Irreconcilable Differences: Catholics, Evangelicals, and the New Quest for Unity (Part 1)

Описание: Irreconcilable Differences: Catholics, Evangelicals, and the New Quest for Unity is a prominent open-forum discussion and media series first released in 1995 that critiques the “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” (ECT) movement.


The series features a roundtable of influential Reformed theologians and apologists:


John MacArthur: Pastor and President of The Master’s University.


R.C. Sproul: Noted theologian and founder of Ligonier Ministries.


D. James Kennedy: Pastor and founder of Coral Ridge Ministries.


John Ankerberg: Host of The John Ankerberg Show, who moderates the panel.


Core Argument and Themes


The panel argues that despite a shared desire to address moral and cultural decline in North America (the “culture wars”), fundamental theological differences remain that cannot be overlooked. Key points of contention include:


Doctrine of Salvation (Sola Fide): The authors maintain that the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone is the “standing or falling” point of the church. They argue the Roman Catholic view, which includes infused grace and human cooperation (merit), fundamentally contradicts the biblical gospel.


Authority of Scripture (Sola Scriptura): They critique the Catholic elevation of Church tradition and the Magisterium to a level equal with the Bible, which they believe undermines the unique authority of God’s Word.


Criticism of the ECT Document: The panel suggests the 1994 ECT document relied on ambiguous language that “clouds the truth” of salvation and creates a false sense of unity by ignoring centuries-old doctrinal divides.


Legacy and Availability


The discussion remains a cornerstone for those advocating for “evangelical distinctives” against ecumenical efforts. As of 2026, it is still widely circulated as a sermon series (https://www.gty.org/sermons/series/28...) through Grace to You and remains available in video and transcript formats.


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