A certain advertisement of religious films embraces a picture of an American Indian communicating via the ancient smoke-signal system. The caption reads, "You don't change the message . . . you change the method." This eye-catching announcement merits application to present-day preaching of the Advent message. But that is another subject.
What about the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church? Have the recent Vatican councils brought about any significant changes in the basic doctrines of Roman Catholicism? Religious and secular writers and commentators showed remarkable unity in proclaiming the seemingly amazing changes in Roman Catholic doctrine and attitudes. In fact, I have received several letters from Adventist ministers who chided our church for its refusal to acknowledge these remarkable changes. One good brother went so far as to say that our traditional interpretation of prophecies relating to the Papacy were completely invalid. He further declared that Adventists must cease connecting the little horn of Daniel 7, the beast of Revelation 13, and the woman of Revelation 17 with Roman Catholicism.
Peach or Pear Tree?
True, any alert observer can recognize the obvious changes in the color of the leaves of the Roman Catholic Church tree. A modification of leaf color only indicates a seasonal change, but the tree limbs, trunk, and roots are fairly well intact. Painting an apple tree's leaves a radiant gold doesn't change its nature. Tying peaches on a pear tree doesn't make it a peach tree.
Catholicism may permit a recitation of the mass in a vernacular language, but it is still a mass. Even a change in her religious liberty attitudes, which is welcome and remarkable, still has little or no effect on her major deceptive doctrines. And what effect does permission to eat pork, beef, and chicken on Friday have on her doctrine of righteousness by works? Absolutely none! To even lift the ban on members attending Protestant worship services does little to improve her retained doctrinal errors.
Secure an automobile that is a total wreck from the outside shell through the drive chain. Then, remove all the dents, cover it with new paint, replace the smashed windows, and renew the slashed upholstery. All of these extremely visible changes do not have the slightest effect on the drive chain. The engine and transmission are still defective.
Disappointed Liberals
Pope Paul VI recently made it clear that the Roman Catholic Church has really not changed as much as some think she has. His reaffirmation of traditional Catholic doctrine came as a definite disappointment to many Catholic liberals. According to reports, the Pope's official declaration is as binding and authoritative as any former approved creed.
Among other things, it is apparent that the Roman Catholic Church hasn't budged a millimeter in many of her beliefs. The efficacy of infant baptism, papal infallibility, transubstantiation, and purgatory are still among her standard theological errors. Those whose hopes are focused on the ecumenical movement probably saw double when they read what the Pope said about non-Catholic lost sheep. He declared, "Christians who are not in full communion of the one only church will one day be reunited in one flock with one shepherd only."
Since the reaffirmation of the Nicene Creed came almost on the eve of the great world council meeting, theologians feared that this statement was a demand for "return to Rome" as a basic requisite for Christian reunion.
As usual, some commentators felt that the Pope's new "creed" was really not as devastating as it sounded. It was felt that his remarks were directed not to the Uppsala meeting, but toward certain Catholic progressives. According to a report by Father John B. Sheerin, C.S.P., Religious News Service special correspondent, Albert van de Heuvel, director of the World Council of Churches Communication Department, at a July 3 press conference, made these observations on the Pope's statement of June 30th: (1) That the Pope's statement was not pointed toward the Uppsala assembly. (2) That it was not a solemn definition of doctrine, but a statement open to discussion. (3) That the pronouncement was lacking in collegiality since it bore no evidence that the Pope had issued it after consultation with the bishops. (4) That it presents certain particular doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church as being of equal authority with the Nicene Creed. (5) That it purports to meet the problems of our time but fails to do so satisfactorily, e.g., racial justice. (6) That the Pope's conviction regarding Papal infallibility is respected by all the World Council theologians, but not shared by all.
In a press release distributed on July 4, Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, General Secretary of the World Council, stated that he had been asked to comment on the Pope's statement, especially in relation to his allusion to "the one flock and one shepherd." Blindly, Dr. Blake saw in this allusion no demand for all separated brethren to "return" to Rome.
Spirit of Prophecy Relevancy
To the Spirit-of-Prophecy-believing minister, certain statements in The Great Controversy's "Aims of the Papacy" chapter are most relevant:
"The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented? Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed and Rome be reinstated in her former power, and there would speedily be a revival of her tyranny and persecution. . . . Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. . . . The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity. . . . The papacy is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times."—Pages 564-571.
Adventists should never gloat over these facts. God forbid that we take pleasure in knowing and announcing to the world the aims of the Papacy. The particular prophecies dealing with Romanism were not written by us, nor are we responsible for their fulfillment. Our insight on this subject stems only from our willingness to study and accept what God has revealed through His prophets. Any feelings of spiritual superiority can only come from the same enemy who inspires heresy. To glory in true doctrine apart from Christ is as offensive as being dogmatically steeped in error.
It is for this reason that we should make a definite application of the slogan, "You don't change the message . . . you change the method," to our own presentation of truth. In some cases there is just as much need for us to change our methods as there is a need for Rome to change her message!
What Course to Pursue
What Ellen G. White wrote in 1887 is extremely applicable to our day and age. "Be cautious in your labors, brethren, not to assail the prejudices of the people too strongly. There should be no going out of the way to attack other denominations; for it only creates a combative spirit and closes ears and hearts to the entrance of the truth."—Evangelism, p. 574.
"Decided proclamations are to be made. But in regard to this line of work, I am instructed to say to our people: Be guarded. In bearing the message, make no personal thrusts at other churches, not even the Roman Catholic Church. Angels of God see in the different denominations many who can be reached only by the greatest caution. Therefore let us be careful of our words. Let not our ministers follow their own impulses in denouncing and exposing the 'mysteries of iniquity.' Upon these themes silence is eloquence. Many are deceived. Speak the truth in tones and words of love. Let Christ Jesus be exalted."Ibid., p. 576.
If in our evangelistic work we ever keep in mind that we are trying to win people for Christ, not breed enemies, what a difference it would make in our public presentations.
Some of my neighbors are Roman Catholics. Their thoughtfulness and kindness are unsurpassed. We have high regard for them and believe the feeling is mutual. They are well aware of the doctrines of our church, but I shudder to think what would happen if they attended some of our evangelistic meetings where their beloved church is rudely blasted by someone whose zeal smothers kindness and good judgment.
The undeceived are those who recognize that in spite of the impressive list of changes in Catholicism, the basic error of salvation by works is still firmly held. But more than this, the truly undeceived know that within Rome's ranks God has a multitude of souls to be won for Him. To this group truth must be made clear within the framework of love, dignity, and respect. Could it be that the adage "You don't change the message . . . you change the method" is applicable to both Adventists and Catholics?
