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Saturday, April 03, 2010
Renewal: A Holy Saturday Rumination
This one is aimed specifically at non-Christians, so I hope my Christian readers will excuse its tone and thrust.
For reasons that require no elucidation, anti-Christian animus rises to its peak at two times of year: Christmas and Holy Week. The world's evangelical atheists, most of whom are insincere about their real target -- they rarely say a word against Islam -- begin to froth at the mouth around December 18 and Palm Sunday, and don't subside until a couple of weeks later. From their tirades, you'd think that millions of Christians had taken to the streets with whips, flogging everyone who wouldn't fall to his knees at the sight of a Nativity scene or a crucifix. To be maximally gentle about it, that isn't so.
I once lived with a fellow like that. He called himself a "militant atheist." In point of fact, the only thing he was genuinely militant about was sex: he liked it quite a lot, wanted more of it, and saw Christianity and Christian religious convictions as his largest obstacles. Ironically, he was one of the main influences that propelled me back to Christ, though I never told him so.
The anti-Christian animus at Christmastime is distressing and puzzling. Christians are celebrating the Incarnation and Nativity of the Son of God, Who entered the world to free the Jews of Judea from the Levitical Covenant and Mankind at large from the burden of sin. What's objectionable about that? If you don't share our beliefs, celebrate whatever you prefer; no one will stop you. Why do you need to proclaim our faith "irrational" and your equally unverifiable and unfalsifiable faith superior?
But Christmas season anti-Christianity pales in intensity before Holy Week's anti-Christian animus. Here we are, preparing to commemorate the most terrible and most glorious events that have ever occurred, and the militant anti-Christians come swarming out of the woodwork to berate us for our faith and our observances once again. Why? What's the point? Do you expect to make any converts to your faith by calling us "stupid" and "irrational?" I can tell you with certainty that you won't sway me that way.
Perhaps the greatest irony of all is that Christianity has flourished most dramatically at times of oppression, especially religious oppression. How else, pray tell, do you think it became the most widely adopted belief system in human history? Do you consider yourselves clever for providing us with the very fuel by which our faith has been propelled?
We mean something rather different by the word "smart" in the circles I frequent.
In one sense, it simply doesn't matter whether Jesus of Nazareth is or is not divine. His message is what has brought billions to their knees before him:
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way." [Matthew 5:1-12]
And:
Now a man came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?” He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he asked. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false witness, honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself.” [Matthew 19:16-19]
And:
Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22:34-40]
And:
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd arrived, and the man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He walked up to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we use our swords?” Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come out to get him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs like you would against an outlaw? Day after day when I was with you in the temple courts, you did not arrest me. But this is your hour, and that of the power of darkness!” [Luke 22:47-53]
And:
While this was happening, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus replied, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple courts, where all the Jewish people assemble together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said. They know what I said.” When Jesus had said this, one of the high priest’s officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said, “Is that the way you answer the high priest?” Jesus replied, “If I have said something wrong, confirm what is wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why strike me?” [John 18:19-23]
And:
18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 18:34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others said this about me?” 18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 18:37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. [John 18:33-37]
He promised His followers no temporal bounties, no spoils of war, no privilege of abusing others. He claimed only to speak the truth. Do you imagine that He would have had the world-girdling impact He most certainly has -- that thousands upon thousands of His followers, including nearly all His first Apostles, would have accepted death by torture for His sake -- if He had preached hatred, division, and war?
Yes, Christians believe He returned from death. That's what we celebrate on Easter Sunday: the Resurrection of the Lamb of God, Whose blood washes away the sins of men, even those who delay their repentance until the very last instant of their lives. If it really happened -- and please, no BS about how it was "impossible;" if He was and is God, no human limitation could bind Him -- then we received from Him not only the most precious message of love and brotherhood that's ever been enunciated, but a gift of eternal life for which no man can ever be adequately grateful.
Find something objectionable about that, if you can.
I'm mortally tired of the backbiting and contempt. That it should swell at this time of year, in particular, is aggravating and more. It tests me to the limits my nature and my soul can bear.
I pity those responsible for it. In their arrogance and pride, they reject the one Message that could heal the wounds of the world. They distance themselves from the one Teacher who asked nothing for Himself, bade His followers be patient and charitable toward others of different mind, and accepted crucifixion because it was His Father's will that He suffer in place of all Mankind. Then they call themselves "brights."
I concede that that certain pseudo-Christian sects have taught, and still teach, doctrines antithetical to true Christianity, Christianity is not what any man teaches; it's what Christ taught. A sect which contradicts His statements, or departs radically from them, is not Christian, no matter how it styles itself. If you prefer the words of purveyors of hatred, condemnation, and division -- if you'd rather put your stock in the venom and power-lust of men than in the love and forgiveness of Christ -- I can do nothing for you. No one can.
My own Church is not blameless. Too many bishops and priests have dared to pontificate about "what God wants" and "what God hates." God does not hate. He has laid down the laws of nature; that is all. One who defies those laws and fails to repent of it has separated himself from God by his own will. But no cleric can add to or subtract from those laws; they are beyond human power to augment, repeal, or abridge. Their strictures upon Man remain exactly and only the Ten Commandments of Mount Sinai and the two Great Commandments added by Christ.
To go beyond those Commandments in one's demands on others is just as evil as to claim that they don't apply to you. Politicians should reflect on that.
I could go on; I usually can and I often do. But I have duties to discharge and preparations to make.
There will be no Rumination tomorrow. May He Whose Passion shrived us, and Whose Resurrection, which we will celebrate tomorrow morning, renewed the world, shine His light upon all of us, and our posterity unto the end of the world.
May God bless and keep you all.
Comments
Very well written.
As concerning the spirit of the world today, though, I am reminded of Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call EVIL GOOD, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Posted by mostly cajun on 04/03/2010 at 11:35 AMThank you Francis,
And keep strong. You have strengthened my faith, such as it is.
May the road ever rise to meet you-- and all the rest of that lovely prayer too.
Denis
Posted by on 04/03/2010 at 01:20 PMFran,
I started a study of Francis Schaffer’s ‘How Then Should We Live’.It contains some powerful insights.
Posted by Blackiswhite, Imperial Consigliere on 04/03/2010 at 02:40 PMDear Francis,
Excellent post. As a brother in Messiah, I love you and appreciate all that you do in defense of the faith.
Only one problem. Messiah never freed us from anything in the Torah, and specifically stated so in Matthew 5:17-20.
That is why Jews can accept Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah without being in violation of the very specific command not to follow a false prophet who would tell them that they no longer had to follow the teachings (Law) of Moses. If you can find anything in the New Covenant (Testament) that allows us to directly disobey Torah, I would like to see it.
Blessings upon you and yours. Shalom.
Posted by on 04/03/2010 at 03:41 PMMessiah never freed us from anything in the Torah, and specifically stated so in Matthew 5:17-20.
That’s the Jewish / Messianic position, Moshe. Christians hold that “all is accomplished” with the Passion and Resurrection. Also, Christians consider Leviticus, and the parts of Exodus that follow the Ten Commandments, to pertain to the Jews of pre-Christian times specifically, rather than to Mankind as a whole at all times.
Mosaic law was probably best suited to the survival of the Jews in pre-Christian times, especially during the years of wandering, but it isn’t relevant today. So don’t let me hear about you stoning any adulterers or homosexuals!
Posted by Francis W. Porretto on 04/03/2010 at 03:57 PMThank you. It’s Sunday here and it gives me a lot to think about while moving two tons of firewood.
Posted by KG on 04/03/2010 at 05:25 PMMoshe—see comment #4 above—has been back to tell me how wrong I am about the Christian belief that Jesus freed the Jews from the Levitical Covenant. He pontificates that Catholics have “many centuries of bad doctrine to overcome.” His tendentious Messianic-Jewish interpretation of the New Testament, most particularly the Acts of the Apostles, is typical of his cult.
Moshe and his fellows are free to believe what they prefer. However, I don’t enter into doctrinal squabbles here at Eternity Road, especially not with persons who can’t distinguish between the word of God and the words and deeds of men.
I only give one warning. Moshe, you’ve been warned. If you want to promulgate Messianic doctrine, start your own Website.
Posted by Francis W. Porretto on 04/04/2010 at 08:31 AMit simply doesn’t matter whether Jesus of Nazareth is or is not divine. His message is what has brought billions to their knees before him
It was that realization that tore the heart out of my Militant Atheism.
Posted by on 04/05/2010 at 11:48 AM
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