The head of a global body of Reformed churches has challenged the Vatican’s claim that the Catholic Church is the only true church of Jesus Christ.
In a letter addressed to Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council of Christian Unity, the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) questioned the Vatican’s statement at a time where society as well as the Christian body is struggling with division and placing great emphasis on unity.
“We are puzzled by the release of a statement of this kind at this time in the history of the church,” wrote the WARC’s general secretary in the letter Tuesday. “An exclusive claim that identifies the Roman Catholic Church as the one church of Jesus Christ … goes against the spirit of our Christian calling toward oneness in Christ.
“It makes us question the seriousness with which the Roman Catholic Church takes its dialogues with the Reformed family and other families of the church,” the letter read. “It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity.”
The Vatican reaffirmed that only the Roman Catholic Church is “the one true Church of Christ” in a corrective document released Tuesday and ratified by Pope Benedict XVI, according to Agence France-Presse.
In addition to clarifying confusion on the Catholic Church’s identify, the text claims to also aid in holding effective ecumenical dialogue in the future.
“However, if such dialogue is to be truly constructive it must involve not just the mutual openness of the participants, but also fidelity to the identity of the Catholic faith,” the document said.
The 16-page text had also explicitly declared “communities emerging from the Reformation” – the Protestant and Anglican churches – are “not Churches in the proper sense of the word,” but rather “ecclesial communities.”
In response, Nyomi said, “For now, we are thankful to God that our calling to be part of the church of Jesus Christ is not dependent on the interpretation of the Vatican.
“It is a gift of God,” the WARC head wrote in his letter. “Receiving this gift, we appreciate the Roman Catholic Church as a part of this family.”
The WARC head speaking for his organization said it hopes the Roman Catholic Church moves beyond “exclusivist claims” in order to further the cause of Christian unity.
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches represents 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries. The Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, whose home church is the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ghana, is the first non-European to be installed as the WARC general secretary. Nyomi has held the position since 2000.
Comments
1cor13:1-13 says: Judgment is NOT your place, it ALONE is GOD'S. So instead of quoting scripture to try denounce anyone and everyone you can, focus on your OWN faith. When that is PERFECT (which it will never be, because only GOD is perfect) then you can judge anyone you want.
My friend “1cor13”, GOOD ON YOU!!!, please send your statement to your pope as soon as possible you can, he was the one who started judging others by saying “Catholic Church is the only true church of Jesus Christ.”
These are the things we can NOT FIND in the Bible:
Calling Pope as “Holy Father”
Calling Pope as “the Vicar of Christ”
Calling Mary as “mediator between Heavenly Father and Christians”
But these are written in the Bible:
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, EVERLASTING FATHER, Prince of Peace.”
John 10:4,14-15 The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Isaiah 48:11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? MY GLORY I WILL NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER.
Glory and honor, prise and power to our Lord Jesus Christ alone!!
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/
http://www.unmaskingcatholicism.com/
The pope needs to do his homework, and the Vatican, for all its pomp and glory does not represent the essence of Jesus Christ and His message. There's only one mediator between God and man, and that's Christ Jesus. Not the Pope, not the Saints, and NOT Mary!!!
Wake up, believers!!! The Reformation addressed this, so now we're need of another Reformation to issue a warning to the pope that he is not the author of Truth, nor is he the head of the "one true church." Only Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. We worship Christ Jesus and Him crucified. Worshipping any other is pure blasphemy and idolatry!!!
You can contact me at godissweet1@cox.net
Are you saying you can't contact me? or online4him? my email addy is aletheia_xa@yahoo.com if you're trying to contact me. i think i've got online4him's email addy too. i'll have to check
Online4Him i have repeatedly tried to contact you I cant,& I mean I cant. I can navigate to your web page but thats all. my pc is being dumb
maybe he/she should check out my blog www.isaiahscry.blogspot.com. maybe not...lol. he may not be able to handle the truth. just put a new post about sin is still sin. and next is about what is commonly refered to as "The Lord's Prayer" and how its not to be a mantra, but a guidline to effective prayer.
sorry, i had a mistype...the sentence should read "She never had, nor has now, any special "super powers". Sorry for the typo.
They don't idolize Mary? Why are there so many "idols" of her in the Catholic faith? I mean, I could start a tradition based on Luke 7:28. Jesus said that there was no one born of a woman that was greater than John the Baptist. I could certainly take that and run with it. Jesus was born of a woman. According to this, John was greater than He was. I know...I know...I'm taking it out of context...so is the scripture about Mary. Mary certainly was blessed. But she is just a vessel. She lived, she died. She had, nor has now, any special "super powers". It's comparable to me eating one of the best meals I've ever had. Do I thank the plate and silverware....set up a altar for them...idolize them? Or do I thank the one who actually DID the work? Not to be sacreligious, but God could have used anyone or anything to accomplish His plan. Mary was just a vessel. And she will always be known as the mother of Jesus. She is eternally blessed because of her willingness to be that servant. She could have said "no".
There is a difference between being called blessed, and being given more credit than due.
Response to 1cor13:1-13:
I wanted to comment on some assertions you made regarding your last entry. Let first start by saying that I am only sharing what Scripture teaches and my intention is only to share not to condemn. As you yourself have been sharing what you believe; I think it is important to revisit some of your comments made.
MARY: The bible says, ‘For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1Timothy 2:5. This passage rebuts your statement regarding Mary’s or any other saint interceding for us. We need no other intercessor but our Lord Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 5:7 says,’Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Again it is He not she who ministers in our behalf. See also, Hebrews 4:14, 15, 1John 1:9.
LATIN: The original language was not Latin, the first Church in Jerusalem was not speaking Latin. The gospel spread thought the known world in places such as Samaria, Ethiopia, Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, and India to name a few. Though Latin became the language of the western provinces it never replaced Greek in the eastern half of the Roman Empire.
MASS: The bible says, ‘For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:26, 27. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28. We need not a daily sacrifice since Christ has ONCE offered himself for the sins of the world.
We not wait until the end to hear God’s voice in respect to what is right and what is wrong. He has already done so be giving us His Word! The passage that everyone likes to quote-Matthew 7:1 is often misunderstood; this passage, Judge not, that ye be not judged — To “judge” here does not exactly mean to pronounce condemnatory judgment, nor does it refer to simple judging at all, whether favorable or the reverse. The context makes it clear that the thing here condemned is that disposition to look unfavorably on the character and actions of others, which leads invariably to the pronouncing of rash, unjust, and unlovely judgments upon them. No doubt it is the judgments so pronounced which are here spoken of; but what our Lord aims at is the spirit out of which they spring. We are to judge between light and darkness, truth and error, right and wrong. It is never to be done in a condemning fashion or hypocritically.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant,
from now on will all ages call me blessed." (Lk. 1:16-18)
---or simply visit here--
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/blessed_virgin_mary.html
Catholics honor Mary because she was the virgin mother of Jesus. They do not idolize her or worship her; that alone goes to Christ. (Read the Catechism, idolatry of Mary or the Saints is punishable by excommunication, and also the original language for the Church was Latin, LATRIA is worship that ALONE goes to God, DULIA is honor directed toward the saints and Mary) Catholics pray to Mary because she intercedes prayers. --My example for this---- you are a child and want your dad to help or do something for you so while you also ask him straight up you get your mother to help you explain and "convince" him of your requests. This is a very strong belief among Catholics, you can pray directly to God if you want, but having Mary and the Saints is like having people who really understand how hard life is (who've suffered the particular problems a person is having), pass up your prayers to God. If this does not explain clear enough you can look it up in the Catechism or in other articles on the Catholic view of Mary (I'd advise you to read ones written by a Catholic)
----In a Catholic Mass, the priest says, "ALL glory and honor is YOURS all-mighty Father, forever, and ever" and the congregation responds "Amen" meaning "so be it".
The Pope's statement was NOT meant to denigrate other churches. That statement has been around for ages, but because it is again brought up in the present time, people are throwing a fit. (Vatican II also states, similarly, that the Catholic Church is the one and only true church founded by Jesus Christ) There are over 33,640 churches that have different beliefs......, yet ALL of those churches have beliefs based from Catholic teachings. Of course, some have more than others. Yet look it up, the Catholic Church was the first Christian religion. It's in the history books. Each year 7th graders around the country learn about it. You can't change history.
No, I'm not going to sit here and try to convince you of anything. I am Catholic, you are not, I respect and acknowledge your religious beliefs without spewed hatred and expect the same. I'm simply stating my own views. You have yours, I have mine. I respect yours, so do the same to me and all Catholics. True Christians DO NOT sit and contemplate what is wrong about every other religion or denomination, but focus on their OWN faith, because that’s what really matters. I am appalled to see some people sit here and judge Catholics (I would be appalled if it were any other faith also) without studying Catechism, history, or any other religion for that matter. Those of you that have studied what I’ve mentioned and more, why are you judging? You obviously have strong Christian beliefs and doesn’t God tell us NOT to judge anyways?
Judgment is NOT your place, it ALONE is GOD'S. So instead of quoting scripture to try denounce anyone and everyone you can, focus on your OWN faith. When that is PERFECT (which it will never be, because only GOD is perfect) then you can judge anyone you want.
Everyone is entitled to believe what they wish; GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL IN THE END TELL US WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG. Catholics believe what they wish, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, etc, do the same. So I challenge you all. Instead of focusing on what YOU believe to be wrong about the Catholic Church (OR any OTHER church for that matter), focus on your own faith, because in the end, isn't that what really matters anyways??
Also, Mat 7:1 Judge not lest you be judged. Ya, thats from the Bible. Obviously those posting have read it... so how 'bout we listen....
I will say this though...what Sitri Nyomi said in this article hits it right on the head..."In response, Nyomi said, “For now, we are thankful to God that our calling to be part of the church of Jesus Christ is not dependent on the interpretation of the Vatican. It is a gift of God,” the WARC head wrote in his letter. “Receiving this gift, we appreciate the Roman Catholic Church as a part of this family.”
JSOrthodoxy,
I agree with you. If you get a chance to see my past exchange with truthandjustice, you will see that my argument is not making "straw men" out of Catholic beliefs. If there views and beliefs are based on the teachings of the church, rather than the teachings of the Word, then it is incorrect. Example:
1: Where is their scriptural foundation for praying to Mary?
2: Where is their scriptural foundation for praying to saints?
3: Where is their scriptural foundation for their belief that priests are needed to absolve us from our sins?
I could go on, but I will not.
I have debated with this gentleman intellegently and respectfully. Every time I ask him a question, he responds with what "the Church teaches or views". Everytime he asks me a question, I respond with what the Word of God says. This is not making straw men. This is blantantly obvious non-Biblical teachings we are dealing with.
I thank you for your warning though. It is so easy to go from intelligent and respectful to foolish and angry. LOL.
as a former catholic-I can say the catholic teachings are just that catholic,Not biblical-for the most part,they are doctrines of there- powers that be,even there scriptures are in error,research the history of how the (textus-sinaticus)catholic bible- came into being,Compared to the( textus recepticus)from where the original kjv came from.and see the how what and why the conection to the old pagan rome and the power struggle.and how for political reasons to stabilize the political powers through religion-all for the glory of rome,which had nothing to do with Jesus the Christ,or his teachings,for the seeds of catholics were in play even in pauls day he warned against those who brought in damable doctrins and he warned against them.the history of the catholic church is simmilar in pattern of history as is the muslims history,2% truth with98% lies,research historical texts,dont take my word for it.
The Catholic church is the Antichrist! If you do not believe me, study the Bible and the history of the Protestant churches and the Great Reformers such as Huss, Calvin, Luther, and the Waldenses. Protestants have forgotten historicism and turned to futurism which is sad. Remember, those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it, this means you!
My friends,
Most of the comments I read here lead me to think that few people have any interest in finding out what ancient Christians really believed and taught. The caricatures of Catholicism are truly sad and pathetic. If you want to refute the theology of a particular Church, be honest about the Church's theology. Don't take pot shots at straw men you have built up.
Personally, I wish the Reformed Church leader had taken a stronger position and attempted an argument to show how Reformed Christianity is the true Church of Christ. That would be interesting. I do not believe the claim that the Church of Rome is the true Church of Christ, because I do not accept papal supremacy. But, I also do not believe in making straw men out of Catholic beliefs. Remember, "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor," is a commandment of Scripture. Let's not bear false witness against Catholic beliefs. Let's not ridicule and "be ugly" to one another as many in my family would say. Let's be honest about the serious differences among Christian bodies and debate these things intelligently and respectfully.