AmericanPapist Comments
"I think, however, that she is missing a helpful distinction: while it is true that anyone who is saved from original sin is saved only in Jesus Christ, it is not true that every person need explicitly believe that truth in order to be saved."
I am willing to admit that the above statement might be an accurate interpretation of Doctrine. I certainly hope it is--with all my heart. However, in light of the magesterial statement of Unam Sanctam, I hope we can accept that Mr.Peters might not be right.
"Now, therefore, we declare, say, determine and pronounce that for every human creature it is necessary for salvation to be subject to the authority of the Roman pontiff" (Porro subesse Romano Pontifici omni humanae creaturae declaramus, dicimus, definimus, et pronuntiamus omnino esse de necessitate salutis).
-Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam, 1302
See, this one gets me.
The one True Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Yes. Our Mother. Yes. Our Holy Father and his authority. Again, yes yes yes.
But why do people have such a problem with the hope, HOPE of a greater salvation? I do not argue that it's an error to teach such a "doctrine" but we are allowed to pray for that hope,... and WHY is it not liberal poppycock, you ask?
1. The laborers in the Vineyard. May God forbid we Catholics from becoming the grumblers...
2. The prayer Our Lady gave us at Fatima. Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of Hell. LEAD ALL SOULS INTO HEAVEN ESPECIALLY THOSE IN MOST NEED OF THY MERCY. This is an amazing prayer. This is an amazing hope.
We don't need politicians expounding on salvation.... but still. Let's pray for Divine Mercy, not against it...
Of course any true Christian desires that all people go to Heaven. However, in my estimation, charity requires that in matter where the issue is not settled, such as the exact meaning of salvation and membership in the Church, we must preach the narrowest acceptable definition otherwise we do those outside the Church a grave disservice. No one should ever be tricked into believing that he is good enough.
"Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama suggested Wednesday that Jesus Christ is not the only way to heaven during a campaign event in North Carolina."
Which presidents in the history of the USA would say otherwise? This matter is an important theological issue, but I don't think it is a relevant matter for presidential politics.
I'm very impressed by the charity of AP and the comments here. The original article seems to be cheap shot. Needless to say, the campaign trail is not the best place to disucss specutative theology and the means of salvation.
The author's perspective on salvation is a pretty standard one among evangelical Protestants, so it's not that surprising she misses this distinction.
How to square Lumen Gentium with Boniface's statement I leave to commentators better informed than I.
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