{"id":50032,"date":"2018-08-02T07:00:08","date_gmt":"2018-08-02T15:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=50032"},"modified":"2018-08-02T06:36:34","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T14:36:34","slug":"pope-claims-death-penalty-is-inadmissible-yet-death-is-part-of-gods-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/doctrine\/pope-claims-death-penalty-is-inadmissible-yet-death-is-part-of-gods-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope claims death penalty is ‘inadmissible,’ yet death is part of God’s plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nThen Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.<\/em> (Revelation 20:14)<\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Pope Francis just changed a long standing Catholic position. Instead of supporting the use of the death penalty, he has decided that it is inadmissible:<\/p>\n

August 2, 2018<\/p>\n

VATICAN CITY (AP) \u2014 Pope Francis has changed Catholic Church teaching about the death penalty, saying in a new policy published Thursday that it is always \u201cinadmissible\u201d because it \u201cattacks\u201d the inherent dignity of all humans.<\/p>\n

The Vatican said Francis had approved a change to the Catechism of the Catholic Church \u2014 the compilation of official Catholic teaching. Previously, the catechism said the church didn\u2019t exclude recourse to capital punishment \u201cif this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new teaching, contained in Catechism No. 2267, says the previous policy is outdated, that there are other ways to protect the common good, and that the church should instead commit itself to working to end capital punishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide,\u201d reads the new text, which was approved in May but only published Thursday. …<\/p>\n

He announced his intention to change church teaching on capital punishment last October, when he marked the 25th anniversary of the publication of the catechism by announcing his intention to update it. The catechism, first promulgated by St. John Paul II, gives Catholics an easy, go-to guide for church teaching on everything from the sacraments to sex.<\/p>\n

At that 2017 ceremony, Francis said the death penalty violates the Gospel and amounts to the voluntary killing of a human life, which \u201cis always sacred in the eyes of the creator.\u201d<\/p>\n

He acknowledged that in the past even the Papal States had allowed this \u201cextreme and inhuman recourse.\u201d But he said the Holy See had erred in allowing a mentality that was \u201cmore legalistic than Christian\u201d and now knew better. https:\/\/www.apnews.com\/b1cf76995c8646118184fc5b009b129c\/Pope-changes-death-penalty-teaching,-now-‘inadmissible’<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em> used to teach:<\/p>\n

2267<\/a><\/b> Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.<\/p>\n

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm – without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself – the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent. http:\/\/www.vatican.va\/archive\/ccc_css\/archive\/catechism\/p3s2c2a5.htm<\/a>\u00a0accessed 08\/02\/18<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And, I copied the above from the Vatican’s website today. So, they have not updated that yet.<\/p>\n

So, here is the new teaching for the Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em>:<\/p>\n

2267<\/strong>. Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.<\/p>\n

Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.<\/p>\n

Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that \u201cthe death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person\u201d,[1]<\/sup>\u00a0and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide. 08\/02\/18 https:\/\/zenit.org\/articles\/pope-francis-decides-to-update-church-catechism-to-assert-church-teaching-against-use-of-death-penalty\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, was the Pope infallible when the previous Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em> came out in roughly 1993 or now?<\/p>\n

Of course, neither. But beyond internal Vatican contradictions (as well as its long history of supporting death of those that opposed it in times like The Spanish Inquisition<\/a><\/span><\/span>), this also shows a lack of understanding of scripture.<\/p>\n

The Old Testament repeatedly and clearly authorized the death penalty for various crimes (e.g. Exodus 21:12,15,16,17).<\/p>\n

God also has humans die physically because of sin:<\/p>\n

\n

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

People get wages for their works. Human works result in death.<\/p>\n

So we see that all deserve death, but that eternal life can be an option.<\/p>\n

As far as when eternal life will be granted, notice the following:<\/p>\n

\n

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:27-28)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God’s plan includes offering everyone, either in this age or the age to come, salvation (see Universal Offer<\/strong> of Salvation<\/strong>: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis<\/a><\/span>).<\/p>\n

But not all will accept the offer of salvation.<\/p>\n

The wicked who will not repent will be totally destroyed:<\/p>\n

\n

1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. … 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. … 20 But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. … 28 For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. … 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off<\/strong>. (Psalm 37:1-2,9-10,20,28,38)<\/p>\n

2 As smoke is driven away,
\nSo drive them away;
\nAs wax melts before the fire,
\nSo let the wicked perish at the presence of God. (Psalm 68:2)<\/p>\n

1 “For behold, the day is coming,
\nBurning like an oven,
\nAnd all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
\nAnd the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
\nSays the Lord of hosts,
\n“That will leave them neither root nor branch.
\n2 But to you who fear My name
\nThe Sun of Righteousness shall arise
\nWith healing in His wings;
\nAnd you shall go out
\nAnd grow fat like stall-fed calves.
\n3 You shall trample the wicked,
\nFor they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet<\/strong>
\nOn the day that I do this,”
\nSays the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:1-3)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God’s plan for the unrepentant, the incorrigibly wicked, is not eternal life. It is total destruction. It is the second death.<\/p>\n

\n

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”‘ … 11 … He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:7,11)<\/p>\n

6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)<\/p>\n

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)<\/p>\n

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Thus, it is a type of death, but permanent. It is not eternal torturing like many claim. It is the ultimate death penalty. Jesus came so we would not have to PERISH THAT WAY, but have eternal life (John 3:16).<\/p>\n

The late Herbert W. Armstrong<\/a> wrote that Obadiah 1:16 applied to those who experience the second death”… and they shall be as though they had not been” (Armstrong HW. Worldwide Church of God. Life After Death? 1978).<\/p>\n

Here is that scripture:<\/p>\n

\n

16 For as you drank on My holy mountain,
\nSo shall all the nations drink continually;
\nYes, they shall drink, and swallow,
\nAnd they shall be as though they had never been. (Obadiah 16)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Those subject to the second death will no longer exist.<\/p>\n

Notice the plan for those who were converted as well as for those who will refuse to convert:<\/p>\n

\n

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:6-8)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Those souls that refuse to repent after the second resurrection will die and be no more.<\/p>\n

If that were not the case, the following would not be possible:<\/p>\n

\n

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”<\/p>\n

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:3-5)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There still could be crying and pain if the incorrigible were not destroyed.<\/p>\n

The second death will eliminate the wicked–body, soul, and spirit.<\/p>\n

The second death penalty is something that God considers more than admissible. It is a merciful way to eliminate those who would otherwise cause misery for themselves and others.<\/p>\n

The Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> also has this sermon from its ContinuingCOG<\/a> channel:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1:10:08 <\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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First death, Second death<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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\n
\n
Can souls die? What is the first death? Can people physically die more than once? Is death like sleep? Did early Christians believe they were immortal? Did early Christians believe in a physical resurrection? Are there multiple resurrections? What happens when Jesus returns? What is the second death? Who is subject to the second death? Do the wicked become ashes or will they be tortured forever? What did the early Church believe? What do most Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestants believe? Do they or the Church of God hold to the original and biblical teachings on these matters? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and provides additional information on the first death, the second death, and even what happens afterwards.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Here is a link to the sermon: First death, Second death<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Some items of related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

The Second Death<\/a> The New Testament speaks of something called the “second death.” Who will be subject to it? How does it end? Here is a link to a related sermon: First death, Second death<\/a>.
\nAre The Wicked Tormented Forever or Burned Up?<\/a> How does one explain Revelation 14:11 in light of Malachi 4:3? What happens to the incorrigibly wicked<\/span>?
\nDid Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?<\/a> What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism? Here is a YouTube video titled Are humans immortal?<\/a>
\nThe Rich Man and Lazarus<\/a> What was Jesus teaching in Luke 16?
\nWhere are Enoch and Elijah?<\/a> Booklet by the late Dr. Herman Hoeh.
\nWhat Happens After Death?<\/a> Is death like sleep, or is that a cultic idea? Can you speak to the dead? Here is a link to a related sermon: What really happens after death?<\/a>
\nWhat Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrections?<\/a> Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections? Here is a link to a related sermon: Understanding the Resurrections<\/a>.
\nIs God Calling You?<\/a> This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond?
\nChristian Repentance<\/a> Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance<\/a>.
\nWhich Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing<\/em> Church of God?<\/a> Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Portugu\u00eas: Qual \u00e9 fiel: A igreja cat\u00f3lica romana ou a igreja do deus?<\/a>]
\nPersecutions by Church and State<\/a> This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted\u2013this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church<\/a>.
\nThe Spanish Inquisition and Early Protestant Persecutions<\/a><\/span> Was the Church of Rome really responsible for this? What happened? A video of related interest is titled: The Past and Future Inquisition<\/a>.
\n<\/span>Universal Offer<\/strong> of Salvation<\/strong>: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis<\/a> Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account? Related sermon videos include Universal Offer of Salvation I: God is love <\/a> and Universal Offer of Salvation II: The Age to Come and the ‘Little Flock’<\/a> and Universal Offer of Salvation III: All Are to Know Jesus, But When? <\/span><\/a>and Universal Offer of Salvation IV: Will the Guilty be Pardoned?<\/span><\/a> and Universal Offer of Salvation V: All Israel Will be Saved? <\/span><\/a> A version of the main article was also translated in the Spanish language: Oferta universal de salvaci\u00f3n: Hay cientos de vers\u00edculos en la Biblia que apoyan la verdadera doctrina de la Apocatastasis<\/a>.<\/span>The Gospel of the Kingdom of God<\/a> This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World\u2019s False Gospel<\/a>, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments<\/a>, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution<\/a>.
\n<\/strong>Where is the True Christian Church Today?<\/a> This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? <\/a>Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: \u00bfD\u00f3nde est\u00e1 la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?<\/a> Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?<\/a> Here is a link in the French language: O\u00f9 est la vraie \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne aujourd\u2019hui?<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a> This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D<\/a>. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries<\/a> and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries<\/a>. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuaci\u00f3n de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios<\/a>, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes<\/a>, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw\u2019ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete<\/a>.
\n<\/strong>CCOG.ORG<\/a> Continuing<\/a><\/em> Church of God<\/a> The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. There are links to literature is about 100 different languages there. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing<\/em> Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished?<\/a> an CCOG: Four Years Revealing Philadelphia?<\/a> Here is a written link to a version of that first sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer a\u00f1o de la Continuaci\u00f3n de la Iglesia de Dios: \u00bfQu\u00e9 se ha cumplido?
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14) COGwriter Pope Francis just changed a long standing Catholic position. Instead of supporting the use of the death penalty, he has decided that it is inadmissible: August 2, 2018 VATICAN CITY (AP) \u2014 Pope Francis has changed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctrine","category-religious-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t