Nonbelievers Too Can Be Saved, Says Pope!

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).

Whoever seeks peace and the good of the community with a pure conscience, and keeps alive the desire for the transcendent, will be saved even if he lacks biblical faith, says Benedict XVI. Honestly, who do you know that fits such an outlandish stereotype? Remind me again… Why do I need the Holy Bible and why did Christ die?

The Pope made this affirmation today at the general audience, commenting on a meditation written by St. Augustine. “They (perfect unbelievers) have a spark of desire for the unknown, for the greatest, for the transcendent, for a genuine redemption," explained the Pope, quoting Augustine.

It only takes a spark! "And he (the Pope) says that among the persecutors, among the nonbelievers, there are people with this spark, with a kind of faith, of hope, in the measure that is possible for them in the circumstances in which they live," the Holy Father continued.

"With this faith in an unknown reality, they are really on the way to the authentic Jerusalem, to Christ," he clarified (better, muddled).

Forgive me for interrupting Mr. Pope but Faith in an unknown anything will not save anyone! Augustine knew that the restless heart of the lost person needed more than a spark. Jesus is no spark! He is the Light of the World. Now that makes a tremendous difference to those of us who have faith in a known reality, namely, Jesus. Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (biblical faith is necessary).

The Light of the world has entered into the darkness of evil and unbelief and lostness and death, and this darkness (call it a spark) does not understand Jesus. In John 12:46 Jesus says, "I have come as light into the world that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." So believers have passed from darkness to light! John 12:36 says, "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of the light." When you believe in Jesus not only do you leave the darkness and enter the light; you actually join the family of the light - you become children of the light. Paul said, "Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:8).