Contrary to the clear teachings of scripture, Pope Francis believes that faith is not required by God for salvation. Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari.
Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.
“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”
Clearly, this statement is at odds with scripture:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and thatHe is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. -Hebrews 11:6
Pope Francis, like many believers today, has a form of godliness but denies the power thereof. That power is the authority of God and His Word. The bible informs us that the human conscience was marred by sin, sin defined as disobedience to God’s commands, and therefore not trustworthy.
Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”
In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?”
A dialoge with the world consistent with the Gospel would be “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” not if it feels good do it. God’s word has something to say on that one too:
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. -Proverbs 14:12
