Q&A: Richard Mouw | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Free E-mail Newsletters:

RSS Feed | More Feeds | RSS Help

Home > 2008 > June

Christianity Today, June, 2008 |

Q&A: Richard Mouw

Mouw is president of Fuller Theological Seminary and a supporter of Evangelicals and Catholics Together.

Sheryl Henderson Blunt | posted 5/07/2008 08:59AM

Related articles and links |

1 of 1

Mouw is president of Fuller Theological Seminary and a supporter of Evangelicals and Catholics Together.

What is particularly appealing to evangelicals about this pope?

We have much in common with Pope Benedict, both doctrinally and morally. He has chosen to proclaim a Christ-centered message to the world, and he is not afraid to confront the prevailing mores of postmodern culture. Furthermore, his is a scholarly voice, echoing themes that resonate well with many of us in the evangelical world.

How will the pope's visit affect the U.S. Catholic church?

My sense is that Benedict's visit had a longrange consolidating and unifying effect on U.S. Catholicism. When he was elected pope, the almost universal response among my Catholic friends—most of whom are moderates— was negative. But my initial reading of their reaction to his visit is extremely positive. The pope sent friendly signals to all but the most liberal segments of American Catholicism. Most of those who occupy the right-to-middle part of the spectrum, which is the majority, were pleased and impressed.

He did them proud as well. He was a big hit, not only with grassroots Catholics, but also with the larger American population, even with the non-religious. He was firm in his basic convictions without coming across as cranky. This won over many who were not sure what to expect [of him].

The pope's anticipated censure of liberal Catholic colleges didn't happen. Did he give them a pass?

He did exactly what he should have done with academics: He taught. He did not issue condemnatory statements; he established trust. This is good pedagogy. A wise teacher creates an environment for the reception of his or her views.

How significant was the pope's willingness to meet with sex-abuse victims?

I was not prepared for the emotional impact of seeing him [meet with the victims]. I believe the encounter will turn out to be a durable image of his papal leadership.

Related elsewhere:

"Pope Benedict Goes to Washington" also discussed the relationship between Evangelicals and Catholics.

1 of 1

June 2008,

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment

Reader Reviews are below

Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.

If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.

Click here for international orders

2-for-1 Gifts!

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Displaying 1 - 3 of 9 comments.

See all comments

Kerry T

Posted: May 07, 2008 3:07 PM


I agree that there are some doctrinal agreement. By not stating the "many" difference, Richard Mouw as a president of a theological seminary will make some people believe that there is nothing wrong with Catholicism. Maybe that's what Richard Mouw truly believes.

Rich	Posted: May 07, 2008 3:57 PM

Mr. Mouw receives a lot of Christian press since he is the leader of Fuller. I've heard him speak on occasions and have read articles by and about him. Undoubtedly, he represents ecumenical diplomacy. Remember his 2004 apology to Mormons for the way Christians "sinned against" them? Other times its been wondered if he feels LDS are fellow believers. While I appreciate a diplomat, Mouw has spoken enough questionable rhetoric to convince me that his does not represent me -- the Bible-centered evangelical. Good for him and his bridge-building efforts between various faiths. I'm just not sure I want to walk on those shaky bridges when theological and biblical undergirding appears sacrificed. Mr. Mouw, Catholicism and Protestantism really do have many serious differences, despite your well meaning ecumenical heart.

E Sprouse

Posted: May 08, 2008 9:14 AM

"We have much in common with Pope Benedict, both doctrinally and morally" I am sorry, but I must respectively and entirely disagree with this statement. As a Christian who believes that Jesus is the only intercessor between God and man I can only view the Pope and the Catholic church as a type of Anti-Christ. The Bible clearly states in John 14:6 that Jesus it the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no man came come to the Father (God) but by Jesus alone. Meaning there is not need for a priest or a pope to interceded for us or to go to for forgiveness of sin. Also the Catholic church needs to take notice of the scripture found in Galatians 1:6-8. This is warning to all who would pervert the Word of God for their own selfish goals.