This blog was started by a small group of Anglicans and Presbyterians who share a common hope for the reunion of Christendom. For information on who we are and what this blog is about, please look at the “About” and “Contributors” pages. We hope that this blog will facilitate irenic dialogue between Christians seeking understanding of and union with those from other confessional backgrounds with whom they may disagree.
Welcome to “Evangelical Catholicity”
December 20, 2007 by Jonathan Bonomo
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Jonathan:
I’ve enjoyed corresponding with you in the past, and continue to do so. I look forward to reading posts from your Anglican and Reformed friends!
welshmann,
Thanks for the kind words. You enjoy the great distinction of being the first to post a comment on this blog! I wish I had a prize to give you. But alas, I am but a lowly seminarian. ;-)
Good stuff! I’m looking forward to the contributions on this site. I see you’ve already lined up some of my favourite web theologians. God bless this project and keep it both evangelical in doctrine and catholic in spirit.
May God bless this new endeavor — I’ve so enjoyed reading your posts and interactions elsewhere, and am truly delighted by your lineup of contributors. Have fun discussing…I’m just going to sit back and learn! :-)
I was wondering if the “Gospel” plays any role in out “Catholicity.”
In answering this it might be best to define briefly what the Gospel is.
Thank you!
Josh,
Just as a wanring: We will normally be deleting comments that are off the topic of a post. I am granting you a bit of leeway here because we are just getting started and I consider you a friend.
As to your question: Have some patience. This blog is not a sort of “home base” for some monolithic “movement,” and as such it is not the duty of any one contributor to speak for the blog as a whole. All the contributors to this blog (there will be more than what is currently listed) have their own perspectives as to what exactly the Gospel is and what role it may play in our catholicity, to be sure, and those sorts of things will come to the fore in due course in the midst of this ongoing discussion. This blog exists because we are seeking understanding of each other.
For me personally: the Gospel = The Messiah has come as God in the flesh: Jesus Christ, who has saved his people from their sins through his incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, and has thereby now been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Salvation is now freely offered to all peoples through faith in Him: Jews and Gentiles alike.
No other comments off the topic of this post will be permitted.
Hi!
My warmest wishes for the new website!
What about an introduction of all the contributors?
Scylding,
There is a page of contributor profiles, which will be added to as others officially come on board. Maybe a separate post can be mustered up in due time. Right now I’m busy getting ready for my trip back home to Philly.
Josh,
I would add my amen to what Jonathan has said. We don’t want this website to become a magnet for critics. We want a different tone here. I honestly find your query puzzling. I don’t think any Christian has any doubt as to the content of the gospel. The good news of the gospel is that God’s kingdom has come to earth through the redemptive mission of his Son Jesus Christ, who satisfied God’s holiness by his perfect obedience, atoned for human sin on the cross, and broke the power of death through his resurrection from the dead, and is now seated in heavenly glory to intercede for all the elect. As an heir of the Reformation, I believe it is by faith alone, a pure acceptance of God’s free gift, that I respond to that good news in justification. I don’t think anybody here would demur from that summary. So that’s where we are coming from.
Glad to see you guys up and running. The peace of Christ to you!
Congratulations on the new site! I work at a Christian ministry in which there are many Evangelicals and Roman Catholics working side by side in the culture wars, and I enjoy my interactions with my Catholic colleagues immensely. I have encouraged them to visit your site, telling them that I expect the tone here to remain more irenic than other outlets where some of your contributors have written previously.
Grace and peace to you all in Christ!
Chris,
Welcome! And thanks for the kind words. I hope that you and the others you’ve mentioned can contribute to the discussion here, as time allows.
Many blessings to you and yours,
Jonathan