tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post4262884783087329476..comments2023-05-25T09:14:35.702+01:00Comments on The Vernacular Vicar: Disingenuous Church?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268991293847325315noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-22685066557414278762011-10-03T10:04:12.452+01:002011-10-03T10:04:12.452+01:00Jesus didn't go around asking people about the...Jesus didn't go around asking people about their beliefs. He believed that all were the children of God and included in God's love and lived his life as if that was a reality. It is the walls we build that keep others out. We need to pull down those walls and stop worrying about who is in and who is out. Too often our mission is based on telling people they could be loved by God. We should follow the example of our Lord and tell people they are loved by God.MadPriesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15120376342802143188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-1600987027014970842011-10-01T16:23:44.405+01:002011-10-01T16:23:44.405+01:00The issue of sin and evil and the existence of a f...The issue of sin and evil and the existence of a fallen Angel as the devil are deniable, they are hard words which when used against people are hurtful, shameful, judgemental and condemnatory - but we are wary of using them these days as they are regarded as fairy stories by some of the most devout Christians?<br /><br />I hesitate to call the church judgemental, but it does sometimes label people. Unchurched, never churched, single mothers, divorcee's, traditionalist, orthodox, extremist, Gay, etc.<br /><br />Labelling and grouping people seems to me to be the basis of a culture of discrimination, which is innately sinful in itself. <br /><br />Somewhere in this is a denial of our humanity, our unique identity and relationship in God through Jesus Christ and the free will we have for good or evil, which ultimately is a matter for individual conscience, if they have one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8299409348701300460.post-52925436389927658182011-10-01T11:58:40.538+01:002011-10-01T11:58:40.538+01:00It's a good point, but then compassion is tell...It's a good point, but then compassion is telling uncomfortable truths. Sin and shame can be useful tools in bringing one back to the Lord and experiencing the healing power of his mercy. Nothing can beat that "just washed clean" feeling when you know you have been forgiven.<br /><br />Clergy need to avoid giving the impression that they or society are sitting in judgement upon souls and emphasise their own humanity and shortcomings. Sanctimoniousness never helps, it's about helping people to reinforce their personal relationship with God.<br /><br />I agree it's a fine line, the church needs to emphasize we are ALL sinners, but surely it is only by defining sin, that we help others to avoid it, whilst all the while being very clear that it is not we who are judging.<br /><br />I also think basic eschatology is helpful, hell is not the fiery furnace of medieval folk law, but a sense of desolation and loss. It is eternal separation from God which is painful.<br /><br />Though it is not nice to squirm and feel shame and though we should avoid over-scrupulosity, if that shame is born out of having offended God, whom we should love with all our heart and soul, and brings us to reconcile with him out of genuine caritas, which is the aim, then its no bad thing?blondpidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12631604905862504882noreply@blogger.com