Freedom

Freedom of Religion, Speech:
Language, Law, Tradition, Culture

I strongly support the idea that any minority, from anywhere, if it wants to live in the United States, to work and eat in the United States, should consider learning English.  We expect all who dwell in the United States should respect the laws of the United States.  If they prefer other forms of government, other systems of law, and other cultural life styles then, perhaps they should consider living elsewhere.

 

In the same spirit the United States is home to several treaty nations, mostly Native American Indians.  The languages, laws, traditions, and cultures of these several nations are to be equally respected, and deserve the full covenant protection of United States law.

 

Individuals, who have no such treaty protection, or who are not indigenous to the geographic boundaries of the United States have no such covenantal rights under United States law, and must seek access to that law by the usual means: namely, citizenship, lawful appeal, and by voting.

 

By the same token any minority, from anywhere, if it wants to live in any other country, ought to respect the language, law, tradition, and culture of that country.  Specifically, Americans do not have the God given right to force their language, law, tradition, or culture on other countries.  On the other hand, any country that wishes to adopt American language, law, tradition, or culture is certainly free to do so.

 

Contrary to these ideas, Christians belong to a distinct nation, commonly known as The Church.  The boundaries of The Church are not limited by country borders, because God created all of the universe and there is no country that does not belong to Him.  He has given to The Church this mandate, to proclaim to every country, people, and tongue that Jesus Christ is the LORD of God's Kingdom (the entire created universe) and is seated on the throne of David by His Resurrection from the Dead.

 

All, without exception, are welcome to pray and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and other gifts from the LORD Jesus Christ, from God His Father, and become members of Christ's Kingdom.  There are no memberships to join, no proselytism need take place.  The LORD Jesus Christ respects your country, it's laws and culture; in fact He authorized them.  If changes need to take place, they must come freely from within, and not be forced from without: the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you as you pray.  You do not need to renounce your culture or your people; on the contrary, the LORD Jesus Christ commands that you respect your culture and people: for He has written, "Honor your father and your mother."  Consequently, over time, the Holy Spirit will gently lead you to greater and greater honor and glory for your father and your mother, for your culture and your people, whatever they may be.

 

Christians everywhere make a sincere effort to help all those in need, so you need never feel alone.  Indeed, you will never be alone: for God will always be with you, even if you are the only Christian in your country.  It will be your excellent behavior, your respect for your father, your mother, your culture, and your people that will draw others to want to become Christians too.  You need not say a word; in fact it is better if you do not speak often: for your excellent behavior will speak for you.  If your country tolerates freedom of speech, your friends will ask, and you may answer.  But if your country forbids freedom of speech, and/or proselytism, respect your laws and traditions.  The Holy Spirit will change these laws when your country is ready for your free, unforced change.

 

Yours in Christ,

Augie-Herb

Does Changing Worship Change Theology?

Not that many years ago a fellow named Bill Gothard had arguments about "pop" worship music and "hard rock" in general laid out in technical music terms.  I guess I need to put Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns on my reading list.  Does it have a sequel, Why Johnny Can't Sing At All? 

About the order of service: It has been changed and is still changing, even in conservative churches.  The altar is now a table and we are free to stand behind it.  It is no longer a representation of the ark of the covenant with the Law inside, covered by the Mercy Seat, which is the throne of Christ and sprinkled by His precious blood, attended by mighty angels.  We no longer fear it, because we no longer fear God. 

The service is no longer always the high and holy service of the Liturgy where we receive the Word and then the body and blood of Christ; it is frequently exchanged with Matins, the 3 AM or sunrise service: we have forgotten that one of the primary purposes of Matins is to prepare the heart for Liturgy.  It is one thing to move Matins to 9 AM on Sunday.  It is quite another to use it as an alternative Liturgy. 

The adoption of the Fisherman's Mass or double service system took place when I was a boy.  Nobody thought that it would do any harm.  It was easier and cheaper way for a church to grow than needing to build a larger building or plant a whole new church.  The outcome is that churches have not grown.  The original idea was to be divided and grow larger, not to have two mostly empty rooms.  The congregation is smaller, even though divided, really two smaller, shrinking churches with one building, one pastor, and an overworked choir. 

The meaning and function of Matins is totally lost.  Praying the Hours?  Nobody even knows what I'm talking about.  The usual response is a shrug of the shoulders, followed by, "We're not Orthodox."  Unfortunately, this is true, "We're not Orthodox."  What has happened in the hearts of many is an attendant loss of the awe and importance of worship.  It doesn't matter when I go to church as long as I can get to my paper and the football game, or get an earlier tee time.  Little-by-little our entertainments become our real god and religion.  Little-by-little we don't care anymore. 

By the way, where did the regular use of the Vespers service go? 

Many used to read the entire book of Psalms through every week.  Now we're content with three Psalms a day.  How can anyone hunger and thirst for God and his righteousness on a starvation diet of three Psalms a day?  Read Psalm 119 through in a single setting?  Are you kidding me?  That's way too long: let's take three days or a week to read it through.  I assure you that Psalm 119 cannot be understood if it is not read through on a regular basis. 

Nothing has changed in the order of service?  I assure you that everything has changed, including the hearts of the faithful.  Over sixty-years later (circa 1950) we are starting to awaken to the question, "Something is wrong, I wonder what it is?"