The Coming Celebration
TimeWatch Editorial
September 27, 2016
October 31, 2017 has been set as the date for the celebration of 500th year of the Reformation. It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg with hammer strokes which echoed throughout all of Europe. Lutherans and Catholics have since October 31, 1999 come together to “heal the womb” of the Reformation. It was on that day that the two organizations signed the “ Joint Declaration On The Doctrine Of Justification.” According to Rev. Paul T. McCain, writing on the First Things Website on March 12, 2010 had some revealing things to say. His topic "A Betrayal of the Gospel: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" describes in very precise terms the impact of the agreement. His article begins with the following paragraph.
“Ten years after it appeared, we still continue to hear that the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was a “breakthrough” between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church. The media loves to perpetuate this myth. In fact, the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification is a fraud. It was a sell-out by revisionist Lutherans to Rome.” Rev. Paul T. McCain, "A Betrayal of the Gospel: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification"
Notice that Reverend, Paul T. McCain is Publisher & Executive Director of the Editorial department at the Concordia Publishing House which is the official publishing house of the Lutheran Church. He is an ordained minister and a member of leadership in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. This biography must be clearly presented. This is not an outsider Critique based upon a competitive agenda. This is a statement of defense of the fundamental beliefs of the Lutheran church. But what is even more astounding is his very next paragraph which says:
“Rome is not to be faulted in any of this. The Papacy maintained the historic position of the Roman Church, and did not change it. Mainline liberal Lutherans, however, compromised the key doctrine of the Scriptures and the very heart of the Lutheran Confessions. When I served as Assistant to the President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, at the time this statement came out in 2000, we prepared an extensive set of documents illustrating precisely why the JDDJ is a fraud and a betrayal of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rev. Paul T. McCain, "A Betrayal of the Gospel: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification"
What is by far a most profound similarity of the above statement is found in the prophetic work of the book Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4, page 388, and paragraph 2.
“It is not without reason that the claim has been put forth that Catholicism is now almost like Protestantism. There has been a change; but the change is in Protestants, not in Romanists. Catholicism indeed resembles the Protestantism that now exists; but it is far removed from Protestantism as it was in the days of Cranmer, Ridley, Knox, and other reformers.” E. G. White, Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4, page 388, and paragraph 2
As if that single statement is not enough, there is further confirmation found in the Review and Herald, June 1, 1886 paragraph 13
“This is the religion which Protestants are beginning to look upon with so much favor, and which will eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not, however, be effected by a change in Catholicism; for Rome never changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism. "The Bible, the Bible, is the foundation of our faith," was the cry of Protestants in Luther's time, while the Catholics cried, "The Fathers, custom, tradition." Now many Protestants find it difficult to prove their doctrines from the Bible, and yet they have not the moral courage to accept the truth which involves a cross; therefore they are fast coming to the ground of Catholics, and, using the best arguments they have to evade the truth, cite the testimony of the Fathers, and the customs and precepts of men. Yes, the Protestants of the nineteenth century are fast approaching the Catholics in their infidelity concerning the Scriptures. But there is just as wide a gulf today between Rome and the Protestantism of Luther, Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper, and the noble army of martyrs, as there was when these men made the protest which gave them the name of Protestants.” Review and Herald, June 1, 1886 paragraph 13
Paul T. McCain is quite clear in his article that Rome has not changed. In fact he quotes the person who speaks concerning the signing of the Joint Declaration this way.
“The Vatican was very careful to make it clear that it has not set aside the Council of Trent and that Trent still remains authoritative, binding dogma for the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Cassidy, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christianity Unity, the individual responsible in large part for Rome’s involvement in the Joint Declaration, went out of his way to clarify this point in a press conference held when the JDDJ was signed. Here is what he had to say: “Asked whether there was anything in the official common statement contrary to the Council of Trent, Cardinal Cassidy said: ‘Absolutely not, otherwise how could we do it? We cannot do something contrary to an ecumenical council. There’s nothing there that the Council of Trent condemns” (Ecumenical News International, 11/1/99).” Rev. Paul T. McCain, "A Betrayal of the Gospel: The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification"
So what was this Council of Trent and why was it called? The Amazing Discoveries website describes it this way.
“In 1545, the Catholic Church convened one of its most famous councils in history. It took place north of Rome in a city called Trent. The Council of Trent continued for three sessions ending in 1563. One of its main purposes was to plan a counterattack against Martin Luther and the Protestants. Thus, the Council of Trent became a center for Rome’s Counter Reformation. Up to this point, Rome’s main method of attack had been largely frontal: openly burning Bibles and heretics. Yet this warfare only confirmed in the minds of Protestants the conviction that papal Rome was indeed the Beast power that would “make war with the saints” (Revelation 13:7 ). Therefore a new tactic was needed, something less obvious. The sought after solution was found in the Jesuit Order.” Amazing Discoveries website
We see therefore that Rome has not changed and will not change. What has changed is the Protest of the former Protestants.
Cameron A. Bowen
