Ecumenism isn't Watered Down Christianity, with Nathan Smith

About this Episode

Guest: Nathan Smith, Director of Ecumenism for Glenmary Home Missioners and the Field Representative for USCCB on Ecumenism
Podcast: Glenmary Unity: “Interviews and discussions from Christian ministers and theologians on ecumenical efforts between Catholics and Evangelical and Pentecostal groups.” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/glenmary-unity/id1561579846

*How Luke introduced us via email: *
“Nathan, meet Gomer. Gomer, meeting Nathan. Nathan is now a Catholic that works for Glenmary doing ecumenical work. He was a Protestant pastor, loves Benedict and Balthasar and dresses very well.

Nathan, one time Gomer and I spent 8 hours in rural Mingo Junction eating $0.25 wings and drinking $5 pitchers until it closed. It was awesome. Gomer, Nathan has to endure standing next to during the US - Mexico game after I'd been drinking since 2:30 pm. I lead an awesome life.
-Luke”

*Topics range from: *

1. Seeker-sensitive church movements and creating a Sunday service for the unchurched and not for the churches. The pros and cons of this movement within protestant Christianity and now how it's being adopted whole cloth into Catholicism
2. The process of how Nathan became Catholic
3. Deconstruction within evangelicalism and is that coming to Catholicism? Is it the same thing? What are the differences you see?
4. You had the unfortunate experience of being next to Luke in the US men's national team soccer game against Mexico where they won 2-0. How much therapy are you receiving via Betterhelp.com/foxes?
5. Ecumenism doesn't have to be watered down or fake. Ecumenism can actually mutually enrich both sides if both sides keep truth as the central aim.

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Episode Links

• Glenmary Ecumenical Commission — Fostering Christian Unity through Dialogue and Friendship
• ‎Glenmary Unity on Apple Podcasts — Interviews and discussions from Christian ministers and theologians on ecumenical efforts between Catholics and Evangelical and Pentecostal groups.
• ‎Glenmary Unity: Fr. Frank Ruff Shares a Lifetime of Ecumenism on Apple Podcasts — Glenmary priest, Fr. Frank Ruff, shares stories of his earliest experiences of ecumenism and his finding a family he didn't know he had.
• Road to Emmaus | Etsy Ivanka Demchuk — Aim of modern icons are new display of religious essence, researching principles of interpretation without losing sacral significance. Icon should evolve, implement best aesthetic achievements of the time, then it is closer to the perception of modern human.
• Transubstantiation: Theology, History, and Christian Unity: Salkeld, Brett, Root, Michael: 9781540960559: Amazon.com: Books — This thoroughgoing study examines the doctrine of transubstantiation from historical, theological, and ecumenical vantage points. Brett Salkeld explores eucharistic presence in the theologies of Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin, showing that Christians might have more in common on this topic than they have typically been led to believe. As Salkeld corrects false understandings of the theology of transubstantiation, he shows that Luther and Calvin were much closer to the medieval Catholic tradition than is often acknowledged. The book includes a foreword by Michael Root.
• Why "Subsists In" Instead of "Is?" | Catholic Answers — With the expression subsistit in, the Second Vatican Council sought to harmonize two doctrinal statements: on the one hand, that the Church of Christ, despite the divisions which exist among Christians, continues to exist fully only in the Catholic Church, and on the other hand, that “outside of her structure, many elements can be found of sanctification and truth,” that is, in those churches and ecclesial communities which are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church. But with respect to these, it needs to be stated that “they derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church” (DI 16, emphasis added; footnotes omitted; see DI 17).
• Joint Declaration of the Holy Father Pope Paul VI and His Holiness Shenouda III (May 10, 1973) | Paul VI — Paul VI, Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church, and Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, give thanks in the Holy Spirit to God that, after the great event of the return of relics of St Mark to Egypt, relations have further developed between the Churches of Rome and Alexandria so that they have now been able to meet personally together. At the end of their meetings and conversations they wish to state together the following:
• Common Christological Declaration between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East (November 11, 1994) | John Paul II — His Holiness John Paul II, Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church, and His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos–Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, give thanks to God who has prompted them to this new brotherly meeting.
• Sandra McCracken | Official Website — Sandra McCracken is a singer-songwriter and hymn writer from Nashville, Tennessee. A prolific recording artist, McCracken has produced 14 solo albums over two decades.