That’s one thing that I like about this place. I know what Michael believes, and I know that he’s not going to change it. I appreciate the reading material that he has suggested, also.

Besides, we have the same opinion of “cafeteria Catholics.” GRIN

Besides, we do agree on some stuff, like the Nicene Creed, the importance of evangelism, the need for safe places

“Who has more problems than whom? On the Gospel, they do. On lots of other stuff, they do. On a bunch of stuff that we ought to know better about, we do.”

A general statement that I agree with. Of course item one in your list is what it all hinges on, and the fact that they have the Gospel wrong warrants a strong statement. Please understand, I know there are many problems with Evangelicalism. I do not bury my head in the sand over these matters. I have voiced concern within my church about certain things you’ve pointed out.

It’s my Catholic background that makes me so passionate about maintaining clarity as Catholics as Evangelicals interact. I fear for the Catholic and Evangelical who want to just get along. I’m not talking about being civil, which we should be, but the notion that we can have these disagreements and in the end everything is all right is unsettling. Your blog seems to be a place where Catholics can feel comfortable being Catholic. It’s the Catholic comments I’ve read that have a tone of “Imonk, he’s an Evangelical, and sure he disagrees with us, but that really doesn’t matter” and I just don’t think that’s helpful. Maybe I’m wrong about that, but it’s what I sense.

Mostly this comes down to whether Catholic or Protestant, we have too many people who do not know what they believe, and that happens in both camps. Maybe that’s what you’re trying to get at and I can appreciate that.

You’ve totally lost me. You sound like one of those people who can’t be happy till I stop lamenting and start a team cheer.

I love Hudson Taylor and I’m sure would weep over a properly made film.

Who has more problems than whom? On the Gospel, they do. On lots of other stuff, they do. On a bunch of stuff that we ought to know better about, we do.

What does it matter if I lament the Reformation? The point of the whole piece is how I’m living my life as an evangelical. Where have I told someone to become a Catholic on here? Maybe the Catholics could point that out.

I loathe personal comments that analyze the writer and poster. What you’re doing here making this about me is the one reason I close comments.

But this time I’ll just return fire: You appear to be someone who wants “Reformation good, Catholics Bad” on a requisite number of posts. If I don’t say it, then’ll you insinuate it for me. At the end of the day, you’d be far happier if I said the pope was the anti Christ and Rome the whore of Revelation than if I say those are my brothers and I lament our divisions.

Now, since I don’t know you at all, just the stuff you write, get angry at that and say I’ve shorted you. Then you’ll know how I feel when you run your mouth about me.

ms

Anna, thank you for asking. When I read Michael’s critiques of Evangelicalism, the tone is almost we have more problems than Rome. Sure enough we have a lot of housecleaning to do, but I’m bothered by what seems to be an admiration for things that ignore the cause of separation.

As for Catholics posting here, what is your goal? To bring us home or as Benedict says, point out that us Protestants are in peril? Do you enjoy reading an Evangelical rail against his home team? Or is it the American brand which some of my Catholic friends represent (Oh that Benedict, we don’t pay attention to everything he says). Let’s find things to agree on and push the stink under the carpet. As a former Catholic I find that absurd. Is the Pope the Vicar of Christ or isn’t he?

The fact that I’m not sensing any real challenge to what is wrong with Catholicism makes me wonder. I must be a better man than Michael since the ad he is enamored with held no sway over me. Show me a clip about Hudson Taylor and then I’ll get emotional.

Michael’s policy, at least as I understand it, is that he does not want people on here trying to convert Christians from one denomination to the other. And while there are important doctrinal differences, I think he presumes Catholics to be Christian. Better that we all direct our evangelism efforts to the unbelievers.

So if your desire is to help Catholics see the error of their ways and join the Reformation, this is probably not the best place to do it.

Thank you for your comment. I agree that we have found a safe place here to meet other Christians, and to share what we have. (and drool over what we don’t have.)

Ron, I don’t understand what you mean about Michael’s “apologetic sense towards Rome?” Can you please explain what you mean by that.

All of us Catholics recognize that Michael isn’t going to and shouldn’t cross the Tiber. His ministy (and may it flourish to the end of time) is evangelical. His theology is evangelical.

I too, yearn for a day when we have unity in spirit. But that is not today, and we of necessity need to be serious about doctrinal differences. It is a disservice to Protestants and Catholics when we minimize them.

There are times to pick berries and hum a happy song, and I for one enjoy that. But, that cannot be the theme for a serious look at our faith, and I suspect Michael would consider this blog a serious look at the Christian faith.

There is almost a snideness in this supposed harmonious world represented by the commenters on this blog. Sort of a “we are above the bickering” (unless it is potshots at Leith Anderson). Well, the bickering is oftentimes for valid reasons (e.g I’ll bicker with anyone who praises Joel Osteen and yes, even some individuals like Dobson).

I understand that Michael has complaints against what is largely perceived as Evangelicalism in this country, and I agree with many of the observations, but for that to turn into a wistful sense of what Catholicism is renders his opinions suspicious. He is forecasting this tearing down and re-building of Evangelicalism into a more biblical and gospel centered model. That’s fine, but I don’t understand the apologetic sense towards Rome.

Maybe I’m missing something. If I am please help me understand what the point of this blog is.

This site is kinda like the de-militarized zone where we put away our weapons, meet in the middle, pick berries and have a picnic together. I think we understand that the trenches await us when we leave but we enjoy our pax while we can.