BOTH. In the first place, God does not make souls with a cookie-cutter: Every person is unique. Thus a man has a particular differentiation of "mental and spiritual equipment and needs," so to speak, as compared to another man. Moreover, it seems to me that the Holy Spirit can work through rituals just as well as directly on individual souls if He wants to — the Spirit bloweth where it wilt.
Plus the two seem complementary in a certain way, "ritual" symbolizing "body" and "heart-direct" symbolizing "soul." God made man body and soul. They are designed to work together. So why cannot ritual and direct Spiritual presence work together likewise?
Other than that teensy quibble, Dr. Eckleburg, I think your essay/post at #180 is absolutely splendid. Thank you oh so very much dear sister in Christ!
BOTH. In the first place, God does not make souls with a cookie-cutter: Every person is unique. Thus a man has a particular differentiation of "mental and spiritual equipment and needs," so to speak, as compared to another man. Moreover, it seems to me that the Holy Spirit can work through rituals just as well as directly on individual souls if He wants to — the Spirit bloweth where it wilt.
The ungodly need to be saved, it has nothing to do with one's "mental or spiritual needs". He's dead in sins, he has no needs other than salvation, which is from Christ. Works cannot save him, and that means no other person, no object, no ritual, nothing, or you diminish the free gift of Grace, which, per the bible, only comes thru faith.
Now, believing is the "work" (John 6:29) but note, it is the "work of God", so man can't take any credit for it.