Sunday, December 18, 2011

Promptsies!

1. Martin Luther wasn't a big fan of Catholicism. Why? He also hd an issue with James 2:26. Why?

2. What religious beliefs and practices would you make public and/or keep private?

3. The "Clap Unto Others" Theorem

1. From Memory (even though I was told to do research) from what I can recall ofthe actual text Martin Luther wrote in his 95 Theses...

It occured in 1505 (I think) and was a criticism of the Catholic Church. Martin Luther was educated and studied the Bible. He saw several things wrong with the way Catholics were presenting it to people.

(1) People were being told by priests that they had to buy slips of paper to get into heaven. Martin Luther knew the key to Salvation was through God and Christ's sacrifice. He felt that people were being misguided and led astray.

(2) The Pope had excesses of jewels, gala parties, and power. He said that his word was equal to the Word of God and Martin Luther found this offensive. Luther felt that no man, save for Christ, had equal power or authority of equivalency to God. This was one of the reasons he wanted people to read the Bible for themselves -so they could know for themselves what God Himself spoke or wanted people to know -not the bias, second-handed opinion of the Pope.

(3) He didn't like the fact that priests couldn't marry -at least I think that was something he disagreed with.

And that was the main portion of it. I don't think he was a big fan of their rituals either, which he felt were unnecessary distractions.

As for James 2:26... "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

From what I've learned, this seems somewhat contradictory to what Jesus was saying. Jesus said over and over that He wished He didn't have to keep performing miracles because the point was for people to believe/ have faith in God -not His works. And it also seems like He said that as long as you believe in Him, and live your life by his guiding hand, then you will be saved. I don't recall Him saying you had to do works to prove your worth. In fact, didn't He say that it didn't matter how much effort a man showed his faith to be because some will only do works for show, while others who do less can actually have more faith. Faith/Spirit trumps works. Jesus didn't want people to do nothing, but He wanted them to know that what they did in this life wouldn't measure up to their Soul's place in the next life. And it's fair when you take handicapped people into consideration. They may not be able to physically do as much work as others, but they can still show Faith and hold the Spirit.

Just a guess, but that may have been why Martin Luther didn't like that passage either. Especially if Catholics were using it as an excuse to justify added rituals.

2. What practices and beliefs would I express in private and in public? Wells... I don't see why you should hide your beliefs from others as long as you don't force them on people and are openly respectful of whatever views others have. In fact, I'd say a major issue in this country is that too many people Don't share their views for fear of offending someone or being judged by them, while others Shout! their views at people with no regard for the beliefs of others. It's not what you have to say -it's how you choose to say it. 

As for practices, I think some spiritual practices are better to do in private -not because of fear or shame, but because of the Silence and Calm that can be found when one shuts out distractions. Meditation for example would be hard to do in a public space. Things like that, where you try to focus inwardly to find peace within yourself -is better done alone to aid in focus. And as a general rule, if you feel uncomfortable doing religious practices in front of others because of fear -either overcome your fear or accept it and do your practices in private. The main goal isn't to prove yourself to others, but to prove yourself to You and more importantly God.

3. The "Clap Unto Others Theorem". This was officially established by me yesterday.

It's graduation day. 4 long years of late nights studying, meeting new friends, fearing failed classes, meeting deadlines, doing research, stretching your mind til it feels like an elastic band... And now it's your moment. A moment to step back and look at all you've learned and accomplished. Not just accomplished in terms of academics, but how you've grown and developed as a Person. You are not the same as you were when you first started college-you are greater. And your family and friends have come to see and congratualte you for your efforts.

You stand in line, getting closer to the moment. You hand your name off to be read and head on towards the man holding your diploma. At last your name is called out... and you hear silence followed by the quiet sound of clapping. You grab your diploma and listen. Nothing now. The next person behind you gets their diploma and is met with the same pitiful display of acknowledgment. One person actually gets a woot cry from their little group out in the audience of over 300 people.

What the hell? I only knew one person at the graduation at Arkansas Tech University and I was applauding the whole first half of the ceremony. Nobody else clapped for the people they didn't know. Teachers didn't applaud either. At one point the students applauded for someone getting their diploma, but only once. This is bull. How much better and more enjoyable would it have been for everyone to applaud at the same time for EVERYONE???

People were just sitting their breathing air -no energy or awareness. They probably would have had more fun sitting on the couch watching a Shamwow commercial. Come on! Really? No rally? Just because it isn't your kid graduating doesn't mean that individual didn't out in just as much effort to obtain that degree. Some of those people have actually gone through greater struggles. A girl in a wheelchair rolled across the stage, and only 5 people clapped for her. A Wheelchair!

This is a sad reflection of our state as a society. We only applaud for those we know because we feel obligated to. And then we expect everyone to clap for us, but the same favor is returned ad the only people applauding are the poor obligated individuals we know. Why can't we be genuinely happy for those who succeed -even if it's not ourselves or someone we know? Why can't we share each others victories as if we were all on the same team cheering for a win?

1 comment:

  1. "Just a guess, but that may have been why Martin Luther didn't like that passage either. Especially if Catholics were using it as an excuse to justify added rituals." ---- bingo.

    The Biblical reality is that one should not elevate faith OR works too high. One leads to uselessness, the other leads to gracelessness. Both have to be there in equal measure, and both are shown to be the qualities of every holy man in the Bible.

    Good job.

    VERY good assessment of the public vs private worship. I got on some people's nerves with that sermon...the people who like to show off their work for God too much. =)

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