"Oh, but Francis was all for bringing in blessings of alphabet people. Yes, I know the Vatican tied itself in knots to say it was not blessing certain behaviors. But we should not be so dense as to not know ecclesiastical winks and nods when we see them."
Even if they aren't winks and nods, but genuine attempts to be welcoming while remaining orthodox, my long experience in progressive adjacent churches suggests that such practices tend to open the door to serious confusion and encourage or permit many people to drift from orthodoxy.
There's a reason Paul tells Timothy to "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." If people aren't continually taught the truth of scripture clearly, they will drift, like sheep without a shepherd.
I believe in what I call retroactive prayer, and have engaged in it many times, not alone in regard to the fate of someone's soul, but about many things: that someone who thought in 1978 that I had snubbed her would have had the perception in the many years since that it was not an act of snobbery is a perfect example. The odds are good that she is still alive, but I have also prayed about people whom I know have died.
And why not? God is outside time and has always known that I would be praying such prayers, about whom or whatever. And so I see nothing amiss in one's praying that Francis have believed on The Lord Jesus Christ.
I've never discussed this with my pastor, but know him well enough that I would be surprised if he has not prayed such prayers. The one person I have mentioned it to, a lady in my church, was nearly ecstatic to hear it. She herself has been engaging in such prayers for many years.
I've had the thought that in the last days the apostasy will become so widespread that the genuine remnant of believers from all branches of Christianity will find unity in their faithfulness under persecution.
A little late to pray for his soul, as he is either in the presence of Christ now or in Hades waiting for the great white throne judgment. Where he is at depends on what he believed. Did he believe in Christ alone for his salvation, or was he depending upon his keeping the laws of the Catholic Church for his salvation?
"Oh, but Francis was all for bringing in blessings of alphabet people. Yes, I know the Vatican tied itself in knots to say it was not blessing certain behaviors. But we should not be so dense as to not know ecclesiastical winks and nods when we see them."
Even if they aren't winks and nods, but genuine attempts to be welcoming while remaining orthodox, my long experience in progressive adjacent churches suggests that such practices tend to open the door to serious confusion and encourage or permit many people to drift from orthodoxy.
There's a reason Paul tells Timothy to "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." If people aren't continually taught the truth of scripture clearly, they will drift, like sheep without a shepherd.
I believe in what I call retroactive prayer, and have engaged in it many times, not alone in regard to the fate of someone's soul, but about many things: that someone who thought in 1978 that I had snubbed her would have had the perception in the many years since that it was not an act of snobbery is a perfect example. The odds are good that she is still alive, but I have also prayed about people whom I know have died.
And why not? God is outside time and has always known that I would be praying such prayers, about whom or whatever. And so I see nothing amiss in one's praying that Francis have believed on The Lord Jesus Christ.
I've never discussed this with my pastor, but know him well enough that I would be surprised if he has not prayed such prayers. The one person I have mentioned it to, a lady in my church, was nearly ecstatic to hear it. She herself has been engaging in such prayers for many years.
I've had the thought that in the last days the apostasy will become so widespread that the genuine remnant of believers from all branches of Christianity will find unity in their faithfulness under persecution.
You are likely correct.
A little late to pray for his soul, as he is either in the presence of Christ now or in Hades waiting for the great white throne judgment. Where he is at depends on what he believed. Did he believe in Christ alone for his salvation, or was he depending upon his keeping the laws of the Catholic Church for his salvation?
Well, we are so confined by time but God is not. So I think we can so pray if we can do so with a good conscience.
I'm pretty sure C. S. Lewis wrote on this topic, but I forget where.
Doesn’t matter what C.S. Lewis said. What is important is what God said in His Word. Luke 16:19-31 come to mind.