Stories tagged with: pope francis

• Pope's death penalty reversal prompts closer look

  by David Roach, posted Monday, August 06, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

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  ROME (BP) -- Pope Francis' reversal of Catholic teaching on the death penalty continues to draw reaction, with some Southern Baptist theologians saying the move contradicts biblical principles of ethics.

  At the same time, the theologians surveyed by Baptist Press share Francis' concerns about just application of capital punishment amid multiple U.S. lethal injections gone awry in recent years and increasing awareness of racial and economic disparities in the criminal justice system. Read More

• Pope's alleged hell denial scrutinized

  by David Roach, posted Monday, April 02, 2018 (6 years ago)

  

  iStock

  ROME (BP) -- Pope Francis' reported denial that hell exists -- which the Vatican says is not "a faithful transcription" of his words -- has occasioned analyses of both Roman Catholic and biblical teachings on hell.

  "Even if Francis did indeed deny the existence of hell or affirm some form of annihilationism, his comments to a journalist are his personal words and do not constitute Roman Catholic doctrine or change it from its official formulation," said Gregg Allison, a Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor and author of "Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment." Read More

• Pope critiques Lord's Prayer translation

  by David Roach, posted Monday, December 11, 2017 (6 years ago)

  

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  VATICAN CITY (BP) -- Pope Francis' comment that "lead us not into temptation" is a poor translation of a famous line from the Lord's Prayer has generated discussion of Bible translation and the differences between Protestant and Catholic beliefs about Scripture.

  Theologians R. Albert Mohler Jr. of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Benjamin Merkle of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary both said the pope made a good theological point in denying God tempts humans to sin. But Mohler called it "almost breathtaking" that Francis would suggest revising a time-honored ... Read More

• Pope clashes with biblical teaching, Baptists say

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, November 29, 2016 (7 years ago)

  

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Pope Francis' newly extended permission for all priests to forgive the sin of abortion demonstrates sharp disagreement between Roman Catholicism and evangelical Christianity over God's forgiveness, Southern Baptist theologians say.

  In an apostolic letter issued Nov. 21, Pope Francis said he was granting "all priests, in virtue of their ministry, the faculty to absolve those who have committed the sin of procured abortion." ... Read More

• Pope's speech troubling, Southern Baptists say

  by Tom Strode, posted Friday, September 25, 2015 (8 years ago)

  

  Congressional photo by Caleb Smith

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Pope Francis' historic address to Congress proved troubling in both its lack of clarity on moral issues and in its church-state impropriety, Southern Baptist leaders and pastors said.

  The pope spoke to a joint session of Congress on Thursday (Sept. 24), becoming the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to address the U.S. legislative body. Read More

• Study: Pope improves pastors' views of Catholic Church

  by Lisa Cannon Green, posted Friday, September 25, 2015 (8 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pope Francis is boosting the reputation of the Catholic Church among Protestant pastors in America, a new study shows.

  Nearly 4 in 10 say the pope, known for his humility and concern for the poor, has had a positive impact on their opinions of the Catholic Church, LifeWay Research finds. Almost two-thirds view Pope Francis as a genuine Christian and "brother in Christ." Read More

• Baptists 'not threatened' by pope's U.S. visit

  by David Roach, posted Monday, September 21, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- As Pope Francis visits the U.S., Southern Baptist leaders say they stand with his statements of biblical morality but urge Catholics to reject the Vatican's official teaching on salvation in favor of a personal relationship with Christ by faith alone.

  Russell Moore, president of Southern Baptists' Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, hopes Francis will speak to key moral concerns being debated in the public square during his Sept. 22-27 U.S. visit. Read More

• Pope's abortion absolution 'disconnected' from Gospel

  by Erin Roach, posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (9 years ago)

  

  Creative Commons: presidencia.gov.ar

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pope Francis has extended to priests worldwide the authority to offer absolution for the sin of abortion during the Catholic Church's "Holy Year of Mercy," which begins Dec. 8 and runs through Nov. 20 of next year.

  Most priests in the United States already have such authority, but in other nations they must seek permission from bishops, a formal process that has led to frustration among those seeking absolution. Under Roman Catholic canon law, abortion brings automatic excommunication unless the person who has had an abortion or ... Read More

• Evangelicals: Pope's proposals likely to hurt poor

  by Tom Strode, posted Friday, July 10, 2015 (9 years ago)

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Pope Francis' proposals to remedy climate change will likely harm those he most wants to help, according to a Baptist seminary president and an evangelical spokesman. Read More

• Pope's evolution claims 'frustrating'

  by David Roach, posted Wednesday, October 29, 2014 (9 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pope Francis' comments that evolution and the big bang theory do not conflict with Christian doctrine have drawn varied responses from evangelical commentators, with some saying he has departed from Scripture and others claiming he made at least some valid points. Read More