Pope Says Other Churches Not True. Ultrarev Says Pope Wrong.
| Again I say, I wish I could be Roman Catholic ... to enjoy the liturgy, the connection with such an enormous world wide body, it's history, episcopacy and deep spirituality ... but I can't. Especially when the Pope comes out with statements like this. But anecdotally, my experience is the preaching is bad, the music is worse and overall they fail to be missional. Yet I admire how they desire to be guardians of truth and to fight for the dignity of God. I wonder what Benedict's interest in ecumenism is if he doesn't really believe there are other true churches other than the Roman Catholic Church. Why consort with heretics? Just to convert them? He called the other 'churches': "mere ecclesial communities." What is that? Are we of any value? In response to this declaration, the 'ministry of doctrine' of the ultrarev declares to be in full communion with all those who name Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and that all who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior are a part of the true church, no matter their denominational or non-denominational persuasion. Psalm 119:63 "I am a companion of all who fear Thee ..." (KJV) |
posted by theultrarev at 9:29 PM
Comments on "Pope Says Other Churches Not True. Ultrarev Says Pope Wrong."
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Matt said ... (2:41 PM, July 11, 2007) :
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theultrarev said ... (3:12 PM, July 11, 2007) :
post a commentI think the American media has been mischaracterizing what the document actually says.
The document explicitly states that "the church of Christ" is present and active in Protestant ecclesial communities and all who are baptized are incorperated into the body of Christ.
See this editorial by Christianity Today for some further info http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/october23/31.28.html
Muchas gracias Matt. That CT article does give a different spin than the wider media.
The paragraph that merits attention is:
Dominus Iesus also doesn't say Protestants aren't real Christians. On the contrary, it affirms that Protestant churches—"ecclesial communities" in Vatican-speak—"have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation." Their baptized members are held to be in a state of grace: "Those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the [Roman Catholic] Church."
So then, are they suggesting Protestants are saved?