If you are looking to redeem your vacation…

Pope Benedict is seemingly trying to get ahead of the vacation planning for the upcoming year. According to this article, the Pope is offering “relief from purgatory to Roman Catholics who travel to Lourdes over the next year.”

Realizing that not everyone will be able to pony up the coin to get to France, the Pope is generously granting “indulgences to Catholics who pray at places of worship dedicated to the Madonna of Lourdes from Feb 2 to Feb 11.”

(photo: Pope Benedict XVI prays to a statue of Madonna of Lourdes in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican)

Memo to evangelicals: Just in case you are getting drowsy and unable to still see the glaring differences between what the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church, particularly with regard to the atoning work of Christ, please shake yourself and wake up. There is a HUGE difference between traveling to your knees and clinging to the righteousness of Jesus Christ and traveling to France and clinging to a piece of porcelain.

Using your blog evangelistically

Over the last year and a half of writing this blog I have thought often about its goal, readership, and the various opportunities that it could present. I have concluded, based upon conversations, emails, comments, etc, that most of the people who read this site are a lot like me, whether that be age, theology, preferences, life-stations, hobbies, or any combination of these. However, what has consistently intrigued me is how to reach those who are different than me. In other words, how can my blog be evangelistic? I want my blog to do a better job reaching unreached people with the gospel.

The struggle for me has been how to do this without making this site all about reaching a particular people group (thereby making the blog something that it is not intended to be) but instead taking opportunities to be strategic and intentional with the gospel.

After the shootings in Omaha last week I found myself praying and asking God how to use me to try to help folks. I called a friend who is on the Omaha Police force, who was among the first into the mall, and advised him that I was able to counsel folks, he was, as you can imagine, quite busy. So I prayerfully decided to write a post that would interact with the shooting from a God-centered, gospel-proclaiming perspective. The next day I took a look at my blog stats to consider if the article was getting any attention (as an aside, I am not a stat guy, I generally do not write to get ‘hits’ but in this case it was different). Upon reviewing the stats I found that from the afternoon until midnight there were hundreds of search engine hits querying on any combination of terms relating to the shootings. So being encouraged and thankful, I wrote another article. This produced the same results. I’ll tell you what, I get much more excited about hits from people searching “Westroads Mall” or “Omaha Shooting” than I do “Irish Calvinist +Luis Palau” or something like that. It is cool to find the article ending up on unbeliever’s blogs.

Now it is a week later and I am feeling like I learned something about blogging. Perhaps you already knew this and have been doing it yourself, but for me I am excited. It is good and right to have the gospel clearly proclaimed on your site, it is good to have articles that exalt Christ, interact with the Reformed circles and promote good books. However, in my view, I can do better. I can work to interact a bit more with my world around me with a Christian worldview and promote Christ’s gospel through it.

I am excited that many people who do not know Christ are asking questions and being directed to my site. This motivates me and makes me want to think and work harder to try to creatively ‘do evangelism’.

My encouragement to you if you blog is to try to make your blog more strategically evangelistic. I will not pretend to have this figured out but I am thinking about it and am burdened and determined to be a good steward of this opportunity. For this purpose, I have recently found myself paying more attention to the Technorati top searches.

If you blog, I’d love to interact a bit with you on this subject. What do you do in terms of ‘blog-evangelism’?

Audio for the NPR interview

Here is the audio for the interview that aired this morning. It was clearly an interview with Palau with me being the controversial Calvinist who does not play well with others (note the interviewer referred to our church as…the ‘Calvinist’ Omaha Bible Church). My portion was extremely abbreviated; I wish that they would have included my references to the Scripture rather than just the historical reference to the Reformation. However, I am thankful to NPR for the opportunity to talk about this important issue and interact over the importance of the promotion and defense of the gospel.

At any rate I think Palau was given enough theological rope to hang himself; his wide inclusivism came through clear, even referring to the gospel as a secondary doctrine.

listen here ::

………

Related Posts ::

>ArchBishop Curtiss Praying

>What is Wrong with this Picture (St. James Catholic Church in Omaha)

>Luis Palau festival promoted by The Catholic Voice

>Does Ecumenicalism Undermine Biblical Unity? (part i, part ii, part iii)

>James White on Palau in Omaha

>Open wolf’s mouth insert head

>OWH highlights confessional tent at the crusade
….

-I have to give major props to my good friend Tony Reinke (of The Shepherd’s Scrapbook) who had downloaded and converted the interview file from RealAudio and uploaded it to his server to be streamed. This all happened before the interview aired. Thanks Tony!

some specifics on the NPR interview

Many folks are asking me about the NPR interview….here is the skinny: it will be airing tomorrow am at 835 Central Time. If you are interested you may listen online here. According to NPR they should have the segment accessible online after it has aired (it should be on this page under “Nebraska News”). The title will be something to do with ‘Luis Palau’ or ‘Heartland Festival’ as they interviewed him the day after me.

Note: the interview lasted about 20 minutes; I talked a lot and was able to say what needed to be said. However, I have no idea what portion they will air and in what context. We shall see. I’m praising God for the opportunity to talk about the preeminence of the gospel.

Open wolf’s mouth…insert head

My good friend Matt Fudge has uncorked his sanctified frustration over the evangelical road show that is coming to Omaha this weekend. Matt is a sharp theologian and clear thinker; swing on over and read his post.

Here is a sample:

Catholics should laugh at evangelicals for what a mess we have made of ourselves since the Reformation. Luis Palau, you are providing them with more material.

James White on Palau in Omaha

Dr. James White, a friend of the ministry at Omaha Bible Church, weighed in on the Luis Palau festival in Omaha, specifically my post from Tuesday. White also provides a story from Steve Camp and his own involvement/reaction at a Palau event. (I love the title of his post: ‘Omaha Bible Church Stands Against Compromise’).

In light of the DL yesterday, I was directed to this article regarding the cooperation of Luis Palau with Rome in his “crusade” in Omaha, Nebraska. I link to this despite the fact that I’m not listed in the sidebar ( sniff, sniff ). Pat Abendroth, of the (in)famous Abendroth Brothers (rumor has it they were once in a rock band, somewhere, but that’s strictly a secret), pastor of Omaha Bible Church, tells me that for some odd reason, they are not joining in the fun. Something about the gospel.

Which reminded me of a story Steve Camp told on our cruise last year. I am going by memory (I’d love to see Steve provide his own version of the story), but he had been asked to sing at a Palau crusade. When he had finished, he was sitting on the platform. Then Palau asked the local Roman Catholic bishop to close the meeting in prayer. Steve was shocked and incensed. He knew he had to do something, so, in a split second decision, he turned his back on the platform when the bishop took the podium. Palau had a cow (that rhymes). For some reason, ol’ Campi hasn’t been invited back since!

I know, I know. “How mean, how…much like an apologist!” or the like. Reality reminder: every Roman Catholic priest, in his ordination, is identified as an “alter Christus,” another Christ. Think about it, and ask yourself a simple question: if that doesn’t offend you, just what would it take for you to be offended in behalf of the honor of your Lord?

NPR interview

Yesterday afternoon I was interviewed by NPR (National Public Radio) regarding OBC’s lack of participation in this weekend’s Heartland Festival with Luis Palau. This was a great opportunity to emphasize that we are not against everything but radically for the gospel, and when you are for the gospel you are against some things. And in this case, we are against partnering with those who do not believe the gospel (2 Cor. 6.14ff).

The interview will air tomorrow on the local NPR channel (NET out of Lincoln). They are apparently interviewing Luis Palau today and then airing both tomorrow.

It was encouraging to hear that they had read through my blog and were familiar with our position. How good is God to even give me a chance to talk about the gospel with this perfect stranger? What a great opportunity to promote the beauty of Jesus in the gospel and our need to promote and defend it with biblical fidelity.

Tuesday Trivia Question that should make you pull out your hair like your name was Ezra

Question: who will be leading in prayer to open this weekend’s Luis Palau evangelistic crusade here in Omaha, Nebraska?

Hint: this is his picture (I wonder if he’ll take off his little pink hat first? –1 Cor. 11.3-4)

If you do not think that this thing is way out of control then you can listen to Luis Palau tomorrow morning on Omaha’s Roman Catholic radio station. (it was this same Catholic radio station, KVSS in Omaha, that reported this morning that Archbishop Curtiss will be opening the festival in prayer).

This is not about reaching out to Catholics evangelistically but it is about partnering with Roman Catholics for ministry.

I will beat the same drum over and over again: biblical unity is a major theme in the New Testament and should be pursued with the utmost zeal by the Christian. However, the unity that the bible presents is that which comes through a common understanding of the gospel, not at the expense of the gospel (Phil. 1.27ff; Gal. 1.6-9; 2 Cor. 6.14ff).

The biblical illiteracy that is being displayed by evangelicals in Omaha this week is embarrassing. The embarrassment is followed closely by historical illiteracy. There was this little thing nearly five hundred years ago called the Reformation. This blessed time that served to recover the centrality of the doctrine of justification by faith alone seems to be forgotten by modern evangelicals. The obscuring of the gospel in an event that is supposed to promote the gospel makes me wonder if anyone even understands the gospel?!

Perhaps we need another reformation.

I wonder if Martin Luther would be asked to pray if he was around?

Another hint: he is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Who has compromised since the Reformation? The confessing protestant community or the Roman Catholic Church? How can you partner in evangelism if you do not even agree on the evangel? Is the ‘gospel’ message of Palau so vague, diluted and indistinct that even Roman Catholics can, with good conscience, partner with and promote him?

See also this post on the curious partnership between Palau and The Roman Catholic Church in Omaha, as well as these 3 posts (part i, part ii, part iii) on Ecumenicalism.

Does Ecumenicalism Undermine Biblical Unity?

Yesterday I highlighted the troubling report of Luis Palau’s partnership with Roman Catholics in his upcoming crusade in Omaha. Some folks may look at my assessment and think it narrow and a detriment to unity, while others may agree without reservation. In either case I want to try to provide a bit of development with respect to this type of Ecumenicalism. So in the next couple of days I will post on this topic and, in keeping with the blogospheric norm, these posts will not be exhaustive. However, I aim to provide a biblical answer to ecumenism, showing the unity that God forbids, while also promoting the unity God commands. Hopefully it proves helpful.

Ecumenism Defined

What are we talking about when we speak of the Ecumenical Movement? Simply put it is the initiative to assert and preserve unity among diverse religious groups.

Within the protestant or evangelical community the ecumenical movement seeks to join folks from traditionally polemical positions. Under the umbrella of unity folks from conservative backgrounds unite with liberals. What’s more, we have seen in recent years an increased partnership within the evangelical community with adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as Jews, Muslims, and Mormons.

Ecumenism Explained

When one encounters ecumenical streams of theology and practice the prevailing goal becomes clear; it is unity at all costs. This goal is distinguished from all competition. Those who pursue such unity are able to tolerate extreme doctrinal variation in effort to achieve their chief end. In fact, the only thing that the ecumenical movement seems to not tolerate is disunity.

The idea of unity is appealing. Even a quick glance at the religious landscape in general and the Christian community in particular will reveal extreme variation and opposition. The apparent disunity has been a favorite criticism by those who find themselves outside of and antagonistic to the Christian church.

Ecumenism Examined

So what is wrong with a movement or philosophy that promotes such radical spiritual partnership?

We see right away when considering the ecumenical movement that the basis for unity is a common desire for unity. This likeminded ecumenical spirit enables adherents to overlook doctrinal differences in order to achieve this chief goal.

The ecumenical spirit takes on different forms but it maintains this same unified goal. In other words, groups elevate various goals as their chief end and these goals become the driving force for all unity; if you can agree on the common goal then they can agree on partnership.

In the 1990’s The Promise Keepers sought to unite men to become better husbands, better fathers, better employees and better “men of faith”. This broad target audience included anyone who was interested. Their approach came across as evangelically conservative so by this nature it did eliminate some who could not stomach their bible quoting and tendency to lean toward the right politically and socially. However, they were intentional in their aim towards unity across doctrinal lines for the sake of their goal of impacting men. This was seen clearly in their under emphasis of doctrine and wide spectrum of theological convictions with the leadership.

Evangelist Billy Graham has been intentional throughout his ministry on bringing people on board who hold doctrinal convictions that are outside the realm of orthodox evangelicalism. Graham had no problem joining hands with protestant liberals and Roman Catholics in ministry because he believed they aided him in gaining a wider audience for his evangelism crusades. Thus it was not uncommon for Graham to have a Roman Catholic speaking on the platform during his crusades. When asked about this strange partnership Graham has said, “I have no quarrel with the Catholic Church.” And further, “I do not think the differences (between evangelicalism and Roman Catholicism) are important as far as personal salvation is concerned.”

In recent years evangelist Luis Palau has enjoyed Billy Graham-like success. For his festival in Omaha, Palau received the endorsement of the Catholic bishop of the Omaha dioceses and has partnered with multiple Catholic churches for the promotion and support of the event. (see also this post)

Best selling author and pastor Rick Warren has been a loud proponent of ecumenicalism. In conducting pastor-training programs he welcomes Catholics, Methodists, Mormons, Jews and ordained women. When questioned about how he can have such untraditional spiritual friendships Warren said, “I’m not going to get into a debate over the non-essentials. I won’t try to change other denominations. Why be divisive?” (USA Today 7/21/2003) It is disturbing to see Warren’s commitment to helping those who promote a different gospel become more effective at doing so. Warren is aiming to help apostate and cultic churches to grow. This is a dangerous ecumenicalism.

Whether we are talking about an evangelism crusade, a masculinity rally, a pastoral training conference or a prayer meeting, the unifying factor remains the goal of the respective group. This unifying goal distinguishes itself as the ultimate authority of the ministry.

However, how does this square up with the teaching of the New Testament? Is God concerned with how and with whom his people do ministry?

(we’ll pick this up tomorrow, examining both the unity that God forbids and commands)

Luis Palau’s Partnership with Roman Catholics at the Omaha Crusade

This summer Luis Palau is coming to Omaha to lead the Heartland Festival. There is a significant amount of religious chatter surrounding the event here in Omaha. Many churches have partnered with the Palau organization and it seems to be an event that is able to harmonize seemingly polemical doctrinal positions.

This weekend an interesting article appeared in The Catholic Voice (CV), a Catholic based Omaha newspaper. The article outlined the admittedly strange partnership between the Omaha Catholic Diocese and the Luis Palau organizers. Archbishop Elden Francis Curtis endorsed the event, this following a meeting between local priests who had spent time with leaders within Palau’s organization.

According to CV, “Father Ryan Lewis, vice chancellor and ecumenical officer for the archdiocese, said local organizers approached the archdiocese about including Catholics at the event, which has never been endorsed by a bishop until now. The festival organizers were open to Catholic input, he said.”

This is interesting. The organizers of the event approached Roman Catholics about participation?

Father Ryan Lewis continues, “They said they would do whatever they needed to do to formulate this festival in such a way that Catholics could participate.”

How much participation are we looking at here? In other words, how Catholic will Palau let this ‘evangelistic’ crusade go?

According to CV, “As of now, festival planners have welcomed the idea of allowing local archdiocesan priests to hear confessions at the event, as well as the possibility of having a Catholic tent that would provide information on the Catholic faith.”

That would be pretty Catholic.

In the article Fathers Lewis and Gutowski attempt to mitigate concerns over whether or not Palau would try to convert people (after all it is supposed to be an evangelistic crusade). The Roman Catholics are less than concerned about Palau’s evangelism, in fact, they are excited about it:

“He’s just trying to re-energize people similar to Billy Graham, re-energize people for Christ. So if you’re Catholic, he wants you to be an energetic Catholic. If you’re Protestant, he wants you to be energized in your Protestant faith – whatever your denomination is. He’s not out to proselytize people to a particular church,” Father Lewis said.

Father Gutowski said Palau’s objective is to call persons to know Christ and to come back to their church if they have wandered away.

“He wants people to know Christ and to have a personal relationship with Jesus within the church you belong to,” he said.

So just for the record, according to Roman Catholic priests, the Luis Palau crusade is going to be a good thing for the Catholic Church; just want to make sure you caught that.

I have been asked by many people over the last few months why Omaha Bible Church’s name is not on the list of supporters, for it seems that every organization in Omaha that has an affiliation with religion is on that list. The answer is simple: We can’t.

On the list of churches that are partnering with Palau we have (at last check) eight Roman Catholic Churches, several liberal protestant churches (my personal favorite being Broadway United Methodist Church), Lutheran churches that deny the gospel, along with countless pop-evangelical mega churches that faithfully obscure the power and nature of the cross. We simply cannot partner in this endeavor for God forbids it:

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

This verse is in the context of doing ministry. The church who maintains biblical fidelity to the gospel of faith alone, by grace alone in Christ alone is not permitted to hold hands with those who undermine, marginalize or otherwise obscure it. Instead we are to evangelize them! That is precisely Paul’s point, “What do you have in common with them?!” We understand from Galatians (1.6-9) that any type of editing done to the gospel equation (either addition or subtraction) brings about damnation at the other end of the equal sign.

Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

If someone is preaching a gospel other than the biblical gospel than they are an unbeliever and if they are an unbeliever than the believer is forbidden from locking arms in ministry with them. It is as simple as this. To do so is to disobey God.

What does it say about Luis Palau’s evangelism that Roman Catholics are comfortable encouraging Catholics to attend?

What does it say about Luis Palau’s gospel preaching that there is going to be a confessional there where folks can go and talk with a priest to confess their sin? What does this say about the clarity of Christ being presented as the sole mediator?

What does this say about the reproachable biblical illiteracy by evangelical churches and pastors? Is there not anything distinctive about the evangelical movement? Can we all just say “Jesus” and “Faith” and pretend like nothing is wrong? The blood of the martyrs cries out from the grave.

Who wouldn’t they partner with? Would they have Mormons involved in Salt Lake? Or Muslims in Dearborn, MI? Or Jews in New York?

It does not appear to me that the Roman Catholics are compromising at all in this. They are getting exactly what they want. Apparently in their vetting of Palau they have found little that they could not stomach in his preaching. This is a good test for preachers and their messages, “If the local Catholic Bishop is comfortable with your evangelism then you have omitted the gospel from your message.” Instead we have such dumbed down, shallow, non-distinct, weak evangelism that any Jesus endorsing monotheist can support it.

David Wells was right, “We are living in a fool’s paradise.”

Father Lewis said, “The timing is right for this type of ecumenical festival.”

He is so right and so wrong at the same time. This type of ecumenicalism undermines biblical unity for it obscures the distincitive gospel of the distinctive Jesus and his powerfully distinctive death. And this is why you will not see this Omaha pastor holding hands with Catholic priests on July 14^th & 15^th.

(here is a recent sermon by Patrick Abendroth, Senior Pastor of Omaha Bible Church, dealing with this very issue..dated 5.13.2007: the unity that God forbids)