Bow to me...?

pope
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

I cringed last week when Pope Benedict XVI released his shocking statement on "Catholic Identity." In clear, non-negotiable and jaw-dropping terms, the pontiff stated that (1) only Catholics are true Christians; (2) other Christian denominations are "not true churches"; and (3) all non-Catholics lack the "means of salvation."

"It has been almost 500 years since Martin Luther first nailed his 95 theses on the Wittenburg door and ignited the Protestant Reformation. From that point the Holy Spirit's river began to flow in so many new directions—gushing over the restrictive walls of the Catholic system and spilling into the nations of the world.

Today hundreds of millions of people have found salvation through the preaching of the gospel through non-Catholic churches: Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Pentecostal—you name it. All churches that proclaim faith in the resurrected Christ are part of the universal church that the Son of God purchased with His blood.

It is incredibly sad that Vatican leaders are so blind to what God has been doing outside their isolated little world for so many years. It is even sadder that Pope Benedict thinks that by issuing an edict from his office in Italy he can transport us into the past.

I know most Protestants probably just rolled their eyes when they heard about the pope's announcement. Catholics who have been worshiping with Protestant Christians for years were probably also confused by it. Catholic charismatics, who have enjoyed fellowship with Protestants in recent years and experienced renewed faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, have now been told to break ties to those people since they are not true Christians.
-Lee Grady (Charisma editor)


Wow...looks like the beast awakens from slumber.

(Cartoon by Doug Marlette)