Very few tapes have we enjoyed together as a family as much as this one. It’s called Irreconcilable Differences, that features host John Ankerberg and a panel comprising John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, and James Kennedy.

The issue discussed is a document that sets out with the noble aim of bringing Roman Catholics and Evangelicals together, but falls short because it overlooks and glosses over vital differences in the doctrines of salvation of both communions, resulting in implicitly compromising the five solas, so precious to us.

  • Sola scriptura (“by Scripture alone”)
  • Sola fide (“by faith alone”)
  • Sola gratia (“by grace alone”)
  • Solus Christus (“Christ alone”)
  • Soli Deo gloria (“glory to God alone”)

I have many close Roman Catholic friends; how wonderful it would be to fellowship together. But I now know that it is not as simple as saying: Let’s forget our differences and get together. Coming together is going to have to involve much study of the Bible, church history and other material, much prayer, courage, and brutal honesty.

Above all it needs the love of Christ to reach out and a love for Christ to keep from compromise.

The tape has many delightful bits. In one part, Dr. Ankerberg gives Dr. Kennedy a minute to explain how one can get into a relationship with Jesus. This is his prompt reply.

“God is holy and we are sinful. That’s the problem. And If that were all there were to the problem, God would solve it very simply, He would send us all to hell. But God is also loving, infinitely so. And because He loved us, He sent His own son into the world and He imputed or laid upon Jesus Christ all of our guilt and sin and then, something which astounded me when I first learned it as a father, God poured out all of His wrath for sin upon His own Son, and Jesus Christ in body and soul suffered infinitely in our behalf and paid for the penalty of our sins . . .
The problem for you is simple:
Your sins are going to be punished by God. The question is, are they going to be punished on you in hell forever or on Jesus Christ on the cross.
If you would prefer the latter you need to abandon all trust in yourself, repent of your sins and receive Him into your heart as Savior and Lord, trusting in His atoning death and perfect life as your only hope of salvation and His promise is: ‘He that trusts in Me already has everlasting life.’ That’s the good news.”