[livius]

This is a line I liked:

The preacher of the Spiritual Exercises added that "there are relative values, such as solidarity, love of peace and respect for nature. If these become absolute, uprooting or even opposing the proclamation of the event of salvation, then these values become an instigation to idolatry and obstacles on the way of salvation."

"Peace" is not a value in itself, but depends on the absolute values, probably particularly Truth. So many churches have gone astray by ignoring the absolute values and exalting the relative values, which cease to exist and even become dangerous once you remove the absolute to which they refer. Sometimes when I hear the words to some of the hymns they write nowadays, I think the Antichrist must be already here among us!

[Quix]

Agreed.

Though I don't have such a problem with SOME of the modern worship music's words--though I prefer a lot of the classics of the faith more.

Even a lot of the choruses are Biblical enough and Christ centered enough. Some may be over simplistic or over redundant.

And, you may be aware of many I'd agree with you on but am not aware of.

But I absolutely deplore the worship music volume being tenaciously pegged literally at 95-125 and even 150db. That's cruel and inhuman punishment. Especially to babies! Sheesh!

And when one complains, in far too many churches, one is labeled a trouble maker or not very spiritual or some such idiocy.

[redgolum]

The spirit of AntiChrist has been in the Church since the beginning. Paul warned of it. What we are seeing is the rise of an AntiChurch, in a way which we didn't see before. Beyond schism and heresy, which have also been since the beginning, the biggest threat to Christianity today is that many have "A form of Godliness, but denying its power". How many people have you met who only view the teachings of Jesus as a philosophy? How many pastors/priests have you met that do that?

I haven't read the story cited in the article, but have heard it mentioned a few times. Pelakin talks of it in "Jesus Through the Centuries".

[Quix]

So many churches have gone astray by ignoring the absolute values and exalting the relative values, which cease to exist and even become dangerous once you remove the absolute to which they refer.
= = = =

TRue.

Thankfully, folks are not bothering to attend such congregations in increasing numbers. Those where the raw unmitigated CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED is still preached are growing.

[Marysecretary]

I believe he is. Peace, as I've just been reminded, is a fruit of the spirit. So, no Spirit, no peace.