Apostolic Church

Dear Class,

         What an incredibly potent time within which we live. This week as we study the “Church as Apostolic,” synchronicity surrounds us, in the world, in the church, in our class and in our lives. With the current resignation of the Pope, we are witness to Apostolic Succession on a scale unimaginable as history making unfolds before our eyes. The basis for this line of continuity begins with Peter, the ”rock” of Matthew 16:18-19 and continues to this very day, remaining a pillar of the Catholic credo. While the Roman church holds fast to its ongoing validity, it has been a source of contention in times past (Rausch 98-99, 166-120), and presently towards the future of ecumenical resolution with the Reformed Churches. Throughout Chapter Six, Rausch characterizes the major source of tension between these two as one of authority, the “teaching office” of the former vs. “sola scriptura” of the latter. In my ministerial life I have endlessly encountered this dichotomy and took respite in his closing observation that in attempting to answer the big questions concerning God by clinging exclusively to either of these extremes is to “risk falling into a species of fundamentalism, whether of the Bible or the magisterial text. The Spirit is limited to neither hierarchy nor text: it is present in the whole Church” (130). Amen!

A middle road out from these remote edges is expressed within my faith community as the “Quadrilateral”, a four-fold approach to theological discourse. This model was created by Albert Outer, theologian (SMU) and author of “Methodist Observer at Vatican II (1967). I have designed a graphic depicting this spiritual geometry, which I have attached for your review:

Through the Sullivan readings I was taken deeper into the ministerial root of the word as “one sent out” (154). I was deeply moved by the author’s depiction of Paul, the great apostle, the one who was not personally selected by Jesus, but was hand selected by the Christ. Herein St. Paul’s criteria for apostleship is referenced as “1) to have seen the risen Christ, 2) to have received from him a mission to preach the gospel, and 3) to have one’s ministry confirmed by its fruitfulness, by signs and wonders, and by one’s suffering for the sake of the gospel” (156-157). This amazed me further as Paul states in 2 Cor 11:13, 22-29 that it is his suffering that qualifies his calling, that by paying his dues he is legitimized above the “false apostles.” As an aside, and with all respect, the aforementioned three standards work just fine for me.

From the third chapter of Lumen Gentium come some of the most inspiring words of the Second Vatican Council, “The apostolate of the laity is a sharing in the church’s saving mission. ”Based upon Paul’s ode to equality (Gal 3:28) we are all called to be “the witnesses and the living instruments of the mission of the church itself” (51). The imminent question of how this works in conjunction with the hierarchy is answered on pages 56 and 57, “The sacred pastors should recognize and promote the dignity and responsibility of the laity in the church…assign offices to them…leaving them freedom and scope for activity. Indeed, they should encourage them to take work on their own initiative.” I am especially drawn to the luminescent parting words of the chapter, “In a word: ‘what the soul is in the body, let Christians be in the world.”

Looks like all the provisions, resources and credentials required for the journey…are freely given. Ready to walk?           

               

The Church as Catholic-

I am right there with you Simone and Rose.
Wow... I had never studied catholicity before, as I was also enlightened on what this truly means for the church.
The whole time I was reading the article, I was thinking... Oh my... where have we gotten off thinking we have the authority to judge and make that bold of a declaration when in reference to God's people.  I also was thinking... What would Jesus have done?  Not... what would the Lutheran clergy think or do, but what would the Almighty who reigns above all do?  How would He have responded to such a tragic event?  Within Pastor Morris' respond, he defined what this term Catholicity means.  It is within scripture where we turn to for the infallible word. "The Church is the one body of Christ in which divisions between peoples, specifically Jews and Gentiles, have been overcome." (Colossians 1:24-27)
Rausch states, "As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one, so may thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom."  For the Church is scattered about with different beliefs, doctrine, etc., no doubt, but we are called to be gathered with all... to unite as one body so that we may be the light to unbelievers.
The readings introduced catholicity and what it means.  My prayer is that we all could truly come to an understanding of  the term, catholicity and how each Church should exhibit the "external marks of catholicity, openness to other churches, loyalty to the apostolic tradition, and a universal openness towards all human beings who profess faith in Christ."
Pastor Morris only did what Christ would have done... he reached out to the lost and hurting souls, which is what the Church is called to do and be.
In Jesus Name-  I pray to always have an adequate image of the Church that is visible and real.
God Bless-

Way Too Much to Say

           Family, this weeks readings are very soul stirring to me. It seems to me, as if I am all over the place with my thoughts. I feel so strongly about the need to remain focused on The Lord during these times, sometimes I want to bust. Religion should not be the catalyst to destruction of faith, but the building up of faith. I fear that too often, we forget to remove self, when doing the works of  God. 

Mark 8:34-36 reads, "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (KJV). It's not about what we want, but what thus says The Lord. I'll leave you with this song by Kirk Franklin, Silver and Gold...

What a Week

Hello family, I apologize for the lateness of my posting. I am in my testing or strengthening season, so keep me in your prayers. The main thing that sustains me is the knowledge that God is the same God he has always been in my life. in other words, he has never left or forsaken me in my past, so I know He is with me through it all. I keep the poem, "Footprints in the Sand" in my mind as well, to help me realize that it is not by my might, but by God's that I am able to keep moving forward.

As for the readings, I was greatly moved by Rausch's statement, "In its complexity, the Church is both visible and invisible, one and many, mystical body and visible assembly, united by the Spirit and expressed in structures of sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion (cf LG. 8)." In that simple descriptive phrase, one can get a clearer understanding of what Church is supposed to be. As we go through life's journeys, it sometimes becomes confusing to some what  the purpose of going to church at all is about. The Bible states in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (KJV). Therefore we are all commanded by God to come together, led by the Spirit of God. There was no mention about it just being men. Acts 2:17 let's us know, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" (KJV).

Do I believe women should hold titles, and occupy positions, normally held by men? I'm not completely sold on the idea. I feel that part of the problems plaguing the world today, is people not having an understanding their roles in God's plans for us.

That's why the Rachel Zoll article was kinda sad to me. We as the body of Christ, have got to get past our own agendas, and come together. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (KJV). Pastor Rob Morris did what any person of God was supposed to do in a time such as that. People were hurting, and they needed to not only know about The Lord, but feel God's presence as well. What better way of expressing that, than to show it. It's not as if he went against his beliefs, and decided he was going to denounce his religion to become a Muslim. He availed himself to hurting soles, who didn't all happen to be Lutheran. What do y'all think?

I grow weary when people try to make their own personal agendas, be about religion, or religious doctrines. I'm not saying that this was the case in what happened to Pastor Morris, but it certainly seems as though that's what all of this was about. People are going to think and feel whatever they want to, reprimanding him will probably have a more adverse affect upon someone who may be lost, and was looking for a place to worship God. Pastor Morris's words may have moved someone to turning their life back to serving God. Many walk away from the church because they do not understand nor agree with certain doctrines associated with "church". Pastor Morris's presence showed Christ-like behavior, as opposed to church doctrine. Matthew 18:20 says it best, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (KJV).

With full freedom, I declare

Dear Friends,
This is an amazingly unique and historical time to be studying the Church.  The Church itself has become our curriculum with Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on February 12.  We watch and wait with the global catholic Church for the conclave to begin on March 1 to see which direction the Spirit will lead the Church next.  It is a blessing to share this time with you.
Daniella