I live in the darkness of my own little world, it seems, since I was totally unaware of this video greeting from Pope Francis to the charismatic Word of Faith community (read that Kenneth Copeland). I have long been aware of the ecumenical nature of the charismatic movement, often creating affinities between denominations stronger than those within a denomination. But I had no idea that such was on the radar of the papacy.
Anyway, for those who are interested, Kenneth Copeland and his group were meeting and the Pope extended to them a very heartfelt and encouraging greeting. What is surprising is that such a greeting would have been extended to a group only on the fringe of Christianity when there are others with whom Rome has much more in common who might have been better candidates for the papal salutation. But you are free to disagree with me and to watch (it comes a little more than 30 minutes into the video). It is, well, interesting, to say the least! As Copeland put it, "if you are not on fire after all that has happened, your wood is wet..."
3 comments:
Petrine ministry...
Heard this on Fighting for the Faith. Unless Rome gives up Trent (which it has NOT), which anathematizes (damns) Justification by Grace alone through faith alone, I pray Lutherans ( REAL ones, not L.I.N.O. - Lutheran in name only) keep up the "protest."
It is not our common experience (of the Glory, Spirit, or whatever you call it) that unites. Doctrine divides, yes. It divides us from false teaching. True doctrine (aka Truth) unites, not our experience.. Until we have the same doctrines as Rome, there is no unity. The WFL (World Federation of Lutherans) does not represent all evangelical, much less Lutherans.
Luther's protest is not over. There is a second document: Catholic response.... JDDJ represents "a PROGRESS..." not resolution.
Sorry for those of you who long for this type of unity - where there is not complete agreement on doctrine, there is no unity.
The only wet wood was that around Elijah's altar when the false prophets of Baal were defeated and destroyed.
A word of clarification for anyone who might read: I am not damning every person who is a Roman Catholic (or an Evangelical, or Pentecostal). There will be Christians of all stripes in the resurrection. There are doctrines that separate us. Is this wrong? Yes and no. Coming together because we all "feel the Spirit" cannot truly unite; we are not all feeling and experience; we have minds.
If you and a friend or spouse feel strongly about each other but know nothing of each other, the relationship cannot last.
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