Several months ago the Palm Beach Post had the following article:
“U.S. Catholic bishops, whose church has spent hundreds of years trying to convert Jews to Christianity, have come to the conclusion that it is theologically unacceptable to target Jews for evangelism, according to a statement issued Monday by organizations representing U.S. Catholic bishops and rabbis from the country’s two largest Jewish denominations. Citing teachings dating back to the Second Vatican Council—and statements by Pope John Paul II throughout his papacy—the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared unequivocally that the biblical covenant between Jews and God is valid and therefore Jews do not need to be saved through faith in Jesus.”
What a contrast! These words stand in marked contrast to the words of John and Paul, whose names were adopted by the late pope. John said to Jews of his day, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). Is there any wonder John would say this since he heard Jesus say, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6)? He also heard Jesus give the Great Commission which involved teaching every creature, even the Jews, and ending with the words, “He who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). The apostle Paul affirmed that his own nation, the Jews, had not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God and that his heart’s desire and prayer was that they might be saved (Rom. 10:1-3).
Political correctness cannot trump faithfulness! When will we ever learn that preaching the gospel and being politically correct are not compatible? The gospel is a sword which Jesus said would create strife between His followers and those around them. The peace brought by the Prince of Peace is not the peace of political correctness (Matt. 10:34).
Don’t rush to judge and condemn the Catholic bishops! Now before you pass quick judgment on these men, you might look at your own actions. Is there much difference in saying that any group of Jews or Gentiles do not need Jesus to be saved, and knowing they need salvation and not doing anything to save them!