Germany’s Merkel Makes an Ecumenical Plea

Angela Merkel

Germany’s Chancellor Merkel asked for more unity and agreement between those who profess Christianity today:

Nov 5, 2012 3:10pm EST

(Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germany’s Protestant and Roman Catholic churches on Monday to stress their common beliefs at ceremonies marking the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation…”Especially in a very secular world, we should always stress what is common in the Christian religion,” she said. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/05/us-germany-reformation-merkel-idUSBRE8A41C620121105

Basically, Chancellor Merkel wants the Protestants and Catholics to make up a bit and be nice in time for the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his “95 theses” to a wall in 1517 (last week was the 495th anniversary, and I reported something that Martin Luther seemed to have forgotten, see Martin Luther: 95 Theses, But He Forgot One that Really Mattered). And steps for this have been occurring behind the scenes and sometimes in public.

There is much greater agreement between the larger Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in Europe than many in the USA tend to think. Even the Eastern Orthodox and the Anglicans are involved (see Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Williams to Attend Vatican II Celebration).

And a time of further ecumenical compromise is coming (Revelation 13:1-8).

People need to read their Bibles and have a Christian faith based truly upon what it says, as that is a lot of why we have the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Some articles of possibly related may include the following:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Protestants may find this and the following article also of interest.
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Hope of Salvation: How the Genuine Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.