Thursday, July 16, 2009

The church must be out of step with the world

"Brothers and sisters, we ought not to think it strange when there is talk of a persecuted church. Many are scandalized and say that we are exaggerating, that there is no persecuted church. But this is the historical role of the church! It always should be persecuted. A doctrine which goes against immorality, that preaches against abuses, that always preaches good and attacks evil, is a doctrine given by Christ to sanctify hearts, redeem societies. And, naturally, when in this society or in this heart, there is sin, there is selfishness, there is corruption of power, there is envy, there is avarice, well, then, sin jumps up like a serpent when we try to stomp on it, and persecutes the one who tries to pursue evil, sin. For this reason, when the church is persecuted, it is a sign that it is carrying out its mission." Archbishop Oscar Romero, November 25, 1977

"While (God) can love us, He doesn't necessarily agree with all that we do. I know that He certainly doesn't agree with everything that I've done. But when I become aware of when I've fallen into sin, then I, through his grace, repent of that and seek his forgiveness. But blessing individuals who are living a lifestyle that would appear to be outside the bounds of what God has revealed through Holy Scripture, then I think we deny them the opportunity to repent and to seek God's forgiveness.

This is often talked about as a justice issue, and it is! But, for me, I think we do people a great injustice when we encourage them by saying it's OK to do something that I believe God has said, "It's not OK." So it's not a matter of hatred. It's just the opposite of that. It's a matter of love and care and concern for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who have been lead to believe that their lifestyle is OK when, at least up until now the Church has said it's not, and God through Holy Scripture has said it's not. And, so, I guess that's all I have to say at this point." Bishop William Love, July 15, 2009

h/t cmsigler

3 comments:

mousestalker said...

One of the books I read ever year is 'Pilgrim's Progress'. As persnickety as Bunyan is, and he was contentious as all get out, he was right about what it means to be a Christian and how a Christian has to live in the world, but not of it.

For the record, I'm an Anglo-Catholic. I still get a great deal out of Bunyan.

joseph651 said...

I am sorry, but I do not agree with ++Romero, most of the problems involved in the Church were caused by it's leaders. They are suppose to lead us by the written word and it's meaning, not against the holy words in what they think it should say. I had a priest tell me once, listen to what I tell you and not what you read? Bad leadership will reduce the belief in God.

Anonymous said...

Very nice thanks for the sharing...............

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