Archives

"With the great work before us of enlightening the world, we who believe the truth should feel the necessity of thorough education in the practical branches of knowledge, and expecially our need of education in the truths of scripture. ERRORS ARE NOW EXALTED AS TRUTH, and it is our DUTY to search the Word and be able to intelligently present it to others. We will be called upon to make known the reasons of our faith. We shall have to stand before the magistrate to answer for our allegiance to the Law of God." [FE 202]

Pope Benedict XVI has reaffirmed the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, stating that Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches. He has restated key sections of a 2000 document he wrote when he was prefect of the congregation, "Dominus Iesus", which set off a firestorm of criticism among Protestant and other Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches but merely ecclesial communities and therefore did not have the "means of salvation".

The document states: "Christ established here on earth only one church. The other communities cannot be called 'churches' in the proper sense because they do not have apostolic succession - the ability to trace their bishops back to Christ's original apostles.

It is especially interesting that the document said the Orthodox churches were indeed 'churches' because they have apostolic succession and that they enjoyed 'many elements of sanctification and of truth", but it said they lack something because they do not recognize the primacy of the pope. The Papacy considers this a 'defect', or a 'wound' that harmed them.

Despite the harsh tone of the document, it stresses that Benedict remains committed to ecumenical dialogue. However, the document states that "..if such dialogue is to be truly constructive, it must involve not just the mutual openness of the participants but also fidelity to the identity of the Catholic faith."

Let the Great Controversy speak: "Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years....Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for 800 years by this haughty power? So far from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the 19th Century with greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the "church never erred, nor will it", how cna she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages? The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. [GC 564]

Let us be vigilant, beloved, as we rapidly being swept into the cataracts of the final events. We must be faithful and busy about our mission. Pastor Dan Shafer

In his article "The Shape of the Emerging Church: A Pastor's View" (Part 1) in your September issue, Ryan Bell states..."..the church is less clear about its role in relation to a great many of the cultures in which it finds itself. Just as Israel had to reconsider its way of life when carried off into Babylonian exile, so the church today must rethink its role in Western society particularly.....the church frequently saw itself as being in partnership with its host culture..." In response I would ask; When young Daniel and the Hewbrew youth were carried away into captivity to Babylon, did they have to reconsider their way of life? Did they have to rethink their role in this strange new society? The Bible makes it very clear that Daniel "purposed" in his heart to maintain his convictions and his way of life. (Dan. 1:8) Daniel also remained committed to his prayer life; which went contrary to the decree of his culture. (Dan. 6:10) It was no different with the other young Hebrew captives. They would not bow down to the culture and goals of their new environment. They did not have to rethink or reconsider their role in this new society. In Daniel 3:16 the three Hebrew boys answered the King: "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter." These faithful young men did not have to sit down and carefully weigh out the pros and cons of their decision. They were rooted and grounded in a faith that was far beyond any consideration of compromise. Pastor Bell leads us to the conclusion that we are to blend in with the secular culture of western society. I do readily agree with him however, that we must meet the needs of that society. However, we are called of God to present to them their greatest need; and that is to bring them to Jesus that they would learn of the true culture. Our influence in secular society can only be effective and successful as we manifest to the world the true God and His culture. Pastor Dan Shafer, Hampton, Virginia

On Tuesday, January 13, 2006, Judge Samuel Alito was officially appointed to the position of United States Supreme Court Judge, following a vigorous and shameful demonstration by committee members, after days of hearings involving testimonies from Mr. Alito and questioning of committee participants.Unfortunately, those involved, and most of our citizens do not understand the ramifications of this appointment where our religious liberties are concerned. And this concern has nothing to do with the qualifications of the man himself, but rather the prophetic impact this appointment brings to the makeup of the highest court of our land in regard to church and state issues. For the first time in our history, the Supreme Court is now composed of a majority adherents to the Roman Catholic Church. As we look back to the appointment of Judge Roberts, another Roman Catholic, we should be reminded that before that nomination, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote to President Bush, encouraging him to select a justice who would meet with their approval.

The President's choice to fill Sandra Day O'Conner's vacancy is Samuel Alito. If confirmed, Alito would tip the scale toward majority Roman Catholic representation on the highest court of our land.

"It is clear, then, that no Catholic may positively and unconditionally approve of the policy of separation of church and state. But, given a country, like the United States, where religious denominations abound and the population is largely non-catholic, it is clear that the policy of treating all religions alike, becomes, all things considered, a practical necessity; the only way of avoiding a deadlock. Under such circumstances, separation of church and state is to be accepted, not indeed as the ideal arrangement, but as a modus vivendi." {American Freedom and Catholic Power, Paul Blanshard, pg.49}

"In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendency, the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence.... The Roman church is far reaching in its plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution and to undo all that protestantism has done. Catholicism is gaining ground in our country on every side." {4SP380-382}

The great prophetic time clock is moving at breakneck speed. Keep your eye on the