Shane Claiborne writes of Pope Francis:
Picture: AFP/OSSERVATORE ROMANO Source: AFP
He didn’t don the snazzy red shoes and fancy papal attire. He chose a humble apartment rather than the posh papal palace. He washed the feet of women in prison. He touched folks that others did not want to touch, like a man with a disfigured face, making headline news around the world. He has put the margins in the spotlight. He refused to condemn sexual minorities saying, “Who am I to judge?” He has let kids steal the show, allowing one little boy to wander up on stage and stand by him as he preached.
And, one of my favorites on the Pope’s greatest hits of 2014: he stopped the Pope-mobile to pick up a hitchhiker, one of his pals from Brazil.
I enjoy Pope Francis. In so many ways he is what the Catholic Church needed. His humble demeanor, the unprepossessing way in which he sets aside all the usual pomp and ceremony of his lofty office, his embrace of those on the margins of life; all these show him to be a man of extraordinary and laudable virtues. One might even say in many regards Francis exemplifies the life of a Christ-follower. If one takes Jesus' own words seriously, this conclusion is incontestable.
Meanwhile Evangelical Christians doubt Francis, if he really believes Catholic doctrine, is a Christian at all. Evangelical leaders caution Evangelicals about Catholicism and the Pope when Francis is talked about approvingly by the news media, and warn Evangelicals to not get caught up in "magisterium envy."
It's unfortunate some Evangelical leaders feel the need to refight the Reformation so strongly they squander important opportunities to affirm and promote behavior of a major leader showing Christianity at its best. To be sure, there are significant, substantive doctrinal differences between Catholics and Evangelicals. But, when Francis models for us a lifestyle and relational ethos that in most regards typifies that to which Jesus called his followers, Christian leaders should applaud.
Photo from http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/11/16/2943221/rise-progressive-catholicism-pope-francis-polling-worlds-catholics/#
Christians who make every news story or personal approving mention of Francis a referendum on the theological failings of Catholicism aren't building the Kingdom, however much they may relish their role as defenders of doctrinal purity. They would do better to leaven their words with kindness and grace, noting that Francis is setting an example all Christians should emulate (Matt 25:37-40; John 14:15; John 13:34-35). Imagine for a moment what the reputation of the Church in the world would be like if a majority of Christ-followers behaved as Francis does.
Of course, some Christians are by temperament and training prophetic types. They feel compelled to point out where other Christians have gone wayward in faith and life, and call them to repentance. Maybe, just maybe, however, next time Francis is in the news for doing something strikingly beautiful or heart-touching they could think of aiming their rhetorical fire elsewhere. Instead of bashing him, perhaps they could praise him for getting it right.
It is beyond argument that Francis' positions on the Ordo Salutis or the Five Solae are never going to pass Evangelical muster. Notwithstanding the very significant theological differences Evangelicals have with Francis, they should embrace and praise his example in actually practicing what he preaches. His gentleness, his humility, his discipline in resisting the pride-stoking limelight of celebrity and seeking to live a life of simplicity, are all marks of Christian character that have been sadly lacking in some notable Evangelical leaders of late. Perhaps before slinging stones at Francis and his Catholicism, we should consider with humility the degree to which we all fail to emulate the perfection of our savior (John 8:4-11).
In the light of where scripture is crystal clear, the most pertinent question to be asked is not whether Francis can believe what he believes and still be a Christian. Rather, Evangelicals might better ask themselves why more of their leaders' ministries and lives aren't typified by the same marks of love, beauty, and goodness that resonate throughout the whole of Francis' life.