mosaic

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

NEWS ARTICLE FROM YAHOO! TO THINK ABOUT

Pope: Other Christians not true churches
By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press WriterTue Jul 10, 8:49 AM ET

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.
Benedict approved a document from his old offices at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that restates church teaching on relations with other Christians. It was the second time in a week the pope has corrected what he says are erroneous interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 meetings that modernized the church.
On Saturday, Benedict revisited another key aspect of Vatican II by reviving the old Latin Mass. Traditional Catholics cheered the move, but more liberal ones called it a step back from Vatican II.

Benedict, who attended Vatican II as a young theologian, has long complained about what he considers the erroneous interpretation of the council by liberals, saying it was not a break from the past but rather a renewal of church tradition.

In the latest document — formulated as five questions and answers — the Vatican seeks to set the record straight on Vatican II's ecumenical intent, saying some contemporary theological interpretation had been "erroneous or ambiguous" and had prompted confusion and doubt.
It restates key sections of a 2000 document the pope 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."

In the new document and an accompanying commentary, which were released as the pope vacations here in Italy's Dolomite mountains, the Vatican repeated that position.
"Christ 'established here on earth' only one church," the document said. 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.

The Rev. Sara MacVane of the Anglican Centre in Rome, said there was nothing new in the document. "I don't know what motivated it at this time," she said. "But it's important always to point out that there's the official position and there's the huge amount of friendship and fellowship and worshipping together that goes on at all levels, certainly between Anglican and Catholics and all the other groups and Catholics."

The document said 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 — a defect, or a "wound" that harmed them, it said. "This is obviously not compatible with the doctrine of primacy which, according to the Catholic faith, is an 'internal constitutive principle' of the very existence of a particular church," the commentary said.

Despite the harsh tone of the document, it stresses that Benedict remains committed to ecumenical dialogue. "However, 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," the commentary said. The document, signed by the congregation prefect, U.S. Cardinal William Levada, was approved by Benedict on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul — a major ecumenical feast day.There was no indication about why the pope felt it necessary to release the document, particularly since his 2000 document.

Commentary by P. Jon:

This is sad. I never doubt the authenticity of my Christian faith and experience as a non-Catholic. I have reason to say however, that there are authentic Christian Catholics, just as I believe there are non-genuine Christians in Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist and other Protestant churches. Authentic Christianity is not measured by church affiliation or membership. It is based on one's genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Chris, evidenced by his/her walk and the fruit of the Spirit in his/her life.

Furthermore, ONCE again, I find this statement a contradiction from the Roman Catholic church's own prior statement in the Catholic Encyclopaedia (found in NewAdvent.com) where it says:

"Still, in another and broader sense of the term, which is also the more usual and is followed in the present article, CHRISTENDOM (or Christianity) includes not merely the Roman Catholic Church, but, together with it, the many other religious communions which have either directly or indirectly, separated from it, and yet, although in conflict both with it and among themselves as to various points of doctrine and practice agree with it in this: that they look up to our Lord Jesus Christ as the Founder of their Faith, and claim to make His teaching the rule of their lives."

Monday, July 9, 2007

NEWS: BBQ Assignments! (Updated: July 11)

On Thursday, we will have our BBQ fellowship! The last BBQ events we had, Ryan Hong took care of everything from food to plates. We just went there to eat! This time, we would like to do it as a community! I am taking the liberty of assigning people (I hope you don't mind) to bring little things to make the event much better! I'll be texting each of you for your assignments~ what to bring. But so far, these are what we'll need (If you want, you can choose among the items below and inform me ahead):

- hotdog buns (maybe a dozen or two) > Ingrid
- hotdogs (1/2 kilo will do) > Osie
- Drinks (Coke/Sprite/Iced Tea/A Gallon of cold Water) > Andy
- Japanese Corn to roast > Rajsh
- Vegetables and Ready-to-eat Cut Fruit (pineapples, watermelons, etc.)
- Burger patties and buns, catsup > Les
- Chips and dips > Rajsh

Ryan will cover the meat, rice and kimchi (and the grill). I'll bring herbed chicken breast for the non-pork eaters, as well as the utensils.

In our previous experiences, the Helipad is far too dark for BBQ. I'm asking Ryan if we can do it at the poolside where there's also a part that's roofed in case it rains. You may bring swimsuits if you want to go swimming. Just inform me or Ryan not later than Wednesday.

We will have a short Bible study/devotion/sharing time following dinner.

By the way, we are expecting three new faces this Thursday, I hope we make a good Christian group impression that would make them know that we are serious about our Christian walk. So come on time, I hope we will all be present when the guests arrive. It's going to be a fun night!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

NEWS: Study cancelled due to inclement weather!

Yahoo! Weather forecast reads:

Tonight (July 5, 2007): Scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Low around 80F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.

And it did rain, just before our Bible study meeting tonight. I was printing out the hand-outs at the other end of the room, and was preparing the coffee at the pantry when I looked out the window~ 10% visibility of the horizon lit occasionally by flashes of lighting. I immediately texted folks about the study cancellation due to inclement weather. At exactly 7PM, the downpour turned into drizzle. At 9PM, the sky was almost clear with the moon partly visible.

NEXT WEEK, we will have our Bible study at the poolside area of the Malayan Plaza (where Ryan lives) for our once-a-quarter Korean BBQ tradition! We will apprise you of some the things we might need additionally for the BBQ~ like drinks, fruits, etc.! Watch out for my text messages within the week.

We will meet at the Malayan Plaza lobby at 6:30-7:00PM, just about the same time Ryan will be grilling the BBQ.

Important Note: Please don't be late, the Malayan Plaza Administration allows such activities only until 10PM.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

LESSON: Our Identity in Christ

We are dual citizens: of earth and of heaven. As we realize this, we feel our heavenly identity crashing down on our earthly identity. We will spend a lifetime scrutinizing how we prioritize our values in light of our commitment to follow Christ. As we do so, our heavenly values will sometimes affirm, sometimes modify, and sometimes completely reject our earthly values.

Steps to prepare:

1. Read Ephesians chapters 1-2 (write questions arising from the passages).

2. Pray for the group's meeting and Bible study.

3. Invite one friend this Thursday!

4. Come on time!

Coffee, Green Tea and Cookies will be served.

We have a new group mail- iyacies@yahoogroups.com! Confirm you membership!