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| The martyrdom of Thomas Bilney, early English Protestant |
“You do not want to end up on the wrong side of history.” This platitude has been granted prognostic status in our day, though one could properly question its fundamental truthfulness. It reflects, however, the prevailing attitude of Western culture, a pragmatism that enshrines in the judgment of “history” (whatever that means in this context) the final arbiter of morality, goodness, and worth. Often this phrase is being urged upon the church to “move on” from opposing homosexuality or the redefinition of marriage.
But this adage also captures the general attitude of a large portion of the population on both sides of the Tiber River to the Reformation and the continuing battle over the issues that gave it birth. Isn’t it time to just move on? Can’t we lay aside our differences for a greater good? Aren’t we a small enough minority now in the midst of a tsunami of secularism and the rising tide of Islam? Shouldn’t we be looking for unity, not for more reasons to remain separate?
We dare not dismiss the weight that these rhetorical questions carry with many within our congregations, and even among the clergy. At the same time, we must recognize the responsibility that is ours as heirs of the great struggle that was the Reformation. Can we betray those who came before us? What would such a betrayal involve? Are we really willing to assert that the great and momentous beliefs they fought for are no longer as important as we once thought? Keep reading
15 comments:
I am confused as to why it is a bad thing to ask God to guide the process of electing a new Pope.
Is that what James White is saying in the article? He makes this observation:
"One well-known evangelical leader communicated with his followers electronically that we should be praying that God would 'guide' the process of the selection of a new pope. In most venues, the objection that there is nothing remotely biblical about a 'supreme pontiff' who is to be venerated as the 'vicar of Christ on earth' or the 'holy father' found little expression outside of those whose strongest feelings on the matter are borne of prejudice rather than conviction."
Perhaps I misunderstood your comment but I do not see anything in that observation that suggests that James White is advocating for or against prayers for those selecting a new pope.
"The election of a new bishop of Rome in 2013 shed new light on the state of these questions in the minds of many who profess to be “evangelicals” and “biblical” in their faith and orientation.
The above is how he began the paragraph from which you quoted. It seems to say that "real" evangelicals would not have suggested we ask God to "guide" the process. Interesting how Mr. White
thought it was necessary to put the word "guide" in quotes.
I think that you are reading more into the article than it actually says. In putting the word "guide" in quotation marks he simply quoting what the evangelical leader in question said.
The main thrust of the article is that the need for reformation of the Church has not ended but continues to this day. This includes reformation of both the Protestant and Catholic branches of Christianity.
I would caution against letting such extraneous thoughts distract you from the central issue of the article. They are like the smoked kipper the nineteenth century polemicist William Cobbett is supposed to have used to divert hounds from chasing a hare.
The tone of the article is antagonistic towards those of us who seek common ground with other Christian faith traditions in order to better coordinate and serve the underserved and unreached peoples of the world. Mr. White seems to be saying that we should not be so quick to reunify for common causes at the expense of doctrinal purity that wars were fought over.
He also put the words "evangelical" and "biblical" in quotes to signify that those that believe these things are evangelical/biblical in name only and are not true biblical evangelicals.
Christ called us to be dogmatic about preaching the Good News, freeing the spiritual captives, and uplifting the sick, the poor, the widow, and the orphan. He did not instruct us to be dogmatic and fight wars over Calvinism vs Arminianism, proper musical styles, or other such things. I understand we must be cautious when dealing with those that add unbiblical requirements for salvation, but should we really write them off as heathens?
The article obviously struck a nerve with you.
James White' point, however, is a valid one. The Church was, is, and always will be in the need of being reformed. There is also a real danger of sacrificing core biblical teachings for a false unity.
Nowhere in his article does James White refer to Roman Catholics as heathens. He does point out that the issues that prompted the sixteenth century reformation are still present, even though modified and more complicated.
Among the major areas in which Protestants and Roman Catholics are divided are the three critical areas of revelation, salvation, and the sacraments. At issue are not convictions and preferences but essentials.
Understood. I advocate unity, but not capitulation. I advocate putting dogma to the fiery test and see how my and someone else's comes out. I advocate a Christian Federation that agrees to disagree on many doctrines, but can still come together to work towards common goals. Mr. White did not call Roman Catholics heathens, but he seems to be one who would advocate treating Catholics like heathens and have nothing to do with them. Regardless of Mr. White's intent, are we to avoid working with Roman Catholics on common causes, or should we come together for Christ's glory and allow iron to sharpen iron?
What common causes are you presently involved in, Stephen?
I, and my family, have just been relocated to Yakima, WA. We are just settling in, but it is our intent to work with churches and local agencies (Shared Hope International, WARN) to combat human trafficking. I also am looking for ways to assist another Washington organiAtion, Doorways to Hope, in order to match up Russian and Ukranian orphans with Christian Russian and Ukranian adopting parents. I will be investigating how I should be involved during this Lenten season.
*organization
Two worthwhile causes. Lent is, in my experience, a good time for discernment. Have you connected with a church in Yakima?
Yes we did, Holy Cross Anglican in Yakima. It is a small church made up of senior citizens. They will be working with me to plant another Anglican Church in Yakima that will initially target young families and seek to make real ministries of those items I previously mentioned. This is all new and I am cautious and excited about this.
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