Roman Catholics & Evangelicals: Where We Agree - Part 2
Last week we started looking at the areas of doctrinal agreement between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. To read it, click here. We saw there is much agreement about revelation of Scripture, God, and human beings. We also observed a good amount of agreement on mankind. This week we'll look at our agreement about Christ, Salvation, the Church, ethics and last things.
Christ - Both Catholics and evangelicals share a creedal sources, Athanasian and Chalcedonian, for the doctrine of Christ. Central to theology of Christ is He was Son of God, who became man to redeem humans to God. This redemption was through is death and resurrection.Christ is found in the Old Testament through prophecy and would be through three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. It is by the Old Testament that Christ and His work is understood, thus central to the New Testament. To understand Christ, one must understand both the deity of Christ and the humanity of Christ. Jesus was wholly God as well as the Son of God. He was also man. Jesus claimed to be Yahweh. Jesus was eternal. Christ was human. This was first seen in the incarnation. Christ became flesh, taking the form of a slave and died. Christ became man, but never stopped being God. The Nicene Creed rejects Christ being fully man and Christ being a theophany. Christ was born of a virgin, however here notes a point of separation between Catholics and evangelicals. Evangelicals believe Christ was conception was of a virgin, while Catholics hold Virgin remained a virgin her whole life. It is in Christ's resurrection evangelicals and Catholics reunite. Traditionally both defend Christ literally raised from the dead, in a state of glory yet possessed his wounds from the Crucifixion. He then returned to Heaven. Jesus was referred to as the Son of God, Son of Man, Lord, and Savior.
Salvation - During the early patristic period a common basis on salvation is found for all orthodox believers. This common basis is salvation is found in Christ Jesus. In totality, salvation is by grace. Even so, the early church faced Gnosticism as a foe. It was in Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Christians found a worthy combatant. Augustine laid the foundation for Western Christian thought. Augustine concluded God's grace was the source of salvation, thus justification. It is purely a gift of God. Augustine concluded: 1) predestination determined election, 2) salvation was a gift, 3) humanity cannot initiate salvation, 4) salvation establishes sonship, and 5) a regenerate person may not persevere.
During the medieval period the church baptism and penance were tied to justification. Though water baptism was recorded in Scripture, penance (the act of confession to a priest for remission of sin) became regular during the early medieval period. The church also dealt with merit for justification and predestination tied to heaven and hell. During this time, Anselm of Catnerbury had the greatest influence till Aquinas. The greatest influence during the late medieval period was St. Thomas Aquinas. Similar to Augustine, Aquinas held regeneration begins at baptism, and all were fallen. Aquinas too tied salvation to grace. The reformation period was spurred due to moral corruption. This was initiated by Martin Luther and his ninety-five thesis. After much struggle, Luther concluded salvation was by grace alone through faith. It was later in John Calvin reformed theology would make the biggest impact. Both justification and sanctification would stay in balance.
The Church - In a greater sense the Church is made up of those saved throughout history. All saved are of Abraham's spiritual seed. The original churches were made up of different roles to fulfill certain duties. Two such duties were baptism as individuals became believers and the Eucharist for unity. The body of Christ is the spiritual link to all saints. The Holy Spirit is intimately alive in the church. The church is comprised of the invisible (the spiritual) and the visible (the community of believers).There is doctrinal agreement between Protestants and Catholics in four areas for the foundation of the church. First, the church is one because Christ is one. Second, the church is holy; yet the full meaning and substance of holiness is up for debate. Third, the church is catholic. In this case catholic means "identity plus universality." Last, the church is apostolic, because it "obeys the apostolic message in the Scriptures."
Ethics - Christian ethics share Augustinian roots. They are absolutistic. According to Augustine love was the supreme law and virtue. Love can be twisted, but not true love which is tied to God. Sex was to be only inside a monogamous marriage. We gained the concept of "just" war. Life is sacred from inception. These are all points Catholics and Protestants share. Aquinas developed the moral law deriving from God, the Moral Law Giver. Something is good in its nature, not because God will it so. The Law is a measuring stick of human action. Aquinas declared there are four kinds of law: eternal law, natural law, human law (civil law), and divine law (a law unto believers). The purpose for God's law is friendship, love of God, curing evil, and the common good.
Last Things - Death is the result of Adam's sin. At the time of one's death judgment takes place where their eternal destiny is decided. There is no transitory time between death and judgment. Christians and those of faith from Old Testament awaited Heaven. Jesus talked of and described Heaven. Heaven is a place and a state of perfection. It is eternal. Hell is the destination of the unregenerate soul. Jesus taught, warned and described Hell. Hell is a place and a state of torment. Its duration is eternal. At the end of age Christ will return in glory to declare judgment. There will be signs and events Christ's second coming is nearing. Even with signs, no one but God knows the actual time. As Christ comes, the dead will rise. Resurrection is supported by Scripture and was supported from church fathers. There will be a final and general judgment. Each soul's destiny will be sealed. Finally the current world will be destroyed and then restored as a new creation.
This wraps up the areas of agreement. I must note the summary I've presented is not exhaustive. There is more I could have shared. There is also much more detail I could have provided in this summary. This is a survey - a reference point and should be treated as such.
Next week we'll start looking at some key differences in the doctrine of Roman Catholicism and Evangelicals. Buckle up.
Christ - Both Catholics and evangelicals share a creedal sources, Athanasian and Chalcedonian, for the doctrine of Christ. Central to theology of Christ is He was Son of God, who became man to redeem humans to God. This redemption was through is death and resurrection.Christ is found in the Old Testament through prophecy and would be through three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. It is by the Old Testament that Christ and His work is understood, thus central to the New Testament. To understand Christ, one must understand both the deity of Christ and the humanity of Christ. Jesus was wholly God as well as the Son of God. He was also man. Jesus claimed to be Yahweh. Jesus was eternal. Christ was human. This was first seen in the incarnation. Christ became flesh, taking the form of a slave and died. Christ became man, but never stopped being God. The Nicene Creed rejects Christ being fully man and Christ being a theophany. Christ was born of a virgin, however here notes a point of separation between Catholics and evangelicals. Evangelicals believe Christ was conception was of a virgin, while Catholics hold Virgin remained a virgin her whole life. It is in Christ's resurrection evangelicals and Catholics reunite. Traditionally both defend Christ literally raised from the dead, in a state of glory yet possessed his wounds from the Crucifixion. He then returned to Heaven. Jesus was referred to as the Son of God, Son of Man, Lord, and Savior.
Salvation - During the early patristic period a common basis on salvation is found for all orthodox believers. This common basis is salvation is found in Christ Jesus. In totality, salvation is by grace. Even so, the early church faced Gnosticism as a foe. It was in Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Christians found a worthy combatant. Augustine laid the foundation for Western Christian thought. Augustine concluded God's grace was the source of salvation, thus justification. It is purely a gift of God. Augustine concluded: 1) predestination determined election, 2) salvation was a gift, 3) humanity cannot initiate salvation, 4) salvation establishes sonship, and 5) a regenerate person may not persevere.
During the medieval period the church baptism and penance were tied to justification. Though water baptism was recorded in Scripture, penance (the act of confession to a priest for remission of sin) became regular during the early medieval period. The church also dealt with merit for justification and predestination tied to heaven and hell. During this time, Anselm of Catnerbury had the greatest influence till Aquinas. The greatest influence during the late medieval period was St. Thomas Aquinas. Similar to Augustine, Aquinas held regeneration begins at baptism, and all were fallen. Aquinas too tied salvation to grace. The reformation period was spurred due to moral corruption. This was initiated by Martin Luther and his ninety-five thesis. After much struggle, Luther concluded salvation was by grace alone through faith. It was later in John Calvin reformed theology would make the biggest impact. Both justification and sanctification would stay in balance.
The Church - In a greater sense the Church is made up of those saved throughout history. All saved are of Abraham's spiritual seed. The original churches were made up of different roles to fulfill certain duties. Two such duties were baptism as individuals became believers and the Eucharist for unity. The body of Christ is the spiritual link to all saints. The Holy Spirit is intimately alive in the church. The church is comprised of the invisible (the spiritual) and the visible (the community of believers).There is doctrinal agreement between Protestants and Catholics in four areas for the foundation of the church. First, the church is one because Christ is one. Second, the church is holy; yet the full meaning and substance of holiness is up for debate. Third, the church is catholic. In this case catholic means "identity plus universality." Last, the church is apostolic, because it "obeys the apostolic message in the Scriptures."
Ethics - Christian ethics share Augustinian roots. They are absolutistic. According to Augustine love was the supreme law and virtue. Love can be twisted, but not true love which is tied to God. Sex was to be only inside a monogamous marriage. We gained the concept of "just" war. Life is sacred from inception. These are all points Catholics and Protestants share. Aquinas developed the moral law deriving from God, the Moral Law Giver. Something is good in its nature, not because God will it so. The Law is a measuring stick of human action. Aquinas declared there are four kinds of law: eternal law, natural law, human law (civil law), and divine law (a law unto believers). The purpose for God's law is friendship, love of God, curing evil, and the common good.
Last Things - Death is the result of Adam's sin. At the time of one's death judgment takes place where their eternal destiny is decided. There is no transitory time between death and judgment. Christians and those of faith from Old Testament awaited Heaven. Jesus talked of and described Heaven. Heaven is a place and a state of perfection. It is eternal. Hell is the destination of the unregenerate soul. Jesus taught, warned and described Hell. Hell is a place and a state of torment. Its duration is eternal. At the end of age Christ will return in glory to declare judgment. There will be signs and events Christ's second coming is nearing. Even with signs, no one but God knows the actual time. As Christ comes, the dead will rise. Resurrection is supported by Scripture and was supported from church fathers. There will be a final and general judgment. Each soul's destiny will be sealed. Finally the current world will be destroyed and then restored as a new creation.
This wraps up the areas of agreement. I must note the summary I've presented is not exhaustive. There is more I could have shared. There is also much more detail I could have provided in this summary. This is a survey - a reference point and should be treated as such.
Next week we'll start looking at some key differences in the doctrine of Roman Catholicism and Evangelicals. Buckle up.
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