The Reformer [Luther] never permitted his impassioned protest against the Rome of his day to blind him to the ongoing presence of Christendom within that jurisdiction: "We on our part confess that there is much that is Christian and good under the papacy; indeed everything that is Christian and good is to be found there and has come to us from this source. For instance we confess that in the papal church there are the true Holy Scriptures, true Baptism, the true Sacrament of the Altar, the true Keys for the forgiveness of sins, the true Office of the Ministry, the true catechism in the form of the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Articles of the Creed" (Luther AE 36:16) -- Dr. John R. Stephenson, *Eschatology* p. 8.
Admittedly there is much work, but the unity of all Christians is ultimately the will of our Lord. Therefore, we too should neither permit our impassionate protest of Rome nor the foul language of Luther’s Day keep us from seeking reconciliation with our brethren in the papal church. I continue to pray Jesus’ high priest prayer that we be one.
ReplyDeleteWhat difference does this make? If the presence of these things in the Roman church makes it sufficient for anything at all except consolation on behalf of those still enmeshed in it, then I might as well go back to it.
ReplyDelete"That they may be one" is not frustrated by the Gospel rightly preached and the Sacraments rightly administered, it is frustrated by the massive Roman overlay on these things and reconciliation will come when they damn well drop the crap.
It's funny, but I "amen" both of your comments. I do pray for the day when we may be one also with the family of God that now lives under the pope. I also HUGELY "amen" Terry's point: what frustrates the visible fulfillment of that prayer is the "massive Roman overlay." What a great term - certainly it is not frustrated by the Gospel purely preached or the Sacraments administered according to it. Pax!
ReplyDelete