Religious denominations revel in common ground

What happens when Catholics and Lutherans versed in Scripture convene?

In the case of the recent “Sweet Jesus” podcasts dealing with “Theology of the Body” – recorded by senior pastor Emil Gretarsson at Open Arms Ministry in Slidell and featuring Catholics Chris O’Neill, Gary LeBlanc and Naomi Kim – it’s an enlightening dialogue.

“When you get theologians, we talk a lot,” said Rev. Gretarsson, who graduated with a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a trained Lutheran minister. “I try to get everybody’s insight and opinions. We have an honest conversation, poking and prodding at each others’ biases and ideas – to think about things from another’s perspective,” focusing on what unites the two Christian faiths, not divides them.

O’Neill, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, considers the podcast voices a “good community of richness.”

Examining why Luther left
Rev. Gretarsson said the spirit called him to start a podcast in July 2020 that focuses on Jesus “and what he’s up to in the world, rather than on the mess that often is the church.” He invites guests to reflect about Jesus in their lives in a relatable way to reach listeners who might never grace the doors of an institutional church.

“‘Sweet Jesus’ is an opportunity for other people to tell their stories and for me to help people see how all our stories connect, support and encourage each other,” Rev. Gretarsson said.

Rev. Gretarsson’s discussions with O’Neill, LeBlanc and Kim comprise about a dozen episodes that range in topics from St. John Paul’s Theology of the Body to shame. A recent one, recorded Oct. 21, was about Martin Luther, a former Catholic monk who was infamous for nailing 95 theses to a church door in Germany 1517, breaking away from Catholicism and triggering the Protestant Reformation in Europe and the beginning of the Lutheran Church.

“We are reversing 500 years of animosity,” Rev. Gretarsson said, laughing at the start of the podcast.

“What we’re dealing with is a complex, rich question,” said O’Neill, director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Office of Marriage and Family Life, said. “The Catholic faith is one of mystery. We know certain truths from the accounts of the apostles who were with Jesus and the saints. But, there are so many things we don’t know. And, often, the animosity between the Lutheran and Catholic Christian faiths are the pieces we don’t know. We don’t know the whole story.”

O’Neill said his connection with Rev. Gretarsson isn’t about the institutional structures of the faiths but involves a shared prayer life that opens the capacity for friendship and relationships.

“It’s not about affiliation, but what’s deep in your heart; being a part of a community that engages these ideas,” O’Neill said. “Pastor Emil has been super open, friendly, helpful and encouraging. ... He has opened up a space for us expressing ideas.”

“The Body of Christ transcends institutions,” LeBlanc said, adding how “Theology of the Body” is found in Scripture – what Jesus says.

Kim considers their discussions represent a community of believers who need each other and can learn from one another by sharing their gifts on life’s journey to God.

“All of us are in search of the truth, which ultimately is Jesus,” Kim said. “From whatever denominational standpoint we come, we’re all on that quest in search of God. We can honor each other even though we may have different viewpoints and understanding.

“We are asking the questions that are in our hearts to get to know our Creator better. In theology, it’s not being afraid to ask the questions, because they will always lead to the truth. I think it’s beautiful; we don’t have a uniform way in search for God. It’s good having different perspectives.”

Kim said all Christians are on the same path of “seeking our Lord and getting to know him better.”

“What I can appreciate from Martin Luther is he didn’t want to stick to a cookie cutter philosophy when he knew it was off track from seeking the truth, and he was willing to seek that,” Kim said. “We can get to know God better by being open and listening to our brothers and sisters from different denominations. There is nothing wrong in dialogue.”

O’Neill said it is helpful to reexamine the split in the Catholic Church.

“For both Lutherans and Catholics and Christians anywhere, the Reformation or the fracturing of Christendom is a puzzle,” O’Neill said. “There’s something that makes us think that’s not what Jesus wanted. …  It is worthwhile to allow ourselves to be moved by that puzzle and not just say ‘I know the answer to that ... I am a sinner, but know that Jesus forgives me, and I accept Jesus’ gift of salvation.’

“My gratitude for that gift means I respond with generosity and love and look to Christ’s teaching and the community around me to help me find a way to renewal in my own life. It’s an expression of our awareness of the grace of God.”

The podcasts have shed light for him not only on the theological but cultural differences between Lutheran and Catholic churches “and how we engage theology.”

“I’ve seen a lot more similarities than differences,” O’Neill said. “I hope that the people who are tuning into this come away more enriched.”

Will continue reaching out
Rev. Gretarsson met LeBlanc, a certified sexual addiction mentor and coordinator of the sexual integrity ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Office of Marriage and Family Life, and invited him first on a podcast.

“Theology of the Body? I didn’t know it was a thing until I met Gary,” Rev. Gretarsson said. “There’s a lot of value there.”

When LeBlanc’s mention of Theology of the Body intrigued him, LeBlanc suggested that the Lutheran pastor meet O’Neill, who studied at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family for his Ph.D. A friendship ensued instantly.

Kim, a Catholic graduate of Loyola University New Orleans Law School who is pursuing a master’s in theology from Notre Dame Seminary School of Theology, knew LeBlanc from their mutual interest in Theology of the Body and the Center of Jesus the Lord. She was added to the podcast to give a female perspective to their chat.

Rev. Gretarsson’s purpose with “Sweet Jesus” is to not only speak to people about Jesus but also to show a struggling world that God is at work, standing beside individuals through all of their struggles.

“He is bigger than the church, buildings, institutions and denominations,” Rev. Gretarsson said. “Part of our problem is putting God in a box. I want to be where he’s at, where Christ’s kingdom is moving, in whatever form that takes. I want to illustrate to people who are hurt or damaged by people who might be affiliated with Jesus, don’t give up on Jesus.”

“I encourage people listening to this to think of the themes in an authentic Christian way without the interdenominational animosity we often feel,” O’Neill said. “This doesn’t mean there can’t be a friendly and fruitful conversation around our Christian faith. Both faiths have something to offer the other.”

cbordelon@clarionherald.org