Mac was talking the other day about how evangelical sermons tend to include practical advice or good-citizen messages along with theological teaching, so you end up with a “Jesus and …” message. For example:
- Jesus and a happy marriage
- Jesus and good money management
- Jesus and patriotism
- Jesus and responsible parenting
The Gospel has implications for marriage, money, relationship to the state, and parenting, but is not simply the sum of the good advice we hear from the pulpit. Sometimes we confuse the application with the core message, and sometimes the applications actually contradict the original message of the gospel, if we forget how we came up with the applications.
Stewardship is one implication/application that sometimes leads us to conclusions that contradict the way of Christ. Sometimes we’re so preoccupied with being responsible that we forget the lavish, irresponsible, self-giving love that we read about in the Gospels.
Communion is the one time in Christian worship where we focus exclusively on Christ. I think this is what Mac likes about Catholic mass - there’s not much else to distract you. The symbol, the liturgy, the words - all are about Christ, without the tangents of self-help advice.
Of course, there is one thing that gets added to communion. If you’re from the C of C, you already know what I mean. “Separate and apart from the Lord’s Supper…”
It’s not really separate. It should be, but it’s not. The disclaimer and ten-second interlude do not dissociate the collection (or offering) from the Eucharist. In most churches, it goes like this:
- Body of Christ
- Blood of Christ
- Blood from a turnip
I think that’s it for today. Sorry, I know it’s kind of disjointed and random. It’ll take some time to work my way back up to real theo-blogging. Peace.
Thanks for saying that. Many times I’ve heard that as a reason not to help the homeless, which is one of my passions and concerns. “How do you know if they really need it?” Some ask. In the Gospels I never read where Jesus asked someone if they really needed anything. He didn’t ask when he fed the 5000 - or when he healed people. His love is extravagent. I believe in “good stewardship.” But good stewardship is putting it in the hands of Jesus. Jesus can make sure whatever I have to give gets to those he wants it too. It’s called faith. I don’t know the hearts of men - Jesus does. Besides, the person I might judge as “not needing it” may just need to know that there is a God who loves them. Maybe that’s their need even if there isn’t a real physical need. I really think the “good stewardship” argument is used as a justification for not giving. Let’s remember the expensive perfume poured over Jesus. That didn’t seem like “good stewardship.” But it was an expression of great love - the most important kind of stewardship. I love the church - but we need to figure out what it means to be more like Jesus. Again, thanks for the post.
C.S. Lewis, in The Screwtape Letters:
I’ve been feeling a similar way for some time now. I’m not sure I know what the solution is, in terms of the “and” part, because I think that Jesus’ message touched on the whole of life. So how dow we take that into consideration, but not simply make Jesus’ message about the issues/applications it has bearing on? A tricky one, I think.
The application and the Message…
A quick rant. Sometimes I wonder if Christians think very much get their wires crossed. Actually, they must do so, if they take their own theology seriously. But still. There is a tendency among Christians, of almost any stripe, to go straight for the …
There are three groups that have captured my attention fully: The Catholic church, the Orthodox church, and one Protestant group. I’ll address the Catholic and the Orthodox churches; the Protestant one can wait.
Each of these has problems and issues, as well as strengths.
The catholics, while they say they do not worship Mary, do include as doctrine unbiblical ideas (e.g., “she is crowned as queen of heaven and earth”; “she was assumed into heaven”). I have issues with things like that, as well as with papal infallibility. But I enjoy Catholic Mass (went to one this evening), although it’s not quite exactly what i need. At Christmastide a year and a half ago, the Protestant churches were all closed; the Catholic churches had services. I went there because on Christmas I’m alone. No close family who celebrate it. The presence of the Holy spirit was almost palpable at that time; I was in awe.
The orthodox church tends to be ethnocentric. That is, the Greek Orthodox church tends to focus solely on Greeks; it excludes, often, Turks, Serbs, Armenians, most Americans - because they’re not Greek. While they wouldn’t necessarily say it that way, the bias is obvious, as non-Greeks are shut out of community by many members. Fortunately, the Patriarchs of the Orthodox Church recognize ethnocentricity as idolatrous, dangerous, and threatening. Their communion table is closed to nonmembers; I understand their perspective, but I disagree with it at least in part.
But liturgy, done with proper reverence, is an amazing way to worship; I’m appreciating it more and more.