PART I

LUTHERAN-CATHOLIC ACCORD

—Representatives of the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church met in Augsburg, Germany and signed a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, Oct. 31.99. Over 240 Protestant theologians in Germany signed a petition criticizing the agreement. Dr. A. L. Barry, President, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, called it "an ambiguous statement whose careful wording makes it possible for the Pope's representatives to sign without changing, retracting or correcting anything that has been taught by the RCC since the 16th century Council of Trent." The Catholic "clarification" says "eternal life is, at one and the same time, grace and the reward given by God for good works and merit…." This contradicts Eph. 2:8-9, etc. [Christian News, & HT] The accord brings Catholics and Lutherans a step closer to reunion. Rome today seduces evangelicals (especially charismatics) by saying they proclaim the same gospel and the same Jesus.

PART II

COUNCIL OF TRENT CURSED JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE

—Rome still rejects justification by faith alone. Liberal Lutherans, in their zeal for unity, yielded to deceptive wording and betrayed the Gospel in signing the ambiguous accord with Catholics Oct. 31.99. The Council of Trent, meeting in three periods under three different popes 1545-1563, codified and reaffirmed the Catholic doctrine that anyone saying he is justified by faith alone was to be anathema. Canons IX, XII, and XIV said faith alone in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ is not sufficient to justify a sinner (10/25/99 Chr. News). Something more (good works) is needed. Rome has not budged from this and it is the liberal Lutherans who have compromised.

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