Pope and faith

So the Pope has arrived in Britain and the Coalition government ‘do God’ and recognizes the importance of faith, though presumably Nick Clegg is an exception. Should we be sceptical or thankful? Perhaps a qualified thankfulness is called for. The Bible has no knowledge of Popes and there is much of the Pope’s teaching that no-one who believes the Bible can recognize as Christian truth. But he does stand out clearly against the militant secularism of our day and has clear views on the morality that befits human beings, and in this he contrasts with the mealy-mouthed clerics that we are more used to in this country. As far as faith is concerned the statements have not been very helpful. Everyone has faith; atheists believe that God does not exist. Faith in itself is nothing, it may make us feel better, but that can be a delusion. What counts is what, or rather, who we believe. To believe in fairies has no value; in fact it wouldn’t have even if they existed unless they have powers to help us in some way. The only true object of faith is Jesus Christ and mercifully those who truly believe in him are saved and brought to God in spite of being muddled on other points. Perhaps, just perhaps, the events of these days will mark a shift in the relentless secularism and hedonism of our country and perhaps, just perhaps, this will create an opportunity for the gospel. Let’s pray that it will.