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CLEAR TO WHOM? In spite of the ECT goal of restating the doctrine of justification with "clarity and charity," ACE leaders believe the theological waters have been muddied. Armstrong says, "I don't think the average layperson, and even the average pastor, is able to make those distinctions [of doctrine] quite so clearly." ACE asserts that "The Gift of Salvation" agreement "is not really agreement, and the declaration of unity is at best misleading and at worse fraudulent."

However, ECT leaders believe that both sides were open about where they achieved agreement and where they did not. Richard John Neuhaus, an ECT Catholic, told CT, "You had a group of very responsible, theologically astute evangelical Protestants and a group of very responsible, theologically astute Roman Catholics, and they did come together, and they did agree."

EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH: Rick Phillips, ACE spokesman, notes with alarm that following release of "The Gift of Salvation" last October, ECT leaders met with Catholic bishops from Latin America.

At that meeting, Cardinal Cassidy, a top Vatican leader, presented a paper in which he called for "newcomers" to "not target for their evangelizing work the active, baptized members of the church that has been responsible for the original evangelization" of a country.

Phillips asks, "What are the implications of missionaries in South America trying to raise support?" But ECT leaders have made strong statements in favor of evangelistic outreach (CT, Mar. 2, 1998, p. 70). Also, "The Gift of Salvation" says, "Evangelicals must speak the gospel to Catholics, and Catholics to evangelicals."

Despite its concerns, ACE sees value in dialogue with Catholics and also remains committed to evangelical unity. Armstrong, Horton, and Sproul were among ACE members who accepted an invitation to discuss "The Gift of Salvation" in Washington. Armstrong says that since the release of "The Gift of Salvation," he has spent much time in discussion with ECT evangelicals. Armstrong says, "I think some of the opposition that has been raised could have been cut off had … they heeded the counsel of several within their circle who cautioned them not to go quite so quickly."

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April 27 1998, Vol. 42, No. 5