Choosing A New Pope

The conclave of cardinals is about to begin its work to select a new pope.  I'm not quite sure what their process will be but I am certain that it won't be done like this.   Enjoy!

A Reformed Farewell to the Pope

Dr. Michael Scott Horton has written a nice piece over at the White Horse Inn reflecting on the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI.  Entitled, A Reformed Farewell To Benedict XVI,  Horton, speaks in complimentary terms of the former pope as one who is not only a scholar but one who also understands Protestants.

Horton's jumping off point is Benedict's interpretation of the Great Schism when the Roman Catholic Church had not one but three popes (1309-1417).  Benedict correctly understood as a crisis of authority because popes were excommunicating other popes and at one time all Roman Catholics were under the sentence of excommunication.  Some argued that church councils were the solution.  The Protestant Reformation arose in this context and concluded that Scripture alone is the true authority for God's people.

In reflecting on Benedict's tenure as pope, Horton touches on more recent developments in Catholic thought: papal infallibility, Lumen Gentium, Vatican II, etc.  He also challenges the common assertion that the Roman Catholic Church exists as an unbroken line from the apostle Peter.

This is a good read and I encourage you to take a few minutes to do so.  Don't worry, you won't find sarcasm or caricatures but honest dialog along with searching questions.

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey - The Inventions of Rome Part 2

Here is part II of the interview with Dr. Robert Godfrey on the traditions of Rome.  Please take note of the term "cherry-picking" (at 1:32) and how this relates to Rome's interpretation of early church.  Also note the term "consensus fidelium" (at 2:45).  Here Godfrey's point is that the Roman Catholic Church pretty much ignores whether a doctrine was widely held or not.  Many of its defenders will use any evidence, even evidence that wasn't widely affirmed, to support its present doctrinal positions all the while claiming that this is what the church has always believed.

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey - The Inventions of Rome Part 1

Here is an insightful video by one of my heroes in the faith, Dr. Robert Godfrey, of Westminster Seminary in California.  In this clip he addresses the misconception that the Roman Catholic Church has an unbroken history back to the apostles.  The real truth is that the RCC today is different from the medieval church which was different from the early church.

This video complements the article he wrote for Modern Reformation magazine.  Click on this link to preview the latest issue.
  

Robert Godfrey on the Lure of Rome

R. Scott Clark interviewed Dr. Robert Godfrey, president of Westminster Seminary California, last year about evangelicals converting to Roman Catholicism.  In light of the Jason Stellman move out of the PCA and apparently into the Roman Catholic Church this interview is all the more important.

Clark and Godfrey discuss the belief that there is great continuity between what we see in the Roman Catholic Church today and the ancient church.  For many evangelicals this sounds plausible: Clark and Godfrey provide abundant evidence to the contrary.

Doctrine is also discussed: the Gospel, justification, the sacraments, church government, and interpreting Scripture are all covered.  Contemporary evangelicalism is also discussed - its strengths, its blindspots, and how it can answer Roman Catholic claims to infallibility and an unbroken tradition.

Click on the link to hear the interview:  Godfrey Interview

Go here for additional resources. 

D.G. Hart: Development of Doctrine - Protestant-Style

Darryl Hart has written a very thoughtful piece about the development of doctrine that challenges commonly held beliefs about the early church.  The Roman Catholic assertion is basically that there is absolute continuity between itself and the early church, thus Protestants rebelled not so much against the medieval church (with all of its excesses) but the church as founded by Christ and the apostles.

Hart writes his post in part because he is a historian but also because of recent conversions to Rome by some from conservative, reformed churches.  He is concerned to set the record straight about pre-Reformation doctrinal statements.  His citation of the Third Lateran Council reveals that there was not nearly as much doctrinal consensus as one might think.  Furthermore, he illustrates that Rome's statements about justification come as a response to Protestant formulations on that doctrine and do not precede them.

I encourage you to read his entire post.  It is well worth your time.  

D.G. Hart - Development of Doctrine Protestant Style

Horton Weighs In - Update

Over at Modern Reformation Dr. Mike Horton has posted a couple of helpful articles that relate to my two previous posts.  The first article addresses the attraction of Rome.  The second article speaks to the question, "Which Church Would the Reformers Join?"  I found articles to be both balanced and charitable.

At least one other article is promised.  I will add updates accordingly.

Update 6/14/12

Mike Horton has posted his third article on this topic entitled, "Who's in Charge Here?  The Illusions of Church Infallibility."