One of the goals of our “Building Bridges” room on Paltalk is fostering charitable ecumenical fellowship and discussion. That being the case, most nights we end up chatting with Christians of many different stripes (I would say creeds and confessions, but not all us have those!)
Where two or three different brands of Christians are gathered together, you can almost bet that it’s only a matter of time before somebody brings up “the essentials” and how we should just agree on those and call it a night. Now, other folks more able than I have written about the difficulty of getting a bunch of autonomous factions to agree on just what “the essentials” are, so I won’t go there. Instead, I’ll just share something that came to mind as I was thinking on this topic tonight.
I think we’ve been given a short list of essentials from the One all us Christians call Lord and God and Savior.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
What did Christ command the Apostles to teach? He told them to teach these disciples they were making and baptizing to observe ALL that He commanded. That’s “A” double “L.”
So, did Jesus mean for this ALL to be whittled down to a few nebulous “essentials” after the Apostles had gone to their reward? Was it only the chosen few who lived in the Apostolic age that received the full, uncut teaching while the rest of us have to make do with the little bit we can all agree on?
From his promise to be with them “until the end of the age”, I don’t think so. I think it points to their ministry surviving them in the words of the New Testament, the Sacred Tradition and their successors, the Bishops.
What do I think “the essentials” are? Observing all that Jesus commanded the Apostles. How do I think we can know what that is? By Scripture and Tradition, guided by the Magisterium.
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
Chad Toney
Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
March 10, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Great post. I think sometimes (not all the time) the difference between Protestantism and Catholicism is the difference between the bare minimum and the fullness of the faith. Many Protestants start with “what do I *have* to believe to get by” whereas many who convert to Catholicism start with “what are all the awesome things I get to believe.” Protestant Stanley Hauerwas made a similar point. Of course, being Catholic (katholikos)is being “according to the whole.”
March 10, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I think that Protestant minimalism is the product of a crisis of authority.
Ecumenical discussion amongst
independent Christian bodies that have no claim of authority over one another is like sovereign nations engaging in international diplomacy. I don’t think such a process will end with an authoritative, binding creeds but with theological peace treaties that are subject to amendment and revocation.
Now, I did not mean for my post to suggest that there is not a hierarchy of truth or that there isn’t a standard of “mere Christianity” that the Church recognizes. I just wanted to point out that I don’t think our birthright as joint-heirs with Christ includes the leftovers of these interdenominational squabbles. I think we’ve been promised the fullness of the faith and all truth.
April 8, 2006 at 7:18 am
I would just slightly modify one thing at the end. Even as a Cradle (Roman) Catholic, I have to admit it’s hard to argue with the oft-heard Protestant argument of “guided by the Holy Spirit.” I would just say that the Magisterium is guided by the Holy Spirit as well, so I guess they’re really the same thing? (I just talked myself into agreeing with what you said as it was said after all. :) )
Jason’s first sentence is excellent by the way, and not to be ignored!
David’s is more subtle and gets at what I was talking about yesterday. Perhaps converts don’t realize that even a lot of Catholics are taking the “what do I *have* to believe to get by” approach. That’s why I love (you) converts, because you actually really *strengthen* my own faith. It’s refreshing and the Catholic Church needs it!
But yes, David’s main point remains: the Catholic Church is where the fullness lies.
Excellent stuff, folks!