In Brief...World News Review - Pope Offers Shortcut to Salvation
Pope John Paul II has announced that throughout the millennium celebration, those who do charitable deeds, or give up cigarettes or alcohol for one day can earn "indulgence" that will eliminate time in purgatory.
ROME: (New York Times/Special Report) - For many Roman Catholics the year 2000 offers early salvation. Pope John Paul II has announced that throughout the millennium celebration, those who do charitable deeds, or give up cigarettes or alcohol for one day can earn "indulgence" that will eliminate time in purgatory. Indulgences are an ancient form of church-granted amnesty that release penitents from certain forms of punishment. In fact the medieval church sold indulgences, a practice that drove Martin Luther to rebel, finally leading to the Reformation, from which many Protestant churches trace their beginnings. Some liberal Catholics are embarrassed by a practice that seems to offer such a simplistic shortcut to salvation.
In a papal document just released entitled Incarnations Mysterium (The Mystery of Incarnation), John Paul formally proclaimed the year 2000 a Holy Year. The edict will also in many ways serve as a practical guide to spiritual salvation during the millennium period. John Paul decreed that the jubilee would begin on Christmas Day 1999, and end on the Feast of Epiphany January 6, 2001.
The pope says individual sinners will be granted "plenary indulgences," a full pardon for sins as opposed to a shortening of time spent in purgatory. In Catholic theology, souls in purgatory are purifying themselves before entry into heaven.
The pope's decision to expand the use of indulgences during the millennium celebration is not entirely surprising. In 1985 the pope allowed Catholics to receive indulgences via television. But indulgences (which began in early times of the church) have not always been viewed favorably. In the 16th century Pope Julius II offered indulgences in exchange for contributions to the construction of St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Martin Luther protested and was excommunicated in 1521.
Only God can forgive sin! Any religious organization that suggests we can receive a form of forgiveness‚ regardless of what it is called,..is an organization that has: "a form of godliness, but denies the power thereof:...from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5 paraphrased)
If "wisdom is the principal thing" (Proverbs 4:7), then we might be wise to pay close attention to the words of the Apostle Paul. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
An Article from:
World News and Prophecy: January 1999
Course Content
David Palmer
Born in Saskatchewan Canada, David Palmer was first introduced to the radio broadcast of the World Tomorrow during his career in broadcasting, when the program was aired during his on air shift. In 1965 his radio career took him to Vancouver British Columbia, where he was eventually baptized, and began attending Sabbath services. He was ordained to the ministry in 1983. Now retired from broadcasting David currently pastors congregations in Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. He is also a member of the UCG-Canada National Council, and serves on the Canadian Ministerial Services Team, as well as the Canadian Media Team
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
