Following the quick response from the head of the world’s Reformed churches, more Protestant denominational heads have spoken out against the Vatican’s reassertion this week of the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church.
However, the leaders, although voicing disagreement with the Vatican, noted that the statement is nothing new.
“Similar statements and perspectives precipitated the 16th century Reformation nearly 500 years ago,” Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, said in a statement Thursday.
“At that time Martin Luther said, ‘Popes and councils can err.’ Apparently that is still true today,” he added.
Earlier this week, Pope Benedict XVI approved a document which stated that the Roman Catholic Church is the “one true Church,” while all non-Catholic churches are simply “ecclesial communities.”
“Other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation,” the pope was quoted as saying.
In response, global Protestant church bodies – which have often held ecumenical meetings with the Catholic Church – expressed disappointment at the statement in regards to efforts on Christian unity.
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 added. “It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity.”
Two days later, the Lutheran World Federation’s general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko, said Lutheran churches “do not accept the understandings of church or the description of our lived reality of faith” found in the Vatican document, titled “Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church.”
Moreover, Noko, like LCMS’s Kieschnick, said that though the Vatican’s position is nothing new to them, they were “saddened and disappointed that it is reasserted again for our current context, in which the work of ecumenical partnership has produced such significant results.”
However, the heads of the LWF, LCMS, the WARC, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have all said they remain committed to ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.
"Understanding ourselves to be fully church, where the gospel is rightly preached and the sacraments rightly administered, we remain committed to ecumenical dialogue, including continued conversation with our partners in the Roman Catholic Church," the LWF’s Noko stressed.
Comments
The problem that laforte and I have with the Catholic beliefs is that they claim certain things in "the name of God" (or more often in the name of the Church) that are not Biblical. That is using the Lord's name in vain. There is a mad man in africa who has built an army of children. He kidnaps them, rapes them, forces them to kill their own families...all in the name of God. Does that mean he's right too?
1st Corinthians
If say that murder is a sin...am I being judgemental? Or am i merely quoting the Bible?
IM sorry,you misunderstand the meaning and the application of the word( judge)Please look up the word within a strongs concordance,greek 2919-you will see there the word,has multiple meanings and applications,there is a portion that belongs to God and a portion that belongs to man,a person is Not allowed to believe whatever they wish,hence the word judgment,actions have responsibilitys attached be it word or deed,
I posted this on another article too, but just in case you don't read that, you can read it here.
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....
laforte...yes i did. I apologize for not responding. I'll try to do so tonight yet, or tomorrow afternoon at the latest. It is almost 8pm here and I have to get up at 12:30am to go to work. But I will try. Thanks for reminding me. LOL.
Prophet did you get my message. email me.Ii checked your other site.
my previous3-4comments were forJDNWF66
peter had nothing to do with the founding of catholic anything,That Idea has twisted scripture to fit the man made doctrine of catholics into there own image and likeness that has nothing to do with Jesus other than lip service.
Yes, I was aware of what happened in history with the Catholic Church and allowing pagan political leaders to have influence on it's beliefs and future. I make no argument that Peter may have been the one to found the Catholic Faith (although there is no concrete proof of such, mainly conjecture), but if he had I am quite certain is nothing near what Catholicism is today. I'm sure if he were alive today he would be completely outraged at how the Word of God has been prostituted in the name of The Church. From what I've read, the first recordable "Pope" was Pope Leo I in the 4th century. I may be mistaken though.
Although I am part of an organized "labeled" church, I do not adhere nor believe in all that they do. But the subjects of our disagreement are so trivial that it has nothing to do with our eternal future.
For example, our church encourages becoming a member. I do not believe in that. I am a member of the Body whether they accept me or not. I do understand the reasoning behind it, though. It was created to keep some kind of order to the church especially when voting or deciding on particular subjects. You don't want just any John Doe being able to decide the fate of the church, especially if they're not even saved. But, then again, I do have differing views on how the church is set up...with the "sheep" having the powers and not the "shepherd". But that would take me an hour to write.
Point is this...I do not agree with that particular policy, but I am there because God has told me to. And he has blessed me. I have been there 15 years and never been a "member". I feel I prove my allegience to my church by my faithfulness. And God has blessed me and uses me. During those 15 years I have been an assistant youth pastor, in the worship band, in charge of the computer ministry, one of the home prayer group leaders, and the leader of our hospital visitation ministry. All without being a "member". And in those 15 years I have seen scores of people start attending our church, go through the class, and become a member...and then a month later they disappear. I don't want someone like that being able to vote on the future of my church.
No church or denomination is perfect. But as long as you are where God tells you to be, and doing what He asks you you to do, he will bless you.
And to those who may read this...if the doctrine your church teaches can not be backed by scripture, then it is your duty to question the authenticity of your church.
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.
laforte2007
* Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:19 pm
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at the time these scriptures were written The cathholic church was in a embryonic state it wasnt untill much later- approx, 150 years latter that they began making the claims of superiority,the writers of The bible spoke about JESUS THE CHRIST and it Was,& is HE- they followed-.& there IS No other they- nor I follow,ITS all about Jesus,Not a church- no matter who else makes statements to the contrary,I do not worship the bible I learn from it,I dont bow before any man,no matter what his or her title.
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.
at the time these scriptures were written The cathholic church was in a embryonic state it wasnt untill much later- approx, 150 years latter that they began making the claims of superiority,the writers of The bible spoke about JESUS THE CHRIST and it Was,& is HE- they followed-.& there IS No other they- nor I follow,ITS all about Jesus,Not a church- no matter who else makes statements to the contrary,I do not worship the bible I learn from it,I dont bow before any man,no matter what his or her title.
THE scriptures youve chosen have been misused go to the begining of the given topics and read them with full understanding about whats being talked about,I see How a Christian should comport ONEself in tim: and the other again go back to the begining and read it as it was ment to be read take each thought and start to build a picture of what is being spoken about,
"The Pillar and Foundation of Truth IS The Church", not The Bible Alone as asserted by The Protestants and clarified by The Pope of Rome. 1 Tim 3:15. Look it up yourselves. Also, 2 Thess 2:15 where it says clearly to the chagrin of those who would say that The Bible Alone is my sole rule of Faith. The Bible never says that and to the contrary in this chapter and verse this is what it REALLY, REALLY says, "Hold Fast To The Traditions You Have Received from us Be It Written Epistle OR Oral Tradition". :)
Im going to bed. I pray God's blessing on you and your family. I hope we can chat again.