This is obviously stemming from the abortion thread by reformedbaptist, in which he mentions that he wishes not to partner with catholics, but prefers to partner with protestants in joining together to abolish abortion. (my summary, please correct me if I misrepresented what you were saying, reformedbaptist)
My question is, if your goal/vision is to see abortion illegal in our country, shouldn't you be able to lay aside theological differences, even faith differences, if your goal was the same? Would it not hinder your mission if you insist on going about it your way, only with people who you agree with on theological issues, rather than with all who hope for the same goal?
The use of the phrase "your way" carries a rather pejorative characteristic. RB is honestly holding to what he sees as biblical principles. I don't see any reason to question that.
I don't see any reason not to. Also, IF there is a biblical reason for not partnering with RCs or whoever against abortion. what about lending them help in other ways? For instance, if I see an elderly nun with a flat tire would I be in the wrong if I helped her change it?
Let me rephrase....Would it not hinder your mission if you insist on partnering with only those who agree with your theological perspectives? Or, keeping the mission in mind, would it not be more beneficial to lay aside differences for the sake of the goal. In this case, ending legalized abortions (or all abortions for that matter).
Working in a way that is contrary to scripture is never a good idea. I would personally work with others outside of the church but I would never have them speak at my church nor would I speak at their church even on the matter of abortion. That would work to accomplish the goal without give credibility to their pagan or incorrect theology. Ecumenicism is never a good idea.
To answer the first question in the paragraph, no. Wouldn't you have groups working on the same thing anyway? But let me set a difference in one aspect. When I look, and ultimately choose, a political organization to support I will probably choose pragmatically. I would look for that group that is actually accomplishing legislation. I will most likely end up supporting then a political lobby group and some candidate(s).
If I am "working with" someone in laboring for the Gospel by, for example, volunteering at a pregnancy center, phone counseling, street protest, et. then I will strictly require I work only with evangelicals and protestants, and particularly not with Roman Catholics. Why?
Because my goal isn't just the unborn. My primary goal must be God's glory in the face of Christ. My goal must be Christ and Him cruciifed. I do not preach the same Gospel as Rome. They do not preach the same Gospel as I do. Nor do I regard the papacy and her chuches as Christian churches.
It is also not possible for me to "lay aside' my differences for anything. It is BECAUSE of my theology that I do this or that, not in spite of it. I am glad that groups other than Christians labor to abolish abortion. But I will choose to co-labor with those who are yoked with Christ. Roman Catholics as long as they remain in communion with the pope are yoked with the papacy--which is very Antichrist and the Man of Sin.
If anyone wants to work with Roman Catholics in the prolife movement, they better be ready to go along with agreeing there should be no contraception (except the rhythm method).
Exactly what do you mean by "unequally yoked" with Roman Catholics?
I can understand not wanting to work for a Catholic run institution that indoctrinates people with their beliefs, but supporting a crisis pregnancy center that other denominations support is not the same as being unequally yoked.
I'm sure there are Catholics who give to the Red Cross.
If I give to the Red Cross, that doesn't make me a heretic.
It just means we're supporting the same cause.
Should a Baptist fireman refuse to help a Catholic fireman save a person from a burning building?
That's what this argument seems to boil down to, to me.
The reason that I don’t join hands with RC’s against abortion, is because of...... 2 Corinthians 6:14
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
I don't think so.
But, if a person believes it's being "unequally yoked" to help at a crisis pregnancy center with Catholics, then to be consistent, it would be "unequally yoked" to work anywhere else with them.
It would be hypocritical otherwise.
That's what I'm pointing out.
[tiny can't believe he is saying this] I agree 100000000000%!!! Separation has taken on a ridiculous level of hatefulness over the last 25 yrs... I have a theory on why, but I don't want to derail this thread...
[tiny can't believe he is saying this/]
RIGHT, but the question is are you representing Him TO your coworker (because he needs His salvation) or WITH your coworker, in an effort to show others THEY need His salvation.
If it is the first I understand, if it is the second why would you do this with a Catholic, when their Gospel is NO gospel!!