The Internet Monk on the "current trajectory of evangelicalism"

Michael Spencer (aka, the Internet Monk) has a lengthy and intriguing post about evangelicalism, Catholic bashing, and evangelicals-turned-Catholic. Definitely read the entire post. Here is the conclusion:

The appeal of Rome is seldom its “gospel.” The appeal is on many levels where evangelicalism- especially conservative and fundamental varieties- is failing.

In all honesty, is the problem ECT, Timothy George and Chuck Colson? How many Peter Kreefts and Scott Hahns jumped ship over ecumenical evangelicalism? Hardly. It is traditional Catholicism that is making converts, and it is making them from largely conservative evangelicals who are looking for something in conservative, fundamentalist post-evangelicalism that isn’t there.

John Paul II and Benedict the XVI are seen as spiritual leaders of substance, in contrast to what evangelicalism these days calls a leader— anyone with two books and a church over 1500 members. If the discussion were about doctrine, I think Johnson’s team would have no fears of large scale Catholic influence in evangelicalism. But with the current post-evangelical breakdown, not only in doctrine but in every other department, Rome looks like it has its act together. Reformed apologists who want to stay focused on what Trent said about justification don’t get it. The appeal of Rome is its claim to be THE CHURCH in every aspect. And the more you contrast evangelicalism with Catholicism outside of reformation doctrines and historical abuses- intellectually, culturally, academically, politically, and on and on- the more evangelicalism suffers.

There is much truth in these remarks (Spencer gives his reasons for not being Catholic here), which echo, to a substantial degree, much of what is said in Mark Noll's Is The Reformation Over? (read IgnatiusInsight.com interview with Dr. Noll) .The issue, he and co-author Carolyn Nystrom argue, is largely one of ecclesiology, which involves an incredibly wide range of issues relating to the nature, purpose, mission, identity, work, theology, and meaning of "Church." Which is why I would say Spencer is not entirely correct in saying, "The appeal of Rome is seldom its 'gospel.'" Actually, I think that is exactly the appeal; I know it was for me. The Gospel is all about the Church, for the Gospel is the Good News about Jesus Christ, who came to found a Church -- a living Body -- through which He works, giving His grace through Word and sacrament. But don't take my word it -- read the very first paragraph of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life. [emphasis added]

Then there is the whole reality of divinization, or theosis, but that is another topic and post for another day. In the meantime, for an appetizer, go here.

Comments

[Jackson]

The internet monk will definitely become a Catholic, sooner or later.

[Josh S]

I think what Michael meant by "gospel" is that no one moving from evangelicalism to Catholicism does so because they got really excited about the Catholic message about the treasurey of merit, indulgences, scapulars, purgatory, pilgrimages, relic veneration, 4-tiered grace structures, tripartite sin formulas, invincible ignorance, etc. That's not what draws people in and is the Catholic analog to what evangelicals mean by "gospel." What you call the Catholic "gospel" is precisely what Michael was talking about: the message "We--well, at least the pope and the bishops who submit to him--are right about everything, we'll always be here, we always were here, and we've got it together in every facet of human life."

[Jenny]

"treasurey of merit, indulgences, scapulars, purgatory, pilgrimages, relic veneration, etc. etc."

Hey Josh :), this does seem to be a handy-dandy diatribe you pull out often.

I can say, indeed as a former Evangelical, they were not my primary motivating factors in entering the Catholic Church. But you know what, on the other side I believe they had a great deal of unseen influence pertaining my entrance into the Church. And from this vantage, I can claim a certain "excitement" over these elements of my faith.