Chapter 11 of the Book of Acts describes a shift that happened to the early Jesus movement. As the first believers spread out they began to attract non-Jews into their fellowship. It was a decisive moment in the Church. Were they going to remain primarily a group of Jews or was the gospel vision broader than that? After much prayer and discussion those first believers came to see that all are welcomed into the faith. One of the great theologians of our era, Karl Rahner, S.J., claimed that the Church is at a similar turning point. Are we going to remain a primarily European-based faith or truly become a world church? Having a Pope from the global south points us in the universal direction.
MAY92017
By Church Staff