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To be sure, ECT is only a beginning. Those for whom anti-Romanism or anti-Protestantism is part of their identity and ministry will need more than ECT to alter their mindset, as will those Protestants who deny that Roman Catholics can be Christians without leaving Rome. There needs now to be a rigorous review of how the theological questions that have thus far divided the Catholic and Protestant churches look in light of the new ECT commitment. Well does ECT say, "The differences and disagreements … must be addressed more fully and candidly in order to strengthen between us a relation of trust in obedience to truth." Without this ECT will get nowhere, nor will it deserve to.

To help shape this proposed study of the historic disagreements, Michael Horton and I put together some agenda suggestions that are printed in Modern Reformation (July-August 1994). What is important, however, is not that the work be done our way, but that the work be done as distinct from not done; for such study is the necessary next step.

But ECT is a good beginning, and for it I continue to thank God.

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J. I. Packer is Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Systematic Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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December 12 1994, Vol. 38, No. 14