I must admit I think the real reason for the increased approval of Romanism among Evangelicals is due to the decline of Evangelicalism. So much was made of the Charismatic movement—with its blatant mysticism and anti-intellectualism, as well as the (just how shallow can we make a Church?) mega-Church phenomena—that many Evangelicals have no idea what salvation by Faith alone, through Christ alone, from Grace alone, communicated by Scripture alone, to the Glory of God alone is. Therefore they turn a blind eye to the same old Roman Catholic additions and corruptions.
One of those of course is simply the word “Catholic,” something I avoid. Rome is simply NOT “The” Catholic Church, even though it does contain some who are part of it, and I think all Evangelicals should realize that and stop using the vocabulary Romanists purposely use. Do a search for “Roman” above and you’ll see what I mean. Christ Jesus’ Church is and always has been universal, but the organization founded in Rome is not it.
Hello?
The model for New Testament Church life has a significant dose of ‘mysticism’ in it—depending on one’s definition:
I Cor 12-14 and Acts 2 . . . are the models for New Testament Church life.
Charismatics and Pentecostals make not the least apology in following that model as best as their flawed humanness can manage, by God’s Grace.
As my PhD dissertation literature review discovered, the ‘anti-intellectual’ diatribe was a false accusation. Some of the heaviest intellectual theologians in the world have been Charismatic/Pentecostal who need not play second fiddle to anyone in their respective fields. Some were RC. Many were not.
I agree...with the Emerging Church, Mega-Churches, Charismatics, et al, the term “Evangelical” has lost its meaning, and its meaning. I highly recommend Nancy Pearcey’s book, Total Truth.
I agree. Sound doctrinal teaching can be hard to find in "evangelical" churches. But there are charismatic churches which do a good job of teaching from the Bible, and there are non-charismatic churches which have moved toward a "social gospel."
One of those of course is simply the word “Catholic,” something I avoid. Rome is simply NOT “The” Catholic Church, even though it does contain some who are part of it, and I think all Evangelicals should realize that and stop using the vocabulary Romanists purposely use.
Indeed! I expect those of the church of Rome to call themselves Catholics, but I do not understand why those who obviously do not believe that the church of Rome is The Catholic Church continue to call it that. I also avoid the word Protestant, since it is also a concession to the terminology of Rome.