I believe that much of the discomfort with sacrificial language comes from the fact that the Blessed Sacrament is not offered to the Heavenly Throne e.g. by being burnt as incense, but is rather afforded to the congregation (my Body, broken for you) as a grace to be eaten.
But this is of course still sacrificial, and so watering down the language merely diminishes the proceedings rather than enriching them.
Ok. I have read your article, and I appreciate the perspective you are coming from. I stand in unison with you on this key point:
"To Christians, we are the new Israel - the spiritual Israel - the Church is a continuation of God’s chosen people. The Old Testament points toward the coming of Christ, and the New Testament speaks of His fulfilment of the old prophecies and promises of God. No one is replaced, but everyone is welcomed in. The Jews who followed their Messiah - the Christ - became members of the Church, and the Gentiles who joined them were grafted in. This is a marvellous gift our Lord has given us."
This is historical Christianity. And those who deny it simply do not understand how they are undermining the work of the Lord and his Apostles.
But I don't think you made your case well with Protestantism. You may have shown why it is deficient from your perspective, but not why it is Jewish. I would argue that dispensationalism is exactly what you said, it is the Judaisation of Christianity.
But I think this Judaising can creep into any denomination or church. It was even creeping in with Peter in Galatians 2, which demonstrates this, profoundly.
I see many aspects of this in my wider denomination, evangelicalism in particular, and Protestantism in general. But I also see it in the high church denominations, like Catholicism.
For instance the importation of the priesthood, which has the mix of Roman practice, and Hebrew high priestly practice, the emphasis on the tradition of the elders (church tradition) over scripture, instead of an aid and commentary as it should be, and more.
I think it is easier, at times, to see how Judaising has impacted other Christians, rather than ourselves, again highlighted by St Peter.
I really appreciate a lot of your work, even though we are of different traditions. I think seeking to challenge the Judaising of the church is important. Paul spent much of his ministry doing that. He would be horrified to see modern Christians teaching that there is two people's of God, one in Christ, one in the flesh. This is a repudiation of his teaching on the issue. He would be horrified, but not shocked, as he saw this sort of teaching heaps in his day.
This is devastatingly true, Fr. Calvin, and I admire you so much for saying this so clearly, and so bravely. We so want to get up to Grand Rapids and meet you, but we want to make sure you're not on some junket with Lawrence!
I believe that much of the discomfort with sacrificial language comes from the fact that the Blessed Sacrament is not offered to the Heavenly Throne e.g. by being burnt as incense, but is rather afforded to the congregation (my Body, broken for you) as a grace to be eaten.
But this is of course still sacrificial, and so watering down the language merely diminishes the proceedings rather than enriching them.
Ok. I have read your article, and I appreciate the perspective you are coming from. I stand in unison with you on this key point:
"To Christians, we are the new Israel - the spiritual Israel - the Church is a continuation of God’s chosen people. The Old Testament points toward the coming of Christ, and the New Testament speaks of His fulfilment of the old prophecies and promises of God. No one is replaced, but everyone is welcomed in. The Jews who followed their Messiah - the Christ - became members of the Church, and the Gentiles who joined them were grafted in. This is a marvellous gift our Lord has given us."
This is historical Christianity. And those who deny it simply do not understand how they are undermining the work of the Lord and his Apostles.
But I don't think you made your case well with Protestantism. You may have shown why it is deficient from your perspective, but not why it is Jewish. I would argue that dispensationalism is exactly what you said, it is the Judaisation of Christianity.
But I think this Judaising can creep into any denomination or church. It was even creeping in with Peter in Galatians 2, which demonstrates this, profoundly.
I see many aspects of this in my wider denomination, evangelicalism in particular, and Protestantism in general. But I also see it in the high church denominations, like Catholicism.
For instance the importation of the priesthood, which has the mix of Roman practice, and Hebrew high priestly practice, the emphasis on the tradition of the elders (church tradition) over scripture, instead of an aid and commentary as it should be, and more.
I think it is easier, at times, to see how Judaising has impacted other Christians, rather than ourselves, again highlighted by St Peter.
I really appreciate a lot of your work, even though we are of different traditions. I think seeking to challenge the Judaising of the church is important. Paul spent much of his ministry doing that. He would be horrified to see modern Christians teaching that there is two people's of God, one in Christ, one in the flesh. This is a repudiation of his teaching on the issue. He would be horrified, but not shocked, as he saw this sort of teaching heaps in his day.
Thanks for your thoughtful article.
Thank you for providing a thoughtful reply. 👍
Absolutely 💯 truth. Fr. this is an excellent article and thank you for having the courage to write it. ✝️
This is devastatingly true, Fr. Calvin, and I admire you so much for saying this so clearly, and so bravely. We so want to get up to Grand Rapids and meet you, but we want to make sure you're not on some junket with Lawrence!