Pope John XXIII

"Let's get lunch." - Attributed to Pope John XXIII just after his election
















Pope John XXIII was born Angela Giuseppe Roncalli, and was sometimes known as Good Pope John. He is a saint in the Roman Church, and Anglicans and Lutherans commemorate him as a reformer of the church.

First, I want to remind folks that Protestantism has developed its own dogma. Sola Scriptura, for example, is just as toxic as the worst Catholic dogmas. As humans are wont to do, Protestants too have fallen into a routine. I suppose the Romans do do dogma a bit more strictly than others, but I don't want us to think that the Romans are all inflexible, and the Protestants aren't.

Still, for many Roman Catholics, Vatican II was indeed a time of great renewal. The Mass could now be celebrated in the vernacular, and ordinary people could understand what was going on. While the Church certainly condemned Communism, and Pope John XXIII excommunicated Fidel Castro, many saw the Church coming to a certain acceptance of some teachings of liberation theology (which stressed Marxist social analyses and was basically Socialist). Vatican II was also seen as promoting increased ecumenical activity. Pope John said that although he wasn't out to change church dogmas, Vatican II would be about preaching Christ's message in light of the changing world.

And that is what Good Pope John offers us: a vision of reform grounded in our core values. Liberal Protestants have always been willing to challenge doctrines that many Christians regard as essential, and challenge is always good.

However, while we must not define ourselves in a way to condemn others, we must hold true to what defines us.

So, while some conservatives may believe in the literal truth of the Scriptures, I prefer to believe that the Scriptures contain everything necessary to salvation. That doesn't mean everything in Scripture is necessary, or that salvation is not to be found elsewhere, but it does mean that Scripture is critical.

And, The Center for Progressive Christianity, in point 1 of its 8 points of Progressive Christianity, maintains that we have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus. I prefer to believe that for Christians, Jesus is the definitive experience of God.

Christian conservatives in the UK, like Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, are going on and on about how the UK has lost its core Christian identity, and is allegedly trying to force multiculturalism down everyone's throat. For certain, the UK has become markedly less Christian. It is understandable that Christians might feel a sense of loss. But, instead of wanting a Christian state, can we Christians assert our core sense of Christianity without threatening others?

Globalization and immigration are simple facts of life that Christians must adapt to.