Thinking-Christianly

Christmas brings out the best in some people. There is a concerted effort to be a bit more kind, thoughtful, and generous on the part of many. That’s certainly a good thing. But it masks the fact that the advent of Christ would not have happened if mankind was perfectable. Jesus came precisely because we cannot reach the moral and ethical aspirations that we strive for in our better moments.

Hebrews 2:6 quotes from Psalm 8:4-6, and asks, “Who is man, that you are mindful of him…?”

In our skeptical age, some answer that man is little more than a freak of evolution, with no inherent value. Despite this pessimistic analysis, we are urged to somehow find meaning in a mechanical universe. But secular materialism has no place for the kindness of Christmas since there is no assured value in man. Love and kindness become aberrations in a mechanistic universe.

The writer of Hebrews answers the Psalmist’s question more optimistically. We were created lower than angels. Though we fell, Jesus became incarnate with a similar status (lower than angels), but he regained the glory and honor we lost through his death and resurrection.

Jesus’ advent underscores our value, despite our brokenness. It also offers hope, despite our failure–because our success is linked to his work and not our own efforts at being righteous.

There is a bit of a buzz today about Protestant thinkers who are embracing Roman Catholicism. Notables such as J. Budziszewski and Francis Beckwith caused a stirr when they moved to Catholicism.

Such choices raise the question, “Is there any fundamental difference between the Protestant faiths and the Catholic tradition?” There is much difference indeed.

The Roman Catholic response to the Reformation led to the Council of Trent. The teachings that came from that council in large part draw sharp distinctions between Roman Catholic doctrines and all other groups. In no time since that council has the Roman Catholic church changed some of the beliefs affirmed at that time. These include the following:

• Roman Catholic tradition is as authoritative as scripture.
• Water baptism removes original sin.
• The elements of the Lord’s Supper transform into the body and blood of Christ.
• Absolution of sin is found in confessing to a priest.
• Mary is held to be sinless.

The gap betewen Protestants and and the Roman Catholic church includes variations of liturgy, style, and form. That same gap appears among Protestants. Pentecostalism is far removed from Presbyterianism stylistically.

The gap that thoughtful Christians must consider when assessing the similarities between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism must never overlook the importance of doctrine. All are called to warmth, congeniality, and charity. But truth must not be sacrifice for such things.