Does The Path To Unity Lead To Rome?

[John81]

Is Ulf Ekman Right? Does the Path to Unity Lead to Rome?

 

The March 9, 2014, issue of Charisma News reported that the well-known Word of Faith pastor in Uppsala, Sweden, Ulf Ekman, had converted to Roman Catholicism. This did not come as a complete surprise, for Ekman had for several years shown an interest in Catholic theology and liturgy.

 

In fact, the Nov. 24, 2008, issue of Charisma News reported that Ekman had participated in a conference convened by Catholic and Protestant leaders who advocate uniting all Christians “under the pope.” The conference conveners were unapologetic in their belief that such unity, centered in the pope, is necessary if Europe is to withstand the onslaught of Islam and secularism.

 

In an interview that was published in the March 9, 2014, issue of Charisma News, Ekman revealed that he has embraced this view that the path to Christian unity does, indeed, lead to Rome and recognition of the authority of the pope. Ekman made this very clear when he was asked about the Catholic doctrine of a teaching magisterium, centered in the pope, that has the final authority and say on doctrine and matters of faith. Ekman agreed that such a teaching authority is necessary if there is to be Christian unity. When asked if he believes the pope to be the utmost expression of such an authority, Ekman replied, “Yes, he definitely is.”

 

Problems Remain on the Path to Unity

 

Nonetheless, the path to unity does not lead to Rome as Ekman now believes. What is ironic about what Ekman and others are advocating as a point of unity—the universal authority of the pope—is the fact that this has, historically, been the cause of the major divisions in in the Church. The development of the papal office, which is not found in either Scripture or early Christianity, has been a long and problematic process that encountered much opposition along the way and was never accepted by all of Christendom. In fact, the ancient churches of the East (now known as the Eastern Orthodox) never accepted the authoritative claims of the bishop of Rome in the West.

The split between the churches of the East and West, which culminated in the official division of 1054, was not rooted in doctrine but in the illegitimate power claims of the bishop of Rome (i.e., the pope). Hans Kung, the most widely read Catholic theologian in the world today, makes this point and quotes the Orthodox theologian John Meyendorff, who says, “All historians today are agreed that East and West separated on the basis of a progressive alienation which coincided with the equally progressive growth of papal authority.” 

 

In a similar way, the major rift that took place in Christendom at the time of the Reformation was not first and foremost about doctrine (i.e., justification by faith) but about the bishop of Rome’s claim of absolute authority over all of Christendom. As in the former split between the churches of the East and the West, the division that took place at the time of the Reformation concerned the pope’s claim of priority and authority in all the Church.

 

Martin Luther never wanted to leave the Catholic Church but was excommunicated and declared a heretic when he refused to yield to the demands of the pope that he cease teaching justification by faith and the ultimate authority of Scripture. In the end, it was a power struggle over where ultimate authority lies for the church and the individual believer. Luther decided that it lies with Scripture. Ekman, it seems, has decided that it lies with the pope.

 

I appreciate the current pope’s expressions of humility, his identification with the poor and his reaching out to those outside the Catholic Church. But make no mistake about it! Until we hear a clear and official pronouncement otherwise, the view of Pope Francis and the Roman Church is that unity will only be realized when the “separated brethren” return to the Catholic fold.

 

Although Vatican II recognized that God is at work in other Christian groups, it stated clearly that the church of Christ "subsists" in the Roman Catholic Church. This is the thinking behind the popular program on the EWTN Catholic Network entitled Journey Home in which interviews are conducted with Protestants who have converted to Catholicism.

 

The pope could strike a powerful blow for true Christian unity if he would relinquish the traditional Catholic dogma that the pope holds authority over all Christendom and then recognize leaders of the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches as brothers (or sisters, as it may be) and equals in Christ.

 

Even Catholic theologians today are realizing that the traditional view of the universal authority of the pope is a major barrier on the path to unity. Kung writes, "No one can overlook the fact that with time the absolutist papacy has become the ecumenical problem number one. Paul VI was the first to concede this himself with ecumenical openness; instead of being a rock of unity, the papacy is a block on the way to ecumenical understanding.”

 

Summation

The path to Christian unity does not lead to Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Springfield, Cleveland or any other city but to Jesus Christ Himself. Christian unity will never happen organizationally. The Roman Church’s approach to unity, that unity will occur when all the “separated brethren” return to the Catholic fold, is not compatible with Scripture, history or reason. But so as not to point the finger solely at the Roman Church in this regard, many Protestant churches and Pentecostal-charismatic churches are just as prideful in their sense of ecclesial importance and superiority. Kung, himself a Roman Catholic, went right to the heart of the matter when he wrote, “The road to unity is not the return of one Church to another, or the exodus of one Church to join another, but a common crossroads, the conversion of all Churches to Christ and thus to one another.”

 

Entire article:

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/43174-is-ulf-ekman-right-does-the-path-to-unity-lead-to-rome

[Covenanter]

The only unity I am interested in is the unity of the true believers in Christ. There are redeemed, Bible-believing Christians across denominations & in independent churches, & sometimes in an "evangelical wing" of an inclusive church. When such Christians meet, they do have a unity - as Christ himself promised every gathering in his name. We should seek to establish common ground rather than major on differences.

 

There are, however, differences thay will inhibit full unity. We can pray together for the persecuted church, support Christian aid agencies, Bible translators, etc, but at some point differences may arise that keep us separate.

 

The unity of heretics & religious organisations & denominations is spiritually worthless, except in a situation where there is persecution & all types of "Christians" are targeted. Persecutors may not distinguish between baptists & RCs. It still cannot be unity but mutual support.

 

The British FIEC came into being to link in fellowship independent & isolated churches & congregations that to a large extent had seceeded from the denomations (including Baptist) as they became moderist. They may have maintained the denominational doctrine, so the FIEC doctrinal basis was worded to allow differences of doctrine on such matters as translation (but not inspiration, inerrancy & authority,) baptism, worship & the interpretation of prophecy. 

[Ukulelemike]

Interestingly, it might occur that this Pope might just make such declarations that truth is to be found in all "churches", seeing that, as a Jesuit, he is trained to lie and deceive when necessary, even seemingly selling out the RCC, for the ultimate sake OF the RCC.  Don't believe anything this fellow says-of all the popes, a Jesuit pope can be trusted even less.

[John81]

I found it interesting that it does seem the RCC, and as you say, this pope in particular, may be willing to make appeasing sounding statements for the sake of actually drawing others into their web. Even more interesting, it sounds as if there might be a good many "protestant" churches and Christians who would welcome such and jump right it.

 

I agree, don't trust this pope, he seems to be very sly and working to play a good publicity game all for the sake of more power and growth for the RCC.

[DaveW]

.........

I agree, don't trust this pope, .............

Sorry John - I had a laugh at this. ...

I know you didn't mean it this way, but it could be read that you don't trust this one but the others you did.
:lol:

[John81]

Good catch!

 

No, no trust for former popes either. I was just trying to be specific to the current crafty devil occupying the position of pope.

 

John Paul Number 2 was a real problem. His youth, upon taking the position, his friendliness, nice speech and such opened many doors to the RCC. President Reagan yoking with the pope in the fight against communism helped to open many American Christians to having a better view of the RCC. This lead to churches and organization being more accepting of Catholics and yoking with them.

 

All of this also helped pave the way for the acceptance of Mormonism as "just another branch of Christianity" and opened the door to Christians and others being willing to vote for Mormons. But, that's another tale...

[Invicta]

 

Whose image is on the coin?

 

16  And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.

17  And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

[John81]

Who was put on the fast track to sainthood?

[Covenanter]

Who was put on the fast track to sainthood?

You, me, us & all believers.

[Covenanter]

 

 

Whose image is on the coin?

 

16  And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.

17  And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

 

Are you saying, " Render to the Pope the things that are the Pope's ????"

[John81]

True, if we are born again in Christ we instantly became saints in the eyes of God.

[Invicta]

Are you saying, " Render to the Pope the things that are the Pope's ????"

 

I am suggesting that is what Europe may do in the future.

[John81]

The RCC is working to reassert itself as a major power player across Europe. As is typical, the RCC straddles the fence to hedge their bets while waiting to see which way the wind will blow victory. So, even as they appear to give support to mass immigration and the plight of immigrants in Europe, they also support the anti-immigration movements and especially those which are looking to a unified religious base as a means to achieve their goals.

 

Rome would love to see Europeans across the continent uniting in and through the RCC to fight these political battles. Even many who care not at all for religion see the value in the uniting effect which could come about through an allegiance with the RCC.

[candlelight]

Sadly, many fall away Roman Catholics are coming back to the RCC under this pope.  He says that your conscience is the way you get to heaven.      Homosexuals can go to heaven, and so can Atheists.  The Jesuits are well known to Bible Believing Christians as the "hit men" of the RCC.  They became Communist in 1963.  Francis is also a socialist, bordering on Communism.  The RCC people just love this man, as do many that are unsaved.  This is more the reason for born again Christians to get the Gospel out to the lost in this world.  

[John81]

This pope is using the perception of being a "kinder, gentler" pope to draw in the masses who don't really care about religion much but would like to be a part of a "hey, we can all get along and feel good about ourselves and think God (if there is a God) likes us and enjoy a big 'ol group hug" movement. The historical roots and familial roots of the RCC in Europe along with the modern sounding propaganda has the potential to draw folks in.

 

Indeed, we need to spread the Gospel and make disciples while we have the opportunity. One missionary report I read estimates that only 1% or less of Europeans are biblically born again Christians! Europe is one of the most neglected areas for evangelism yet one of the most needy.