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Interview

Q&A: Francis Beckwith

Former ETS president speaks about what he takes from evangelicalism back to the Roman Catholic Church.


Related Elsewhere:

"ETS Resignation Triggers Tradition Discussion" focused on the ETS's reaction to Beckwith's resignation.

Collin Hansen commented in CT Liveblog on Beckwith's resignation and the following ETS statement.

Beckwith is a contributor to Right Reasons, a blog by conservative philosophers. His most recent post explains his decision.

Beckwith's own blog has links to online essays he has written.

Other recent news articles include:

Prominent evangelical returns to Catholic roots | Baylor professor resigns as head of conservative intellectual group. (The Dallas Morning News)
Baylor prof Beckwith becomes Catholic, resigns as head of evangelical society | Renowned evangelical philosopher Francis Beckwith has become a Roman Catholic and, as a result, has resigned as president -- and also as a member -- of the Evangelical Theological Society. (Associated Baptist Press)

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Displaying 1–5 of 22 comments

Herdian Aprilani

May 22, 2007  1:11am

Reversion to the Catholic Church among her members, especially among those who have now occupied preeminent positions in their walks of life, both in the United States and elsewhere, is something for which we, as Catholics, should be truly grateful and about which those who used to be, or are not yet, Catholics should give serious thoughts. Dr. Beckwith's reversion to the Church hopefully will ignite some spark of interest in, and appreciation to, the Church among her dormant members, and will give conviction and comfort to her faithful members who are currently being tempted, from within or without, to question their belief in her teachings, which were truly received from Jesus her Lord, were faithfully handed down by the apostles, are carefully guarded by her present adherents, and will continue to be protected mightily until the end of the age by The Holy Spirit, by whose guidance, and at the command of her Master, she ardently proclaims the truth to the very ends of the earth.

big vin

May 20, 2007  9:41am

Well thought out interview/ article. The Church must always remain humble. The arrogance of the Medieval Clergy certainly contributed to the Reformation. It wasn't purely theological differences. But thats a discussion for another time. Anyway, congratulations on your Journey Home, Dr. Beckwith. And may God's graces keep us all humble.

Chironomo

May 18, 2007  6:28am

Welcome back to the Church that started it all! It is shameful that deep divisions stil exist in Christ's Chuch, but as we believe and proclaim, he shall come again to heal his church and his people. Sursum Corda!

Gene Church

May 17, 2007  7:22am

Welcome to the Catholic Church. Evangelicals do frequently love liturgical expression, and I believe that those evangelicals returning to the Church bring it a new vibrancy. I respectfully disagree with Bob K; he recites old claims, and fails to look to those sources and direction that point to the early Church as being the Catholic Church.

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Luciano

May 17, 2007  1:51am

I have found in my own experience and in looking at others when quick judgements are made that we proceed from a shallow and uninformed view that lacks perspective and prayerful reflection. Personal opinions abounds and when disagreement is the only result what I hear is you have your opinion and I have mine. That is it for to insist on one's opinion is at the root of division among Christians for how can one explain the existence of between 30 and 40 thousands denominations each claiming to be Bible Christians and yet having so many differing views and each group view being the correct one. Certainly the fault is in ourselves. As I see it the answer can only be found in deliberately turning oneself and focusing on the Holy Spirit for light and guidance, not trusting one's views, and emphatically begging like the blind man to receive spiritual sight and be transformed by it. One last thing pray for others for in praying I'm protected from judging. God Bless everyone!

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