This may be of interest to some of you:
Posted on AR-talk
by Robert M. Bowman, Jr.
Manager, Apologetics & Interfaith Evangelism
North American Mission Board
Frank Beckwith has confirmed that he and his wife decided seven weeks ago to join the Roman Catholic Church. He also gave me permission to pass this information along to the list. He will have more to say about their decision and its timing after he has interacted with other leaders in the Evangelical Theological Society, of which Beckwith is the current president. He is aware that the timing of his conversion to Catholicism during his tenure as ETS [Evangelical Theological Society] president will be upsetting to many evangelicals.
In Christʼs service,
Robert M. Bowman, Jr.
My thoughts on this: It is the equivalent of a small earthquake (4.0) in Evangelical Christendom.
Watch for multiple aftershocks.
If Frank Beckwith hadn't been returning to the faith of his childhood, the quake would have been much larger.
Although I disagree with many of the teachings of the Catholic Church, I believe it holds to key Christian doctrines and many within it know and love Jesus Christ. There will never be peace on this earth between the Protestant Church and the Catholic Church; if history has taught us anything, it has taught us this.
I can only hope that God gives us an extra measure of grace in dealing with each other.
8 Comments:
junojuno
I wonder if they both use the same Rosary, or if have a “his” and “hers.”
Here’s one more for the Cult of Mary!
Dr. and Mrs. Beckwith will be in my prayers as are all of those who follow any error. We should not be surprised for our Lord has forewarned us that people will fall away from the true faith, the true gospel, even some that appeared strong in the faith. For this we should pray and feel deep sorrow for it will lead many astray (and back to the false works of Rome). We can only continue to speak the truth, that is what we are called to do.
I do not agree that the Catholic church, by its own admission, holds to key doctrines (this is from their own published doctrines, and Papal publications but that is a discussion for another day). I do believe there are true believer's in the Catholic church and the Lord will call them out from among her with the power and truth of His word and the Holy Spirit. This is true of believer's in the Protestant church and the Evangelical churches (many will be called from among the entertainment mega churches and the traditional works based mainline churches also). I will also pray that there is an extra measure of grace so that the truth is proclaimed in love, even to those who return to Rome.
I found this blog by following a link about Dr. Beckwith's conversion. Not sure if my opinion matters any on this blog, but having also converted from a Protestant family into the Catholic faith, I can feel a bit of the pressure that Beckwith is feeling right now, and that if, for some reason, he's reading this, I support him.
Martin James said:
I wonder if they both use the same Rosary, or if have a “his” and “hers.”
Here’s one more for the Cult of Mary!
I'm not sure why you'd wonder something like that, but those who pray the rosary generally use their own personal beads so that they can carry it with them at all times, unless they pray it completely mentally. But who's to say that they pray the rosary? I'm a strong supporter of the rosary, but it doesn't necessarily follow that a Catholic prays it.
I don't know why this comment was necessary or warranted; it's a bit like asking if their breath smells like fish during Lent.
Yes, archbishop 10-k, your opinion does matter on this blog. This is a difficult subject for many, and I think it's a good idea for people to discuss it.
Dr. Beckwith is an influential evangelical, and his decision to return to the Catholic Church will have an impact--positive and negative--on people. Some need to express frustration, some concern, and some support. I think the comments here reflect a broad range of sentiments; a positive and a negative way of dealing with this issue. You are offended by Martin's choice of words and attitude--he is offended by Dr. Beckwith's decision. You answered his post quite effectively, and Renee expressed a compassionate point of view. I hope these comments will cause people to think.
My position on Catholicism is the same one my father took: I disagree with many of the teachings, but acknowledge the presence of true believers within the Catholic Church. I think this position is reciprocated by Catholics. :) It would be ideal if we could all agree to disagree agreeably, but history has shown that this is the exception to the rule.
I hope both Catholics and Protestants will continue to post their thoughts on this subject.
My thoughts: It's nothing short of a tragic decision for himself and his family.
Roman Catholicism does not have the Gospel...I will be praying for Dr Beckwith's soul that, somehow, God might have mercy though he has enslaved himself to an organisation that has over and over again proved itself impervious to the penetration of the truth of the Gospel.
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Whoa whoa, Matthew!
Don't go citing none of that fundy Bible nonsense to the followers of Mother Rome.
archbishop 10-k,
Hello there!
From my expereince, the Rosary has been a big influence on the minds of Roman Catholics. It draws a person closer to Mary and away from Jesus.
Still, I think we all have some error in our theology... we are saved via grace and God is the judge.
What must a person do to be saved?
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