Baptist-Catholic Dialogue Continues

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Friday, December 15, 2006

Baptists are engaged in ongoing conversations with Roman Catholics, but not at the cost of compromising theological beliefs.

"We want to assure our Baptist brothers and sisters worldwide that our delegation is composed of committed Baptist men and women who seek Biblical answers to serious questions," said Denton Lotz, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), in a released statement.

A team led by the Baptist World Alliance, with representatives drawn from six continental federations (Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and North America) met with Roman Catholics at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., earlier this week.

Discussions were held over the authority of Christ in Scripture and tradition, baptism and the Lord's Supper, and hearing the Word of God in the contemporary context.

The conversations are a continuation of previous talks with the Vatican Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in 1990 and a follow-up visit by the BWA to the Vatican in March 2006. Many Southern Baptists have objected to previous Baptist-Catholic dialogues because of differences over theology and doctrine, according to the Associated Baptist Press.

But Lotz assured Baptists, "Theological conversations are not for the purpose of compromise, but for clarification and mutual edification."

"Bi-lateral conversations are not a hindrance, but an encouragement to faithful Christian witness and mission," he added.

Baptists engaged in inter-church conversations beginning with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches more than 30 years ago, then the Roman Catholics, the Lutheran World Federation, the Mennonite World Conference, and the Orthodox Church. Talks with the Anglicans began within the last decade.

"We hope in the future to have conversations with the Methodists and Pentecostals," said Lotz.

The December meeting continues the interfaith dialogue that is reported to conclude in 2010.

Baptists hope to further action together on ethical issues, such as justice, peace and the sanctity of life, "in accord with God's purpose and to the praise of God's glory" through the series of talks.