Posted on 02/26/2010 7:32:49 PM PST by marshmallow
On a recent evening, about 60 people—ex-Episcopalians, curious Catholics and a smattering of earnest Episcopal priests in clerical collars—gathered downtown for an unusual liturgy: It was Evensong and Benediction, sung according to the Book of Divine Worship, an Anglican Use liturgical book still being prepared in Rome.
Beautiful evensongs are a signature of Protestant Episcopal worship. Benediction, which consists of hymns, canticles or litanies before the consecrated host on the altar, is a Catholic devotion. We were getting a blend of both at St. Mary Mother of God Church, lent for the occasion.
One former Episcopalian present confessed to having to choke back tears as the first plainsong strains of "Humbly I Adore Thee," the Anglican version of a hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas, floated down from the organ in the balcony. A convert to Catholicism, she could not believe she was sitting in a Catholic Church, hearing the words of her Anglican girlhood—and as part of an authorized, Roman Catholic liturgy.
And that was not the only miracle. Although the texts had been carefully vetted in Rome for theological points, the words being sung were written by Thomas Cranmer, King Henry VIII's architect of the English Reformation. "He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel," the congregation chanted, "as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever."
The language of this translation of the Magnificat, one of Christianity's two great evening canticles, is unfamiliar to many Episcopalians today, as it comes from earlier versions of their Book of Common Prayer. Yet a number of former Anglicans are eager to carry some of this liturgy with them when they swim the Tiber, as Episcopalians becoming Catholic often call the conversion. "I wonder why the phrase 'and there is no health in us' was omitted from the...................
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It’s nice out that way. My son went to school in Missouri. It’s a lot different terrain than I’m used to here.
No, Christianity is the one and only way to God. Christianity is defined by God, not man.
Religion, as used in the Bible, is everything but Christianity. Religion is defined by the men that create it.
Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, and whatever, are all as defined by men. Christ defined his church, and based it upon himself, the Rock cut without hands, the "Head of the Corner" (as in the top of a pyramid).
The only real church is thus non-denominational, and its many congregations hold only the name of its creator, Jesus Christ. Their members test their beliefs by God's written word, by prayer, and by 'testing' the spirits, as revealed by the Apostle John in his epistle:
1Jo 4:1"Yes, we are all accountable to Christ, but how does that prevent false teachers, preachers, and prophets from misleading people?"
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
By prayer, and by believing God's word, not the fallible constructs and traditions of men. If it cannot be found in the word, it is not from God. - Be a Berean!
Acts 17:
10: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Thank you. E-S. Good job....
Read the Word yourself and rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you. Religion is what leads people astray, such as the Catholic Church and all of its extra-Biblical teachings. Draw close to Christ Himself, not to man’s religious efforts to reach God.
And there are many who rely on MOPIOS for their misguided interpretation of scripture. Take your pick.
And there are many who rely on MOPIOS for their misguided interpretation of scripture. Take your pick.
I do not know what MOPIOS is.
No, Christianity is a relationship with the Lord. It’s a way of life. Religion is a system of do’s and don’t’s, trying to work yourself to God. I trust the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth.
Magisterium’s own personal interpretation of scripture.
Sorry, but religion is an impostor to christianity.
Everything that I have stated is based upon the authority of the word of God. I claim nothing that is not therein written.
There are “theological differences” even between individual congregations of each denomination. I believe nothing that cannot be found written in the word of God. That is the only reliable authority on Earth. I care nothing about what any denomination may or may not believe.
Your words offer only dark confusion from your Father, the Devil. To follow your reply is to give him comfort.
ph
I live in the same situation and have observed the same thing. Also, both of my sons went to RC High Schools and the lack of Scriptural knowledge is comparable with the secular world.
Membership can be very misleading. I am a member of a church that has 1,800 listed members, but every Sunday we have around 4,000 in attendance. About 25% of our membership are ex-RC's. If that stat is a constant we have another 550 RC's attending every Sunday that haven't become members and are being counted at their old RC parish.
Religion is external practices not internal regeneration
That nails it perfectly!
I try :)
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