I was in Rome the day the 2025 Papal Conclave convened. It raised thoughts of the "body of Christ." Where Catholics are one piece of a global faith puzzle, who and what does God truly care about?
These questions are not about individual grace or redemption. God says He will gather all His faithful children to Himself. I'm certain that He cares in that way, but ... what else does He care about?
There I was, just a dot amongst the crowds, the media scrum, and a worldwide ocean of curiosity and speculation.
Pope Francis had died just days earlier. Now there is a new pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost - the first American pope - who chooses to be known as Pope Leo XIV. That change matters very much to the masses of the Catholic Church. It was a great matter for the Papal Conclave, who elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. In what way does it matter to God? Catholics are the largest Christian denomination but even so they are still one among many Christian creeds, doctrines and denominations. Neither are Christians the only people designed by God and loved by Him. So how much does God care about who is the present day pope? Through the centuries there have been some notoriously evil ones, many who were controversial for one reason or another, counterbalanced by a number of reformers and social justice champions, of which Pope Francis was one. Even so, the great questions remain: Does the pope speak for God? Does God speak to the pope? If so, for Catholics only, or for the whole world?
I don’t plan to try to answer such questions. Neither am I making light of the passing of Pope Francis, or the appointment of Pope Leo. Not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. This is a major world event, no matter what one’s faith. However, while the media at large will dissect everything about the life and legacy of Pope Francis, and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, I conclude that this transition moment in world history offers me — you — us — anyone — a chance to think broadly about what matters to God, and all humanity, not just Catholics, not just Christians.
I have considered what clearly matters to God such that He took pains to make sure we know about it, in part, as embedded in the human psyche across all cultures, ethnicities and eras, but more particularly, as recorded in the Bible. The founders and editors of Veritas Chronicles, have made a definitive declaration about that subject, as outlined in the document attached in the footnotes — In God We Trust.1
Conversely, I was prompted to ask the question, “What didn’t God say?” What did He not opine upon directly through Biblical prophets or other writings in the Biblical canon? What has He left up to us to figure out for ourselves?
As God’s children, we look forward to a time when we no longer have to see the universe and God’s intimate plan for humanity “through a glass darkly.” Apparently, even someone as informed as the Apostle Paul, who actually saw Jesus Christ, assumed that he didn’t have all the answers to everything.
He said …
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but [eventually we will see God] face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Based on Paul’s statement, it seems there will come a time when questions can be asked and answers forthcoming. If you had a chance to interview God, or Jesus, what would you ask? Here is a prep session for such a time. What can you, the reader, add to my random mix of questions?
Even before we get to my burning questions, it seems apropos to pictorially demonstrate, from the photo collections of my Veritas Chronicles colleagues, the beauty, diversity, variety, complexity — and thus also the apparent confusion — that makes up the world faith community …
The body of Christ and the world at large are both so varied and complex that anyone who claims to understand everything about God’s intentions is just pontificating or blowing smoke. So, if you had a chance to interview God, and wonder out loud with Him in regards to all your unanswered questions, what would you ask? This is my non-exhaustive primer —
Note 1: I assume that since God exists outside time and space, that if the opportunity for such an interview arose, I would also be outside time and space, and therefore not limited to an arbitrary timeframe such as 60 minutes, or even 3 hours for a “Joe Rogan podcast.” I would have plenty of time [or untime!] for the thorniest questions of existence.
Note 2: Moses had such a chance, it appears, as reported in Exodus when he was able to have regular conversations with “the LORD,” and apparently even “as one friend speaks with another” (see Exodus 33:11). It is very possible, under the New Covenant, we receive this privilege as well?
Note 3: The following questions are not in any order other than the order in which they appeared on an imaginary whiteboard during my various roundtable discussions with Veritas Chronicles colleagues.
Describe how John the Baptist baptized Jesus, exactly, specifically. Did the method of baptism matter? Do the varied methods churches baptize with matter to you?
Regarding original sin: what does it mean for those who came after Adam and Eve? What is the age of reason, and do children need baptism or some other kind of saving from original sin as some denominations claim?
How do faith and science become unified? That is, explain your creative process and miracles, and whether you used only earth-bound scientific principles, or some other cosmic set of principles?
Why did you allow Satan to invade and have temporary control over this planet?
How did you choose your prophets and twelve apostle-disciples? (Any why did you choose Judas?)
What do you think about relics, statues, even the cross, in places of worship?
What do you think about praying to Mary or to any of the Saints, rather than directly addressing you as Jesus prescribed in Matthew 6?
What was it about “John the Beloved” that made him beloved (or believe he was more beloved) in some way different to the other apostles?
How did you intend for the Last Supper, the sacrament, communion, the eucharist, to be administered? Does the timing, frequency, or process matter to you?
Explain the Trinity - the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How does the Holy Spirit do His work?
Why do good people suffer while evil ones prosper? What is your greater purpose of seemingly arbitrary injustice and pain?
What is the purpose of life here on earth?
What specific purpose do bodies serve in the eternal scheme, especially as they are so frail here?
Why do you allow natural disasters or tragedies to happen? What is your role and purpose in seemingly random or cruel events?
There is very little spoken of the afterlife in precise detail i.e. many mansions, joint heirs with Christ, no tears, singing praises, etcetera, but what is it really like? What will those joint heirs actually be doing?
Why don’t you show yourself clearly throughout most of history? (Skeptics and believers alike ask why your presence isn’t more evident.)
Why do you allow free will if it leads to evil? Please explain the balance between human freedom and divine control.
Why am I (or my loved one) suffering so much? Please give a personal explanation for illness, loss, or trauma, and why it appears that some prayers are answered with healing, and others with continued pain and suffering.
Why do innocent people, like children, endure pain?
Why do some suffer more than others (women/children)?
Why have you allowed the church to be involved in scandals - like financial corruption, abuse cover-ups, the selling of church offices or even accepting money for “forgiveness of sin?” Why do you allow people to do things (wage war/hurt people/amass resources/oppress the weak) in your name that are obviously not following your laws or Christ’s example?
How can the church justify its wealth (opulent cathedrals/private jets [this is a comment/question about all large, organized churches, not any of them in particular]) while preaching humility and charity?
Why do you allow differing interpretations of doctrine or scripture (e.g. filioque (part of the Nicene Creed), salvation, morality) creating irreconcilable divides between believers who should stand united in your name? Explain why you have allowed such varied stances on issues such as sexuality, women’s roles in the home and in church leadership, or even general theology that impacts practical implementation?
Why does “the church” exclude or even excommunicate certain groups? Does this not risk making churches places of judgment rather than centers of love, that are rooted in Christ’s grace and mercy?
Why did you create men physically so much stronger than women? (Thus unable to defend themselves well from physical predators.) Is gender important at the God level? Do you have a gender? Or semblance of gender? Is gender a part of heaven or the afterlife? If yes, how critical a role does it play? Or is gender a construct for our particular universe? How should gender help or hinder our understanding of you in our current limited earthbound capacities?
Is it acceptable that some churches prioritize politics/social justice over spirituality?
What is the “body of Christ,” when churches are so divided and filled with schisms and wildly divided theology?
Why have you not revealed clarity on how the church should be run? Why did you not outline in the New Testament what a church leadership structure should look like and then use your power to keep it governed and managed? Is the form of governance not as important or important at all compared the individual fruits of the “body of Christ?” [For example, on authority and papal primacy: The West (Roman Catholic) emphasized the pope’s supreme authority over all Christians, while the East (Eastern Orthodox) favored a conciliar model where patriarchs shared power. Who is right? You allowed a theological crisis with the existence of multiple popes which undermined the church’s claim to universal authority, fueling calls for reform. This schism weakened papal authority and set the stage for the Protestant Reformation by exposing division, and even corruption. Martin Luther’s critiques of Roman Catholic practices led to the formation of Protestant churches (Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Episcopal, etc.), leading to the further fracture of Western Christianity (Roman Catholicism).]
Why did you allow authority disputes over who holds ultimate governance —popes, patriarchs, kings, or scripture? Was there ever a time in human history where one person was solely responsible to relay your messages to the entire world, (excluding possibly, Adam)?
Why did you allow inter-Christian communication breakdown? With a lack of mutual understanding, exacerbated by language barriers or geographical distance, divisions became entrenched. These schisms reshaped a fragmented Christianity, which in turn has influenced global politics, culture, and religion, but there is no one on this earth with moral authority to bring universal order. Was that the plan, that disorder under the rule of obvious human frailty would continue until the Second Coming of Christ?
Everything comes into full play at the end — where justice, love, and mercy meet, in harmony divine — when all these questions get answered, with or without the interview. But if it has not been revealed, yet, we perfectly trust Him, for Christ came into the world not to condemn it but to save it.
