Francis Beckwith has, upon his conversion to Roman Catholicism, resigned as President of the Evangelical Theological Society. His decision has caused consternation in some quarters, elation among Catholics, and a great deal of discussion. He has explained his decision at a blog to which he contributes and in an interview with Christianity Today. Michael Spencer at InternetMonk.com offers his thoughts, among which is the following:
I am surprised at how many people seem to believe that Roman Catholics are not Apostle’s Creed Christians. A disturbing percentage of the anti-Catholic rhetoric the Beckwith reversion has inspired is half-baked, bone-headed anti-Catholicism. On the level of the Trinity, evangelicals and Roman Catholics ought to be one in spirit and confession. Our differences are crucial, but they are not the same differences we have with Muslims or even Jews.
As a post-evangelical, I have a deep gratitude for what the RCC preserves and defends that is vital to my own faith journey. At the same time, my issues with Roman Catholicism are simple: Scripture and tradition are not equal. There is no infallibility in the human element of the church. The mediation of Christ is singular, perfect, unique, complete and effectual. Assurance is the birthright of the children of God and is mediated by the Spirit through the Word. The assertions of a church made apart from scripture can never be bound to the conscience as if they were scripture. ....
Yet with these substantial disagreements, I recognize what is present: the great Creeds, the shared ancient heritage of the early church, the shared faith confessed by the early church, the shared experience of the Trinity, the shared sense of the priority of faith, the shared emphasis on the obedience of faith and the shared call to be the people of God formed and sustained by Christ. And much more.
Beckwith and other converts to the RCC are brothers and sisters in the faith and testimony of Jesus. As we believe in and upon Jesus, we are both included in those purchased by Christ. It is particularly sad that this would ever be at issue on either side of the Reformation divide. May Protestants and Catholics know one another’s faith well enough that whatever tears we shed or mutual recognitions we share, we know what is truth and what is bigotry. ....
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