Welcome to the Weekend Roundup! – News & Views – 7/20/19

• Catholic bishop leading the “Crystal Cathedral” makeover says beauty ignites faith

This past week, the diocese of Orange, California officially dedicated positivity-gospeler, Robert Schuller’s former Crystal Cathedral as a Catholic cathedral (above photo). The grandiose complex continues as a Gospel-less, whited sepulchre. Joel Osteen cites Schuller as a major inspiration, while Schuller took his cue from president Trump’s positivity-gospel “pastor,” Norman Vincent Peale.

• Evangelical churches gaining ground in France

It’s encouraging to see the Gospel making inroads into such a spiritually dead place as France.

• Louisiana Catholic bishop waived Mass obligation for church members impacted by Hurricane Barry

Roman Catholics are obligated to attend mass each and every Sunday under threat of soul-damning mortal sin, although only 20% of American Catholics comply. If there are dangerous circumstances, as there were recently with Hurricane Barry, which prevent Catholics from attending mass safely, the local bishop will grant a dispensation, exempting them from their obligation. This type of exacting religious legalism leads to innumerable questions regarding various contingencies, which even Rome’s bevy of canon lawyers would be unable to answer.

• With love and listening, “Landings” guides returning Catholics back to pews
• New program aims to create evangelizing churches

The American Catholic church has a serious problem with declining membership and we’re starting to see a number of programs sprouting up aimed at convincing lapsed members to return. What would be their motivation? The pope has said even atheists can merit Heaven if they are “good.” The Gospel of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone has no part in any of this.

• Why I Don’t Call Myself A ‘Roman’ Catholic

Some Catholics are offended by the term, “Roman Catholic,” and prefer to be called  simply “Catholic.” “Roman Catholic” is actually an oxymoron because “Roman” refers to a specific location, while “Catholic” means “universal” (Greek καθολικός, katholikos). Roman Catholics concede that evangelical Protestants have “some” of the truth, but that the Catholic church alone transmits the fullness of divine revelation. In actuality, the RCC is so steeped in its man-made traditions, that it transmits very little Biblical truth.

• EWTN: connected to conservative Catholic money, anti-Francis elements

EWTN, the conservative Catholic media conglomerate founded by Mother Angelica aka Rita Rizzo, is subtly leading the opposition against progressive pope Francis.

• From the Mary of the Bible to the Mary of manifold devotions

Pastor Leonardo De Cherico provides an insightful look at the rise of Mariolatry.

• Trump Finally Loses Baptist Support After Video Emerges Of Him Dancing (satire)

Funny stuff. I’ll keep quiet about Trump, but I attended a Baptist church thirty-five-years ago that majored on the “cardinal” sins: drinking, smoking, dancing, card playing, and listening to rock music. Going to the movie theater, also a major no-no at many Baptist fellowships at that time, was OK at our church because the pastor was a martial arts enthusiast who loved rock ’em, sock ’em action movies.