Aren't you offended? That is the question many Evangelicals are being asked in the wake of a recent document released by the Vatican. The document declares that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church – or, in words the Vatican would prefer to use, the only institutional form in which the Church of Christ subsists.
No, I am not offended. In the first place, I am not offended because this is not an an issue in which emotion should play a key role. This is a theological question, and our response should be theological, not emotional. Secondly, I am not offended because I am not surprised. No one familiar with the statements of the Roman Catholic Magisterium should be surprised by this development. This is not news in any genuine sense. It is news only in the current context of Vatican statements and ecumenical relations. Thirdly, I am not offended because this new document actually brings attention to the crucial issues of ecclesiology, and thus it presents us with an opportunity.
The Vatican document is very brief – just a few paragraphs in fact. It's official title is "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church," and it was released by the Vatican's Congregation for the Defense of the Faith on June 29 of this year. Though many media sources have identified the document as a papal statement from Pope Benedict XVI, it is actually a statement from the Congregation for the Defense of the Faith that was later approved for release by the Pope (who, as Cardinal Ratzinger, headed this Congregation prior to assuming the papacy).
The document claims a unique legitimacy for the Roman Catholic Church as the church established by Christ. The document stakes this identity on a claim to apostolic succession, centered in the papacy itself. As the document states, "This Church, constituted and organised in this world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter and the Bishops in communion with him."
Lest anyone miss the point, the document then goes on to acknowledge that the churches of Eastern Orthodoxy also stake a claim to apostolic succession, and thus they are referred to as "Churches" by the Vatican. As for the churches born in whatever form out of the Reformation – they are not true churches at all, only "ecclesial communities."
Look at this:
According to Catholic doctrine, these Communities do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore, deprived of a constitutive element of the Church. These ecclesial Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called "Churches" in the proper sense.
Pope Benedict was already in hot water with the media because of his recent decision related to the (limited) reinstitution of the Latin mass, complete with a call for the conversion of the Jews. He was not likely to be named "Ecumenist of the Year" anyway. This latest controversy just adds to the media impression of big changes at the Vatican under the current papacy.
There have been changes for sure. Benedict is truly a doctrinal theologian, whereas his popular predecessor, Pope John Paul II, was more a philosopher by academic training. Those familiar with the current pope know of his frustration with the tendency of liberal Catholic theologians and laypersons to insist that the Second Vatican Council (known popularly as "Vatican II") represented a massive shift (to the left) in Catholic doctrine. Not so, insisted Cardinal Ratzinger as head of the Congregation for the Defense of the Faith. Now, as Pope, Benedict is in a position to shape his argument into a universal policy for his church. Vatican II, he insists, represented only a deepening and reapplication of unchanging Catholic doctrine.
Evangelicals should appreciate the candor reflected in this document. There is no effort here to confuse the issues. To the contrary, the document is an obvious attempt to set the record straight. The Roman Catholic Church does not deny that Christ is working redemptively through Protestant and evangelical churches, but it does deny that these churches which deny the authority of the papacy are true churches in the most important sense. The true church, in other words, is that church identified through the recognition of the papacy. Those churches that deny or fail to recognize the papacy are "ecclesial Communities," not churches "in the proper sense."
Comments
I am as offended as I am re: mormon claims, baptist claims assemblie of god ect ect,the church christ returns for isnt made with human hands,that suposes one is somehow worthy,apart from Christ none is worthy,ITS a foolish clame to make.
An as Eastern Orthodox Christian, I appreciate Dr. Mohler's response to the CDF document. We must be intellectually honest about what we believe and why we believe it. It does no good to smooth over the differences between Christians in the name of harmony. To contend for true doctrine is essential.
One reader commented that the Catholic Church teaches that it is the only way to heaven. That is not true. The CDF document states that all Christian communities have elements of grace and sanctification within them. The document simply refers the term, Church of Christ, in the fullest sense, to the Church governed by the Pope. Now, I disagree with this document. I do not think that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church. But, I will return the compliment to them and state that I believe that the Church of Rome does contain many elements of grace and sanctification, mixed with erroneous doctrines. ;)
I'm glad he is reading Church doctrines...I'm sure the Vatican and Catholic media (EWTN, Ave Maria...) also get excited about documents from protestant churches (hahahaha) sorry that was a funny comment. When is the last time, if ever, you saw the Pope or any leading Catholic theologian discussing some statement made by a protestant church?
As a former Catholic, I am *most definitely* offended. Many of the Catholic church's abuses have been enabled by this very notion, that the Catholic church is the only path to Heaven. Many of us here in the ethnic Northeast can tell stories of being abused in school or in church, and then getting slapped at home when trying to report it to our devoutly Catholic parents. It is easy to discuss such issues "without emotion" when you are shielded from their consequences.
Mikey, I would have loved for him to write a longer article but I realise that he wishes to spread the message of not-taking-offence to the Christian world. Many would be shocked & heartbroken because of the work that they put into building ties with the Vatican but this should be an eye opener for both the Protestants & the Catholics. I don't think this issue would be resolved because both groups compare each other with difference measures. There will be those who love tradition & think that it's the best way to please God. May God speak to them Himself. & may all self-proclaimed Christians follow the word of Christ & authenticly seek God.
I am not offended either! I walk with Jesus Christ and I know what I believe and why I believe it! My Bible tells me that the body of Christ ("the church") is made up of those who:
1. Confess that Jesus Christ died for their sin, was crucified, buried, and rose again on the third day.
2. READ #1
Whoever calls upon the NAME of the LORD shall be saved! (God's word not mine) NO human being can tell me that I am not part of JESUS CHRIST! I no longer live and my life is hidden with CHRIST! I pray every day to be more CHRISTLIKE! The Holy Spirit is transforming me and conforming me to the IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST!
The LORD looks on the heart not on outward appearance, and anyone church that EXCLUDES anyone from the LORD needs to check their own BIBLE. HE is the HEAD (the church does NOT rule, JESUS does) the body of Christ is under the LORD's leadership.
So many Christians today do not even know their own Bible. The Word says NO MAN SHALL TEACH YOU! MY HOLY SPIRIT will lead you into ALL TRUTH! Wake UP CHURCH and see the handwriting on the wall! NOTHING SHALL OFFEND thee.
I am not offended by what the Roman Catholic Church states; because I know in whom I have believed. My salvation does not rest with ANY church, it rests in Jesus Christ and Christ alone!
People need to know what they believe and why they believe. God's Word tells us to search the Scriptures and see the truth for ourselves. Pray and ask The Holy Spirit to open up the Word of God to you personally! You'll be amazed at what you will discover!
In His Service,
I don't feel like Albert said much in this column. He basically just kept repeating himself. I would have liked if he discussed the major doctrinal differences in detail. And he also kind of skimmed over a major difference which is taking communion. I think that is a major problem that Catholics have with Protestants.