WHAT IS THE ROME SCHOLARS NETWORK (RSN)?
The Rome Scholars Network (RSN) is a weeklong seminar in Rome sponsored by the Reformanda Initiative, partner of the Forum of Christian Leaders (foclonline.org).
The Rome Scholars Network programme includes:
- Text-based discussions on pre-assigned reading selections
- Integrated lectures on Roman Catholic theology and practice, evangelical theological distinctives, historical relations between Roman Catholics and Protestants, and opportunities for dialogue, evangelism and engagement today
- Papers, written and submitted by participants, on an evangelical perspective on Roman Catholic theology and practice that are evaluated by Rome Scholars faculty
- Personal mentoring between each participant and a faculty member
- Excursions and tours of the Vatican and other important historical sites in Rome
- Church involvement alongside a local Italian congregation
WHY IS THE ROME SCHOLARS NETWORK IMPORTANT?
Evangelicalism currently has an incoherent relationship with Roman Catholicism. Many evangelicals are uncertain about what Roman Catholics actually believe. Do they believe in the same Gospel, or something entirely different? This question is important for leaders of evangelical churches and organizations and for hundreds of millions of evangelical believers around the world. We are convinced, in line with the historic Protestant view, that Roman Catholicism is a severely flawed system in need of a radical biblical reformation in its basic theology and practice.
Currently there is no strategy for evangelical leaders and scholars to study Roman Catholicism from an explicitly evangelical perspective and to equip and educate others as well.
RSN VISION
Vision of the Rome Scholars Network:The Rome Scholars Network was designed to create a context for evangelical scholars and leaders:
- To have access to evangelical scholars who are experts on Roman Catholicism
- To study and evaluate Roman Catholic theology and practice in the heart of Roman Catholicism, Rome itself.
- To be trained and equipped to be scholars, leaders and communicators of an evangelical perspective about Roman Catholicism and the biblical Gospel of salvation through faith alone
HEAR WHAT RSN PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING:
From a recent Phd graduate in Renaissance Studies:
"The RSN was life-changing. I left more convinced in the integrity of the true Gospel. When you set the Real Thing against what is false, it dazzles with distinctiveness and beauty."
From a Professor who has taught Church History about Roman Catholicism for decades:
"I have studied Roman Catholicism and taught on it in my church history courses and in a course on RC history and theology, so I was very familiar with a lot. But I was not equipped to do the systemic analysis that we were taught. I did not realize that my knowledge was "atomistic." So, I feel I gained a lot that was very important for me to have as a teacher of church history and theology in Eastern Europe and Russia. Thank you!!!"
From an experienced Missionary in a Roman Catholic country:
I have been to many seminars, workshops and conferences through the years and none have been as important to me as this week at RSN! Eternal life and death hang in the balance! So much deception for so many centuries! It is heart breaking and I am spreading the word to those in our organization that this should be required for anyone thinking of serving in a Roman Catholic dominant country!"
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