Connecting...the...Dots
The SDA President, the Pope, and the Ecumenical Movement
From left to right: Pope Benedict XVI; Cardinal Walter Kaspar, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Dr. Hans Kung, a prolific Roman Catholic scholar who served as an expert theological advisor to members of the Second Vatican Council; and Dr. Jan Paulsen, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
What does Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Walter Kaspar, Dr. Hans Kung, and Jan Paulsen have in common? “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. This is the question God proclaimed. There should be a clear line of distinction in education, behavior, and lifestyle between those who are His and those who are not. The servant of the Lord presents two classes of people who do not “walk together” but who are actually standing apart from each other.
“All society is ranging into two great classes, the obedient and the disobedient. Among which class shall we be found? Those who keep God's commandments, those who live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, compose the church of the living God. Those who choose to follow Antichrist are subjects of the great apostate. Ranged under the banner of Satan, they break God's law, and lead others to break it. They endeavor so to frame the laws of nations that men shall show their loyalty to earthly governments by trampling upon the laws of God's kingdom.’ Manuscript Releases Volume One, pp. 295, 296.
Clearly, this statement declares that God’s people should have nothing in common with the “Antichrist” power nor with the “great apostate” systems which are leading people to break God’s law. So what do these men have in common? They all attended the same theological seminary at Tubingen University in Tubingen, Germany—all at the same time—during the late 1960s early 1970s. Three served as theological professors and one was merely a student in training. Three were the instructors, one was a “nurtured” pupil. Three were “fatherly figures,” one was a willing novice seeking instruction.
1. Dr. Hans Kung was Professor of Ecumenical Theology and Director of the Institute from Ecumenical Research at the University of Tubingen. He was a member of the faculty from 1960 until his retirement in 1995. Dr. Hans Kung studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a Jesuit University. From 1962-1965, he was also appointed by Pope John XXIII to serve as an official theological consultant to the Second Vatican Council. [Source: http://www.un.org/Dialogue/Kung.html ].
2. Cardinal Walter Kaspar became a member of the theological faculty of Tubingen in 1958. By 1970, he was still serving as professor of dogmatic theology and became dean of the Theological Faculty at Tubingen the same year. Today, Cardinal Walter Kaspar is the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. His job is to coordinate all the ecumenical activities for the Roman Catholic Church. [Source: http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-k.htm].
3. Pope Benedict XVI [formerly Joseph Ratzinger] was appointed in 1966 as professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Tubingen. His appointment was strongly supported by Professor Hans Kung. [Source: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/benedictxvi/biography.htm].
4. Jan Paulsen, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,1999-Present, enrolled at Tubingen University as a student and became the first Seventh-day Adventist to receive a Doctorate in Theology from Tubingen in June, 1972—even though Jan Paulsen had already earned a theological degree from Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University. [Source: http://www.gcsession.org/media-kit/pdf/jan_paulsen_bio.pdf].
Tubingen University was founded in 1477 by Duke Eberhard as a Reformation seminary to train Protestant ministers during the Reformation. Phillip Malanchthon, the German Reformer who did much to help the cause of the Protestant Reformation, received his M.A. from Tubingen University in 1512. Later he was appointed professor at Wittenberg where he became acquainted with Martin Luther. He is second only to Luther as a champion of the German Reformation.
Unfortunately, by 1817, Tubingen added a Roman Catholic Faculty to the School and this resulted in what Ellen White calls the undoing of Protestantism.
“The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done.” The Great Controversy, pp. 565, 566.
Consequently, Tubingen University became one of the first religious seminaries to teach Ecumenical Theology. This is part of the university’s mission statement:
“The Protestant and Catholic Theological Faculties of The University [Tubingen] are located in the same building and use the same teaching and research facilities. This
symbolizes decades of fruitful cooperation and exchange of ideas between the two Faculties...The Protestant Theological Faculty also maintains strong relationships to the World Council of Churches and to the international ecumenical and missionary movements.” [Source: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/ev-theologie/].
Evidently, this once Protestant seminary fell victim to the “counter-Reformation” The theological seminary at Tubingen is a place where ecumenical unity thrives. Where, according to the University’s website, Protestant and Roman Catholic seminary professors have had “fruitful cooperation and exchange of ideas” for decades!
Cut from the same Cloth?
This is undoubtedly a very serious situation when the highest leadership of both the Roman Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist Church—the pope and the SDA president—are products of the same theological institution. To be more frank, the SDA President enrolled in a school to gain knowledge and prepare for church ministry/denominational employment where prominent Roman Catholic theologians, Pope Benedict being one, were teaching Ecumenical Theology.
We must stop and seriously make the following inquires: Could these two leaders think the same way? Do they act the same? Is their outlook and objectives the same? Or might this really be just a coincidence that the pope and the GC President were members of the same educational system, “cut from the same cloth.” Or could this be a subtle conspiracy to shift the denomination or the denomination’s theology towards Protestantism and Roman Catholicism? Might this explain the apparent doctrinal transition of the church—gradually replacing Biblical Theology for New Theology? Should this result in a loss of confidence in the General Conference? Will the outcome end with the final repudiation of the Biblical prophecies that point to the Roman Catholic Church as the Antichrist power, the “man of sin” of 2 Thessalonians, or Babylon and all other “objectionable” historical Seventh-day Adventist doctrine?
Jan Paulsen’s decision to attend this school should have led the “brethren” of the General Conference nominating committee to first determine whether or not it was appropriate for him to become the General Conference President—in light of the severe warning found in Revelation 18: “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues....” Revelation 18:1-5.
Jan Paulsen should have been critically examined as to whether or not he would uphold the historical Seventh-day Adventist positions. Because during his tenure at Tubingen University, he was trained by professors who repudiate the fundamental principles of historical Adventism. Do we not see the enormous risk we take when we elect church leaders who were trained by the enemies of the present truth? “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Cor. 15:33.
No cause is ever without an effect; and when SDA leaders willfully go and become intoxicated [indoctrinated] with the wine of Babylon—those decisions have profound effects in the schools, the health work, and on the denomination as a whole. Notice this statement written to those responsible for the spiritual well-being of our people taken from “Counsels to Teachers”:
What good is accomplished when church leaders are “nurtured” or “trained” by institutions that applaud the Protestant/Evangelical message of “Down with God’s law.” Such religious schools are the daughters of Babylon, for they voice the sentiments of their mother. Modern Protestant teachings today have become consistent with false papal doctrines.
What can a school of theology owned by the fallen daughters of Babylon, which employs Roman Catholic professors, teach God’s people? What messages can we hope to learn from them, if not to leave the patience of the saints, abandon the commandments of God, recant the “distinguishing truths” of the faith, and return with them to Babylon!?! This is precisely what we have been seeing during the last fifty years. In reality, it is not “higher education” that our brethren are learning from non-Adventist seminaries; actually, it is a “lower education” which leads to departure from the historic Adventist theology.
“The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world’s history...From that time to this, new light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths have been constantly unfolding.” Great controversy, pp. 148, 149.
“The third angel’s message reveals the great saving truth for this time. Its truths are constantly unfolding, and it is God's design that even the children and youth shall understand intelligently what God requires, that they may distinguish between righteousness and sin, between obedience and disobedience.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. Nine, p. 292.
Are we to suppose that when our church leaders attend non-Adventist seminaries that they will acquire a greater love and appreciation for the third angel’s message—the message that helps “distinguish between righteousness and sin, between obedience and disobedience?” On the contrary, the theological schools of Babylon have two primary objectives: (1) to “undo all that Protestantism has done” (Great Controversy pp. 565, 566) and to (2) “regain its lost supremacy...through the time-serving concessions of the so-called Protestant world.” (2 SM, p. 368).
Modern Protestantism is making concessions and compromises which will one day empower the great “Lawless System” of the last days. Tubingen University is a perfect example on how Protestant and Catholic Theological faculties work together to accomplish this end.
“While the Protestant world is by her attitude making concessions to Rome, let us arouse to comprehend the situation and view the contest before us in its true bearings...The Law of God should be loved and honored by His true people now more than ever before.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 716, 717.
What should our attitude be when Protestants make concessions with Rome? Ellen White tells us that we must arouse to comprehend the situation and exalt the Law of God.
Rather than contemplating a degree of theology or “higher education” from the system of “confusion” [Babylon], we as Seventh-day Adventists should seek the power of the Holy Spirit who will give us the words to speak so that we can uphold the historic Adventist’s “distinguishing truths.”
“While the contempt placed upon God’s commandments leads many to suppress the truth and show less reverence for it, the faithful ones will with greater earnestness hold aloft its distinguishing truths.” Selected Message, Vol. 2, pp. 368, 369.
The very name “Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke to the Protestant world.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 223.
Why? — “It is because the saints are keeping all ten of the commandments that the dragon makes war upon them. If they will lower the standard and yield the peculiarities of their faith, the dragon will be at peace; but they excite his ire because they have dared to raise the standard and unfurl their banner in opposition to the Protestant world, who are worshiping the institution of papacy.” Ibid., p. 223.
“Babylon is said to be ’the mother of harlots.’ By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world.” The Great Controversy, pp, 238-239.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Pro. 14:12.
Times have certainly changed. We must help our brethren to better understand the historic Adventist message, especially as it relates to our foundational principles. I trust that God will help each one to understand, to preach, and to live the message that God has called us to live, so that Jesus might soon come and His work might be completed. We love this message that has been embraced by the faithful for so long. And we should not allow the “misguided” to destroy the foundational pillars of the blessed truths that have made us what we are.
-The Editors
President Attends the 3rd Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast
President George W. Bush acknowledges the crowd after being introduced to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast by Archbishop Jose Gomez, in Washington on April 7, 2006. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
Washington Hilton Hotel
Washington, D.C.
April 7, 2006
8:30 a.m.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much.
I'm so thrilled to be here with the cardinals of the church. Cardinal McCarrick I know is here, and Cardinal Bevilacqua. My spirits are always uplifted when I'm in the presence of Their Excellencies, and it's great to see you both.
Laura sends her love and her best. I want to thank the leadership of the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast for having me, and, more importantly, having this chance for all to worship together.
I appreciate so very much the Chief Justice joining us. I'm proud you're here, Chief Justice.
Secretary Nicholson, I appreciate you being here. Jim Nicholson and Suzanne, as you might recall, he was our Ambassador to the Vatican, and he did a fantastic job.
Looking around, I see members of the United States Senate, members of the House of Representatives. Thank you all for coming. Proud you're here. Thanks for taking time out of your day.
We needed a hopeful moment for this world of ours. It's a time when more people have a chance to claim freedom that God intended for us all. It's also a time of great challenge. In some of the most advanced parts of our world, some people no longer believe that the desire for liberty is universal. Some people believe you cannot distinguish between right and wrong. The Catholic Church rejects such a pessimistic view of human nature and offers a vision of human freedom and dignity rooted in the same self-evident truths of America's founding.
This morning we ask God to guide us as we work together to live up to these timeless truths. When our founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they called liberty an unalienable right. An unalienable right means that freedom is a right that no government can take away because freedom is not government's to give.
Freedom is a gift from the Almighty because it is -- and because it is universal, our Creator has written it into all nature. To maintain this freedom, societies need high moral standards. And the Catholic Church and its institutions play a vital role in helping our citizens acquire the character we need to live as free people.
In the last part of the 20th century, we saw the appeal of freedom in the hands of a priest from Poland. When Pope John Paul II ascended to the chair of St. Peter, the Berlin Wall was still standing. His native Poland was occupied by a communist power. And the division of Europe looked like a permanent scar across the continent. Yet Pope John Paul told us, "Be not afraid," because he knew that an empire built on lies was ultimately destined to fail. By reminding us that our freedom and dignity rests on truths about man and his nature, Pope John Paul II set off one of the greatest revolutions for freedom the world has ever known.
Pope John Paul has now been succeeded by one of his closest friends and colleagues, Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict, when he was a Cardinal, and recently—when he was a Cardinal, Laura and I had a chance to meet him, and recently she went back to Rome to see him again. He was such a gracious host, wonderfully kind man.
Like his predecessor, Pope Benedict understands that the measure of a free society is how it treats the weakest and most vulnerable among us. In his Christmas homily, the Pope noted that the Savior came to earth as a "defenseless child," and said that the splendor of that Christmas shines upon every child, born and unborn. Here in the United States, we work to strengthen a culture of life, through many state and federal initiatives that expand the protections of the unborn. These initiatives reflect the consensus of the American people acting through their elected representatives, and we will continue to work for the day when every child is welcome in life and protected in law.
I appreciate the leading role that the Catholic faith-based organizations play in our nation's armies of compassion. And one of the many ways that Catholic faith-based organizations serve their neighbors is by welcoming newcomers and helping them become good citizens. This nation of ours is having an important debate about immigration, and it is vitally important that this debate be conducted in a civil tone. I believe that the American Dream is open to all who work hard and play by the rules, and that America does not have to choose between being a compassionate society and a society of law.
An immigration system that forces people into the shadows of our society, or leaves them prey to criminals is a system that needs to be changed. I'm confident that we can change our immigration system in ways that secures our border, respects the rule of law, and, as importantly, upholds the decency of our country. As the Congress continues this debate, its members must remember we are a nation of immigrants. And immigration has helped restore our soul on a regular basis.
I ask for your prayers again, that our nation may always be an inspiration to those who believe that God made every man, woman and child for freedom. It is such an honor to be here. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our country.
By Brian Skoloff
ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 6, 2006
Naples, Florida. - If Domino's Pizza founder Thomas S. Monaghan has his way, a town being built in Florida will be governed according to strict Roman Catholic principles, with no place to get an abortion, pornography or birth control.
The pizza magnate is bankrolling the project with at least $250 million and calls it "God's will."
Civil libertarians say the plan is unconstitutional and are threatening to sue.
The town of Ave Maria is being constructed around Ave Maria University, the first Catholic university to be built in the United States in about 40 years. Both are set to open next year about 25 miles east of Naples in southwestern Florida.
The town and the university, developed in partnership with the Barron Collier Co., an agricultural and real estate business, will be set on 5,000 acres with a European-inspired town center, a massive church and what planners call the largest crucifix in the nation, at nearly 65 feet tall. Mr. Monaghan envisions 11,000 homes and 20,000 residents.
During a speech last year at a Catholic men's gathering in Boston, Mr. Monaghan said that in his community, stores will not sell pornographic magazines, pharmacies will not carry condoms or birth-control pills, and cable television will have no X-rated channels.
Home buyers in Ave Maria will own their property outright, but Mr. Monaghan and Barron Collier will control all commercial real estate in the town, meaning they could insert provisions in leases to restrict the sale of certain items.
"I believe all of history is just one big battle between good and evil. I don't want to be on the sidelines," Mr. Monaghan, who sold Domino's Pizza in 1998 to devote himself to doing good works, said in a Newsweek interview.
Robert Falls, a spokesman for the project, said last week that attorneys are reviewing the legal issues and that Mr. Monaghan had no comment in the meantime.
"If they attempt to do what he apparently wants to do, the people of Naples and Collier County, Florida, are in for a whole series of legal and constitutional problems and a lot of litigation indefinitely into the future," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist said it will be up to the courts to decide the legalities of the plan. "The community has the right to provide a wholesome environment," he said. "If someone disagrees, they have the right to go to court and present facts before a judge."
Gov. Jeb Bush, at the site's groundbreaking earlier this month, lauded the development as a new kind of town where faith and freedom will merge to create a community of like-minded citizens. Mr. Bush, a convert to Catholicism, did not speak specifically to the proposed restrictions.
"While the governor does not personally believe in abortion or pornography, the town, and any restrictions they may place on businesses choosing to locate there, must comply with the laws and constitution of the state and federal governments," Russell Schweiss, a spokesman for the governor, said last week.