Christianity Today

It could be funny if it wasn't such a phony!

Matt, Ch 26:26-28 (NIV) "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.' " Luis: "It is NOT based at all in the Bible; rather it is against (anti) the Bible. ALL of the aforementioned is based in ancient pagan and Babylonian religions." I'm sorry you had an awful experience growing up Catholic. You clearly did not come to Christ (as I did) through the Church. I do not worship statues or Mary or priests or feel that they're "hierarchs" as you suggest. Your beliefs about the Church are mistaken. Luis, I wish you peace and hope you can learn to accept the differences between us. We are ALL the Body of Christ and should find a way to work together in an increasingly secular world.

Amen John. Great point.

We should pray for every church on planet earth. Jesus Christ is the Head. We are the Body. Maybe the Kingdom of Heaven was "near," when Jesus walked the earth, because the King was near. He loves His churches. We should pray for one another good things, and not evil. It's in all of our best interests that His "kingdom come, and" His "will be done" among US, God's kids and in Me, as well as "on earth as it is in Heaven." Catholics need Jesus. Protestants need Jesus. Orthodoxs need Jesus. I need Jesus. You need Jesus. We need Jesus. amen.

It can also be said and since it can be said, I will say it a second time. Committed Evangelicals are NOT catholic; Much less Romanists or papists. I was raised roman-catholic; Baptized as a small child, first communion, catechism, confirmation, confessions, god parents, attended processions, bowed before an Idol, etc. Lucky for me I was NOT an altar boy; rather played baseball. I know fairly well the dogmas, teachings, practices and History of the RCC. Everything, from the hierarchical system of priests, the ceremonies, rites, rituals, protocols, confession, to eating the wafer but not taking the cup and whatever else has you. It is NOT based at all in the Bible; rather it is against (anti) the Bible. ALL of the aforementioned is based in ancient pagan and Babylonian religions. Specially all of the teachings respecting Mary rightfully called Mariolatry. Evangelical Christians beware, be advised and be warned. Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

The RCC is a Politico-Religious Organization with many Financial and Social interests in the world; in this present World. Not in the Kingdom of Heaven. We have a High Priest in Heaven not on Earth. Christ Himself is that one and ONLY High Priest. The RCC is not even a church as per the Scriptures of the New Testament as clearly described by the Apostles. That’s why it has a Hierarchical system of priests, who lead followers instead of fellow believers in Christ. These followers blindly follow the leaders, not as equals and brothers in Christ, but as superiors in the Hierarchy. In that hierarchical system, the masses of followers are in the lowest echelons of that anti-Biblical hierarchy. The leaders of this religion are Hierarchs above the people below. That's why they're called and given divine titles like father and Holy Father. Even among the leaders some of them are called The Superior this and that. Jesus the Christ is the one who went to the cross, not Mary or Peter.

The bugaboo doctrines that we protestants have always identified have been Transubstantiation, purgatory, mariology and apostolic succession. To the extent that Catholics have de-ephasized these doctrines and embraced evangilical, bible based christian life, I am able to find fellowship. Baptists have a weak view of communion (only a memorial) Lutherans and Orthodox have a medium view and Catholics have a strong view. It is a sliding scale and not a major issue with me. Asking Mary to intercede with Jesus on my behalf is more of an objection for me, though with many catholics this is emphasized less. Purgatory is an objection but again, this is emphasized less and less. Papal authority is routinely questioned by the Catholic Church. What I find encouraging is the growing reliance on Grace, knowing Jesus personally and reading the Bible. There are many sincere Catholics who are truly born again.

Rick, I took the phrase "beautiful the liturgy" from the interview. Weigel states, "So the Evangelical Catholicism of the 21st century must devise ways to break through that deafness. That's one reason why Benedict XVI so stressed the beauty of the liturgy, and the need to worship God liturgically in a dignified and beautiful way. Beauty can be a window into a larger world for cynical postmoderns. If you experience something as beautiful, that can open up the possibility of exploring truth and goodness." I am unsure how anyone can take this but that "evangelical" Catholics are not Evangelical doctrinally but desiring to "evangelize" by empowering the laity along with the priests towards their liturgy which is problematic at best. It would seem that Weigel wants the "success" of the Evangelical movement for the RCC which to me is something we should be concerned. As Mark stated in his comment, until RCC rejects the Council of Trent, there will be no hope for the RCC.

Until Rome does away with Trent there is no hope for her reforming or being Evangelical.

Allthough I agree wholeheartily with "Mario P" and I know many Catholic Christians, I am confused. so many of the wide spread doctrine from the Catholic Church is so contrary to the bible. I loved the previous Pope and believe God's hand was on him. But, there is no bible connection between Peter and the line of Pope's. Nor does the wafer turn into the "body and the blood" except in catholic teaching. Most Catholics I know believe they might get to purgatory if they obey the sacrements. And then there's the pride of the catholic TV experts who do shows on how this church is the one and only church. I know there are true catholics that are "saved" (a protestant word) and I kinow there are protestant members who are not. And I understand bridging the gaps and finding common ground. I'm sorry if I sound like old "keith Green" but I have a hard time with the organization of the catholic church. Pray for me.

There is, by the grace of God, a convergence of all conservative and mostly orthodox Christians to unite in many movements and thanks to the Internet and availability of information that corrected many errors and misunderstandings from the past amongst the many denominations and the Church. All now unite to defend marriage, life, religious liberty and charity. It is beautiful to reunite and learn from each other in Truth which is Christ. As a Roman Catholic, I believe the Church has the completeness of Faith, Tradition and the Sacraments. As separate brothers and sisters have many or some parts of the richness of the Church's inheritance the Church has also a lot to learn from the biblical zeal, simplicity and uncompromising social approach that evangelicals have. We should not be afraid of each other despite our differences but rather of the enemy fostering a world without God and continue to unite against him, as Jesus said, "if they are not against us, then they are for us."

Shaun, there is no talk of the beauty of the liturgy here. Instead there is talk of "preaching the word of God with a good Biblical commentary (often Protestant in origin) in one hand, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the other." When have you heard that? There is talk of evangelizing, meaning for ALL of us to be witnesses, inviting others into "friendship with Jesus Christ." The Roman Catholic Church is becoming more evangelical. "Evangelical Catholicism, like all Great-Tradition Christianity, is about being found by the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, and clinging to him." I am not Catholic, I was raised Conservative Baptist, of the Dallas Theological Seminary brand, and now fellowship in a Charismatic church. I am experiencing this new found faith with Catholics and it is interesting to read about it. Let's hope they continue on this path.

I am a bit confused by the interview and why it is here at CT. It was informative and at the same time distressing. From what I see, this movement wants to promulgate Catholicism to the culture and "evangelize" by going back to RCC theology and teaching. If this is the case, we of the Protestant faith should be deeply concerned. No matter how beautiful the liturgy of RCC may be, it is still not Biblical and is powerless in regards to the Gospel. In other words, there seems to be little change from the concerns of the Reformers of old, but more desire to promote it via laity than from the "paycheck" of Rome.