Superficial Catholicity: The Reformation as Schism with the Church’s Past

Although among modern-day Protestants the issues of unity, the Eucharist, and Baptism are not considered of primary importance, they were for the early church. As Robert Louis Wilken puts it, “The office of the bishop, baptism, and the Eucharist gave shape to [the early Christian] community.” These were essential features of the early church, and they continued to be so up until the time of the Reformation. The Reformers could array an impressive amount of quotes and support from the Fathers in regard to certain doctrines, however, when it came to these three crucial aspects of Christianity, they broke with the consensus of the Fathers and the history of the church to one degree or another. Though Martin Luther came closest to catholicity in his beliefs, in the end, he too denied the primary importance of the Eucharistic sacrifice and did not think visible unity and “peace with God’s priests” were necessary. That this charge of breaking with the church’s past could be true even if the Reformers had started their movements within the Eastern Orthodox Church (lacking all of Rome’s developments in doctrine), proves just how far they departed from the catholic faith.[

The Problem of Evil

People don't believe in God because they suppress the truth by their ungodliness and unrighteousness. Two big words, but both reflect the problem inherent in all humanity. Ungodliness means to simply be un-like-God. We were made in His image, good and pure. In our disobedience to Him, our sin, we wounded this image and fell...

Pray Without Ceasing

What is the power of prayer? Many things go into prayer, the greatest ingredient is faith, but faith misplaced is also the biggest mistake. Our faith must be firmly in Jesus Christ, our desire to do His will. If our goal is to glorify Him and take delight in who He is, then our desires...

God is speaking, are you listening?

Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2) As I sat in the detainment unit, I was having a wrestling match within. Here I was again. Same airport. Same country. And yet it seemed like everything was against me getting...

Are You Really A Christian?

The most pressing question today is not whether you claim to be a Christian. The majority in the United States say they are. It is not whether you go to church, read your Bible, or participate in charity. It is this, "Does Jesus Christ dwell in you?" It is not a question of whether you...

The Idolatry of Relationships

There is an idolatry among Christians today that is very subtle. It doesn't appear to be idolatry because it is cloaked in the language of love and friendship. It is the idolatry of relationships. The focus on relationships has replaced the centrality of Christ among his people. It began very innocently telling people they needed...

Peace And Compromise

I remember my friend once explaining to me the Jewish idea of peace. It's not something that is caused from lack of strife, it is in fact something to be gained after everything in the way of wholesomeness and well-being (personal and societal) is taken out of the way. Evil must be removed if there...

Man-Centered Or Christ-Centered?

Throughout the history of the church there have only ever been two types of believers. Those who are after their own praise and glory, and those who glory in Christ alone. It's so subtle you might miss the difference. Both use the same terms, both speak about the same Lord, yet both have completely different...

Illegal Christianity

We Christians need to wake up in the West. I feel we are about as naive as they come today, ignorant of what goes on around us. Ignorance is not acceptable to a Christian. We must look to what is uncomfortable, what is hard, and be willing to expose the darkness. We do not hide...

3 Things That Guard Against Deception

The problem with deception is that it is very subtle. If that were not the case, then no one would be deceived. At the heart of it, deception undermines the truth by twisting it ever so slightly. Get that. Deception is not completely empty of truth, it is the "truth plus something else." Every false...