Now if only the Reformed folks would give up their gnostic view of the sacraments.
-A8
Please further elaborate. I am interested in hearing this Anti-Reformed screed.
(Not thinking that you are a prejudiced Anti-Reformer or anything, just because you are Popish ... :o))
The gnostics, as you know, abhor matter. For gnostics, salvation is all spiritual, not physical. So the gnostics aren't too keen on the doctrine of the "resurrection of the body", as well as the incarnation of Christ. They preferred to view the incarnation symbolically. In the same way, gnostics reject the idea that grace actually comes to us through the physical sacraments. For gnostics, sacraments are mere symbols. The idea that salvation of our souls would actually come to us through our bodies, is repulsive to gnostics. They hate the union of body and soul. For them, the spiritual soul must be saved *spiritually*, not through matter. Obtaining salvation through physical sacraments is for them like being told to go dip in the Jordan seven times; it is insulting to their spiritual dignity. So modern day gnostics tell us that the Church is "invisible" and "spiritual", definitely not visible or institutional. Modern day gnostics treat all the sacraments as mere symbols. Modern day gnostics will tell you that to be saved you need to say a "sinner's prayer" and/or "ask Jesus into your heart"; they don't say anything about baptism or confirmation or Eucharist. Modern day gnostics hate liturgy; they want a "spiritual" worship that allows maximum freedom and creativity and individual expression. Liturgy for the gnostics is "rigid", "imposing", "restrictive" and "repressive". And lastly, of course, gnostics hate hierarchy and human authority. Their authority must not in any way be physical; it must be spiritual and in heaven.
-A8