the age." (For context, read
28:16-20.)
These words of Jesus, spoken to his 11 disciples just before he ascended
into heaven, are one version of what is commonly known as the Great Commission.
The basic imperative verb is "make disciples," which is accomplished
by going, baptizing and teaching. While other passages speak about proclaiming
or bringing good news (e.g., Romans 10:14-15), those actions are not spelled
out here.
Questions: How would you characterize the purpose of Pope
Francis' visit to America -- was it more about preaching an evangelistic
message, making disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey Jesus'
commands, all of the above, none of the above or something else entirely? Which
is easier for you: evangelizing or disciple-making? Does your church emphasize
one more than the other? If you are weak in one area, what should you do about
it?
For Further Discussion
1. Quickly scan as many of the following passages as time allows,
considering the content of the messages each of these God-followers brought to
people in power:
a, Moses to Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1-2; for context, see chapters 7-12)
b. Nehemiah to King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:3-8)
c. Esther to King Ahasuerus (Esther 7:3-4)
d. John the Baptist to King Herod (Matthew 14:3-4)
e. Jesus to Herod (Luke 23:8-9)
f. Jesus to Pilate (John 18:33-38)
g. Jesus to religious leaders (Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40)
h. Peter and John to the religious leaders (Acts 4:7-12)
i. Paul to King Agrippa (Acts 26:22-28)
What do these passages suggest about how we are to speak to those in power
and what the content of our message might be?
2. Pope Francis stated in his remarks to the United Nations: "It is my
duty to build bridges and to help all men and women, in any way possible, to do
the same." On what biblical and theological foundation do you think the
pope bases his understanding of what constitutes his duty? How do you think the
pope's sense of his calling influenced the way he spoke to members of Congress
and the U.N. General Assembly? Is the task of bridge-building one that all
Christians share? Explain your answer. In what sense was Jesus a
bridge-builder?
3. Comment on this from Serene Jones, President of Union Theological
Seminary, and Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, Senior Pastor of Riverside Church:
"What's revolutionary about Pope Francis is how he lives out his Christian
faith through selfless good deeds, prophetic words to world leaders, and
compassionate pastoral care. He embodies the mandate often credited to his
namesake St. Francis, 'Preach the gospel daily, use words if necessary.' ...
The Pope shows us that we in our churches don't have to change the Christian
message to attract people. We simply have to live it. ... When we follow
Francis' example of preaching the gospel daily while using words only when
necessary, hearts will change, systems will change, and the world will
change."(Full article here.)
4. Respond to this from TWW team member Doug Hargis: "The individuals
that make up Christ's church have various gifts (Ephesians 4:11-13). It is
clear from Paul's writings to the Corinthians that no one gift is possessed by
everyone (I Corinthians 12:7-11, 29-30). Is Pope Francis a gifted evangelist?
Is he a gifted prophet? If the answer is 'no' to either or both of these
questions, then don't criticize him for not doing what he isn't gifted to do.
It is obvious that he is gifted with cheerfully showing mercy (Romans 12:8).
Jesus will say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant' because he shows mercy
(using his gift) and he will not be reprimanded for not being an evangelist or
a prophet if those are not his gifts. What is (are) your spiritual gift(s)? How
can you use that gift this week?"
5. Comment on this about what the evangelist Dwight L. Moody reportedly said
when he was criticized for the way he did evangelism: "I like the way I do
evangelism better than the way you don't do evangelism!"
Responding to the News
This might be a time to consider how you as a Christian might speak to those
in power. If God placed you in that position, how would you speak, and what do
you think God would want you to say?
Closing Prayer
Help us, Lord, to speak graciously about and to others, that we may win a
hearing for the good news of Jesus Christ among people of all nations,
ethnicities, classes and ages. Amen.
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