Posted on 11/24/2015 7:45:41 AM PST by Salvation
I have started reading through a recently published book called Subtracting Christianity: Essays on American Culture and Society. It is an anthology of the writings of Joseph Sobran (1946-2010), long-time editor at National Review and a keen observer of culture and its intersection with faith. I recommend it highly, for its penetrating observations and its sober portrait of what happens when we remove Christianity from our culture, the same Christianity that was fundamental in our making.
I'd like to present just a short passage from the first article in the book, and then add some feeble comments of my own. I'm sure that as I read through the articles I will post more reflections, but for today, I offer just this brief meditation.
Sobran writes beautifully of the strange resistance that the world has for Christ:
Great as Shakespeare is, I never lose sleep over anything he said. . . By the same token nobody ever feels guilty about anything Plato or Aristotle said . . . We aren't tempted to resist them as we are tempted to resist Christ (Subtracting Christianity pp. 1-2).
I have often pondered the world's special hatred for and resistance to Christ and His Body, the Church; it is unparalleled. Few of the Protestant denominations experience this hatred. The Buddhists don't seem to be subject to it, nor do the Muslims even despite all the recent terrorism.
There is almost a knee -- jerk, visceral reaction to Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church that is so over the top, so irrational, that one has to marvel at it. The world doth protest too much. Why?
Is it fear? Perhaps. But the Church is not powerful enough to “force our views†on everyone, as some who hate us say we do.
There is no rational explanation for the intense fear and hatred of the world for Christ and Catholicism except to echo the words of Christ Himself:
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without cause' (Jn 15:18-25).
Yes, they hated Him without cause -- at least any rational cause. For indeed, there must be a cause. But it is so irrational and hateful that I surmise it must be that Satan himself is interacting with our flesh. Satan hates Christ in a way that he doesn't hate Mohammed, or Luther, or Deepak Chopra. Christ is a true threat, so Satan rages. And the world and flesh draw from this rage and fear.
Think I'm exaggerating? Try to get excerpts from the Quran studied in public school and the reaction is almost non-existent. But try to get a gospel studied and the lawsuits and public outrage are nearly instantaneous. Why do the "Christmas wars" target not only nativity sets and Santa (who, by the way, is a secular remake of St. Nicholas), but now even the colors red and green? Talk about excessive and over-the-top; the rage and fear is out of control!
Sobran says it well: Christ makes people lose sleep in ways that others do not. His words and teachings touch a core that others never do. That the world bristles is a compliment. Jesus Christ has to be taken seriously. You may be mad, or sad, or glad, but no one goes away from Jesus Christ unchanged or merely "informed." His words have an authority that demand a response. And the world seems to know this and thus bristles at Jesus. Some love Him, some hate Him, but few are neutral to Him.
Ask yourself, "Why is this so?" Could it be that Christ really is who He says He is: Lord and God? Could it be that it is His voice echoing in your conscience? Call this the argument from irrational hatred and fear. Rank it up there with the argument from motion or the argument from design. This strange, irrational, and excessive fear; this anger toward and even hatred of Christ attests to the truth of His claims to be the One whom we will either love or hate. We cannot serve two masters (cf Mat 6:24).
Shakespeare doesn't make you lose sleep, neither does Plato or Aristotle. Why is that?
To every secularist and atheist, I direct these questions: Why do you protest Christ and His Church so much? Why do you exaggerate our power? If we really are irrelevant, if our "day is over" and we are laughably outdated, then why the fear, anger, and protest? Do our "myths" scare you? But if they are mere myths, then why the fear and protest? Why don't you direct the same wrath at Buddha? Is it that still, small voice in your conscience?
What is it? Why your sleepless wrath?
Sobran observes the odd spectacle of greater intensity for Christ from his opponents than his friends in these words:
Sometimes I think the anti --- Christian forces take Christ more seriously than most nominal Christians do…[Indeed] Such a strong and unique personality [as Christ had] could only meet strong and unique resistance. That is why Christians shouldn’t resent the resistance of those who refuse to celebrate his birth [and protest us doing so]. In their way, these people are his witnesses too. (Ibid pp 7-8)
Principalities. I would not want to be them.
Principalities. I would not want to be them.
“Once in faith, the miraculous likely recedes”
I think you’re on to something there. As Pope St. Gregory wrote, “There are in truth three states of the converted—the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning, they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle, the contests of temptation; and in the end, the fullness of perfection.”
Funny how the author falsely imagines "Protestants" aren't also part of "the church". Roman Catholicism has deserved much of the animosity aimed at it. Comparing resistance to Jesus Christ and resistance to the Catholic church as somehow the same thing is ridiculous and elitist and WRONG.
I just tried to stick with responding to the atheist hatred as presented in the article:)
Absolutely agree!
I’m sure there was a senior Mother Superior who still gave her grief that she did not ‘sign out.’:)
Yes that was a joke.
Let's not pretend some Catholics don't have that SAME mindset. We see it often on these threads.
I’m for both sides ‘getting over’ that battle. We have much more to face and fear in 2015.
So am I.
I like that. I’m somewhere in that awful middle! Praise God for his loving kindness.
Amen.
I have often pondered the world's special hatred for and resistance to Christ and His Body...Why? That's the way of the world until the message of salvation that Jesus taught is taken to heart by individuals. Bear in mind "His Body" is made up of every born again Christian that is sincerely bearing their cross and are sold out to Jesus. Members of the Catholic Church are NOT exclusively "His Body" but only those that are born again followers of Jesus are part of the body of Christ.
I have often pondered the world's special hatred for and resistance to Christ and His Body, the Church; it is unparalleled. Few of the Protestant denominations experience this hatred.How ironic.
Just pronouncing that "His Body, the (Catholic) Church" can just as easily be seen as hate towards "Protestants" and the other OTC believers.
That along with pronouncing that those that have left Catholicism to draw closer to Jesus being told they will ALWAYS be Catholic. And that they are "branded" ie have a "mark" on them that cannot be removed
Pretty strong words to keep those that wish to leave being held captive to Rome.
Here's what in some translations is called a "mark"--It's the holy spirit sealing Christians:
King James BibleChristians are sealed with the Holy Spirit not "marked" or branded by a denomination. Fear tactic to keep people from growing in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit...Ephesians 1:13
Funny how the author falsely imagines "Protestants" aren't also part of "the church". Roman Catholicism has deserved much of the animosity aimed at it. Comparing resistance to Jesus Christ and resistance to the Catholic church as somehow the same thing is ridiculous and elitist and WRONG.
Great answer boatbums.
I have embraced their designation of OTC Christians as "Separated Brethren"
Separated from a denomination's clutches into a personal relationship with Jesus.
Joe Sobran bump
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