Comments on: A New Book by John Armstrong

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:30:32 +0000

Hey Chris, you’re right. It was sitting in the “Spam” folder for some time and I approved it because it looked legit, not realizing that it was exactly the same as yours. I’m not sure where it came from. Perhaps there’s an antimatter version of you somewhere in cyberspace.

By: Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:44:09 +0000

Amy’s comment seems to be a copy of an earlier comment by myself. Is something amiss on the server, or what?

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:52:19 +0000

Over the weekend, I began a Catholic study called “Theology of the Body” by Christopher West. It seems to be very powerful in reaching young people, and has also helped me already, though I’ve only listened to two of the 8 or 9 lectures. There is a lot of emphasis on what the Pope (JPII) has written and said, which is mostly good. But something I’ve never heard from any Catholic ever: West exhorts his listeners, “we have much to learn from our Protestant brothers,” and he says, “They put us to shame.”

So I praise God that there are those among both Catholics and Protestants who have already dropped their “guard” against fellow believers to try and learn from one another.

In light of this, while I agree there has been a large inter-denominational adversarialism historically, I don’t see it as such a huge barrier that John Armstrong does, at least not something that I need to devote a whole life opposing. Then again, maybe John’s work has brought down the barrier already and I just missed it. But all my life I have known cordiality among various protestant groups, with occasional disagreements and “sparring” of a generally friendly sort.

So it seems God is working to help many Christians be less adversarial towards one another. Perhaps the real source of animosity between denominations is the personal ambition of those who really are, despite their claims, mainly interested in the numbers and outward, political unity. Historically, of course, it was propagated by the Catholics themselves, who excommunicated all the reformers and entire nations of professing Christians. It is fortunate that our God humbles his own people first and foremost.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:47:59 +0000

As someone who has grown up in the Methodist Church, attended University Bible Fellowship throughout college, and visited many Lutheran churches, I have always despised the lack of unity throughout the Body. With every church I go to, I can sense quiet, and sometimes loud, opposition when I talk of other churches I am a part of. To be honest, sometimes I get aggressive about it. Just a few weeks ago during an impromptu reciting of the LORD’s Prayer among many students from different churches, I felt myself proclaiming ‘trespass’ in case there were any heathens who wanted to say ‘debt’ or ’sin.’ As an industrial engineer, I wish everyone would just ’standardize’ their religion, so we can all just be Christians, but instead John encourages discussion of differences. I was charged by hearing him speak over the summer about the emotions that came over him during that visit from the Holy Spirit during his recitation of the Apostle’s Creed. He knew he could no longer just say it without truly believing. A faith to meditate on confer about instead of gloss over and ignore is what I long for in my heart.

By: Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:31:31 +0000

So I praise God that there are those among both Catholics and Protestants who have already dropped their “guard” against fellow believers to try and learn from one another.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:07:31 +0000

Interesting life story! I agree that believers in Christ should be able to come together in spite of doctrinal differences.

Before reading this article, I would have said:
“I don’t believe that these differences should prevent the body of Christ from coming together, especially because having an incorrect theological interpretation on the topics debated between denominations does not mean you’re going to hell. However, theology is definitely important. Thus, where is the line drawn that separates whether doctrinal differences prevent or do not prevent people from coming together?”

But I think I like what is said in the article better: “…membership in the Body is not determined by doctrinal purity but by relationship to the living Christ.” I too look forward to the day when believers recognize this.