All articles tagged with #theology
White evangelical Christians are significant supporters of Israel, influencing U.S. policy due to their organized and dedicated constituency. This support is rooted in historical and theological connections, which are explored in the context of current Middle Eastern conflicts.
Pope Benedict XVI's final book, "What Is Christianity? The Last Writings," posthumously published, serves as his spiritual testament, addressing previously unexplored issues and expanding on social and theological questions. The book, intended for a broad audience, includes reflections on topics such as interfaith dialogue, the Catholic priesthood, and the importance of mercy in the modern world. It also honors figures like St. John Paul II and Father Alfred Delp. Benedict's wisdom emphasizes the silent example of St. Joseph, the joy of missionary work, the necessity of God's mercy, and the enduring message of martyrs.
Bishop Carlton Pearson, the founder of a former megachurch in Oklahoma, has died at the age of 70. Pearson gained international attention for rejecting the idea of hell and supporting gay rights, leading to a decline in his church's membership. He was branded a heretic by evangelical leaders but later became a United Church of Christ minister. Pearson's theological change also resulted in his resignation from the board of regents of Oral Roberts University. Despite the controversy, he was remembered as a caring individual who touched many lives. Pearson's story was chronicled in the Netflix movie "Come Sunday." He is survived by his mother, a son, a daughter, and his former wife.
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, his longtime personal theologian and ghostwriter, as the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Fernández, known for his prolific writing and controversial past publications, will take up the position in September. The pope emphasized the importance of "guarding the faith" and promoting theological knowledge in the dicastery's work. Fernández has been involved in drafting key documents for Pope Francis, including Evangelii Gaudium and Amoris Laetitia.
Pope Francis has written a letter to Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, the new Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), asking him to promote the transmission of faith and guard its teaching. The Pope emphasized the need for a renewed proclamation of the Gospel message and encouraged the Dicastery to become an instrument of evangelization in an unprecedented context for humanity. He called for theologians who prioritize a theology that presents a loving and merciful God, and warned against overshadowing central issues with secondary ones. The Pope also urged the new Prefect to ensure that the Dicastery's documents have adequate theological support and are coherent with the perennial teaching of the Church.