(RNS) — Until the glorious return of Jesus Christ, it is unlikely that evangelicals and the Catholic Church will ever see eye to eye on certain core doctrinal issues. Whether it’s sola scriptura, Marian devotion, praying to saints or ecclesiastical authority, the gap is real — and not going anywhere soon.
And yet, despite these differences, there is a growing urgency, rooted not in compromise but in conviction, for collaboration.
Why? We are living in an era where the very foundation of Western civilization is under siege. The only worldview that offers moral clarity, human dignity and societal stability is the one rooted in Judeo-Christian values. And unless Catholics, evangelicals and our Jewish brothers and sisters unite around these shared values, we risk ceding the future to forces that know neither grace nor truth.
To be clear, this is not about syncretism. It’s about survival, hope and stewardship. And it’s about obedience to Jesus’ own prayer in John 17:21, that His followers “may be one.”
Even the famed atheist Richard Dawkins recently said “I call myself a cultural Christian” and that he likes to live in a Christian culture. And though he does not believe in the divinity of Christ, Dawkins agrees the Judeo-Christian ethic remains the best ideological foundation for ensuring freedom, decency and moral continuity from one generation to the next.
In light of this, I propose we recognize and celebrate three powerful areas of agreement around which evangelicals and Catholics can forge a path of missional collaboration — without diluting doctrine or surrendering integrity.
(Photo by Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash/Creative Commons)
First is the centrality of Christ. At the core of both evangelical and Catholic orthodoxy is that Jesus Christ is Lord, that he died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, ascended to the right hand of the Father and is coming back again in glory. We may disagree on how salvation is mediated, or the precise nature of justification, but we agree on the essentials of the finished work of Christ.
Imagine the power of a public, global affirmation, jointly declared by Catholic and evangelical leaders, proclaiming this shared belief. It would send shock waves through a fragmented world, testifying not to institutional unity, but to spiritual clarity and gospel witness.
Second are the values of righteousness, justice, truth and love. Psalm 89:14 says it best: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You.” These four anchors should form the spiritual framework of our cultural engagement.
Together, evangelicals and Catholics can push back against moral relativism, secular totalitarianism and ideological extremism by advancing a biblical model of governance, compassion and truth. From the unborn child to the marginalized refugee, from racial reconciliation to religious liberty, these values are not partisan talking points. They are gospel imperatives.
Third is the Imago Dei Campaign — perhaps the most powerful unifier of all. Imago Dei is the belief that every human being is made in the image of God. From womb to tomb, rich or poor, immigrant or native-born, every life carries the divine imprint.
What if we launched a global Imago Dei Campaign — Catholics and evangelicals together — declaring that human beings should not merely be tolerated but loved, respected and protected? It would be a prophetic act, echoing the truth that fuels all justice: Every person matters because every person reflects the Creator.
Of course, we must acknowledge and respect our theological differences. Evangelicals are not going to pray the rosary. Catholics are not going to abandon their sacraments. But mutual respect, paired with unapologetic fidelity to biblical truth, can forge a new chapter in our relationship.
What we need is a reformation of the evangelical-Catholic dynamic. Not to erase history, but to redeem the future. Not to blur truth, but to focus on what unites us — the person of Jesus, the authority of Scripture and the shared mission to love our neighbor and proclaim the kingdom of God.
If we can find the courage to collaborate where we agree, and the humility to honor one another where we don’t, then we just might help fulfill Christ’s prayer for unity. And if our generation can move that needle even one degree closer, it will not only bless the church, but it will bless the world.
(The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez is the author of “Fresh Oil, Holy Fire, New Wine”; pastor of New Season in Sacramento, California, and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, recognized as America’s largest Hispanic/Latino Christian organization. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)
