I wish Catholics and Protestants could work together better because the lack of unity has allowed the secular and in some cases outright atheist agenda to win.
But I do not see that happening and that is because of the Protestants (to whom I belong). Why? Because 1/2 of the Protestants are themselves 15 major denominations (believing in very different things) and then nearly 1/2 of them belonging to a list of various denominations to extensive and in some cases obscure to even list here. Protestants go from ultra liberal to ultra conservative and orthodox. Trying to find a common ground with that group... well, they can’t even find a common ground amongst themselves.
There are some groups among the Protestants that would work very well with the Catholics, say the LCMS which is more conservative than the Catholic church, very similar in beliefs, just without a Pope. But what about the ELCA with their gay marriages, tattooed female pastors and unwilling to even make a value judgement on abortion? Both have “Lutheran” in their name, but that’s about it.
***Reading from the “fundamental issues” listed, you will not find unity in how the Protestants see things.
One of the unforeseen consequences of Luther was that once they peeled away from the Catholic church which maintained unity in doctrine and tradition, there was nothing holding them together and they continued to divide and continued to come up with their own new ideas of what Christianity is.
Many Protestants don’t see is the varying views in the’Catholic’ church.
However, the beliefs that all Christians hold in common gives me hope that a core of common ground can be agreed on.
A common enemy, or group of enemies, needs to be confronted.
United we stand; divided we fall.
(And yes I know there will always be a remnant. Several of you will ‘know’ that they alone are 100% correct, but Having a viable impact on society and gov’t. is vital for us to continue to be a light unto the world).
The LCMS would not work well with the Roman church. We are conservative and therefore mean it when we stick to Scripture as the final authority, no praying to Mary or Saints, assurance of salvation and salvation by grace through faith not works. There is no compromise on these issues and a few others that caused the Reformation in the first place. The Roman church is much closer to the ELCA than the LCMS
Well stated.
In our political correct world, reasonable discussions are often shouted down.
Protestants go from ultra liberal to ultra conservative and orthodox. Catholics are the same. However, we should have unity on the principles that Christ taught us. Some may find it through education and others by challenging our understanding through discussion. Some will only accept their own beliefs that differ from God’s Truth. There are false teachers and false teachings including from the secular world (atheists).
Jesus allows us to either accept Him through faith and love or reject Him. I believe that many reject Him by their own beliefs (not God’s Truth) and we have a responsibility to spread the good news of salvation to those that will listen.