tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post1464133374793628407..comments2024-03-28T20:30:10.681-04:00Comments on southern orders: AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND THAT SAVED A "WRETCH" LIKE ME, OR "SAVED AND SET ME FREE?"Fr. Allan J. McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16986575955114152639noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-45771701199334217842010-12-01T09:10:39.427-05:002010-12-01T09:10:39.427-05:00The Reformers did get some things right. It is int...The Reformers did get some things right. It is interesting that both Luther and Calvin find in Augustine the basis for their views on sin, free will, and justification by faith ( which views on Justification by Faith the Church has recently re-affirmed). Augustine places strong emphasis on man's sin, unworthiness, and absolute need for God's assisting Grace in choosing to do good. For him, the will is hopelessly in bondage to sin and, he says, "we are not free until we become slaves to His will." This is echoed in some of the Church Fathers, but it is also weakened or diminished in others. The Reformers, in particular Calvin, were not comfortable with this apparent ambiguity regarding human initiative and man's ability to know the will of God through reason or other means besides the Grace of Christ. This led Calvin to his extreme positions of Total Depravity and Irresistable Grace, and to the "absolutist Christology" which Fr. MacDonald rightly criticizes.<br /><br />If we view Christian theology (including the Reformers) from Augustine to Calvin and forward to Karl Barth and Pope Benedict (the two greatest modern theologians, Protestant and Catholic) as a tapestry, or perhaps a symphony, rather than as a battle between opposing forces, we find nuances of tone and varying counterpoint which provide correctives each for the other. We need to listen, particularly, to the concerns for man's pride and initiative. <br />For, what is this post VatII business of moving the Tabernacle from the High Altar, taking up altar rails, receiving in the hand, de-emphasizing the Tridentine Mass,and introducing man-centered travesties of the Liturgy into the celebration of the Mass but the work of those who see something glorious and praiseworthy in man's initiative and power?Genehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06672484450736725268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-81973508757671341852010-12-01T08:04:05.334-05:002010-12-01T08:04:05.334-05:00I think it's terrific, and I mean that in the ...I think it's terrific, and I mean that in the classical sense. We aways stand before God, knowing that He already knows our sins, and must find it in ourselves to act accordingly, good acts in true contrition. As the Priest, Pope Benedict, stands before us the earthly father. We know from his previous duties and these statements quoted here that he knows full well what went on, what is going on, and why. Many in the congregation feel the fear and rage that builds in a child summoned before a parent, knowing that he already knows what was done. And there but one way out: confession, truth, change. This is epic, for the ages. This man knows what he is doing as a leader, as a Priest.<br /><br />rcgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846189835239594160.post-13216910026207612182010-12-01T06:58:10.687-05:002010-12-01T06:58:10.687-05:00When people in elevated/leadership positions allow...When people in elevated/leadership positions allow their very human side to come out, like the Pope did here, then one gains deeper respect from those whose intentions are genuine. I'm sure he's gotten lots of criticism from 'clerical' catholics and the like for openly cticizing his own church.<br />Those who really have their minds and hearts centered on the church doing God's work appreciate him granting this book interview and saying what he has said.<br />I bet our Holy Father actually bit his tongue quite a lot.<br /><br />Now, I must say that this blog author had tied this book quote to the two forms of the Mass and how differently the two forms view our stance before God. Perhaps it's humbleness of the EF that has drawn me to it.SqueekerLambhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14604597395421612386noreply@blogger.com