[Apologetics] Fwd: CHRISTIANS DENY CATHOLICS ADOPTIONS

[Stuart D. Gathman]

Here is the Bethany Statement of Faith.  Let's look through it and
see if we can spot what they think Catholics deny:

Bethany Christian Services is founded upon the Scriptures which reveal the
triune God. Members of the national board, local boards, staff and adoptive
applicants indicate their personal agreement with Bethanys Statement of Faith
by signing below.

I believe that the sovereign, triune God created the world out of nothing and
sustains His creation. The heavens and earth are His handiwork. He made man and
woman in His image and likeness as the crown of creation. All creation reflects
His greatness and power.

	Seems like a no brainer.

I believe that God created the family, giving Adam and Eve the responsibility
to conceive, bear and nurture children. As the creator of life, God Himself
begins each human life at conception and gives to each person, as His image
bearer, meaning, dignity and value.

	Life begins at conception - check.

I believe that sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sought
to be independent of Him. As a result of this Fall, all people are estranged
from God and live in a world permeated by sin.

	"permeated by sin" sounds like a reasonable phrase

I believe that God, by His grace, provided redemption and restoration in Jesus
Christ for all who repent and believe. As the Savior, Jesus takes away the sins
of the world. Jesus is the one in whom we are called to put our hope, our only
hope for forgiveness of sin and for reconciliation with God and with one
another.

	Check

I believe that in all matters of faith and life, the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments are the final authority. 

	Perhaps this is the problem?  
	Depending on what you mean by "final".  I wonder if they
	would accept a wording that says something like this:

	I believe that in all matters of faith and life, the Scriptures of
	the Old and New Testaments can never be contradicted or replaced by
	any other authority.

	Could a Catholic have a meaning of "final" like the above in mind
	while signing it?

	Actually, another question is, did the Catholic couple refuse
	to sign the statement, or did they sign and Bethany refused the family
	anyway because they were Catholic?

The Scriptures point us with full reliability to Jesus, Gods Son. The
Scriptures tell us that we receive forgiveness of sins by faith in Jesus
Christ, and that God provides salvation by grace alone for those who repent
and believe.

	Check - we've been over the meaning of "faith", etc.

I believe that forgiveness comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Gods
Son, who was made flesh, took our place in death, rose from the dead, and is
now in glory with the Father interceding and praying for His people.

	Check

I believe that God, through His Spirit, lovingly calls, redeems and adopts us
into His family, the Church and that, in gratitude for Gods saving love in
Christ, we are called to live a life of faithfulness and obedience according to
the scriptures.

	Check

I believe that Jesus, through His Spirit, is presently directing Gods work of
making all things new.

	Check

I believe that the Christian Church, as the community of believers, has an
obligation to protect, preserve, and enhance life as fully as possible for each
person, born and unborn, from the beginning to the end of life. As Christians
we are called to a life of faith into an ongoing ministry until that mission is
completed by the coming of the Kingdom in its fullness. The Holy Spirit
empowers us to fulfill that calling.

	Check

I, along with all followers of Christ, believe and wait expectantly for the
triumphant return of Jesus Christ our King. At that time, I believe that Jesus
Christ will gather us to Himself as one complete family and will, throughout
eternity, fully enhance the lives of His children as citizens of His kingdom,
sons and daughters in our Fathers house. As His children we long hopefully for
that day to appear and we face that day without fear, for the Judge is our
Savior and Lord. To Him be the glory.

	Check

Approved: September 15, 1987 Bethany Christian Services National Board
Revised & Approved: July 15, 2003 Bethany Christian Services National Board
Revised & Approved: January 18, 2005 Bethany Christian Services National Board

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
    Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.