The Danger Of Partial Reformation

In his “Expository Thoughts” on Matthew 12:38-50, J. C. Ryle speaks about the danger of a partial reformation. Writing at the end of the 19th century, considering the unclean spirit who goes back to dwell in his old house taking seven other spirits more wicked than himself, Ryle comments: “[Churches] Delivered as they were from heathen darkness by the preaching of the Gospel, they have never really lived up to their light […] They have all been too ready to be satisfied with mere external amendments. And now there are painful symptoms in many quarters that ‘the evil spirit has returned to his house’ […] Between unbelief in some quarters, and formal superstition in others, everything seems ripe for some fearful manifestation of anti-christ. It may well be feared that ‘the last state’ of the professing Christian Churches will prove ‘worse then the first'”.

In the light of these remarks, it is interesting to note that many saluted the Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism with great enthusiasm, persuaded that a new era of reform had begun. In the wake of this fervour, the hopes of the ecumenical movement became more and more a reality, bringing about in 1999 an agreement between Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the doctrine of justification. But now, seeing the new pope’s zeal in promoting indulgences, many ecumenical leaders from within the Protestant camp are confused, frustrated and some are even remonstrating. But it is probable that the Roman Catholic hierarchy hopes that the heirs of Luther, Calvin and Knox will consider the indulgences of Benedict XVI with the due indulgence.

Benedict XVI has already granted plenary indulgences three times. The last has been announced a few days ago, on November 29, for Catholics who honour the Virgin Mary on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. The Vatican said that Pope Benedict has declared the indulgence to mark the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, that was closed on that very day by pope Paul VI forty years ago. The announcement indicates that the Pope “when he renders public homage of praise to Mary Immaculate, has the heartfelt desire that the entire Church should join with him, so that all the faithful, united in the name of the common Mother, become ever stronger in the faith, adhere with greater devotion to Christ, and love their brothers with more fervent charity”.

Of course, many ask “What does that mean”? In ecumenical circles people are answering in dismay lamenting that insisting on indulgences is damaging to ecumenical relationships and divisive. Moreover, they say that the deliberate association between the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council is contrary to the spirit of the Council.

We – non-ecumenical Protestants – ask the same question giving, however, a different answer. We firmly believe that a partial repentance is not a repentance at all! The aggiornamento of the Second Vatican Council was just a partial reformation, an external embellishment similar to the cosmetics and plastic surgery used by an old lady trying to conceal her ugliness. “What does it mean”? It means that when an unclean spirit goes out he will return. And when he comes, if he finds the place empty, he will go and take with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.