tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post743801303433954700..comments2024-03-23T14:04:57.635-05:00Comments on Father Hollywood: Sex and the City of GodRev. Larry Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-44384634242660720292008-02-20T21:49:00.000-06:002008-02-20T21:49:00.000-06:00Thanks for this thoughtful contribution. I'm tryin...Thanks for this thoughtful contribution. <BR/>I'm trying to develop the Liturgy of the Hours section of my site:<BR/>http://www.liturgy.co.nz/ofthehours/resources.html<BR/>and your insights help.liturgyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11822769747947139669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-10904066298779807222008-02-20T10:03:00.000-06:002008-02-20T10:03:00.000-06:00Very nice post and excellent response here in the...Very nice post and excellent response here in the combox. I blogged similar thoughts at<A HREF="http://christopherdhall.blogspot.com/2008/02/sensuality-and-spectacular.html" REL="nofollow">This Side of the Pulpit</A> yesterday--though you did a better, more thorough job.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/>Pr. Christopher HallChristopher D. Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03906949438584923588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-27713269633992381172008-02-19T21:14:00.000-06:002008-02-19T21:14:00.000-06:00Dear Mr. Collins:When I say "the Gospel isn't just...Dear Mr. Collins:<BR/><BR/>When I say "the Gospel isn't just a message" - what I mean is that when God wanted to give mankind the Good News, He didn't simply tell us something good to hear, rather He took on a body (Luke 1:31) and was made man. And when our Lord Jesus "handed over" (tradidi, traditio - where "tradition" comes from) the Gospel to us, He didn't merely provide data, He provided His flesh (Matt 26:26-29, John 6:51). The Christian faith worships a flesh-and-blood God, not a data-stream. We are to "preach Christ crucified" (1 Cor 1:23) not merely talk about Jesus or give out information.<BR/><BR/>When He told us to make disciples and evangelize, He did not say: "Go out and talk about me," rather He said: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, *baptizing... and teaching*" (Matt 28:19-20).<BR/><BR/>Do you disagree with the statement that "the Gospel isn't just a message"? If so, can you site Scripture that "the Gospel is only a message"?<BR/><BR/>"Style does change substance" is a rephrasing of the ancient dictum "lex orandi, lex credendi" - the law of prayer is the law of belief. In other words, *how* we worship effects *what* we believe - and vice versa.<BR/><BR/>God is concerned about style as well as substance. He did not tell the children of Israel: "Worship any way you want, whatever floats your boat and rocks your world, just make sure to say the right doctrine." Rather, He mandates style that *He* likes: priestly vestments (e.g. Ex 28), incense (e.g. Lev 16:12), gold (e.g. Ex 38:24), beautiful art (e.g. 1 Kings 7:29), bells (e.g. Ex 39:25), etc. These are all matters of style. According to Scripture, even the fine details of style are important to God. <BR/><BR/>This is not only biblical, but also sanctified common sense. If you are having guests, you show your love and esteem of them by bringing out fine china - which is very different than handing them a paper plate and a styrofoam cup. Style itself makes a statement. Style is in itself a confession. If you don't believe me, try offering a girl a plastic ring when you propose to her. By offering something beautiful, you are telling her she is beautiful and valued. It is a confession of what is in your heart.<BR/><BR/>The children of Israel proclaimed the majesty of God through the use of precious metals and beautiful craftsmanship - all because that's what God told them to do. <BR/><BR/>Did God *need* all of this style to tell the people that their sins were forgiven if style had nothing to do with substance? Not at all. But He chose to. Why? Because style is not a throw-away matter. If it is important to God, it should be important to us as well.<BR/><BR/>We need to submit to God's appreciation for style rather than trying to make God submit to our culture.<BR/><BR/>As far as where the final authority lies - I say in the Word of God - where you will never find the Lord encouraging "anything goes" in matters of style. You will never find any biblical example of someone standing in God's presence making wisecracks or worrying about being "comfortable" or "casual." In fact, when the Lord's instructions for handling holy things were not followed, people were struck dead (e.g. Num 3:4).<BR/><BR/>The traditions and customs of the Church come from the Word of God. The traditional liturgy of the Church is nearly word for word from Holy Scripture. It isn't ours to monkey with, but is rather the Lord's. The modern Christian liturgy is the same way (style) of worshiping as did our Lord in synagogue and in Temple.<BR/><BR/>In the Church, the dead have a say as to how we do things - because they are still part of the Church, are still present with us in worship around the Lord's throne. That's what "tradition" (literally: "handing over" see 1 Cor 11:23) is all about. That's how it is G.K. Chesterton could remark: "Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about."<BR/><BR/>I hope this provides some biblical basis for further discussion.Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-62810702385941758082008-02-19T18:36:00.000-06:002008-02-19T18:36:00.000-06:00I greatly appreciate your discerning eye when it c...I greatly appreciate your discerning eye when it comes to those who are doing damage to the Word of God and the Gospel itself.<BR/><BR/>However, I would challenge you to present biblical support for your dogmatic statements. Things like, "Style does change substance," and "the Gospel isn't just a message."<BR/><BR/>You give practical examples of style changing substance, but I they are extreme. I could present more moderate examples that would be much harder to come to conclusions about.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, my question is this: when it comes to authority in our lives, which has more, the bible or our own traditions and customs? This questions pits God's revealed Word against man's opinions and ideas. I think it's important to answer this before embarking on a discussion such as this.<BR/><BR/>A friend of mine has written an article I think you should read:<BR/>http://raydeck3.wordpress.com/2008/02/02/the-language-revolution-begins/<BR/><BR/>Tell me what you think.B.S. Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12717078320507606255noreply@blogger.com