“the Catholic church has maintained organizational integrity well enough to claim, for instance, allegiance to a line of popes extending to the First Century.”
True, agreed.
“The Reformers never agreed exactly what the true alternative to Catholicism (should be), except that there ought to be one.”
I think that would depend on who you consider to be “The Reformers.”
I believe that the one true church consists of every true believer in Jesus. Ultimately of course only God knows who we are. He warns us that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing out there. So, we are supposed to listen to His voice (My sheep know my voice, etc.)
The Protestants would largely argue that His voice is being or has been ignored in certain areas within the RC church. The RCs of course point out their continuity.
I don’t think a division at Coral Ridge should be rejoiced over. I could sort of understand if several hundred left to join the RC church, because you view yourselves as the one true church. But Coral Ridge and the RC church have very similar values, particularly on issues of the day, despite some essential doctrinal differences.
The chief breach of the reformation came with the abandonment of the mass, or the Eucharist, and the denial of the authority of the priesthood to teach true doctrine. The Orthodox churches haven’t done this. only have broken with Rome on jurisdiction. Few Catholics doubt that many in the evangelical churches are true Christians. In deed, Catholics have left the Church because they feel that many priests, inspired by false notions of the “Spirit of Vatican II, have begun teaching a false version of the faith. But the doctrinal fluidity of the megachurches and their dependence on charismatic personalities, seems to me a grave weakness. Look what happened after Luther’s death. Look at what happens after Dr. Kennedy’s death. A very great preacher, BTW.
Isn't that what one really means to say?