Why (Protestant) Millenials Long for (Catholic/Orthodox) Liturgy

The American Conservative ^ | Gracy Olmstead

[Mrs. Don-o]

On the contrary, I am convinced that I, though unworthy, am in Christ, and Christ in me. I believe He has saved me, I believe He is saving me and in the end, since He is merciful, I hope He will save me.

You, too.

[Biggirl]

Amen and God Bless.

[Biggirl]

Yes,the original mega church.

[John Leland 1789]

You are very easily offended then. Stating what I need or don't need is no prideful. I was a religionist unto December of 1977 when I found Christ in the Scriptures, and came to know Him personally by faith. Since then, missionary work in Asia for over 23 years, and over forty years total ministry has taught us that we don't need liturgy or formalism, and it is as simple as that. Christ is all-in-all; all-and-in-all.

You should find no offense in a man stating liberty from man-made religious form and exercise.

You are correct that freedom in Christ is freedom from everlasting condemnation for sin. That truth alone also frees one from the things that, in religion, had helped the Devil to keep the blinders on (2 Cor. 4:4), so that men trust in their practice of religious form instead of Christ Himself.

[Albion Wilde]

You should find no offense in a man stating liberty from man-made religious form and exercise.

Such as the Eucharist, in your opinion?

[Albion Wilde]

THE Jewish ritual took place in the Holy Temple and will resume when it is rebuilt. And when that day comes, I'm sure the world will see something that out-classes even the Armenians!!!

Here's a site fundraising for the next Temple, and offering a Trump commemorative coin in support:

THE 70 YEARS ISRAEL REDEMPTION- TEMPLE COIN

They have them in alloy, solid silver and gold.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Wow!

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Have any of these Europeanist palaeos ever been to a traditional, pre-modern Regular Baptist service in the Appalachians?

I have never been, but my younger sister did a film not too long ago inspired by this region: in particular the live snake-handling Pentecostals. She wrote her snake-handler character to be poignant, sympathetic, and genuine in his devotion. Not fanatical or anything.

Another tradition, which has great depths to plumb of course is that which sprung from the worship, music, and dance of African-American slaves. The great Negro spirituals of old are some of the most viscerally haunting and profound music in the human canon! We have much to learn from Africa itself as it pertains to worship and artistic/performative expression.

The crisis of worship in modern Evangelicalism has much to do with the values of mass consumerism, technology, and commercial interests invading what should be sacred spaces. It is not unusual for one to leave a worship service, just as buzzed by their devices, and just as fragmented and disconnected as they are in daily life in the 'real world.' This is why I think, you see such a surge in popularity in Eastern spiritual practices like yoga and meditation.

Not to mention the damage suburban complacency/conformity has done in stifling people's most creative impulses, and sterilizing our sense of aesthetic beauty and variety. That is the flip side to economic prosperity I guess.

Unfortunately, the Puritans, followed by the Finney-inspired 19th Century Evangelicals passed on a hyper-dualistic theology regarding the world of the intellect and senses. This paved the path for a national (American) culture in which that which is 'sacred' and that which is 'secular' are distinct and separate. That which is 'body' and that which is 'spirit' are not connected due to the corruption of the flesh.

But in Christ, even our flesh is redeemed!

In the days of old of course, the chasm between the sacred and profane wasn't so wide. Catholicism merged the the pagan and Judeo-Christian worlds to forge a culture in which the CHURCH was the leading authority on the arts, on architecture (Notre Dame being a prime example...) The Church was the leader in scholarship and academia. After all it was Christians who founded all the great universities the West continues to take pride in to this day. Most importantly: Biblical literacy characterized every great writer and thinker regardless of their personal standing with God.

In light of modern realities: I believe it's time that Christians come to explore and embrace all the historic prisms of the Christian tradition. This lays a solid foundation for identity and lineage especially in a country like America, where most everyone descends ancestrally from a place beyond this soil.

I don't use the word 'ecumenical' as it often connotes theological liberalism or interfaith compromise. What I believe in is intra-faith exploration of Christianity through the ages. So that we can be connected to that which is timeless, as opposed to wasting energy trying to be relevant.

[John Leland 1789]

Why would you bring up the “Eucharist?” What is your position about the “Eucharist.” And why not just say, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s table, or communion?

[Mad Dawg]

Hi, Mrs. Don-o!

It's quite remarkable how the mention of a religious practice which might in some respects resemble or be close to Catholicism brings out vituperation, calumny, mischaracterization, and, in the case of some, what seems to be a sort of pride in ignorance.

Your responses are heroically gentle and on the money. I am reminded of an image from Pilgrim's Progress in which a man in white walks among people throwing mud. (I think this is where “mud-slingers” entered usage.) He walks; they throw; his robe remains unspotted.

Since I cut back here I have been tooting the Catholic horn elsewhere, not so much qua Catholic as qua Xtian. I'm sure some here would find that dishonest of me. Tra la. Jesus is Lord. It's all good, or will be.

[Albion Wilde]

This discussion is over.

[Mad Dawg]

Why would the name be of importance?

I don’t ask contentiously.

[John Leland 1789]

It would tend to indicate whether an individual looks at Scripture as more authoritative, or liturgy more so.

[Mad Dawg]

Thanks.

I mostly say/type “Mass,” because it's short. :-)

I was brought up to say “Holy Communion.” I first encountered the word “Eucharist,” in a manual for altar boys that our diocese (Episcopal) put out. I guess I was 7 or 8.

In my alleged mind, these days I am sort of focussing on “The Breaking of Bread,” as I read Acts 2:42. I am working with the idea that the 4 things the Church does are teaching, fellowship, “the breaking of the bread,” and prayers. And, as I read Acts 6, I conclude that “fellowship” had a practical side of providing sustenance to the needy.

They way I get my carbs is I make up a bunch of leavened dough and once it has risen I punch it down and then cut it up and make little balls which wrap separately and freeze. At night I move the next days portion from the freezer to the refrigerator. When I make my food, I roll out the dough and slap it in the frying pan. So I end up seeing and breaking bread ... and that always makes me think of the Lord's Supper, Emmaus, Acts 2:42, etc.

But I think you're right about the liturgical emphasis of the word Eucharist. The prayers we use at the central part of the act of worship are in the form of “blessing God,” the form one sees most simply in the Jewish bracha. And blessing God and giving thanks go hand in hand in my thought.