That is because there is no "altar" in most Protestant churches. There is no need to sacrifice Christ again. His one-time perfect sacrifice was offered to and accepted by God at Calvary, per Hebrews.
Protestant churches have pulpits facing the congregation rather than altars facing away from the congregation. That's because church is where the word of God is to be preached.
And as for being austere, give me Cromwell's violent sweeping away of the altar's pagan accoutrement's any day. In church our minds and hearts are to be on His word and His Holy Spirit within us, not on the smells and bells and pretty pictures of man-made baubbles which crack under pressure and tarnish in the light of the Son.
On target, sis. Would that more Protestant churches would actually preach and teach the Word instead of put on productions that entertain worldlings.
“smells and bells and pretty pictures,
of man-made baubbles which crack under pressure’
and tarnish in the light of the Son.”
I’m working on the melody line for these lyrics and will have them ready for opening night.
Have a glorious and Godly weekend!
In Christ...Alone!
So, you are in favor of a government violently seizing a faith community's property, destroying it, and taking away their freedom of religion? Thanks for clarifying that.
***That is because there is no “altar” in most Protestant churches. There is no need to sacrifice Christ again. His one-time perfect sacrifice was offered to and accepted by God at Calvary, per Hebrews.***
Do you think so little of what Christ did that you would be willing to deny the importance of the sacrifice of the Mass? I know, I know. Paul didn’t tell you guys personally to follow the words of Christ, so you don’t. You guys don’t believe in Transubstantiation; the words and actions of the first Christians were so much hooey and the Church Fathers are considered by the Reformed to be incompetent fools. St. Augustine is merely one of the misled, until the Reformed delves into his heretical period, and then, by gosh, it’s all love and devotion and brotherhood.
The priest, as a member of the congregation should be looking, with the people, up to God and addressing Him as a people, not as in the Protestant prayer barns with the prancing, dancing, shouting, haranguing, snake oil salesmen shaking their fists, stamping their feet, and pounding their Bibles.
Look at the televangelists. They are trying to be rock stars, or great and wise statesmen, or squeeze the tears from your eyes as they squeeze the cash from your wallet.
I find it easier to be in a spiritual frame of mind in a Catholic Church as opposed to a gymnasium or arena. But if somebody finds differently, so be it. The place that I have felt the greatest presence of God is in the Dom in Cologne, Germany. The feeling was almost overwhelming as I walked into it. No, I haven’t been to St. Peter’s yet.
Westminster Cathedral was also awe inspiring, and we have a number of places like that in the US and Canada.
Then why do they call it an “altar call”?