Posted on 12/03/2014 10:23:22 AM PST by NKP_Vet
In a new video, megachurch leader and author Rick Warren is calling for Christians to unite with Roman Catholics and “Pope Francis,” who Warren recently referred to as the “Holy Father”—a move that is raising concerns among Christians nationwide and is resulting in calls for Warren to repent.
Warren made the comments following his visit to the Vatican last month, where he spoke at an interfaith conference on the “Complementarity of Man and Woman.”
“We have far more in common than what divides us,” he said in the two-minute video released by the Catholic News Service on Wednesday, described as being an outline for “an ecumenical vision for Catholics and Protestants to work together to defend the sanctity of life, sex and marriage.”
“They would all say, ‘We believe in the Trinity; we believe in the Bible; we believe in the resurrection; we believe in salvation through Jesus Christ,” Warren asserted, speaking of the various denominations within Christianity, of which he included Roman Catholicism. “These are the big issues.”
The author of the bestselling book “The Purpose Driven Life” then sought to defend Catholics from those who take issue with the practice of seeking the intercession of Mary and the various deceased persons that have been sainted by the Vatican.
“Sometimes protestants think that Catholics worship Mary like she’s another god, but that’s not exactly Catholic doctrine,” Warren contended. “People say, ‘What are the saints all about? Why are you praying to the saints?’ And when you understand what they mean by what they’re saying, there’s a whole lot more commonality [that we have with Roman Catholics].”
“There’s still real differences—no doubt about that,” Warren stated. “But the most important thing is, if you love Jesus, we’re on the same team.”
He closed by speaking of his belief that Christians and Catholics serve as co-laborers for the cause of defending life and family.
“When it comes to the family, we are co-workers in the field in this for the protection of the sanctity of life, the sanctity of sex and the sanctity of marriage,” Warren said. “So, there’s a great commonality and there’s no division on any of those three.”
But Warren’s comments have raised concern from Christian leaders nationwide, who are now calling the Saddleback leader to repentance. Matt Slick of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) repudiated each of Warren’s points.
“Sure, there are Catholics who love the real Christ, the one who died on the cross for our sins. That is not the problem,” he said. “The problem is the Roman Catholic Church’s false teachings concerning Mary and salvation.”
“Rick Warren says both the Catholics and the Protestants believe in the Bible. But, there is a significant difference between the Bible of the Protestants and the Roman Catholic Church, which has added seven books,” Slick wrote. “[T]here are numerous problems in the apocryphal books, such as the teaching of salvation by works [and] the offering of money for the sins of the dead.”
“Warren implies that both Protestants and Catholics have the same view of salvation,” he continued. “Though it’s technically correct to say that Catholics believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, they reject justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Instead, it teaches that good works of various kinds are necessary for salvation.”
The Christian apologist then pointed to several Roman Catholic teachings on Mary, mainly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), such as that Mary “by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation” and that “[b]y asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the ‘Mother of Mercy,’ the All-Holy One.”
“Rick Warren has not only failed to recognize the problems in these serious areas, but he has lent his credibility as a Protestant pastor in support of the Roman Catholic Church,” Slick wrote. “This should never be done by any Protestant pastor who takes the Bible seriously. I must conclude that Mr. Warren does not take the word of God seriously and/or he does not understand the damnable teachings of Roman Catholicism regarding salvation.”
“Rick Warren needs to repent,” he said.
Can’t be, a large number of them ran away from it.
Fixed it. Christians should always unite on that which they agree, and search for God's will on all things where they differ.
Kinda depends on what he means by “unite”. If he means work with on biblical teachings such as feeding and clothing the poor, no problem. Many Protestants already do that.
If he means accepting the Catholic catechisms ... sorry, not going to happen.
Catholics are welcome to him and if he goes, I personally apologize to Catholics for what they’re getting.
We can unite to work together on issues which reflect our shared commitment to bringing the Gospel to life. We can do that without pretending we agree on everything and by admitting there are still major important divisions of belief between Catholics and other Christians.
We should unite under one person only and that is Jesus Christ. Remembering always we owe all to His saving grace.
He is not a Christian anything. He Is another feel good speaker. Catholics are welcomed to him and a few others.
The Protestants and Catholics should unite because when we are divided and fight among ourselves we fail in preaching the gospel of love and our enemies will defeat us. We can still have our differences in theology but still not fight for who’s right or wrong.
Rick is running hard against Joel Osteen for the position of Post-Modern Pope. Then, he will engage in a steel-cage grudge match against Pope Frankie himself to see who will emerge as the False Prophet. Look out for his ferula, Rick!
Christians being the key word. However, Christians are also admonished to stay away from false religions, which would preclude them from "uniting" with catholics.
Both Catholic and Mega churches are just one big cheap plastic feelgood moneymaking clusterfrick.
I just wonder who will demand that their ring gets kissed first?
Note to Rick Warren, Catholics are Christians.
I think it would be a good thing if people humbly prayed before posting, both for the people they are inclined to denigrate, and for the grace to speak the truth in love.
Sure, the one and only true church is probably the East Elm Creek Church of the Holy Father and Communal Baptism, Reformed Chapter.
Been attending Catholic Mass for 24 years and I've yet to hear a feelgood homily or anything suggesting an easy path to Heaven.
Change a names and dates and we could be reading something from England in the 1500’s..
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3233179/posts
ROTFL! When did that thought occur to you?
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Amazing. Hate applied with broad brush strokes...
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