Two Unique Opportunities to Consider the Question of Unity & the Gospel

On Tuesday, April 30, ACT3 Network will host a Leaders Luncheon beginning at 11:45 a.m. The meeting will end at 1:30 p.m. This event will be at Alberto’s Restuarant at the Holiday Inn in Carol Stream, Illinois. The topic is: “Calvin & Aquinas: Friends or Foes in Understanding Paul’s Letter to the Romans?” John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas are, arguably, the greatest theological representatives of the Reformed Church and the Catholic Church in history. The popular narrative has been that these two giants of faith and doctrine are avowed theological enemies who preached a different gospel message. In this unique luncheon, open to anyone who registers, Dr. Charles Raith II, Assistant Professor of Religion & Philosophy at John Brown University, will speak on the theology of Calvin and Aquinas, asking the question: “How Did These Two Great Theologians Understand Paul’s Epistle to the Romans?” A time for Q & A will be part of the event.

Dr. Charles Raith received his Ph.D. from Ave Maria University, doing a doctoral dissertation on the theology of John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas in relationship to Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. He received an M.Th. from Regent College and an M.Div. from Beeson Divinity School. You must register for this luncheon and pay for the meal, which also includes a small fee to defray ACT3 costs. You can sign up at the ACT3 Network homepage.

In the evening of April 30 a second event will take place. This is an ACT3 Theological Forum. It begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m. This forum will ask the question: “Catholics and Evangelicals: Are We Allies or Enemies?” Dr. Raith will speak and I will  moderate and lead the Q & A time that follows.

With the recent election of Pope Francis there is renewed hope among many evangelicals for an unprecedented new day for Christian unity in evangelism and mission. Many ask, “How can this be when we do not preach the same gospel?” How do we overcome the “anathemas” of the past and the widespread evangelical belief that the Catholic Church preaches “a false gospel?” Is there a better way forward and if so how can we proceed?

To attend the ACT3 Theological Forum you must also register. You can sign up at www.act3network.com. There is a small registration cost. This fee is to help us offset the cost of this event.

These two unique events, both on April 30, will provide a magnificent opportunity for a serious discussion of vitally important theological topics for the well-being of the entire church. These two events are intended to help those who attend them to better understand missional-ecumenism and how we can build solid partnerships for collaboration in the gospel.