The Reformanda Initiative

This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Union School of Theology. Listen as we describe the role of church councils and specifically the importance of Vatican II. What happened exactly at Vatican II? Why is it arguably the most significant of all the Church councils? Why is it essential to understanding present-day Roman Catholicism and Catholic theology? Do not miss this important episode.Episode resources:Norman P. Tanner, The Councils of the Church: A Short HistoryDavid F Wells, Revolution in RomeKenneth J. Stewart, In Search of Ancient Roots: The Christian Past and the Evangelical Identity CrisisVatican File 160. http://vaticanfiles.org/en/2019/04/vf160/The Rome Scholars & Leaders Network - to find out more visit the RSLN page, www.reformandainitiative.org/rslnThe Union School of Theology. Union forms men and women to grow Christ’s church. At Union School of Theology, they offer degrees from BA to PhD, shaping their students to be theologically rigorous, biblically faithful, and Christlike. Visit https://www.ust.ac.uk/ to find out more.Support the show

Solus Christus (Christ Alone) versus Totus Christus (the Whole Christ). If one wants to capture the difference between the evangelical faith and Roman Catholicism, here it is. On the one hand, the evangelical stress on the uniqueness of Jesus’s person (the God-man) and His atoning work;[1] on the other, the Roman Catholic insistence on the organic relationship between Christ and the Church.Listen as we discuss the latest Vatican File by Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, titled:Vatican File 170. Totus Christus (The Whole Christ) or Solus Christus (Christ Alone)? On The Damages of Augustine’s Formula and the Correction of the Protestant Reformation [1] S. Wellum, Christ Alone, The Uniqueness of Jesus as Saviour. What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017).Episode Resources:http://vaticanfiles.org/en/2019/12/vf170Support the show

In this episode, we discuss Pope Francis' response to a young boy's question in which he said that the boy's atheist father was in heaven. Does Roman Catholic theology actually allow for atheists to enter into heaven? Listen as we answer this question.EPISODE RESOURCES:Youtube video of Pope Francis: https://youtu.be/bRbUTfSds0UScripture References: John 3:18; Acts 2:39; 4:12; 16:31; 20:20–21; Rom. 10:9–17; 1 John 2:22–25; 4:14–15; 5:12–13; Rom. 5:6–11; 2 Cor. 5:18–21; 1 Tim. 2:5–6; Rom. 3:10-12; Deut. 18:9; 1 Cor. 1:17Vatican File 149: http://vaticanfiles.org/en/2018/05/149-atheists-go-heaven-pope-francis-says-yes/CCC: 405; 1263; 1265Lumen gentium 16 (also cited below):16. Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God.(18*) In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125) On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126) But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Muslims, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,(127) and as Saviour wills that all men be saved.(128) Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.(19*) Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.(20*) She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator.(129) Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, "Preach the Gospel to every creature",(130) the Church fosters the missions with care and attention. Support the show

This is podcast 2 of 2 where we discuss how Roman Catholic theology blurs time distinctions, confusing what God has done in history, with what He is doing. In this episode we discuss Rome's blurring of time distinctions through the sacrament of the Eucharist and through the Roman Catholic understanding of divine Revelation. We also discuss the implications of this blurring for the biblical gospel.Support the show

In this episode, we discuss how Roman Catholic theology blurs time distinctions concerning the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This is a result of confusing what God has done in history, with what He is doing. We discuss the implications of this blurring for the biblical gospel.Support the show

The second pillar/cog of the Roman Catholic church is called the Christ-Church Interconnection. What is it and what does it mean? Simply put, it refers to the Roman Catholicism’s understanding of itself as the continuation of the incarnation of Jesus Christ on earth. In this episode, we will discuss how the Christ-Church Interconnection is related to the previously discussed pillar, the Nature-Grace Interdependence, while describing some clear theological implications of this pillar. We also identify specific theological doctrines and practices in which the outworking of this pillar can be seen.Support the show

What is the Reformanda Initiative? Listen as we discuss how the Reformanda Initiative began, why we believe that Roman Catholic theology is a severely flawed system in need of radical, biblical reformation, and how we intend to use this podcast to provide the global evangelical church with an evangelical analysis of modern-day Roman Catholic theology and practice.Support the show

In this episode, we will discuss the first of the two main pillars that support the Roman Catholic theological system, the Nature-Grace Interdependence. The Roman Catholic concepts of "nature" and "grace" are crucial to defining and understanding Roman Catholicism. Listen as we describe how the Roman Catholic church understands and defines the relationship between nature and grace, the impact of this view on modern-day RC, and most importantly, the biblical understanding about the Fall and the relationship between nature and grace.Support the show

Roman Catholic theology is extremely complex and can be overwhelming to grasp. How are evangelicals to understand Roman Catholicism? What approach should be taken? In this episode, the Reformanda Initiative team will discuss two approaches to understanding RC theology, an atomistic approach, and a systemic approach. Listen as we share why the systemic approach is necessary for evangelicals to properly grasp the Roman Catholic theological system, and for making sense of Roman Catholic practice.Support the show