If Rick Warren were a convinced Protestant he would be saying something like, “Join me in fasting and praying that God will reveal His gospel to the millions of Roman Catholics trapped in a false system, running on the treadmill of human religion, deprived of a finished and perfect work of Christ, under the authority of unbiblical ‘priests’ and prelates.'” But that would take more than 140 characters, and it would take a commitment to the idea that “theology matters.”
– Rich Pierce and Dr. James White
Amen. I can’t figure out whether sentiment (certainly it can’t be reasoning) like Mr. Warren’s comes from ignorance of history, scripture and theology (both theirs and the Biblical kind espoused by the Reformers) or is the product of human fascination with the many opulent and impressive traditions and trappings of romanism. The pope heads the smallest “State” plus the biggest religion calling itself Christian…(according to its official teachings none of the rest of us are in proper churches anyway, and until Vatican II we were heretics deserving temporal punishment as well as eternal damnation). Perhaps the huge membership and adoring, obedient crowds, the enormous worldwide real estate portfolio (with many gorgeous “campuses”), the priceless antiquities and treasures, the bank, etc. have a certain appeal as the ultimate examples of purposeful, successful “church growth”. Sarcasm aside, the roman catholic church’s teachings do not lead to salvation as taught in Holy Scripture but rather to lost souls, and it is inappropriate and sinful to excuse or compromise with such teachings or laud its supreme leader, who is styled by them as god on earth and whose aim (let’s be honest) is to stamp out or (easier) absorb or lure back the protestants. I hope this comment is not too strong for your taste.
But why fast and pray for God to reveal his gospel if God will call whom he will call?
Because God uses MEANS to achieve His ENDS – the ends – His elect coming to faith in Christ; the means, prayer and the proclamation of the word of God.