Martin Luther simply could not agree with the Catholic practice of indulgences which was the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence was granted by the church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution, and PAID the church. Thus we got the Protestant revolution.
Those who lived thousands of years ago, didn’t know any better!
Today, one has to ask how is it that sacrificing a dove that you bought from the priest would get you favor with God? Does God need thousands of doves, lambs, and so forth? In some societies it was far more difficult to fathom. For some, sacrificing the first born male child would somehow get favor on children 2-6. Looking back on such practices we have to shake our head in shock.
We are far more civilized today!
We no longer sacrifice animals, nor humans. We no longer pay for indulgences. But we still believe, albeit more subtley, that we can BUY GOD OFF! We still have our means of attracting the attention of God, by flattering Him with offers of repentance (usually quickly retracted), promises of fasting, and a giving up of chocolate or Starbucks (who would do that?) in return for the favor of God
There’s an interesting difference between Occidental and Oriental thinking in this arena.
In the West we will barter, beg, and make a deal with God if he will get us out of the predicament that we’re in. In the East the prayers are more that God give them the strength to go through the trial, testing, or ordeal. God is not a genie, nor a grandfather longing to give whatever makes grandchild happy.
What gets the attention of the One, the I AM, that we all are, is a sincere relationship, intimacy, love, and time together. We in the West want the quick fix and that’s one reason that meditation and contemplation are not popular. It’s one reason why deliverance is becoming more popular. Take the demon out NOW so that we can get on with life.
Why would they think God would respond to a sacrificed lamb? And why would we today think that God would be anxious to “cut a deal”. Think about it. And then see what results you might get by spending more quiet time with God vs. making some “deal”.
Amen to that Ernie I find that is the hardest thing to do is spending quiet time with God.
Love Dan
Ernie- Just finished Spong’s “Eternal Life: A New Vision”. Here’s my take on what Spong said about this issue.
Increasingly I see the church as an organization for the spiritually immature. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying this in an elitist way, thinking I am better than others. I am not. However, the traditional church seems to be like a body of children vying for the approval of a heavenly parent. Also, it is engaged in a medieval attempt at the manipulation of the divine, for their benefit. I see the church increasingly retreating into unreality.
Don- It’s one of Spong’s BEST. Not many religious people could read the book and last until they get to chapter 17 and then the epilogue where he finally shares the answer to- Is There Eternal Life. Religion is a place many must go on the journey to true spirituality; however, too many stop at religion and never transcend it.
“Every lifeline leads its own way to the Heavens”, as Josh Groban sings. I am thankful for all of the “stuff” with which the church has indoctrinated me, because it continues to make the joy of the Discovery that “I AM the Truth” all the more profound. It took me a while to get there, and I am still learning to forgive those areas in my past in which I blame person, place or thing for my own missteps.
Religion certainly has its place as a cohesive unit, but it simply fails to be adequate in so many areas. Even so, I continue to learn that “God has made everything for its purpose–even the wicked (can you say religion?) in the time of trouble.” Neville reminds us that true Inner Vision tests the individual’s ability to enter into and partake of the nature of the opposite.
“We in the West want the quick fix and that’s one reason that meditation and contemplation are not popular. It’s one reason why deliverance is becoming more popular. Take the demon out NOW so that we can get on with life.”
This statement cracks me up! So true. I spent way too much time in the deliverance stuff in years past. Was there any difference in people AFTER they were dramatically and quickly delivered? Not much, if any. Contemplation of and time with the Divine is key. These quick fixers don’t usually want to hear that though. “Just let me pay for it or let me go through a tremendously embarassing deliverance ordeal and be on my way.”