This has helped me to articulate my title as a Catholic. Now I have a reasonable argument. “As long as Rome stands, so will I. “ Yes, what a beautiful Church!
"Across the Christian world, belief has splintered into tens of thousands of denominations — Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Anglicans, Lutherans, and countless others, each convinced they’ve cracked the divine code."
Arggh. I'd argue Catholics still do not 'get' denominations, and repeat this idea over and over again. It's incorrect in terms of how most evangelicals and orthodox Prots understand themselves.
Then there's this old quote from a beloved Catholic author:
Catholicism and Protestantism do not essentially define our identity, as Christ does. If I should die and find out that Christ is not my Savior, I could not be me, I could not exist in such a world. Christ is essential to my very self: “For me to live is Christ.” The Church is like my family: very close to me, loyal to the death.—but not my essence. Saint Paul did not say: “For me to live is Catholicism.” He did not say: “I live, nevertheless not I but Protestantism lives in me.” The only absolute certainty we have is Christ. The unity we already have in Christ includes doctrinal unity, for if we accept the teacher we also accept all his teachings, at least through Scripture. None of the Catholic Church’s interpretations of or additions to Scripture is as important as the scriptural agreements between Protestants and Catholics. The agreements between orthodox Protestants and orthodox Catholics are more important than the agreements between orthodox Catholics and liberal, or Modernist, or demythologized Catholics, and more important than the agreements between orthodox Protestants and liberal Protestants."
I love the Church. And much of this article. But juxtaposing two complimentary identities is not helpful. I'm happy to call myself Christian, with or without a modifier.
I very much agree. I was born Catholic and at 15 I found faith in Christ as an Evangelical. Forty years later I returned to Catholicism. I will continue as a Catholic until the end of my days. However, I am appalled by the lack of humility in Catholicism. My very close Evangelical and Orthodox friends embrace me and I embrace them as serious followers of Christ. So, I am a Christian first (a follower of Jesus Christ) who happened to be called back to the Catholic Vineyard. The true Universal Church is made up of Christians of all traditions within the Church……including the tradition that comes from Rome. It is Christ in us, the hope of Glory that unites us as his people. The Kerygma (the essentials of Christian belief) unites us in orthodox belief and drives us with a passion each and every day to follow Jesus Christ in suffering, in joy and in truth.
I can take some parts of that but not others. We should love and embrace all Christians. Lack of reverence is not unique to the Catholic Church. Notice next time you go to Mass or rock concert in an Evangelical service.
I don’t appreciate the lack of awe in “rock concert” Evangelical churches. Indeed, a lack of humility about the “other” on all sides. God is bigger than our petty differences.
This has helped me to articulate my title as a Catholic. Now I have a reasonable argument. “As long as Rome stands, so will I. “ Yes, what a beautiful Church!
Our catechism teaches that Rome will fall someday. You need to stand then too, and not be scandalized into losing your faith.
Just magnificent a joy to have listened.
Thank you wholeheartedly.
Thank you 🙏
"Across the Christian world, belief has splintered into tens of thousands of denominations — Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Anglicans, Lutherans, and countless others, each convinced they’ve cracked the divine code."
Arggh. I'd argue Catholics still do not 'get' denominations, and repeat this idea over and over again. It's incorrect in terms of how most evangelicals and orthodox Prots understand themselves.
Then there's this old quote from a beloved Catholic author:
Catholicism and Protestantism do not essentially define our identity, as Christ does. If I should die and find out that Christ is not my Savior, I could not be me, I could not exist in such a world. Christ is essential to my very self: “For me to live is Christ.” The Church is like my family: very close to me, loyal to the death.—but not my essence. Saint Paul did not say: “For me to live is Catholicism.” He did not say: “I live, nevertheless not I but Protestantism lives in me.” The only absolute certainty we have is Christ. The unity we already have in Christ includes doctrinal unity, for if we accept the teacher we also accept all his teachings, at least through Scripture. None of the Catholic Church’s interpretations of or additions to Scripture is as important as the scriptural agreements between Protestants and Catholics. The agreements between orthodox Protestants and orthodox Catholics are more important than the agreements between orthodox Catholics and liberal, or Modernist, or demythologized Catholics, and more important than the agreements between orthodox Protestants and liberal Protestants."
I love the Church. And much of this article. But juxtaposing two complimentary identities is not helpful. I'm happy to call myself Christian, with or without a modifier.
I very much agree. I was born Catholic and at 15 I found faith in Christ as an Evangelical. Forty years later I returned to Catholicism. I will continue as a Catholic until the end of my days. However, I am appalled by the lack of humility in Catholicism. My very close Evangelical and Orthodox friends embrace me and I embrace them as serious followers of Christ. So, I am a Christian first (a follower of Jesus Christ) who happened to be called back to the Catholic Vineyard. The true Universal Church is made up of Christians of all traditions within the Church……including the tradition that comes from Rome. It is Christ in us, the hope of Glory that unites us as his people. The Kerygma (the essentials of Christian belief) unites us in orthodox belief and drives us with a passion each and every day to follow Jesus Christ in suffering, in joy and in truth.
I can take some parts of that but not others. We should love and embrace all Christians. Lack of reverence is not unique to the Catholic Church. Notice next time you go to Mass or rock concert in an Evangelical service.
I don’t appreciate the lack of awe in “rock concert” Evangelical churches. Indeed, a lack of humility about the “other” on all sides. God is bigger than our petty differences.
Nice photo of my home parish. :)
Which church is that? So incredibly beautiful!
St Patrick's in New Orleans. It's definitely worth a stop if you're ever around.
Thanks John.
John, I’ve read many of your recent articles and am keenly impressed. Keep up the good work!
Pretty much my
rationale as well
No rules
Just right
They are outback Christians.