The Vatican is planning a special meeting, November 17-19, to discuss traditional marriage with a variety religious leaders and scholars from around the world including mega-church leader Rick Warren, Russell Moore, Jewish and Muslim leaders and others. Pope Francis will provide the keynote address to open the meeting, while at least 30 other speakers will address the gathering. The meeting follows on the heels of a two-week Vatican Synod on the Family, and will “seek common ground with religious leaders outside the Vatican.”
“I am willing to go anywhere, when asked, to bear witness to what we as evangelical Protestants believe about marriage and the gospel, especially in times in which marriage is culturally imperiled,” said Russell Moore, who heads the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. The conference will also include Wael Farouq, a Muslim and president of the Tawasul Cultural Center in Cairo; Henry B. Eyring, a top-ranking apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Manmohan Singh of the World Sikh Council.
The Pope and the Vatican believe that there is need for a new way of expressing the qualities and importance of a traditional marriage in an environment where cohabitation, non-marital parenting, same-sex marriage take up a “great deal of oxygen,” and dominate the global conversation about families.
The conference has been in the works for at least a year. The recent Synod lays a foundation for a larger discussion.
But the conference will continue the work of the ecumenical movement and will strengthen ties between the Vatican and other faiths on social issues that will lower objections to her offensive doctrines. The Vatican wants to merge religions under her authority.
Keep in mind also that any discussion on the family will necessarily involve the question of life-work balance and the need for a day of rest. While Sunday rest is not the main topic on the agenda, it will certainly be a background issue. Addressing questions of family, among other things, lays the foundation to eventually discuss a rest day.
Comments
margaret Robinson
Friday November 21st, 2014 at 07:49 PMDo u obey the Bible or do u compromise & think homosexuality is acceptable by God
Pauline
Saturday November 22nd, 2014 at 06:09 PMYou are right Pastor Mayer. The Sunday Law, may be called: “day for family and faith.”
Let us all be watchful; and prepared for the great time of trouble, which is just around the corner!
Continue to give the trumpet a certain sound, my brother.
Pauline
Anthony Burns
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 at 12:20 PMThus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord,” the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it. – {GC 606.2}
As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God’s downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: “Show us from the word of God our error”—the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths. – {GC 607.1}
WE ARE HERE!!!