Each Christmas and Easter, mainstream media outlets run stories aimed at discrediting the historical realities memorialized in these Holy Days, or of Christianity in general. This year, the iconoclastic role is dutifully played by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and Protestant minister Serene Jones. In an interview with Jones, Kristoff asks, “For someone like myself who is drawn to Jesus’ teaching but doesn’t believe in the virgin birth or the physical resurrection, what am I? Am I a Christian?” Jones replies, “Well, you sound an awful lot like me, and I’m a Christian minister.”
But it’s not enough for the minister and seminary president (at Union Theological Seminary, a bastion of liberal Protestantism) to cast doubt on the reality of the virgin birth and the Resurrection. Jones proceeds to disparage the “wobbly” faith of those who actually believe what the Evangelists recount:
For Christians for whom the physical resurrection becomes a sort of obsession, that seems to me to be a pretty wobbly faith. What if tomorrow someone found the body of Jesus still in the tomb? Would that then mean that Christianity was a lie? No, faith is stronger than that.
It’s true, if you believe in nothing concrete about Jesus, it’s very hard to disprove the Resurrection, because there’s nothing to disprove. But for Christians throughout the centuries, the Resurrection is the very real event upon which the entire Faith is based. The greatest Christians have always had a healthy “obsession” with their Lord, including and perhaps especially his resurrection.
In First Corinthians, St. Paul describes as being of “first importance” the fact “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
There’s a reason for this central importance of the Resurrection. Unlike Serene Jones, St. Paul believed in heaven and hell. When Kristof asked Jones what happens when we die, she responded, “I don’t know! There may be something, there may be nothing.” To this, St. Paul would likely respond as he did in 1 Cor. 15:12-19,
Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.
In other words, there are basically three possibilities. The first is that there is no afterlife. If that is true, then Christianity is pathetic. We Christians have invested our entire lives preparing for something that is not real, and so our lives have been, in one important way, pointless. The second possibility is that there is an afterlife with reward and punishment, but that the Resurrection did not occur. This is even worse than the first possibility, since it means that the Apostles “are even found to be misrepresenting God,” leading people away from true religion into idolatry and heresy.
The third possibility is that Paul and the others are telling the truth. If this is the case, then Christ was raised from the dead, and we can look forward to eternal union with him by clinging to him in faith.
The stakes, in other words, could not be higher. It is the difference between a life that is well-spent and one that is wasted. It is the difference between heaven and hell. It is therefore incumbent upon us to take these claims seriously, to examine them closely, and then to commit – to accept or reject the gospel message. The Christianity of the Bible and of the Church founded by Christ is exciting and life-changing. “Progressive” Christianity is not.
Although she offers nothing to support the claim, Jones firmly rejects the possibility of hell: “I’m absolutely certain that when we die, there is not a group of designated bad people sent to burn in hell. That does not exist.” On the question of whether we go to heaven or are merely eaten by maggots when we die, she couldn’t say. Nothing her “faith” offers has any bearing on the question, one way or the other. It’s not just that her personal creed is incapable of shedding even the slightest bit of light on the afterlife. It’s that, by her own testimony, believing or disbelieving in her creed doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference in the long run. We are either all saved, or rot in the ground, and whether we accept or reject her “gospel” is irrelevant. Jones even boasts of this spiritual impotence: “My faith is not tied to some divine promise about the afterlife.” This is not, even in her own telling, a saving faith.
The difference between the tepid and soothing faith of Progressive Christians and the actual gospel is best encapsulated by Christ’s words in Rev. 3:15-16 to the church in Laodicea: “you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.” Real Christianity requires a commitment, a choice between life and death, between heaven and hell. If you settle for lukewarm, manmade ‘Christianity,’ “your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”
By the way, special thanks to Stephen Phelan of Catholic Answers for editing this piece!
There is no Christianity without resurrection; not even a church worthy to that name. If there is no resurrection, then we will die in our sins and we wouldn’t be any better than anybody else on earth. But the empty tells us that Jesus Christ is not in it any longer for death has been conquered. Maranatha
Well said. The absolute minimal statement of the gospel Paul presents is, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
This is a “Christianity” that does neither.
It’s always refreshing to know we have free will. Those that choose to live spiritually have been graced or cursed as the matter might be to be altered interiorly. In humility the spiritual being knows by the spiritual nourishments given, supersedes any imaginable intellectual arguement against God. As the transformation is happening interiorly the external world searches for truth oddly by challenging the faithful for their beliefs. The vicious cycle to believe or not to believe does not affect the spiritual being because they have already progressed from the question by choosing to believe.
Joe, thanks for this article. I’m not really sure what to make of the opinions of Serene Jones. To not care whether there is an after life simply doesn’t make sense. I guess if the New York Times is not going to challenge her incoherence, then it’s up to you to do it.
Her theology sounds like it goes well outside of Christian of even a Jewish or Muslim beliefs
Kristof is a sodomite and, thus, a natural subversive who will strive to homosexualise everything his mind seizes upon.
Kristof, has even written a column claiming that God made him gay.
As an unrepentant sodomite, Kristof has an intellect blinded to truth because of his lust. He FIRST has to repent and reform his life before anyone can try to get through to him.
God made us all and regardless of how they came about, we all have to contend with our disordered passions. God and even our human reason should be clear in what’s disordered and should be avoided, but it’s so temping to ignore that and lie to ourselves to embrace them. Often that completely blinds us to the damage and death it deals.
Yes, that is why repentance is primary before catechesis can even begin.
Who began their ministries with calls to repentance?
John the Baptist
Jesus Christ
Pope Peter
The jungle of sin must be cleared before the sowing of truth can begin.
Repentance only happens when enough of the truth is recognized to see the need, which is why we need to speak the truth in charity and pray that God opens eyes.
Romans 2 teaches that each of us is born with the moral law written in our heart and that is why repentance is always called for first.
Speaking the truth is always love/charity whereas not speaking the truth is deception.
Truth divides, there is no way around it.
Mortal sinners must first repent before catechesis can occur.
What is needed before catechesis is a peace filled explanation of the teachings of Christ which is called ‘the kerygma’. We know that kerygma requires a love filled attempt to teach the gospel message, because the Lord sent out His disciples with the special instructions that indicate the desired method of approaching others, when He said:
“when you come into the house, salute it, saying: Peace be to this house. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet. Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.” [Matthew 10:14]
By the way, this greatly benefits the missionary laborer, as he doesn’t need to waste too much spiritual labor and frustration with people who are not likely to benefit by the gospel message, due to hardness of their hearts.
I love this! So much so! I am sad that there are pockets of belief like this among some clergy in our Catholic faith though. I haven’t read in a while, but I’ve been picking your blog back up and I have missed it. The one on Judas recently was outstanding and has me really paying attention to my thoughts and not just my actions.
Miss Serenity Jones preaches a gospel. It does not align with the Gospel of Scripture.
My wife is Buddhist (not the Dalai Lama school) and believes more real Christian theology than these “progressives”. Someone needs to dig out their old Theology 101 texts and renew their thinking while they still can.
A good standard for true Christian belief and practice can be found in the Didache.
Back in the 1st century, it was used as a type of filter to separate the true Christians from the frauds. Most particularly it taught that Christians must live their faith by practicing moral rectitude and lives filled with both prayer and charity. It particularly details the 2 ways possible for mankind to follow, one towards Heaven and the other towards eternal death. Here is a short selection :
The Didache
“Here are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death; but there is a great difference between the two Ways.
Now the Way of Life is this: First, you shall love God who made thee; second, thy neighbor as thyself; and all things whatsoever you would not have done to thee, neither do you to another.
Now the teaching of these [two] words [of the Lord] is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you; for what reward is there if you love those who love you? Do not even Gentiles do the same? But rather, love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy.
Abstain from fleshly and bodily [worldly] lusts. If any one give you a blow on the right cheek turn to him the other also, and thou shalt be perfect. If any one force you to go with him one mile, go with him two; if any one take away your cloak, give him also your tunic; if any one take from you what is yours, ask it not back, as indeed you can not.
Give to every one that asks thee, and ask not back, for the Father wills that from our own blessings we should give to all. Blessed is he that gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receives; for if any one receives, having need, he shall be guiltless, but he that has not need shall give account, why he received and for what purpose, and coming into distress he shall be strictly examined concerning his deeds, and he shall not come out from there (confinement) until he has paid the last farthing.
But concerning this also it has been said, “Let thine alms sweat (drop like sweat) in thy hands till thou know to whom thou shouldst give.”
Chap. II.
And the second com-mandment of the Teaching is: Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not corrupt boys; thou shalt not commit fornication. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not use witchcraft; thou shalt not practice sorcery. Thou shalt not procure abortion, nor shalt thou kill the new-born child. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods. Thou shalt not forswear thyself (swear falsely). Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not speak evil; thou shalt not bear malice. Thou shalt not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for duplicity of tongue is a snare of death.
Thy speech shall not be false, nor vain, but fulfilled by deed. Thou shalt not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor malignant, nor haughty. Thou shalt not take evil counsel against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not hate any one, but some thou shalt rebuke and for some thou shalt pray, and some thou shalt love above your own soul (or, life).
Chap. III.
My child, flee from every evil, and from every thing that is like unto it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads to murder; nor jealous, nor contentious, nor hot-tempered (or, passionate); for from all these things murders are generated.
My child, be not lustful, for lust leads to fornication; neither be a filthy talker, nor an eager gazer, for from all these are generated adulteries.
My child, be not an observer of birds [for divination] for it leads to idolatry; nor a fortune teller (enchanter), nor an astrologer, nor a purifier (a user of purifications or expiations), nor be willing to look on those things; for from all these is generated idolatry.
My child, be not a liar, for lying leads to theft; nor avaricious, nor vainglorious, for from all these things are generated thefts.
My child, be not a murmurer, for it leads to blasphemy; neither self-willed (presumptuous), nor evil-minded, for from all these things are generated blasphemies.
But be meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth. Be patient, and merciful, and harmless, and quiet, and good, and trembling continually at the words which you have heard. Thou shalt not exalt thyself, nor shall you give audacity (presumption) to your soul. Your soul shall not be joined to the proud, but with the just and lowly shall you converse. The events that befall you should be accepted by you as good, knowing that nothing happens without God.
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Yes, Didache long precedes kergyma.
Here is the NGRAM for kergyma
https://tinyurl.com/y2txcrud
Hi ABS, kergyma …as you write above, is not the same as kerygma.
Regarding Kerygma, as explained by Catholic Answers, we find the following:
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Bl. John Paul II, in his 1979 apostolic exhortation Catechesi Tradendae, describes how catechesis builds upon the kerygma:
“Thus through catechesis the Gospel kerygma (the initial ardent proclamation by which a person is one day overwhelmed and brought to the decision to entrust himself to Jesus Christ by faith) is gradually deepened, developed in its implicit consequences, explained in language that includes an appeal to reason, and channeled towards Christian practice in the Church and the world “(CT 25).
Thus, the initial kerygmatic proclamation and catechesis are TWO necessary and mutually enriching COMPONENTS of evangelization. However, in my experience I have found that there is general imbalance in the Church (on the diocesan and parochial levels), which unfortunately tends to place a much greater emphasis on catechesis at the expense of initial proclamation.
In his 1990 encyclical, Redemptoris Missio, Bl. John Paul II underscored how essential kerygma is in the life and mission of the Church:
“Proclamation is the permanent priority of mission. The Church cannot elude Christ’s explicit mandate, nor deprive men and women of the “Good News” about their being loved and saved by God. “Evangelization will always contain—as the foundation, center, and at the same time the summit of its dynamism—a clear proclamation that, in Jesus Christ . . . salvation is offered to all people, as a gift of God’s grace and mercy.” All forms of missionary activity are directed to this proclamation, which reveals and gives access to the mystery hidden for ages and made known in Christ (cf. Eph 3:3-9; Col 1:25-29), the mystery which lies at the heart of the Church’s mission and life, as the hinge on which all evangelization turns.”
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-kerygma-enigma
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Best to you.
Yep, you’re right. But substitute the correct spelling na the results are similar
Didache LONG preceded it
The Church cannot elude Christ’s explicit mandate, nor deprive men and women of the “Good News” about their being loved and saved by God
Did he or Benedict do that while visiting Mosques and Synagogues?
No.
Is Francis doing that now when visiting Mosques and Synagogues?
No.
Is failure to preach the Gospel mortal sin?
Yes
Thank you Joe. The Diache gives the faithful christian fundamental boundaries by which to live in a world that condtridicts and even criticizes such standards. Oh but what blessings befall those that try to adhere to Gods ways.
Hi ABS,
I’m not sure about the importance of the NGRAM and the word Kerygma, as ‘kerygma’ is merely an ancient Greek term relating to evangelization techniques used before a person begins formal catechetical instructions? Also, the Didache is just an ancient Christian text rediscovered in the late 19th century, which was used throughout the Christian world, in different forms, as a catechetical aid in the earliest centuries of the Church.
Which comes first? The Didache was written in about 60 AD to 150 AD. But, reference to the ‘kerygma’ is in the NT , ie..Luke 4:18-19, Romans 10:14, Matthew 3:1.
When I use the term ‘kerygma’, I’m referring to the ‘traditional’ definition and not various modern concepts written in the 20th century by theologians such as Rudolf Bultmann. I understand the word ‘kerygma’ to describe evangelization attempts and personal discussions about Jesus Christ with others that we meet in our lives in a very preliminary way, and which attempts to attract and inspire a hearer to investigate the Person and words of the Lord in a more focused way. And, if a hearer continues to investigate and study, as opportunity arises, he might then discover the fullness of the teachings of the Catholic Church. With ‘kerygmatic’ evangelization there is a personal witness to the joy and peace that following Jesus Christ brings to a soul, and is largely dependent on the words of Jesus Himself, such as the sayings:
“If any man keep my words, he shall not see death forever”
….and
” If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father’s who sent me”.
…and
“A new command I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you”.
I personally use these scriptures many time with people I meet on college campuses in my evangelization attempts. I also distribute to them literature from the ‘Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by Abp. Alban Goodier,S.J., 1920’s…one of the top Catholic writers in the history of the Church (According to Fr. John Hardon S.J.)
So, I consider all of this to be kerygmatic evangelization, as compared to ‘catechetical instruction’. I actually don’t get too deep into particulars of Christian theology, but just try to get them to research the words of Christ, the lives of the Saints and the History of the Church on the internet, and as a personal study. And, I always leave them with as much solid literature as they can handle at that time. I probably talked to about 75 students this week from various countries and religions in three visits to a local college campus in my area. I gave them also about 1 hour of reading text from St. Bonaventures “Life of St. Francis”. A few weeks back also got the entire text of ‘The autobiography (Confession) of St. Patrick’ during the week preceding St. Patricks day. So, this is how I do my ‘kerygmatic’ evangelization…ie..”new evangelization”, at present.
Maybe some of these students will come to the Church via normal RCIA someday? I’ve already sponsored 2 people that I formerly taught in this way.
Best to you.
Why did you not respond to my questions based upon the text you posted from JP II?
Amateur Brain Surgeon says:
May 10, 2019 at 7:18 am
I’m not in much of a position to judge the motives of Popes. But, I think they mean’t well even if it was quite ‘unseemly’. However, I also think that in no way were they promoting Christian worship in Mosques, or promoting the Koran. Probably just a social gesture meant to generate civil peace and courtesy. That is, as opposed to suicide bombings of churches…which is currently occurring around the world.
Regarding NOT preaching the Gospel, both Popes preached it much more than you and I, so I guess we shouldn’t judge concerning that….lest we be hypocrites. And nowhere does it say we must preach the Gospel only with words. Even Jesus kept His mouth shut during His interview with Herod. Anyway, we all have our own work to do for the Lord. God and the magisterium can be the judge of Popes.
Best to you.
The Church cannot elude Christ’s explicit mandate, nor deprive men and women of the “Good News” about their being loved and saved by God.
Those are the words of Pope JPII Benedict and Francis all of whom have eluded Christ’s specific mandate by going to Mosques and Synagogues and not preaching the Gospel.
Now you come along and say you can not judge the motives of the Popes but nobody asked you to judge his motives but to look at his actions which belie his claim that is bolded…
Why can’t you admit the plain and simple truth- the modern popes are engaged in a political accommodation with those who are Messias-Deniers and by their actions they prove that Pope JP II’s observation is a glaring hypocrisy for they ARE not preaching the Gospel to those men and they know that if they did preach the Gospel in Mosques and Synagogues they’d never be allowed back in and it is acceptance by the Messias-Deniers, and not their salvation in Christ, that motivates the modern Popes despite protestations to the contrary.
Why is it so difficult for conservatives to admit the fiery truth blazing away before their own eyes rather than trying to claim that what is not happening really is happening?
What were the Apostles doing (Acts) when they went to Synagogues? Talking about some putative peace or preaching the truth about Christ?
There is wisdom and technique involved when ‘preaching the Gospel’. It’s like the saying from the Book of Wisdom:
“All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build…”
In my opinion, we the laity have our own jobs to do, because “The harvest is great and the laborers are few”.
I think it is better to get out on college campuses and start spreading the Gospel every week…if possible for people…than to merely complain about what the OTHER laborers are or aren’t doing. There is plenty of work in the harvest fie;lads for all, and if a pope or anyone else is not doing something we like…then we need to just try to work harder ourselves to make up for it. But complaining is a waste of time. We don’t need to wait for the pope for us to start doing what God wants us to do. And the history of the canonized saints prove this point. They “just did it”…as the Nike slogan says.
So, all the Catholic laity should study the faith as much as they can, and especially the lives of the Saints. And then get out there and start giving literature away to others, and encouraging them verbally to get on the internet and start being a ‘do-it-yourself theologian….with the Fathers of the Church and all other excellent Catholic literature (and good blogs like this one)…to assist them. Then, they will naturally find Jesus Christ, and the ONE, TRUE and HOLY CATHOLIC FAITH, and so hunger and desire to receive the companionship and Holy Sacraments that it provides.
But again, mere complaining is mostly a waste of time…which would be better spent by actually evangelizing people…and especially college students who are very interested and hungry for true wisdom. But very few Catholics seem to want to do this abundant and wholesome work.
Anyway, that’s my opinion on the subject. Best to you.
The Church cannot elude Christ’s explicit mandate, nor deprive men and women of the “Good News” about their being loved and saved by God.
As a conservative, you have no problem with the Bishop of Rome saying one can not elude an explicit mandate while doing exactly that.
A Bishop has the Duty to Teach, Rule, and Sanctify and when he refuses to teach the Gospel, you are fine with that.
There is wisdom and technique involved when ‘preaching the Gospel’.
And that wisdom means not preaching the Gospel…
Pope JPII Benedict and Francis all of whom have eluded Christ’s specific mandate by going to Mosques and Synagogues and not preaching the Gospel.”
Sometimes, just sometimes, one knows in advance when one’s only option is Matthew 10:14…..
Hi AK,
I deal with a lot of Muslims when I go onto college campuses. Many, I find, are somewhat borderline believers and open to Christian concepts, but I think they are hesitant to convert due to the very powerful duress that is inherent in their Islamic faith. I think it’s probably similar to what was happening in the Roman Empire with the persecutions against Christians In the early centuries. Even long time Christians succumbed to the threats of death and imprisonment by complying with the Romans to deny Christ.
On the other hand, the devout/faithful Christians continued appealing to both Christians and pagans to revert and continue to follow the Gospel of Christ, and some of these listened and converted/reverted to Christ even with the threat of death still present before them. So, in my opinion, we need to be aware of the powerful cultural pressures that most Muslims are subject to. Instead of giving up on them outright, I think we need to pity them, as they have families and friends that ‘have them by the throat’ so-to-say. So, we need to teach them even better concerning the great love and truth found in Christianity, and in this way they will be capable of surmounting all the threats that their religion and culture presents to them if they actually convert. So, I am actually inclined to pity them for being raised in such a threatening/violent culture and religion. Many are quite nice people on a personal level and much more interested in religion than the typical atheistic/hippy/feminist/pro-choice type student that you also find on college campuses. The Muslims actually look pretty good in comparison to these, who are completely antagonistic to anything truly religious and just scoff and quip in contempt as they walk by.
Just a practical observation.
1st Corinth 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity lieth upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.
Ver. 16.—Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. It appears from this that strict injunctions were given to the Apostles (S. Matt. xxviii. 19) to preach the Gospel and teach all nations, insomuch that, if they had neglected to do so, they would have sinned mortally. For on those that neglect this their duty he pronounces the woe of the wrath of God and of hell. By the same injunctions all pasters, Bishops, and Archbishops are now bound. Cf. chap. i. 17.
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So, don’t sweat it. When Popes go to mosques and synagogues and refuse to preach the Gospel its really no biggie.
Nothing really matters anymore. Whatever…When the most authoritative and most powerful men in the Church refuse to follow the Commandments of Christ, when they refuse to preach the Gospel and teach the truth, it really is no biggie because God does not reward or push the entire Catholic Church when the Hierarchy refuses to follow His Commandments and so one can be sure He thinks these things are no biggies…
Adios
What really matters for all Catholics is that ALL OF US spread the Gospel. Maybe if we have some free time left over after doing that, we might criticize other of our brothers and fellow Christians for not preaching/teaching as much as they could.
We live in a new world where there is an abundance of holy resources to help others to come to know Jesus Christ very well. So, we should all get busy spreading that ‘Good News’ as far and wide as possible.
Sitting around talking about what OTHERS are not doing….is a great waste of time. Every critic of the Chruch or hierarchy out there should first, abundantly, ‘practice what they preach’. And if after bringing many people into the holy faith, maybe their criticisms of other faithful laborers might hold some weight.
So, again, I encourage ALL… laity and clergy…to stop complaining and get out and start fishing for souls. And use all of the holy ‘fisherman strategy’ that you can drum up doing so. Then, teach others to do the same.
God needs EVERYBODY working in the fields, not only Popes and clergy. This is what is essential in our modern world… and is what I think we will all be judged on; not on how well we judge our other fellow laborers for their many deficiencies.
Again, my opinion.
Try substituting some other institution –
If the POTUS and Congress ignore the US Constitution and refuses to actualise it we have no right to complain because the voters can do it in their place…
If The NFL owners, officials, and players do not abide by the rules the fans have no reason to complain because they can obey the rules in the stands.
Jesus established a Hierarchal Church and when the Hierarchy fails to follow Christ or actualize His Commands that failure can not be substituted for my actions of the laity.
OK, Im done trying…
It’s OK to complain a little…as long as that’s not all you are doing and that you are actually building up the Kingdom of God, and teaching others the faith in your own location. That is, if you are trying to teach the faith to others by feeding them the holiest reading/blog/podcast etc… material you can get your hands on.
It’s like this:
Complain about what the Pope is not doing sufficiently. But at the same time go out and buy 2 cheap eco-tank printers and 5 boxes of HP 32 paper on Amazon. Then buy 1000 mililiters of 3rd party ink on Ebay. Keep complaining about the hierarchy and Pope to your hearts content. But while you are complaining start printing up selections from the “Imitation of Christ” or some life of a Saint…with your 15,000 sheets of paper. Go out to your local supermarket and buy some clear plastic bread bags and put the reading selections in them. Keep complain against the pope and hierarchy. Now while you are printing you have a lot of free time to do more complaining while the holy literature is being printed. so you can either complain more about the pope or you can thank God that you are not a scribe copying Bibles back in 6th century England…as you are printing 1 page every 10 seconds what took them 1 hour to do the same.
Now, walk down your street and start dropping these bags off to all your neighbors door steps. You can keep complaining about the Pope in your mind while you are doing this. After 3 hours you will have put out your material to about 500 houses.
Now if you meet people on the way, complain about the Pope with yourself but only talk about the Imitation of Christ, or the other holy material you are distributing, because many people will be interested in your holy reading material, but nobody interested in your complaining. Even Jesus didn’t like Martha’s complaining about Mary, or Judas complaining about her also.
But many who read your holy material will be inspired to love God more. And of course some will throw them away. So, even though you complain, still you are doing something very positive for others, and maybe one of these 500 will find the Holy Faith over time. Then do the same thing in 2 weeks, by change the reading material…or print a different chapter.
anyway, this is how you can do your part to build up the Kingdom of God and make Jesus known better in this world….and keep grumbling to yourself all the while. At least you are doing something loving for others as Jesus desires, and maybe a few or your recipients will go to Heaven some day because of all the reading material you delivered to him over the years?
….I’m late for Mass.
Best to you.
You are right, and this applies to all Christians. The JWs and Mormons will surely be a witness against others at the last day. Perhaps that is why they are so-called!?
What if the men you are handing material to are aware of the Indifferentism of the modern Popes and how by their behavior and refusal to teach the truth that Catholicism is necessary for salvation the modern Popes teach others that here are many ways to salvation – including Judaism and Mahometanism?
Why would they believe you who has no authority or proof you have been sent to preach whereas everybody knows who the Pope is and, wrongly, believe that whatever he says goes for Catholicism?
ABS is going on an airplane to Vermont within a fortnight.
If the pilot refuses to actualise his duties, how is the passenger, ABS, to supply for his refusing his duty?
In my opinion, everyone should focus on their own particular tasks that they have been inspired by God to do. ABS has one task and the Pope another. It’s good to pay attention to our own work in the harvesting that Jesus talks about when He says: “The harvest is great but the laborers are few”. With too much distraction caused by infighting, bickering, hatred etc… the production of the laborers is interrupted and reduced.
Moreover, In my particular work I talk with many Moslems. Maybe I would be shunned by them if Pope Francis insulted them in the past. At present, about 50% of the ones I come across accept literature from me on the Public Life of Our Lord Christ written by Arbp. Goodier S.J.. Maybe none of them would accept this literature otherwise…if they were taught that Catholics despise the infidel Moslems? On the other hand, if we are able to talk to them about Christ with peace and human charity, maybe these same people will understand better the great love of God that emanates from the Catholic Faith?
People need to be taught the Gospel in an atmosphere of peace…and which is why Jesus told his disciples to say “Peace be to this house” before they start teaching the Gospel message in that same house. This is to say, that it is also good to imitate the Lord in the METHOD that He taught and spread the Gospel in Israel. He usually accompanied His teachings with great acts of charity and even miracles, so as to reveal to His listeners something of His Sacred and loving Heart.
Best to you.
35. And Jesus went about all the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity.
36. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd.
37. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few.
38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.
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The harvest truly is plenteous, &c. The harvest He calls the multitude of the people prepared to receive the Gospel, the seeds of which the Prophets had sown. Whence, as S. Austin saith, “the holy Apostles reaped among the Jews, but sowed among the Gentiles, because they delivered to them the first doctrines of the faith, as it were seed.”
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, &c., namely, that He would send you, 0 ye Apostles, and your co-adjutors and successors, and inspire them with the spirit of wisdom and zeal, assiduously to preach and to labour, that this so copious a harvest perish not.
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It is understandable, and even admirable, that you strive to supply for the refusal of the Prelature to act like Christ did and to folowl His Commands but even you know you can’t supply for the dereliction of duties by this whose role it is to Teach, Rule, and Sanctify.
Their refusal to do their duty had resulted in a rapidly collapsing church and Nostra Aetate has communicated to the world at large that although the harvest is large, many harvesters, both Mahometan and Jewish, and its all good; all men go to Heaven.
It has gotten to the point that telling Mahometans the truth is now seen as being mean to them whereas refusing to teach the truth to them really is a form of hatred.
C’est la vie.
ABS will end now because it is so easy to use your own citations against the well-meaning assertions you make.
O and go to the Real Mass, not the Lil’ Licit Liturgy, for just one Real Mass, offered in its Good, True, and Beautiful aspects is spiritually worth more than the actions of one trillion well-intentioned men handing out 7896 trillion pamphlets daily
And it is also god for ABS to listen to and follow the words of Christ in everything He says outside of Mass…especially when He said:
“If any man keep my word, He shall not see death forever.”
It is very possible to go to many Masses per day, but still not bother to keep His word (ie. teachings) at the same time. It’s pretty simple. God the Father already told us what to do, when He said: “Hear you Him”. And it’s not one thing to listen to, but many things that need to be complied with.
By the way…
It was nice talking with you.
– Al
“God” …that is.
Imagine if the Christians could agree to disagree, imagine if they all competed with each other only in their diligence to seek the Lord through prayer and to do His Will. They’d be so busy they’d have no time for doctrinal squabbling. The Holy Spirit would lead them into unity, but it would be a unity without authorities except God and whoever the people chose to administer their congregations.
And where they disagreed they would say to each other, “we shall prove to all the truth of our doctrines by the zeal of our faith, we shall redouble our efforts to show a greater humility, a greater charity, a greater life of prayer than those whom we disagree with, that our our prayers and our works may find favour with God and that He will bring us all into amity and agreement. We shall redouble our prayers that the Holy Spirit will guide those whom we believe are in error into truth.
But here, oh here, is the hardest part: they must be prepared to be wrong and to face the consequences!
Easy enough surely, for those who love God and truth?
Surely such ought to feel and show the greatest gratitude to those who have shown them their error?
But the enemy knows the minds of men, he knows our little vanities, our love of power, pride and preening, and he has been building the walls between us stone by stone for more than twenty centuries.
I submit that this site is dedicated to his purpose.