Roman Catholicism

Despite what many had hoped for, the Roman Catholic Church did not stabilize after the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). The euphoric atmosphere of the mid-twentieth century was followed by a “process of demise.” The pontificate of John Paul II was “the worst crisis since the protestant Reform...

Theistic evolution lacks a clear, concise, and definitive definition. However, two features are common to characterizations of theistic evolution: 1) an account of origins at odds with the biblical record of history and 2) death before sin. These characteristics appear irreconcilable with biblical Christianity, so how could theistic evolution become acceptable within any Christian tradition? Possible answers include: 1) abandoning the authority of Scripture and 2) defining death before sin differently than death after sin. Both accommodations are achievable through Catholic doctrines, which are examined based on official Catholic statements regarding theistic evolution and creation during the time theistic evolution became accepted as an orthodox Catholic position. These are compared with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Statement of Fundamental Beliefs.

The second coming of Jesus Christ is usually described with cosmic language: cosmic signs in the heavens or earth-shattering events on this planet. This apocalyptic dimension seems to have a counter argument in 2 Peter 3:12—the believer is to look for and hasten the coming of the day of the Lord. On the basis of the translation of the participle speudontas some have taken this passage to mean that human beings can influence the timing of the second coming, while others have opposed this view—arguing instead that the participle should be translated as “eagerly awaiting” instead of “hasten.” Additionally, scholars have had different opinions about who and how people can influence the Parousia. Additional questions have been raised: Is this passage referring to the believer as an individual or the church as a body of believers? And is orthopraxy or social concern the criteria for the “hastening”? This presentation briefly examines various models of explanation for 2 Peter 3:12 and then resolves the passage by examining it in its larger context.

The Roman Catholic Church has had a fascinating history and contradictory relationship with the ecumenical movement. Catholic popes prohibited participation in dialogues with Protestants until the Second Vatican Council opened the door to full participation in ecumenical activities. This was a complete reversal of policy and since then the Catholic Church has been very involved in the movement. This presentation will give a brief survey of the historical developments from isolationism, in the nineteenth century, to current participation in the ecumenical movement, highlighting changes in policy and outlook, John Paul II’s contributions, and more recently Francis’s. In closing, it will give a brief outlook of possible trends and future developments.

Editor’s note: In light of the fact that the Christian world is commemorating the five hundredth anniversary of Luther’s Reformation in 2017 it seems appropriate to have a closer look at the Roman Catholic Church. Has the Roman Catholic Church really changed since the second Vatican Council, as some claim? Are the concerns the Protestant Reformers have raised about the Pope and the Roman Catholic faith still valid? Or have they become superfluous in the current ecumenical Zeitgeist? Is the Roman Catholic Church today closer to the New Testament ideal of early Christianity than it was during the Middle Ages and the time of Luther’s Reformation? This article by Hans Heinz provides an insightful overview of the Roman Catholic Church and some of its cardinal teachings and shows where it has changed or remained unchanged over the centuries. While this article does not cover some of the most recent developments, its conclusions remain valid. Perhaps a later article can provide an update on more recent developments within the Roman Catholic Church since Benedict XVI. Hans Heinz taught Church History and Theology for many decades in Austria and Germany and is the author of several books.

Hans Heinz, Glaube, Macht und Hybris (Mundelsheim, Germany: Basista Media GmbH., 2013), 133 pp. EUR$7.90. Hans Heinz, Th.D., spent forty years in the classroom teaching theology students in Austria (Bogenhofen) and Germany (Marienhöhe and Friedensau). He has published several books and written ma...

With the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis speculations abound not only among various Christian denominations but also among a number of Adventist church members. When elected, pope Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio adopted a new papal name that has not been used in th...

COURTESY OF JJ GARDNER - http://www.flickr.com/people/jjgardener3/ Late last year, Catholics and Protestants again joined together to urge that Sunday be legislated as an official day of rest. Their immediate goals include closing shops and restricting other business activities on Sundays. Two re...

In Challenges to the Remnant the author attempts to trace God’s remnant throughout history until the end of the age, noting three main challenges common to God’s remnant: persecution, deception, and mission. The task is executed in twenty-two chapters and four appendices. Devoting the first thr...

Once upon a time, Protestant America held a deep suspicion of the papacy and the Church of Rome. It was not altogether unfounded. As the history sections of The Great Controversy recount so well, the Roman Catholic Church slipped ever further from the simple truths and lifestyle of the early Ch...