It's a pretty interesting feeling when you realize that the education that you received in private Christian school provided you with an oh-so biased and extremely narrow view of Christianity. Am I the only one that had World History classes portraying Catholics as the scary bad guys? Yes, there were scary bad Catholics. Obviously taking advantage of people's fear of hell in order to make a buck is bad. Very bad. So is going to funerals of American soldier's and protesting in the name of God. Very bad. This is the unfortunate truth about humanity. We are an imperfect reflection of Christ. The works that God does through us may be used to bring about His perfect will, but people will always see the stupid human things that we do that distract from that. Like being arrogant, judgmental and unforgiving. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that before the Protestant Reformation in 1517, there was only one Christian church. The Catholic Church. Which was simply a continuation of the body of believers instituted by Christ and his teachings. How many of you know what "Catholic" means? The word means "universal". Which pretty much summed up what the Christian church was at that time. United. Universal.
Although instituted by God, the church was being run by humans and for humans, and it was inevitable that at some point between the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus and the Protestant Reformation, someone would do something dumb and human to mar the reputation of the church. (Like trying to sell indulgences and the 94 other things that Martin Luther referenced in his Theses) The church ultimately should be the spotless Bride of Christ, the hands and feet of Christ on Earth. And it is these things. But it is also made up of people that try to sell indulgences. So began the fragmentation of the Church. And it hasn't stopped. I'm pretty sure there is a new denomination every time I inhale.
I am a prime example of the fact that faith begins in the home. Because of the faith foundation that my parents provided me with, I was able to cling to Christ (who truly is enough) through some very confusing and unsure times. Times of learning and spiritual growth. I intend to make faith a foundational principal for my family in my home; doing that is the greatest gift I can give to my children (besides the whole giving birth to them thing)
I am not rejecting or even changing any of the beliefs that I held when I was attended a Baptist church. Although I have to admit that at the time that I attended that church I had not yet begun to consider the theological questions that I am now, so I didn't necessarily strongly adhere to its specific theological standards and was living on the "fumes" or "basics" of Christianity. Now that I am starting the journey to join the Catholic church, I am simply adding bricks to the foundation that was given to me so many years ago, not knocking it over and starting from scratch. Concepts like purgatory, confession, the honoring of Mary, and baptism aren't just now controversial. They have been debated and re-debated since the beginning of the church. I don't feel like writing a novel, so I'm not going to attempt to tackle any of those at this time, but as I study them more closely in coming weeks I may delve more deeply into them one at a time. Maybe.
There are many churches out there that provide excellent foundations for the Christian faith. But do we really want to just settle for a foundation, or do we want to build the whole house? Hmm. Words to Ponder. (Hee hee...inside joke that some of you will get) I am starting to realize that being an effective Christian requires you to do your history homework. Realizing the history of the church and understanding how the Catholic church can trace its traditions back to the apostles themselves is a very useful brick when building the aforementioned house.
I have to admit there is something just awe inspiring about kneeling and praying in an old church. Looking at the artifacts, stained glass windows. It makes you feel like you have somehow slipped back in time. And in a way that it what you are doing. You are feeling the spiritual connection between you and your spiritual brothers and sisters of the past. It is comforting to observe that while so much has changed in the church in the last 2000 years, the teachings are the same. It's just so cool to feel like you have an actual historical connection to the church of the past. That is definitely something I never experienced in churches made to resemble a school gym. You know what I'm talking about. Hey, a building is a building, I know. The real church is the people that comprise it. However, I for one feel that it adds to the sacredness of the Sabbath when you feel like you are entering a special place; a place not like any other. A place full of history and beauty that we can pass on to future generations.
So I guess that is my rant for the day. Hope I didn't make too many people mad.
Toodles.
Although instituted by God, the church was being run by humans and for humans, and it was inevitable that at some point between the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus and the Protestant Reformation, someone would do something dumb and human to mar the reputation of the church. (Like trying to sell indulgences and the 94 other things that Martin Luther referenced in his Theses) The church ultimately should be the spotless Bride of Christ, the hands and feet of Christ on Earth. And it is these things. But it is also made up of people that try to sell indulgences. So began the fragmentation of the Church. And it hasn't stopped. I'm pretty sure there is a new denomination every time I inhale.
I am a prime example of the fact that faith begins in the home. Because of the faith foundation that my parents provided me with, I was able to cling to Christ (who truly is enough) through some very confusing and unsure times. Times of learning and spiritual growth. I intend to make faith a foundational principal for my family in my home; doing that is the greatest gift I can give to my children (besides the whole giving birth to them thing)
I am not rejecting or even changing any of the beliefs that I held when I was attended a Baptist church. Although I have to admit that at the time that I attended that church I had not yet begun to consider the theological questions that I am now, so I didn't necessarily strongly adhere to its specific theological standards and was living on the "fumes" or "basics" of Christianity. Now that I am starting the journey to join the Catholic church, I am simply adding bricks to the foundation that was given to me so many years ago, not knocking it over and starting from scratch. Concepts like purgatory, confession, the honoring of Mary, and baptism aren't just now controversial. They have been debated and re-debated since the beginning of the church. I don't feel like writing a novel, so I'm not going to attempt to tackle any of those at this time, but as I study them more closely in coming weeks I may delve more deeply into them one at a time. Maybe.
There are many churches out there that provide excellent foundations for the Christian faith. But do we really want to just settle for a foundation, or do we want to build the whole house? Hmm. Words to Ponder. (Hee hee...inside joke that some of you will get) I am starting to realize that being an effective Christian requires you to do your history homework. Realizing the history of the church and understanding how the Catholic church can trace its traditions back to the apostles themselves is a very useful brick when building the aforementioned house.
I have to admit there is something just awe inspiring about kneeling and praying in an old church. Looking at the artifacts, stained glass windows. It makes you feel like you have somehow slipped back in time. And in a way that it what you are doing. You are feeling the spiritual connection between you and your spiritual brothers and sisters of the past. It is comforting to observe that while so much has changed in the church in the last 2000 years, the teachings are the same. It's just so cool to feel like you have an actual historical connection to the church of the past. That is definitely something I never experienced in churches made to resemble a school gym. You know what I'm talking about. Hey, a building is a building, I know. The real church is the people that comprise it. However, I for one feel that it adds to the sacredness of the Sabbath when you feel like you are entering a special place; a place not like any other. A place full of history and beauty that we can pass on to future generations.
So I guess that is my rant for the day. Hope I didn't make too many people mad.
Toodles.
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