Spe Salvi

[coda]

Does the Holy Father’s encyclical more than imply that "most are saved’? How are we to receive encyclicals-- are we to put full faith in them, even though not dogmatic decrees?

 

[steve_b]

Does the Holy Father’s encyclical more than imply that "most are saved’? How are we to receive encyclicals-- are we to put full faith in them, even though not dogmatic decrees?

Benedict doesn’t imply most are saved. He doesn’t deny hell or its existance, or that people don’t go to hell… He does in one section contrast OT Jewish thinking of purification after death with our understanding of purtgatory. Which fits with his encyclical of hope.

 

[coda]

Benedict doesn’t imply most are saved. He doesn’t deny hell or its existance, or that people don’t go to hell… He does in one section contrast OT Jewish thinking of purification after death with our understanding of purtgatory. Which fits with his encyclical of hope.

Correct, Benedict does not deny hell or it’s existance–nor do I. However,in Spi Salvi, he tells us that { in regards to purgatory} most of us do not deserve hell, as well as not being fit {immediately} for heaven. – Purgatory being our much needed purification–but most still SAVED. This being indeed incongruent with many of our church doctors and fathers view that most will not be saved.

 

[steve_b]

Correct, Benedict does not deny hell or it’s existance–nor do I. However,in Spi Salvi, he tells us that { in regards to purgatory} most of us do not deserve hell, as well as not being fit {immediately} for heaven. – Purgatory being our much needed purification–but most still SAVED. This being indeed incongruent with many of our church doctors and fathers view that most will not be saved.

If one makes it to purgatory EVERYONE in purgatory will ultimately go to heaven. Doctors of the faith and ECF don’t disagree with that. Benedict doen’t say everyone goes to purgatory therefore no hell. Am I understanding your point?

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html

 

[coda]

If one makes it to purgatory EVERYONE in purgatory will ultimately go to heaven. Doctors of the faith and ECF don’t disagree with that. Benedict doen’t say everyone goes to purgatory therefore no hell. Am I understanding your point?

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html

re read the first post for clarity. I am questioning the departure from many church fathers and doctors of our faith in regards to Pope Benedict’s encyclical Spe Salvi. Benedict DOES INDEED tell us that the vast majority of mankind WILL be saved . {Unlike the view of many church fathers, doctors and saints who felt the great majority would not be saved}

I wanted (name removed by moderator)ut on how we as catholics should view this encyclical, as our traditional view of salvation is much less generous than Pope Benedict’s.

 

[steve_b]

re read the first post for clarity. I am questioning the departure from many church fathers and doctors of our faith in regards to Pope Benedict’s encyclical Spe Salvi. Benedict DOES INDEED tell us that the vast majority of mankind WILL be saved . {Unlike the view of many church fathers, doctors and saints who felt the great majority would not be saved}

I wanted (name removed by moderator)ut on how we as catholics should view this encyclical, as our traditional view of salvation is much less generous than Pope Benedict’s.

Where does he say that? I gave you the link to the encyclical. Please quote him

 

[Joe_5859]

Where does he say that? I gave you the link to the encyclical. Please quote him

Indeed, it would be helpful for the discussion if you could give us quotes from Benedict and quotes from the Early Church Fathers. My first inclination whenever there is a perceived inconsistency is that there is a good explanation that would bring it all together. It’s hard to do that without quotes, though. It’s hard to respond to vague impressions.

I think it’s worth saying, though, that I would take the word of a Pope over one of the Church Fathers any day. The Church Fathers are not infallible.

 

[diggerdomer]

Does the Holy Father’s encyclical more than imply that "most are saved’? How are we to receive encyclicals-- are we to put full faith in them, even though not dogmatic decrees?

Encyclicals are authoritative teaching of the Pope via the ordinary Magisterium. We should put full faith in them.