Here are three final questions on a set of three totally different issues regarding differences between Catholics and Evangelicals, which I have been asked again and again.
The fact that two Evangelical scholars speak to the yearly plenary of the non-Protestant chaplains reflects the changing situation on a national level, which are also reflected here in Rome on an international level.
The Pope apologizes for something different nearly every month. ... Having experienced personally several of his apologies, I only can tell you — he means it.
Upon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Vatican Synod, I, the World Evangelical Alliance's representative at the Synod, called upon the international Christian community to demonstrate more solidarity with persecuted Christians in the Middle East and around the world.
I would say that there were three groups overall: one third were on the middle ground, or the interventions did not touch "hot" topics; one third leaned to the "no changes" side; and one third leaned to the side called "progressive" here or "liberal" in the media, the latter term being both a wrong description and not loved by any of the progressives.
A lot of blogs comment on what I am doing here in Rome. One Italian blog claimed that Pope Francis is the Antichrist. Of course, several cardinals and bishops asked me immediately what I thought about it.
Today I had the privilege to contribute a paragraph on the covenant character of marriage, showing that God's grace comes always first and that a Christian marriage always relies on the promise and grace given by God, that especially becomes activated when we humans reach our borders, but the Holy Spirit helps us to overcome our weaknesses.
Earlier on Saturday late afternoon, in one of the rare sessions with open speaking for one hour, for the first time the two sides on marriage clashed within 10 minutes. One bishop stated that it is the smell of the devil even to discuss any changes on how to adapt the Catholic teaching on marriage to difficult situations.