November 17, 2007
Common Ground: What Protestants and Catholics can learn from one another
I just watched an interesting show that is being shown on the National Religious Broadcast (NRB) network – for me that’s channel 378 on DirecTV. The show was actually created by a protestant pastor who felt his congregation was too anti-Catholic, so he filmed a conversation about Catholicism with a Catholic priest.
Pastor Andrews of Kensington Community Church basically explores the common misconceptions of Catholicism by asking questions of Father Riccardo who explains the Catholic position. They go through most of the big, obvious issues between Catholicism and protestantism and Father Riccardo does an excellent job of explaining what Catholics believe and why.
I really enjoyed it. It was great to see this honest dialogue where no one was angry or offended; it was a simple explanation of the differences and similarities (“Common Ground”) between the two Christians. And I was thrilled to see an honest, clear explanation of the Catholic position – I almost expected errors and misconceptions, but I didn’t notice a single one.
They also get into other subjects. For example, one of the more fascinating points that Father Riccardo makes is about reverence and fear of God. He tells the story of a nuclear physicist who became a priest. The main explained that nuclear reactor has a powerful core, which contains the nuclear reaction. This core is surrounded by clear blue water, which is then contained by thick glass. The priest pointed out that while looking at reactor, you realize that if the glass breaks you would be dead in less than an instant. And then he explained that we should remember this every time we walk by the tabernacle (which contains the Eucharist – Jesus Christ body, blood, soul, and divinity).
And at the end, they go into the Holy Spirit's power and it is a fascinating discussion. Father Riccardo points out that this is one thing Catholics could learn from protestants: how to understand the actual power and reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
If you get a chance, be sure to catch this – it’s also been on Trinity Broadcast Network and FaithTV. I believe they will probably run it again, because it seems to get good reviews on both sides of the issue. You can also purchase it at ProtestantCatholic.com. From the press it’s getting, I’d bet that it will show up again.
God bless,
Jay
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