"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair." ~ C.S. Lewis
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Protestantism and Authority
I won't have much time to blog tomorrow, but sticking with the theme of authority and guidelines, I thought I would share this short video. Agree, disagree, or offer viewpoints...
Cool! I like the idea of a spiritual referee - as long as the final choice is still up to me. So maybe a spiritual mentor or advisor would suit me better. You know… to point me in a positive direction, but afford me the freewill of my own interpretation.
Freewill is a super important aspect of faith. The final choice, and those in between are up to you. God gifted us with freewill and the ability reason. I think His intention was for everyone to find His will, but he doesn't force us. A perfect example is the Jews in the time of Jesus. They were God's chosen people, but they still were not forced to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He was there to guide and teach. The choice to accept and believe was theirs.
Also, on the referee/spiritual mentor note, that's what I love about being catholic. We have that in our priest. Of course in the protesant faith you have your minister or pastor you have that. But in the catholic faith, the fatheris not just the man who says mass and it the 'front man'. He is more available to the entire parish. He is a counselor, friend, confidant and the most beautiful part, our confessor. So he is a wonderful spiritual mentor.
I never felt that way in any protestant church. And I have been to quite a few. It never felt like a good fit for me and that's why I went down the path I did. But now, I am more comfortable and at peace than ever before. A lot of that comes from feeling close and comfortable with my priest. Our parish isn't perfect, but its my home. And I am glad to have that spiritual guidance from someone that has committed his life to our faith. He doesn't have his 'day job' and church is on wednesday and sunday. He is there all the time and always available.
Sorry for the ramble. I just get excited. For the past 17 years I was on a polar opposite path. Now that I am here, its the most amazing time for me. And I am so very much in love with my Savior.
5 comments:
Cool! I like the idea of a spiritual referee - as long as the final choice is still up to me. So maybe a spiritual mentor or advisor would suit me better. You know… to point me in a positive direction, but afford me the freewill of my own interpretation.
I am made fried eggs with cheese and hot sauce for supper tonight. (Just sayen)
Freewill is a super important aspect of faith. The final choice, and those in between are up to you. God gifted us with freewill and the ability reason. I think His intention was for everyone to find His will, but he doesn't force us. A perfect example is the Jews in the time of Jesus. They were God's chosen people, but they still were not forced to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He was there to guide and teach. The choice to accept and believe was theirs.
That's an awesome way to look at it Chad. I didn't think of it in that way. You put it in a perfect perspective.
Oh yeah, thanks for talking about eggs. I'm hungry. Now its worse.
See you soon I hope.
S
Sorry I left some out. I brain tooted.
Also, on the referee/spiritual mentor note, that's what I love about being catholic. We have that in our priest. Of course in the protesant faith you have your minister or pastor you have that. But in the catholic faith, the fatheris not just the man who says mass and it the 'front man'. He is more available to the entire parish. He is a counselor, friend, confidant and the most beautiful part, our confessor. So he is a wonderful spiritual mentor.
I never felt that way in any protestant church. And I have been to quite a few. It never felt like a good fit for me and that's why I went down the path I did. But now, I am more comfortable and at peace than ever before. A lot of that comes from feeling close and comfortable with my priest. Our parish isn't perfect, but its my home. And I am glad to have that spiritual guidance from someone that has committed his life to our faith. He doesn't have his 'day job' and church is on wednesday and sunday. He is there all the time and always available.
Sorry for the ramble. I just get excited. For the past 17 years I was on a polar opposite path. Now that I am here, its the most amazing time for me. And I am so very much in love with my Savior.
Ok, off my soapbox.
Night all!
In Christ,
S
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