Francis explained that it is not human wisdom that makes the identity of the Christian: “You can have five degrees in theology and not have the Spirit of God,” he said.
The newsroom, with Vatican Radio
The authority of the Christian comes from the Holy Spirit, not of human wisdom or degrees in theology, Francisco said the Pope at Mass September 2 at Casa Santa Marta. The Pope reiterated that Christian identity is to have the Spirit of Christ, not the “spirit world”.
The people marveled at the teachings of Jesus because the word had authority from Him. Francis left this excerpt of the Gospel of the day to focus on the nature of the Lord’s authority and therefore Christian authority.
“Jesus was no ordinary preacher because his authority came from the special anointing of the Holy Spirit (…). Jesus is the anointed Son of God, sent to bring us salvation and freedom. Some people were offended with this style of Jesus, his identity and freedom. “
The Pope reflected on the Christian identity, based on the example of St. Paul, who preached not to have studied at a university, and yes, for having the wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
“This wisdom had been taught by the Spirit. He said spiritual things in spiritual terms […]. but man, with his forces, does not understand the Spirit of God: man alone can not understand it! “.
According to the Pope, without understanding the things of the Spirit one cannot give testimony and does not have an identity. But the Christian is a person who has the mind of Christ, ie, the Holy Spirit.
“This is the Christian identity; not to have the spirit of the world, with its way of thinking, its way of judging […]. You can have five degrees in theology and not have the Spirit of God! You may even be a great theologian, but not a Christian, because you do not have the Spirit of God, who gives authority what gives identity, the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “
This was precisely why the people did not like the preaching of the lawyers, the Pope Francis explained, because they talked about theology, but did not touch the hearts of people. With their words, the people could not find their own identity because they were not anointed by the Holy Spirit of God.
“The authority of Jesus – and Christian – stems precisely from this ability to understand the things of the Spirit, speaking the same language of the Spirit. It comes from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Often we see among our simple faithful old ladies, who did not even finish elementary school, but who know to say things better than a theologian, because they have the Spirit of Christ, which St. Paul had and we all should request. “