This past week, Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic church, came out with a statement that said all Catholics should embrace cohabitating couples (i.e. people living together and having sex outside of marriage). Is that biblical? What does the Bible say about this? First, a definition . . .
Fornication - sexual intercourse between people who are not married to each other, especially when considered as a sin.
Here's the quote:
"The Church does not close the door to those who struggle on the path of faith, indeed, she throws the door wide open, because everyone 'needs merciful and encouraging pastoral attention' [Amoris Laetitia, 293]," the pope said Monday.
[That's true so far... He goes on...]
"Everyone. Do not forget this word: everyone, everyone, everyone. Jesus said this when those invited to the wedding did not come, and Jesus says: 'Go into the streets and bring everyone, everyone, everyone — But Lord, all the good ones, no? — No, everyone! Good and bad! Everyone, everyone.' Do not forget that word 'everyone,' which is in a sense the vocation of the Church, mother of all."
The Pope referenced a parable told by Jesus found in Matthew 22.
"And again, Jesus spoke to them . . ."
Who is them? Who was Jesus talking to?
"When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that He was speaking about them." - Matthew 21:45
The Bible is all the proof we need.
Jesus goes on in Chapter 22 to the tell His parable. There's a link below so you can read the entire parable if you wish but here's Bob's condensed version.
Jesus didn't invite 'everyone' into heaven, as the Pope claims. The word 'everyone' that the Pope used so many times in his statement is not even found in the text. At least the ESV that I used.
"But they (the Pharisees and religious leaders) paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another town his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them." - Matthew 22:5-6
Who are Jesus' servants here? They are disciples. Let's continue reading.
"The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find." - Matthew 22:8-9
The 'invited' were the Pharisees and religious leaders who refused to hear Jesus' teaching. And the text doesn't say 'everyone' as the Pope claims. It says, 'as many as you can find.' These are the Gentiles.
From my MacArthur study Bible:
'This illustrates the free offer of the Gospel, which is extended to all indiscriminately.'
Conclusion?
The Pope does not know his Bible. Shame on him - the leader of his flock. He is a false teacher. His fate will be worse that those he is leading in the wrong direction. I'm no Biblical scholar either but at least I read and study my Bible. So should the Pope.
If you are a member of the Catholic church, I encourage you to leave it. Trust in the Lord and in His Word. Do not listen to mere men, including me. Trust God.
Jesus ends His parable with these words...
"For many are called, but few are chosen." - Matthew 22:14
