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Christianity Today, January (Web-only), 2009 |

Richard John Neuhaus: Witness to Truth

A First Things junior fellow remembers the man whose life was spent 'witnessing to the truth.'

Jordan Hylden | posted 1/09/2009 12:09PM

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I will never forget when Father Neuhaus said to me: "Jordan, we get to spend our lives witnessing to the truth. What could possibly be better?" For him, it wasn't being successful or popular that counted; it was simply being faithful. And he was a man of very deep faith, prayer, and devotion. Father Neuhaus lived his life as a witness to the truth, and he knew that God would take care of the rest. He showed me what a joy such a life of faith can be. His life was an immense gift to the church, and not least to me. I miss him dearly, and I hope to be half the witness he was.

Rest in peace, Father. Just like you always told me, "All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of thing will be well."

Jordan Hylden is a former junior fellow at First Things and a graduate student at Duke Divinity School.

Related Elsewhere:

Christianity Today has more on Richard John Neuhaus:

Liveblog: Richard John Neuhaus, RIP | First Things founder and editor dies at 72. (January 8, 2009)

Liveblog: Richard Mouw on Richard Neuhaus | The president of Fuller Seminary remembers his friend and colleague. (January 8, 2009)

A Voice in the Relativistic Wilderness | The Pope crusaded for 'moral truth.' We should welcome his help. (by Richard John Neuhaus, March 2005)

A Modest Step Toward Unity | Richard John Neuhaus on the Catholic bishops' decision to join Christian Churches Together. (interview by Rob Moll, November 2004)

Evangelicals and Catholics Together: A New Initiative | 'The Gift of Salvation' a remarkable statement on what we mean by the gospel. (by Timothy George, December 1997)

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January (Web-only) 2009, Vol. 53

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John Paul

Posted: January 13, 2009 7:00 PM

As a theologically educated Evangelical who bacame Catholic, I can see that there is so much ignorance as to the source, ancientness, and reasons for Catholic beliefs. If Catholics are not Christians, then there weren't any Christians for centuries. Catholics teach what they do because they are dedicated to preserving the original deposit of Faith and understanding its implications. To reject a doctrinal idea because it cannot be found in one's narrow interpretation of Scripture is one thing. To say that Christians who embrace historical orthodox Christianity are not even Christians is quite another. So many Evangelicals let their traditions blind them to the truth. What a shame. Fr. Neuhaus did much to try to open up dialogue on these issues so that the ignorance could cease. If one wants to understand Catholicism, do not trust ex-Catholics and Protestant books to explain it. Go to good sources. See what the early Fathers taught, etc.

Eddie Settles

Posted: January 13, 2009 6:16 PM


As a deeply committed evangelical Protestant all my life I find Father Neuhaus' essay on why he went to Rome very, very attractive. If Jesus did truly call us all to be one (and I'm sure He did), then Richard John Neuhaus is one who spent his life seeking that unity in our Lord. May God be good to him.

Maryann

Posted: January 13, 2009 5:15 PM

How unfortunate that Eric and Rev. are so filled with hatred, condemnation and judgement about a branch of Christianity that they obviously know nothing about. The Catholic liturgy is scripture from start to finish (attend one if you dare) with nearly every word taken from the Word of God. They spew misinformation, but then so do many of my fellow Catholics, and in doing so, both accomplish very little other than to show ignorance and intolerance. Catholicism embraces faith and reason and many deviations are personal failures, not Church doctrine. We all will be judged by the light that we are given, and thank God for that. There are a lot of dim Christian bulbs out there and that includes all denominations.

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