One True Church?

Pope Benedict seems "paper happy" these days. I saw a couple of newspaper articles about this one today:
"Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church." (This is a link to the Vatican website.)

Here are a couple of links to news stories about the paper.
Vatican re-asserts belief Catholicism one true church
Catholic Church only true church, Vatican says

One of the articles I read in the paper spoke about how this would rile Protestants. (I couldn't find any links to those articles.) And I saw similar contents on a Catholic discussion board.

Personally, I'm not riled. Why should I be? I do disagree with Benedict, but he is the pope, after all. Why would anybody be surprised by this? If anything this statement helps to clarify a line of demarcation between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. There are signifcant and essential differences between Catholic & many Protestant doctrines of salvation and the church, as well as issues of authority. I don't believe the Roman Catholic Church (as an organization) is a true church.

Too many people seem to forget that we can disagree without anger. But I'm not surprised some people don't like this, especially those who think all roads lead to God (or a god or gods.) There are also those who seek an outward unity at the expense of the truth.

I might expand upon this in future posts.

You might be a Pelagian if....

This is an amusing, and interesting list in the latest issue of Modern Reformation.

It made me think, and it is commentary on the Church today.

It's by Shane Rosenthal, and you can read it here.

Holy Bottled Drinking Water

Since Purgatorio's not around to share this- An article in the local paper today mentioned both a US and a Canadian company who are selling Bottled Holy Water--not for use in Roman Catholic rites, but for drinking.

The US version is based in--where else--California. You can read more about it here. The Label on it warns-

If you are a sinner or evil in nature, this product may cause burning, intense heat, sweating, skin irritations, rashes, itchiness, vomiting, bloodshot and watery eyes, pale skin color and oral irritations.

So I guess that includes all of us. I don't think this sort of thing was covered under the atonement.

The Canadian Version is based in Alberta--not BC, like I thought. It's actually a non denominational church that prays over the water.

Or you can go here and see how silly it gets. (Or is this page a spoof?--it's hard to tell--but the other ones are apparently for real.)

Now really--what is up with this? Is it crass marketing? Is it disrespect for God? Whatever the true motives of the people behind these ventures, it's hard not to laugh, and it's hard not to mourn the way God is taken so lightly.

Ordering around the Holy Spirit?

In my "Merry Christmas" post I received a question about a comment I had made at Purgatorio. The question had to do with the so called "Holy Laughter/Toronto Blessing" movement of several years back. (If you're not familiar with it--there are lots of links if you do a search.) The question was-

i was just wondering what you meant by "ordering the Holy Spirit around" thanks!

A few years ago, John Arnott-a pastor at the Toronto Airport Vineyard where the "Toronto Blessing" started- came to a local church to share the blessing.

A group of my friends and myself went to check it out. I will admit we doubted it, but wanted to see it first hand.

What we saw was more a performance than anything else. One of the worst parts was hearing Arnott order the Holy Spirit around. This wasn't someone claiming the promises of God. He was ordering the Holy Spirit as if he was owed something. He wasn't submitting to the Sovereign God, but was acting as if he was the one in charge. Yes, the Holy Spirit was sent as a helper, but that doesn't make Him a servant we get to boss around. We don't, and can't, deserve His help in any way. Arnott acted as if he was in charge of the sovereign God. He told the Spirit he was commanding Him. There was no reverence. While this is my impression, I flet like He was demoting the Spirit, and promoting himself. Read John 3 to see how the Holy Spirit works. Read Acts to see Him as God.

Hopefully that answers the question, if not let me know.

Archbishop Ussher

Yes it is an older link, but here is an interesting article from Answers in Genesis on Archbishop James Ussher, his work Annals of the World , and his treatment by Christians and evolutionists.
Just click here.

Fantasy Church--from Challies.com

Check out this post on Challies.com- He's closed the comments on it--but there are some great ones there.

I've tried my hand at fantasy sports leagues, so this interested me in that way as well. But as you'll probably realize-he's making it up. That doesn't stop it from being an interesting commentary.
Fantasy Church

Episcopalians urge against diocese breaking away

I saw a link to this on James White's blog. In one way it's hardly surprising given recent history. In another it boggles the mind.

Here's the story. It's a reaction to those within the Episcopalian Church in the USA that want to be under the authority of more religiously conservative bishops. There are those that oppose them. And in their opposition they say things that make me shake my head, things like this-

"We take no position on Scripture or theology or morals," said Donna Bott, a leader of a group called Episcopal Voices of Central Florida, which sponsored the meeting. "We are just Episcopalians."

It brings up a question in my mind-If you take no position on Scripture or theology or morals, then why do you exist? What's the point? Why do you call yourself Episcopalian?

The history of the Episcopalian (Anglican) Church contains many Godly men and women through the years. Did they care about Scripture, theology or morals?

You bet they did.
Here's J.C. Ryle for starters.
Here's a list of writings by Ryle from CCEL (mentioned in the LOTW post below.)

Things in the PCUSA

I'm not here to gloat about these things, but to shake my head and pray for the Church at large.

When Sola Scriptura is disregarded this is what happens.

Presbyterians (PCUSA) OK Leeway for Ordaining Gays

Presbyterians (PCUSA) allow experimenting with alternatives to 'Father, Son and Holy Spirit'

Presbyteer, who is a PCUSA member comments on the second story on his blog, here.

Like I said--these sorts of things call for prayer.
What's wrong with "Father, SOn & Holy Spirit"? These are titles found in the Bible.