Hello Genesis, glad to see ya enter this thread…
Also, there is the example of St. Paul in Acts 17:23
Already discussed this one in post
46. And I totally get the point and agree that we find those elements of truth
and use them as tools to convert.
If this part of the equation is not plugged in, we are doing nothing but making folks “comfortable” on their way to eternal damnation…(objectively speaking of course) and we’ll be held to account for it. It leads to the exact opposite of converting since it “
gives rise to the belief that their admiration is not meant merely for the persons…but rather for the errors which these persons openly profess and which they do all in their power to propagate.” (loosely quoting
Pascendi there). And this is nuts, because
converting people to Christ is the very command of Christ to His Church (Matt 28:18-20)!
The problem I see, therefore, is this
lack of the call to conversion coupled with the overflowing compliments and respect and praise heaped on these false religions. Check out my post
51, which cites the very profile from the Vatican on the
THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE - which grew out of the very VII document we are discussing. It specifically lays out its goals - and conversion isn’t in there. In fact, it it’s methodology section, it specifically says that it is
not a tool of conversion.
And Pius XI, in his encyclical on the missions Rerum Ecclesiae), says the Chinese’ “although pagan in large majority have a natural inclination towards solitude, prayer, and contemplation” which prepares them for the Gospel and contempletive life.
Again - I agree here with idenitying certain carachteristics that will be beneficial in the Christian life and as “first step” tools to convert. But here, Pope Pius XI is only saying that the cultural inclination to solitude, prayer, and contemplation among the Chinese has
proved to make them good candidates for the monastic life.
All one has to do is read the first paragraph of
Rerum Ecclesiae to know exactly where Pius XI is coming from…it’s all about conversion and all about winning souls for Christ…
In reviewing attentively the history of the Church, one cannot fail to notice how, from the first ages of Christianity, the especial care and solicitude of the Roman Pontiffs **have been directed to the end that they, undeterred by difficulties and obstacles, might spread the light of the Gospel and the benefits of Christian culture and civilization to the peoples who “sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.” The Church has no other reason for existence than, by developing the Kingdom of Christ on earth, to make mankind participate in the effects of His saving Redemption. **Whoever, by Divine Commission, takes the place on earth of Jesus Christ, becomes thereby
the Chief Shepherd who, far from being able to rest content with simply guiding and protecting the Lord’s Flock which has beer; confided to him to rule,
fails in his special duty and obligations if he does not strive by might and main to win over and to join to Christ all who are still without the Fold.
Peace in Christ,
DustinsDad
