Page 11 - Built For God Handbook (Bible Verses) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II
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            that as the Church approached the third millennium, it was not in a
            state of unity, which he viewed as fundamentally opposed to the
            teachings and intentions of Jesus Christ. For John Paul II, this
            division within the Christian faith was not just a theological concern
            but a profound spiritual crisis that demanded urgent attention. He
            believed that disunity among Christians undermined the very
            essence of what Jesus had established during His earthly ministry.

                   In response to this crisis, John Paul II made an
            impassioned appeal to all Christians, regardless of their
            denominational differences, to come together in a spirit of unity. He
            envisioned a Church united under one God, working collectively
            towards the mission of the New Evangelization. This call for unity
            was central to his vision for the future of the Church, as he believed
            that only through a united effort could the Church effectively spread
            the message of Christ in the new millennium. John Paul II’s call
            was not just for cooperation but for a deep and lasting unity that
            would empower the Church to fulfill its mission in the world.

                   John Paul II's writings, particularly the encyclical
            Redemptoris Missio (1990), provided the theological foundation for
            the New Evangelization, urging the Church to proclaim Christ’s
            message with vigor while adapting to contemporary challenges. He
            emphasized that the crisis in mission is not a crisis of faith itself but
            rather a challenge in understanding and communicating the content
            of that faith in ways that resonate with today’s society.
            John Paul II stressed the importance of the Church being well-
            prepared with a clear, renewed expression of its core beliefs,
            especially in a manner that connects with the modern world. This
            preparation is essential for the Church to effectively fulfill its
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