The New Pope
We have a new Pope. One may ask, why is this important to a Baptist minister. The answer is simple: morality.
I have been amazed by the coverage in the American press. I heard one reporter on CNN say that she hoped that the new Pope would not hold to the controversial views of John Paul II. These controversial views included birth control, abortion, and women in the ministry.
In my opinion, the controversy would be if the new Pope didn't hold to the traditional views of the Catholic Church. These three views are the historic orthodox doctrines of the Catholic Church. It would be astonishing if Pope Benedict XVI did not hold firm on these important beliefs.
Many on the left believe that the Catholic Church should soften its views to be more open to the opinions of the American public. What they do not understand is that the Catholic Church is not accountable to the people. The Church is accountable to its history and heritage. For the Church to budge on these issues would make the church derelict in its purpose.
The truth is that there is little that most conservative evangelicals and the Catholic Church can agree on. One area that we can and should work together on is issues of morality. I believe I can stand side by side with Benedict XVI on the issue of abortion and the roles of men and women in the church and society. I applaud the Cardinals for choosing a Pope that will not bend in these important issues.
My disagreement with Rome on many issues is vast and complicated. The reason for these disagreements is based in where we find our authority. For me, and most conservative evangelicals, our authority lies completely in the Bible. For the Roman Catholic Church, their authority is found in church councils and the Bible. I believe Apostolic authory ended with the death of the Apostle John. They believe that Apostolic authority continues to reign within their church hiarchy. This means we will continue to disagree in areas of Salvation and Justification. Which means we cannot honestly have communion with each other as believers.
This being said, my hope is that God allows me to minister to Catholics in hope that they may recieve the grace of God that brings about real conversion. In the mean time, I hope that the Roman Catholic Church holds firm on historic moral issues so that we can work together in areas of agreement.
To call this ecuminical would be a stretch, but we all should work together in areas where there is common ground.
I have been amazed by the coverage in the American press. I heard one reporter on CNN say that she hoped that the new Pope would not hold to the controversial views of John Paul II. These controversial views included birth control, abortion, and women in the ministry.
In my opinion, the controversy would be if the new Pope didn't hold to the traditional views of the Catholic Church. These three views are the historic orthodox doctrines of the Catholic Church. It would be astonishing if Pope Benedict XVI did not hold firm on these important beliefs.
Many on the left believe that the Catholic Church should soften its views to be more open to the opinions of the American public. What they do not understand is that the Catholic Church is not accountable to the people. The Church is accountable to its history and heritage. For the Church to budge on these issues would make the church derelict in its purpose.
The truth is that there is little that most conservative evangelicals and the Catholic Church can agree on. One area that we can and should work together on is issues of morality. I believe I can stand side by side with Benedict XVI on the issue of abortion and the roles of men and women in the church and society. I applaud the Cardinals for choosing a Pope that will not bend in these important issues.
My disagreement with Rome on many issues is vast and complicated. The reason for these disagreements is based in where we find our authority. For me, and most conservative evangelicals, our authority lies completely in the Bible. For the Roman Catholic Church, their authority is found in church councils and the Bible. I believe Apostolic authory ended with the death of the Apostle John. They believe that Apostolic authority continues to reign within their church hiarchy. This means we will continue to disagree in areas of Salvation and Justification. Which means we cannot honestly have communion with each other as believers.
This being said, my hope is that God allows me to minister to Catholics in hope that they may recieve the grace of God that brings about real conversion. In the mean time, I hope that the Roman Catholic Church holds firm on historic moral issues so that we can work together in areas of agreement.
To call this ecuminical would be a stretch, but we all should work together in areas where there is common ground.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 8:41 PM
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