A Catholic and an evangelical, draw about 120 Christians to a dialogue
The B.C. Catholic
Evangelicals and Catholics are like family members who have much to learn from each other, according to two theologians.
Brett Salkeld, a Catholic, and Jeff Greenman, an evangelical, drew about 120 Christians to a dialogue about the similarities and differences between the two groups at Coastal Church in Vancouver.
“It’s important that evangelicals and Catholics find in one another brothers and sisters, companions in a journey of faith, and people to work together with, in the mission that Christ gives to the church,” said Greenman, the president of Regent College. “We should really be the best of friends.”
Many doctrinal issues seem to divide the two Christian denominations; the papacy, Mary, and purgatory came up most often during the dialogue March 1. Greenman said there is much that unites us.
“The great commonality is faith in Christ and a desire to live for Christ and be Christ’s people. There is only one Christ and there is only one body of Christ. We are members in common allegiance to Christ. That gives us the truest, deepest common ground.”
Vancouver Consultation (a year-long ecumenical initiative which began two months ago) hosted the event. They are investigating what Christians are doing, and can do together, to better the city of Vancouver.
“When I actually sit down and talk with evangelicals, and this is true at the scholarly level, we are remarkably close,” said Salkeld, a theologian from the diocese of Regina. “A lot of times it comes down to a difference in emphasis.”
As an example, he brought up the age-old debate on salvation by faith or works.
“Luther’s phrase ‘salvation by faith alone’ can be understood in a way that’s completely compatible with the Catholic understanding, if what is meant is that God saves us without our own effort,” he said.
“A Catholic will want to say: ‘But faith never exists without love.’ When I say that to an evangelical, I never hear someone say it does! Every evangelical I’ve met thinks true faith is accompanied by love.” The emphasis is different; the good news of God’s grace is the same.
He added that many disputes, such as the role of the Pope or Mary, stem from one root question: what is the role of the Church?
Catholics believe the Church “has authority to teach or to govern” and “mediates grace.” Evangelicals have a different view.
“Evangelicalism is a largely individualistic movement,” said Greenman. “Everyone needs to own their faith and live that faith, but one of the unfortunate tendencies of evangelicalism has been to so emphasize individual faith in Christ that the corporate and collective have been overlooked.”
He said the importance of the church and the “bold moral stance” on life issues are things evangelicals can learn from Catholics.
Salkeld said Catholics have much to learn from their evangelical siblings, too.
“I think real, key things that Catholics can learn from evangelicals are being comfortable, being happy, being excited to talk about Jesus like we’ve met Him.”
