Over the
past several years, I’ve been reading a lot about Protestantism and
Catholicism, what separates us, and what we have in common. Most recently, I read the new book by Peter
Kreeft, titled Catholics and
Protestants: What Can We Learn from Each
Other. And so, today I’m thinking
about what it might take to re-unify so that we may fully become what Christ
intended …. one fold and one shepherd.
Though there are many more, I’ve come up with what I consider the five
most troublesome doctrines, what Catholics believe and what mainline
Protestants believe. To my Protestant
readers – if you find anything to be in error, please leave a comment. To my Catholic readers, especially priests –
please do the same! I realize that there
are many more sticking points, but I believe the following may be the most
serious.
1) The doctrine of Faith Alone, or Sola Fide. Protestants believe that, to be saved, all it
takes is for us to declare our faith in God and our faith in Jesus Christ. As soon as we do so, we are saved and this
cannot be reversed. Catholics believe
that salvation depends on what truly in one’s heart. As such, much more is needed, such as good
works and the sacraments, and we won’t know whether we are saved until
Judgement Day.
2) The doctrine of Scripture Alone, Sola
Scriptura. Protestants believe that
Sacred Scripture is the sole authority as far as what the revealed truths are
and what is to be believed. Catholics
believe that Sacred Tradition, whether recorded (Sacred Scripture) or not,
contains the full truth. There is also
the issue of correct interpretation of Sacred Scripture. Protestants believe that interpretation is up
to the individual, whereas Catholics caution that accurate interpretation is
important and therefore the individual should read a Catholic version of the
Bible alongside a Catholic commentary, perhaps in consultation with a Catholic
priest.
3) The question of apostolic succession. Protestants believe that the Church that
Jesus founded became corrupt sometime after the death of the last apostle and
did not get back on track until the sixteenth century. Catholics believe that the Church that Jesus
founded is the Catholic Church and that Pope and the bishops constitute an
unbroken line of succession from the earliest days. Catholics believe that these successors have
met every heresy and obstacle that has arisen via various church councils, such
as the Council of Nicaea and the second Vatican Council among many others, with
the same authority as the apostles before them.
4) Papal authority. Protestants dispute the Catholic claim that
the Pope, as the successor of St. Peter, has ultimate authority in matters of
faith and morals. They say that he (the
pope) is just a man subject to human error and weakness and that the real
authority is Sacred Scripture (see #2 above).
Catholics believe that one of the promises that Christ made to his Church
is that he (Christ) will be with us “until the end of the age.” Because of this, they believe that when the
pope issues a statement in regard to faith and morals that he does indeed have
the authority in these matters.
5) The Real Presence in the Eucharist. Protestants believe that Jesus was only
speaking metaphorically at the Last Supper when he said “This is my body … this
is my blood … do this in memory of me,” and in John, Chapter 6, when he first spoke
of this. Catholics believe that he
instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist when he said these words and that his
body and his blood are truly present in these consecrated elements under the
appearance of bread and wine.
The
disagreements on these points appear to be insurmountable, almost like the
points debated by the Republicans and Democrats in the U.S Congress! In fact, some Protestant leaders have said
that Catholics are not Christian. And
Catholics say that they have the fullness of the truth. Well, I would like to propose a compromise. Imagine this for a moment if you can. The two factions come together and form a new
religion, if you will, the Re-Unified Church of Jesus Christ, or, simply,
Christianity. Leaders of both factions
hold a “council” and debate what can be agreed to 100% and what can never be
agreed to. Perhaps such a council can be
held annually. Then, allow the factions
to go their way in these matters but promising mutual respect at the same time,
while each being a part of this new re-unified church. It would be a miracle, I know, if they were
ever to agree on all the issues. But
let’s give ourselves time. It’s been exactly
500 years since Martin Luther’s theses. Maybe
slowly, over the centuries, we will draw closer together and in the year 2517,
we will jump the final hurdle and be fully unified. I believe that with prayer and confidence in
the will of God, this indeed is possible.
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