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Evangelicals and Catholics Together: Toward a Common Mission

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Being an Anglican, I am the first to admit that the Catholic church has doctrines I don't agree with. However, so does every denomination. I don't even agree completely on every Anglican Doctrine!

The reason I started out with that paragraph, is that this is the attitude the contributors to this book take. The Protestant contributors (Mark Noll, J.I. Packer, Charles Colson) do not wish to become Catholic. Nor do the Catholic contributors (Avery Dulles, George Wiegel) wish to become Protestant. What they do wish to do is come together in unity, especially in para-church organizations.

So the basic message of this book is, that while firmly recognizing the points on which protestants and Catholics disagree, as worshippers of the Triune God we need to be unified in today's post-Christian society, and to have meaningful discussions about our beliefs. I really enjoyed this book because of the conrtibutors' willingness to strive for peace and unity, while still holding to doctrinal truth.

Of note, the complete "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" statement is included, as well as the list of people who signed the statement (which includes famous men such as Pat Roberston, R.C. Sproul, Thomas Oden, and Bill Bright)

For centuries, one of the Christian Church's (By that I mean all Christians)greatest failings is to bicker as to what seperates us. Such bickerings have sadly included warfare and hatred spanning for generations. In this book several leading Church figures including Charles Colson, Richard John Neuhaus and J.I.Packer, put forward what unites all Christians and why, especially in an age of pluralism and postmodernism assailing the Church, there needs to be a united church. What is also excellent about this book is that there is also no gloss over what seperates Christians, but that one could say that this could be seen as an asset, not a failing. A must read for all Christians, and one with which I strongly urge readers to look at with a prayerful and open mind

Any of you out there doubt American culture is in moral free fall? All it takes to confirm this is to turn on the TV or see a movie. Two recent experiences really brought this home to me.

I recently saw a movie called "Street Kings" in which the main character, a policeman, actually committed murder. So, was he thrown in jail? Of course not. His fellow police were no better--rapists, thieves, blackmailers and murderers--they were happy to have him in their corner. Just imagine the influence of that movie on teenagers.

The other experience was more personal. A young woman I know, who is only 27, was diagnosed with cervical cancer, most likely caused by the STD she has. The same young woman, who came from a good family, by the way, has an illegitimate son by a boyfriend who has now moved on. Her life is so tragic, and so impossible to imagine in the 1950's or earlier.

Things must change. That's why I find it discouraging that this well written and compelling book is now out of print. Hey somebody, please reissue!

I am a Catholic, and I fully support the idea of Evangelicals and Catholics working together. The numbers of Evangelicals and Catholics combined should be enough to overcome the opposition.

Unfortunately, the book falls short of it's intended goal in a huge way. Mr. Colson, although meaning well, falls into the unfortunate error of unity at all costs. Christ himself and all of the leaders of the early church were sure of the fact that our only Salvation is in Christ alone, by Faith alone. This is revealed in the Word of God, the Bible. "E&CT:TaCM" misses this entirely. This is not an attack on any person, nor on any Catholic who doesn't accept the teaching of the Scripture as his/her sole authority, which it claims to be. Any Bible-believing evangelical who has passed from death to life by being born of the spirit through faith, (a free gift, unable to be improved upon or earned, unlike the requirement for sacraments or penance...) loves all people and wishes for all to come to the saving knowledge of the truth found in Christ alone. We love all other evangelicals, we love all Catholics, we love Chuck Colson and the other contributors to this book. The book attempts to unite all under a common mission. The problem is that our mission was laid out in the Bible; to make disciples of all nations, which begins with our salvation. The issue is one of disobedience to God's Word as it was God-breathed through it's writers. (2Tim 3:16, 1Peter 1:20-21,...) Any involved must repent, pray for those who don't take God at His Word, and preach the one and only gospel of Salvation which has the power to save those who will place their trust in Christ alone! God's Word will never pass away, it will always stand. Our man-made "unity" not based on His Word will always fail! I understand this may never get printed b/c it disagrees with the author and therefore may not help sell this book. But there is much more at stake, please study the warning of Galatians 1: 6-9. Any other gospel is condemned by the Apostle Paul, the teachings of whom originated the Catholic church and the Reformation required when the Catholic church strayed from the Word of God. Today we see the beginnings of the same problem. God is no fool, He will judge all of us, based on His Word. I Praise Him that although I don't deserve anything but His anger, hell and death, He has saved me by the death & resurrection of His Son alone who is worthy to be worshipped forevermore. Unfortunately, this is not the message of the book: "Evangelicals & Catholics Together: Toward a Common Mission" If you buy it and read it, remember to do so in light of God's Word, referencing the above scriptures and all the rest that clearly distinguish the message of this book from the message of the Bible. God Bless You in your studies!