Patrick's Hope: Ireland and Christian Unity

We just completed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and I can't help but wonder: what would happen if we actually did get along and were united in fellowship, mission, and worship?  How could we transform this world into a better place and how many more people would know the Gospel?

Unfortunately, we have too many examples of the opposite--of what happens when Christians do not get along; when they treat each other with fear, contempt, and hatred.

No where has this been more true than in Ireland.

Ireland has long been synonymous with the Roman Catholic Church.  This was not always the case and is not today.  Today, in the wake of the scandals within the Catholic Church, a stronger secularism, and an awakening from the history of conflict, Ireland is fast becoming one of the most secular countries in Europe.  Many people's ears are closed to the gospel because they have experienced first hand the failure of the Church on a whole host of issues.

Christianity in Ireland began to take root around the year 300 or so.  Even before St. Patrick began his pilgrimage there, Christian missions existed. After Patrick, Christianity flourished, but often times with a distinctive 'Celtic' flair that emphasized the goodness of nature.  But as Roman Catholicism grew, it became entrenched in the Irish culture.

This created problems during the era after the Reformation, and not always for religious reasons.  Protestant England had always had eyes on its western neighbor.  When the English began to invade, they took their religion with them.  As a strategy to to bring the Irish under their control, they outlawed the mass and executed Catholics and made war against them.

And war has been the reality between the Protestants and Catholics for centuries.  And unfortunately this has been the reality of Christianity that many people have experienced in Ireland.  Christianity has not been a religion of peace nor a comfort to the soul...rather...it has meant terror and power grabs and a  political tool to be used by the ruling class rather than a liberating exercise of the Spirit.

Today we see the results of this.  People are leaving the Church.  The Catholic Church has been importing priests from Africa in order to fill the pulpits.  There has been some growth in the Protestant Church, but by and far, Ireland is becoming a secular nation.

The Irish people are tired of the fighting, and they hold out hope for unity.  The Irish flag is a symbol of this.  The green in the flag stands for the Catholics, the orange for the Protestants, and the white is for Unity.

Imagine if the Catholics and the Protestants had taken a different course many years ago.  Instead of fear and hatred and war, what if the Christians had come together for a common purpose in order to take the message of Christ to all the people of Ireland.  What if instead of being fearful of each other, they had discussed and debated.  What if they had agreed to disagree on certain issues, but worked together for the common good, allowing both branches of Christianity to grow and flourish, each as the Spirit led them.

That really is the question that stands before us today.  We live in a world very similar to the world the early church lived in two thousand years ago.  We have an opportunity to work together again between the Protestant and the Catholic church.

In this effort, we do not mean to assume that Catholics and Protestants will agree with each other on everything...indeed that is probably impossible.  But we share enough of the same doctrines, enough of the common values, and enough of a shared vision, that we can work in union and in tandem with each other to help each other accomplish these goals.

A man like Patrick can easily symbolize this effort.  Even though he existed 1000 years before Protestants emerged in the scene, Patrick demonstrated that he could work well with others.  He worked with the existing tribes and tribal leaders to spread the message of Christianity.  We can assume that he worked with the established missions as their Bishop.  He had a heart felt desire to see all areas of Ireland united under Christ.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a beginning of this goal, but it is only just a beginning.  Efforts like ECT were perhaps promising, but we need more.

The key to accomplishing is for individual churches to work with individual churches.  As always, the most successful movements happen at a local level and build up.  We need churches to start caring for one another, encouraging one another and working with one another.  The days of disunity must be a thing of the past.

Towering above the land of Ireland is the figure of St. Patrick.  His vision of a united Ireland hearkens us to a vision of a united church.

40 Years Later...(are we better off)?

This week we commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that made abortion on demand legal. This moment has been described as a watershed moment for the United States, and in many ways it was.  But the question might be asked, "are we better off because of this decision?"

The Center for Reproductive Rights (www.reproductiverights.org) definitely want the country to celebrate this moment, as this advertisement suggests.  The ad hints that Roe v. Wade was a good decision because it gives freedom to pursue relationships without consequences.

Abortion can be a sensitive issue for many people, so before we begin to discuss this, we should take a look at the facts.

The Facts

• There have been over 50,000,000 legal abortions in this country since 1973.  By comparison, there have been 2,722,291 US deaths in all wars from 1775-to the present. (Guttmacher Institute)
• The abortion rate has been declining for the last several years (CDC)
• The highest number of abortions occur in New York, Florida and Texas, the least number in Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota (CDC)
• Top reasons for considering abortion are birth control failure, inability to care for a child, unwanted pregnancy, fear of defect, and pregnancy resulting from rape. (www.webmd.com) 
• 1% of reporting women claim they were having an abortion because of rape; 12% report a physical problem with a pregnancy (National Abortion Federation)
• In 2009, 85% of all abortions were performed on unmarried women
• 57% of abortions were performed on women between the ages of 20-29

The Meaning of Abortion
Keeping these facts in mind, the main question about abortion is whether or not abortion is the killing of a human being.  Or to put it another ways, does abortion 'mean anything?' Is abortion killing...or is it simply the removal of unwanted tissue?

Many suggest that an unborn fetus is not technically a human life and therefore is not entitled to the rights of other humans.  Others, like Peter Singer, feel that is a fiction.  Writing in Rethinking Life and Death, he writes,

[The argument that a fetus is not alive] is a resort to a convenient fiction that turns an evidently living being into one that legally is not alive. Instead of accepting such fictions, we should recognise that the fact that a being is human, and alive, does not in itself tell us whether it is wrong to take that being's life...

Singer is restating a fact recorded in the 1979 pro-choice publication, California Medicine, which states:

Since the old ethic (the traditional Christian viewpoint has not been fully displaced, it has been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing, which continues to be socially abhorrent   The result has been a curious avoidance of the scientific fact, which everyone really knows, that life begins at conception and is continuous whether intra- or extra uterine until death.  The very considerable semantic gymnastics which are required to rationalize abortion as anything but taking human life would be ludicrous if they were often put forth under socially impeccable auspices.

Whether we want to admit it or not, it seems plainly clear that abortion requires the taking of a human life.  At just five weeks, the baby's heart begins to beat and its internal organs are developing.  At 6 weeks, facial features are beginning to develop. By 10 weeks, all of the major organs including the brain are beginning to function, and at 11 weeks, the baby is almost fully formed. You can see the development here. Because of this, we have to conclude that abortion is killing.

But what about the argument of the abortion issue being about a women's "right to choose?"

1. With regards to Roe's decision that a woman has a right to privacy, including medical decisions concerning her womb, we should note that this issue is highly irregular.  Either we all have a right regarding our bodies (our body, our choice) and the government has no right to regulate it...or the government does indeed have some right to regulate our bodies.  If the government has no right and our right to privacy is absolute, then government can make no law commanding us how we should take care of our body (i.e. then illegal drugs should be legal and medical insurance cannot be mandatory), or the government does have a right to regulate, in which case abortion falls under that category.
2. There needs to be further work to do on what happens when rights conflict with one another.  Does a women's right to make medical decisions super-cede an individual's right to existence?  If so, under what circumstances?  

Are we better off?
Do I think we are better off in a world with Roe? No...I do not.  And here is why.

1. From a political point of view, Roe is not a good decision.  By placing the rights of the mother over the rights of the unborn, you have created a class that now no longer has an intrinsic right to life.  Their right to life depends on another's choice to grant them this right.  If that right is deemed inconvenient to the right giver, then it is to be denied.

2. From a medical point of view abortion is not a safe procedure.  Women report bleeding, pain, discomfort, and serious infection.  Abortions increase the risks of tubal pregnancy, risks of miscarriage and may increase the probability of breast cancer.   Psychologically, women who have abortions also report problems.  These problems may be feelings of guilt, bad dreams, or may emerge into Post Abortion Syndrome.

3. From a Cultural point of view, abortion has proven to be a disaster.  We live in the first generation of survivors, whose life was only worth something because their parents chose to have them.  Because of abortion (and other cultural phenomena), life is less sacred then it used to be.  Generations X and Y are marked by an increasing indifference to life. This, in turn, has led to what Pope John Paul II has coined, "the culture of death".

Abortion and the Church
The Church, as witnesses to God's creative purpose, has no choice but to oppose abortion on demand.  Historically, the Church has always been in opposition to abortion.

In Roman times, the method of abortion was called 'exposure', where an unwanted child was left to die in a field.  Early Christians were known as people who would go into the field to take these unwanted children into their homes to raise them.  Perhaps the reason for this was the Old Testament image of an aborted child as the people of God (Ezekiel 16:6).

Today, the church again has a duty to stand for the "Gospel of Life."  In this regard, I suggest the following:

1. The Church has a duty to minister compassionately to everyone whose life has been touched by abortion.  Casting stones and calling people "murderer" and similar epigraphs has no place in the church of Christ or in the ministry of the gospel.
2. The Church should be at the foregrounds of providing for pregnant women who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances.  They should be assisting those who are pregnant during and after their pregnancy. 
3. The Church needs to be leaders in the areas of adoption.  The church needs to promote adoption, encourage their members to adopt and help fund adoptions. 
4. The Church needs to lead by example in the area of sexuality.  Unfortunately, the behavior of the church matches the world in this area.  

In short, the anniversary of Roe v Wade should not be celebrated.  It should be mourned and we should strive to overturn it with acts of life.  By doing this, we can turn our culture of death in a culture of hope.

 

5 "Protestant" Books Every Catholic Should Read

In honor of the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," I am posting books that will help the different branches of Christianity understand each other and further our discussion of ministry together.

Protestantism is a widely diverse branch of Christianity.  From the very liturgical Anglicans, to the 'low' church fundamentalists, Protestantism has been expressed in many different ways over the past few centuries.  It may be hard for us to remember that Protestants have only been around for 500 years or so (2017 marks the 500th Anniversary of Luther's posting of the 95 Theses). In that vein, then, I have tried to pick books from different branches and different time periods.  Hopefully this list may help!
                                 
5. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Bonhoeffer was a leading voice in the German Confessing Church that existed during Hitler's reign.  He organized and led an illegal seminary in Finkenwalde and taught future generations of pastors how to follow Christ.  Eventually he was involved in the plot to kill Hitler, imprisoned and then assassinated. Discipleship is Bonhoeffer's reflections on what it means to follow Christ today.  Taking his text mainly from the Sermon on the Mount, this book explains in detail the requirements Jesus puts on us today.  This book has been regarded as a spiritual classic and is a book that every Christian should read.

4. Jesus the Victory of God by N.T. Wright.  This book, or its shorter version called The Challenge of Jesus lay out today's mainstream scholarship on the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.  Wright is a leader among the "New Perspective" on Paul.  Wright struggles to place Jesus in the midst of his Jewish identity and to understand Jesus' ministry in light of Israel's story.  This important work is essential for modern New Testament scholarship, but also works towards a better understanding between the Church and the Synagogue.

3. Knowing God by J.I. Packer.  The modern evangelical church is not known for the depth of its theological convictions, but a man like Packer is able to provide the church with basic instruction in its core doctrines.  Knowing God outlines a basic Protestant doctrine of God and deals with some of the questions that the Reformers dealt with. Packer's work is detailed, but accessible and written on a popular level.  This book has been a standard introduction for at least a generation.

 2. Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.  Calvin has been known as the great organizer of the Reformation.  In many ways, the Institutes was a starting point for much of the Protestant world, as theologians either affirmed it or denied it in their writings.  Calvin provides much of the framework that is still evident in modern theology and practice, particularly on the doctrine of salvation.  Although many Roman Catholics may find some of this work offensive, the read is well worth the effort.  Calvin's writing was meant to be a brief instruction in the Christian faith as seen through Protestant eyes.  As a modern reader, one might want to select one of the many briefer adaptations of the book to peruse.

1. Babylonian Captivity of the Church by Martin Luther. This is one of the first books of the Protestant Reformation.  As such, it has much raw emotion evident as Luther examines the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church.  This book may invoke strong emotion today as it is read by Catholics and they may be revolted by the rhetoric and language that Luther uses.  The 'pay-off' as it were to read the book is to understand Luther's objections, his methodology, and his argumentation.  I would recommend reading this book as an exercise between a Protestant and a Catholic to talk through some of these issues.  By doing this, we may have a greater understanding of each other.

Honorable Mention
5. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
4. Charity and its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards
3. Desiring God by John Piper
2. Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth (find an abridged version as it might take a person a couple of years to make their way through it)
1. Westminster Confession of Faith

This list is meant to provide a helpful starting point for a discussion between Catholics and Protestant Christians.  I pray that we may find common ground so that we may join together in mission.

5 "Catholic" Books Every Evangelical Should Read

In honor of Christian Unity week, I am presenting some items that will help Evangelicals learn about their Roman Catholic brothers and sisters and enhance their own understanding of the gospel. These books have been helpful in my own spiritual life and I hope they will be a blessing to everyone who reads them as well.

These books come from a wide spectrum of Christian history and as such, some of them have been claimed by other traditions.  But Evangelicals should realize the contributions the Roman Catholic Church has made to Christendom and the books below are representative of that.

5. Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI. This book is an absolute gem.  I discovered this book on a whim while I was looking for something to broaden my understanding of the gospels.  When I began to read Benedict's work, I was immediately impressed by the Pope's understanding of Scripture and his ability to interact with faith traditions and critical scholarship. The book is divided into three volumes: Vol 1 covers Jesus' life from the beginning of his ministry to the Triumphal Entry, Vol 2 focuses on the Holy Week and Vol 3 is dedicated to the infancy narratives.  Do not let the size of the book deter you, the reader who enters into this work will be greatly blessed by a fresh look at the gospels and a deeper understanding of our Christian walk.  Simply put, this is the one of the best books about Jesus ever written.

4. Crossing the Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II.  Pope John Paul II is something of a Christian superstar, even in evangelical circles.  His work in the areas of world peace and promoting life were respected by people around the world.  In this short book, Pope John Paul addresses some of the most critical issues facing the world.  He is able to make profound thoughts accessible to the lay reader and it is a truly joyous read.  As we stand together as a church against the 'culture of death,' this book is a critical read.

3. Orthodoxy and Heretics by G.K. Chesterton.  In these short books, Chesterton, one of the best known apologists of the modern era lays out what Christians believe...and more importantly what they don't believe. Heretics is actually the more fun read as it lays out why certain beliefs were considered out of the mainstream.  Chesterton's unique writing style is almost as entertaining as it is informative.  He often speaks in short, plithy comments, and humerous observations.  These books are filled with informative insights into the faith and well worth the read.

2. Institutes by John Cassian.  St. Cassian is one of those individuals who are claimed by both the Eastern and Western churches, and rightly so. Cassian was a 'desert father', a monk who wandered out in to the desert to spend time with God. He was known as a founder of monasteries in Egypt and France.  In the first part of this book, Cassian describes the order, clothes and life of monks in his monasteries.  The second part is probably of more interest to the modern Christian reader as he deals with overcoming vices in one's life with many practical suggestions on how to follow God in this modern world.  This book had a lasting impact on the Western Church primarily through the work of St. Benedict.

1. The Confessions by St. Augustine. It is remarkable that many Reformed and Evangelical Christians who admire a great deal of Augustine's writings have forgotten that he is a fundamental theologian in Roman Catholicism.  The Confessions is the spiritual autobiography of all spiritual autobiographies.  In this book, St. Augustine speaks frankly about his struggle with sins and the way he ultimately found God. I have read this book many times and every time I read it, I am in awe of the depth of Augustine's spiritual convictions and the concern he has for God's glory.

Honorable Mention
1. On Being a Christian by Hans Kung (note: this book was criticized by the Conference of German Bishops for being unorthodox in a number of areas.  Kung himself was stripped of his ability to teach Catholic theology, but remains a 'priest in good standing.'
2. On Law, Morality, and Politics by St. Thomas Aquinas
3. The Rule of St. Benedict by St. Benedict (available in a variety of versions)
4. Confessions by St. Patrick
5. Catechism of the Catholic Church