In other words - what grade of complexity is required for a theology to find the approval of the ornate human religion?Ceremonial complexity is very well taken by masses. Multiple layers of doctrinal teachings, sometimes contradictory to one another and absurd, but seemingly deep, find their adherents easily. The more the better?
Is God a God of confusion? Because confusion is what comes out as the result of unnecessary complexity.
Take, for example, the ever-present discussion about this stumbling stone of 'tradition' versus Scripture. While it is perfectly clear to define Scripture (well, several books give-or-take), the question about tradition remains answered vaguely, as there exists no precise definition or enumeration of the constituents. Roman Church supports its teachings on 'tradition', yet is incapable of defining it!
I know, the natural answer here would be the writings of Church Fathers, etc, but when you try to pin the lot down, it becomes very evasive. Confusing? You bet. A colossus on clay legs? Definitely.
What I consider the absolute strength of the Church of the Living God is the exactness and clarity of doctrine, based upon the agreement on the foundation of the teachings. However scornful may the Church of Rome pose itself against Protestantism, there is the clear ground of the Five Solas, as opposed to the jungle of Catholic tradition.
I am not a theologian. I am just a new-born Christian with a history of many mistakes before. But I will stand here:
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
(Jud 1:3-4)
3 comments:
Interesting fact:
Judaism today, isn't obedience and faith in the Old Testament of the Bible. For the most part, Judaism is obedience and faith in the Talmud; that is, the traditions of the rabbis.
The Lord Jesus Christ sharply rebuked the religious Jews of His day over this very thing, when He said:
"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." (Mark 7:9)
Romanist traditions is nothing but history repeating itself. Just as unbelieveing Jews sware up and down that their traditions and the O.T. are in sync, so do the Romanists with their vile traditions. Sadly, both will, one day, be rebuked of the Lord... one final time.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Greek word interpreted "perfect" in the above verse means "complete" or "perfectly complete". If the Bible is enough to make me perfectly complete, why in the world would I seek anything else?
Later,
Rand
Ann,
I appreciate your response. Just a simple point to be a 'Roman' Catholic I need to live in Rome where I do not. I belong to the Catholic Church through my baptism plain and simple.
The notion of abuses of Christianity over 2000 years is well documented as you have listed. But it doesn’t wash with me to sling mud because as human beings that can sin there is plenty of evidence provided in any organisation, where ever you go. The fact that the Catholic Church endures is surprising indeed.
In your new post you mention that the language of Tradition is too complicated. While you say the language of the bible is clear and speaks of the "Five Solas” and also “is the exactness and clarity of doctrine, based upon the agreement on the foundation of the teachings”! So that is written explicitly in the bible? Or is it like the word "Pope" and "transubstantiation" and a man made tradition that you complain that the Catholic Church is burdened with?
It appears to me that born-again fundamentalism is not a belief in Sola Scriptura at all. In fact without Pastors and large congregations, that so often strive for the unity of the Catholic Church, their whole enterprise would collapse. I don’t write to offend you but only give my serious point of view on the matter. All I can see about born again Christians is dozens of fads and novelties that are whipped up by pastors often only to recruit for a bigger church.
In fact Rands comments are proof of a point of fact. He takes a piece of scripture and interprets it according to the particular Tradition to which he belongs. He is therefore teaching consistently with a tradition that emerged with the Reformation and not with 2000 years of Christianity. Obviously it is anti catholic, or how else would the Reformation have survived? His Tradition was passed on to him not by the bible but by Pastors who taught him ‘How’ to read scripture in a particular way. He does not quote passages of scripture that tell of Saint Paul and Peter encouraging the maintenance of Tradition.
The problem is that it is not clear if he is right or wrong because he will only use another piece of scripture to back himself up and then interpret it according to his Tradition. So it is really Catch 22. How do you escape from that cycle? I believe that scripture should not be read so simplistically when trying to define complex realities like the Church Christ founded.
On the existence of Catholic Tradition and it relationship with Science, once again because of the narrow interpretation of born again Christians of scripture they often seem to be completely at odds with modern scientific explanations of life. They say they do not see the word “Pope” in scripture so there cannot be one. But there is no genetic engineering in the bible either. Nor is their nuclear power, nor contraception, nor global warming, nor pollution of the natural world, nor many of the modern ills that afflict humanity at this time. How do born again Christians know how to answer these questions? Which are right and which are wrong? Without born-again Tradition, which offers the leadership of their pastors and extra-biblical scholarship with the study of scripture in the modern context using modern methods and engaging with science, it seems to me that born again Christians are completely in a world of confusion about the modern world.
Whether it is the complexity of Tradition, which Catholics speak about or the complexity of Science, which the world speaks about it, it be a difficult place to be caught in-between. However it appears to me that Scripture Alone will not dig you out of that hole.
There is little ‘explicit’ interpretation of modern life in the bible. There are many ‘implicit’ explanations that need to be dug out but this must be done in the context of a teaching authority (a pastor or Pope ) and a Tradition (being Catholic or Born –again).
Anyway that is my meandering though on the subject. I don’t want to burden you or fall out with you because you appear to be a nice genuine person. I just happened upon your blog and thought I would butt in :0) . hope you don’t mind hope you keep up the bloging. Visit me at my blog anytime to exchange ideas.
Leonard
Rand, thank You for these wise reminders of Judaism. It is an eye-opener. Works-religion at its 'best', isn't it?
Leonard, I can see that You stand firmly where You do. It is a fact, as it is also a fact that I do stand in Truth.
There are quite many former catholic priests who dared to open their eyes to the Scriptural Message and get rid of the darkness of Rome.
You may read their testimonies at
Bereanbeacon and see for yourself that the Truth does make men free.
I do not intend to engage in the discussions with You any more. This is my blog and though I do not have the written rules yet, I appreciate comments that glorify God as presented in His Word.
Unless a commenter heree can BIBLICALLY present his or her argument against what I write, I reserve myself a right to delete their comments.
I want to be perfectly clear on this.
Thank You for your time.
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