Thank you Father, a thoughtful and much needed appraisal of modern Christianity. We are privileged to have a Latin Mass community, with priests and young novitiates who undertake a ten hour round-trip to support the small but rapidly growing congregation in my home town. It is reverent, profound and beautiful, even when offered in a local hall. Pope Francis has ensured there is no room at the inn for tradition, while opening the Vatican for worship by -well anyone. We live in strange, and I would contend pivotal times. Silence is complicity. Too many Bishops look first to their image and media profiles rather than to their Maker and Saviour. Thank you for your witness.
You say that it’s “…it will only do that with public pressure.” May I suggest that public pressure will have little to no effect. We can achieve nothing on our own, we need the Lord. We urgently need prayer for this nation. In 1940, the King called for National Days of Prayer to help Britain through the Second World War, when this nation was at its lowest ebb. And one thing alone saved this nation: prayer. Prayer for repentance and confession of sin is what is required now. We need to be on our knees. This nation has been blessed like few other nations in the history of the world, and yet we have now almost completely turned our back on our Lord and Saviour. Prayer alone will save us. May I ask that if there be any public pressure it be for a National Day of Prayer and Repentance.
The CofE likely needs to die - it's very sad, especially given the things you point out about the comfort of church bells etc. However, I believe in its current form it's too far gone to save. Better to rebuild. My Orthodox parish is growing, to the point we need to move premises, and this is a good sign that the faith isn't dying as a whole. The only problem would appear to be that the vast majority of new members are young men, and not an even balance of young men and women.
But Greece was the first Othodox Christian country to legalise Gay Marriage last month. What's going to stop Othodox Christianity going the same way? Isn't there something fundamentally floored in Christianity that it gradually gets captured by Liberalism?
Yep, I did indeed read about that. Orthodoxy in general is just more resistant to change, for a variety of reasons. But, I think you raise a very good point about someing inherent to Christianity itself regardless of form, however, I don't think I'm qualified to answer it. Perhaps Calvin could jump in here to assist?
I think your assessment is spot on, but how can a broken church heal a broken world? The Church needs to be under one banner before the world will listen to our message.
Thank you Father for, well, everything. You are God blessed. I have a simple request, when referring to a Scripture, could you provided a link? For those of us who are still learning the Word. Bless you.
We need to return to prayer—bold prayers and effective prayers. I sense the Holy Spirit is raising up prayer warriors even now. Let us be found faithful. Reading the hermit- Marie Theresa Coombs books on prayer and spiritual direction is a great way to grow in your spiritual journey. Lord, hear our prayers 🙏✝️
Fr. Calvin, may God continue to bless your work. You are not alone. Your labor is not in vain. Take heart, our Redeemer lives!
Just curious… Have you read much Leslie Newbigin? He offers a unique perspective as an English theologian that served as a bishop in the east. If you have read his work, what is your take on his assessment of the West and suggestions for a corrective course of action?
Amen! Great read and I am praying over these individuals you mentioned, that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives to draw them to know our Savior. Contend for the Faith - it is the only source of Joy, peace and hope for our world
Hello Calvin I saw your video in 2022 on being cancelled by the cofe I was in the anglican church as a boy & then moved to a pentecostal church. We've also been part of a baptist church & are now back at a local elim church. Re praying for muslims I see your point but I myself have prayed for muslims during ramadan. My prayer has been that they would have a REAL encounter with God or our Lord Jesus & know him fully & the truth of the Gospel. Apperently Jesus has appeared to muslims who were on a pilgramage to mecca. Keep up the good work in standing for God & the truth🙂🙏
Agreed. People have always noted that similarities between Islam and Arianism, so it can be argued that Islam is a Christian heresy. But the Christians who were in the region of the birth of Islam were mainly Orthodox or Nestorian, not Catholic.
You have quite a few opinions regarding the CoE but you are not Anglican but rather Old Catholic with a different bishop(s). One of the problems with those advocating for an ancient Christianity (The Great Tradition) is we need to mind the right door in which we enter it. To enter by no door (RC, EO, Protestant) is to have no standing and no piety. It is to be neo-modern in a way which isn’t even realized.
Holy Saint Michael,
The Great Archangel,
Defend us in The Day of Battle,
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil,
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
And may thou, Oh Prince of The Heavenly Host,
By the Power of God,
Cast down to hell Satan
And all the evil spirits
Who wander through the Earth for the ruin of souls.
Amen
Amen !
Such a powerful prayer. Thank you
Thank you Father, a thoughtful and much needed appraisal of modern Christianity. We are privileged to have a Latin Mass community, with priests and young novitiates who undertake a ten hour round-trip to support the small but rapidly growing congregation in my home town. It is reverent, profound and beautiful, even when offered in a local hall. Pope Francis has ensured there is no room at the inn for tradition, while opening the Vatican for worship by -well anyone. We live in strange, and I would contend pivotal times. Silence is complicity. Too many Bishops look first to their image and media profiles rather than to their Maker and Saviour. Thank you for your witness.
Dear Fr. Calvin
You say that it’s “…it will only do that with public pressure.” May I suggest that public pressure will have little to no effect. We can achieve nothing on our own, we need the Lord. We urgently need prayer for this nation. In 1940, the King called for National Days of Prayer to help Britain through the Second World War, when this nation was at its lowest ebb. And one thing alone saved this nation: prayer. Prayer for repentance and confession of sin is what is required now. We need to be on our knees. This nation has been blessed like few other nations in the history of the world, and yet we have now almost completely turned our back on our Lord and Saviour. Prayer alone will save us. May I ask that if there be any public pressure it be for a National Day of Prayer and Repentance.
The CofE likely needs to die - it's very sad, especially given the things you point out about the comfort of church bells etc. However, I believe in its current form it's too far gone to save. Better to rebuild. My Orthodox parish is growing, to the point we need to move premises, and this is a good sign that the faith isn't dying as a whole. The only problem would appear to be that the vast majority of new members are young men, and not an even balance of young men and women.
But Greece was the first Othodox Christian country to legalise Gay Marriage last month. What's going to stop Othodox Christianity going the same way? Isn't there something fundamentally floored in Christianity that it gradually gets captured by Liberalism?
Be grateful to hear your analysis. Thank you.
I for one will not support gay marriage or blessing services in a church. (Same sex blessings)
I am conservative evangelical to the rapture ✝️
Don’t know the answer but believe questions are important. It is humanity that is fundamentally floored and yes my point is kinda circular.
Yep, I did indeed read about that. Orthodoxy in general is just more resistant to change, for a variety of reasons. But, I think you raise a very good point about someing inherent to Christianity itself regardless of form, however, I don't think I'm qualified to answer it. Perhaps Calvin could jump in here to assist?
Thank you.
Let’s start by reclaiming Easter.
Everyone purchase Easter cards (cards with Christian themes only!) and stuff each card with a gift card to local restaurants.
Then pass out the cards to random strangers you meet in daily life.
I will pass out 100 such cards this Easter season, each including a gift card valued between $25-$50.
People are really moved when they receive such cards from random strangers…
I think your assessment is spot on, but how can a broken church heal a broken world? The Church needs to be under one banner before the world will listen to our message.
Thank you Father for, well, everything. You are God blessed. I have a simple request, when referring to a Scripture, could you provided a link? For those of us who are still learning the Word. Bless you.
We need to return to prayer—bold prayers and effective prayers. I sense the Holy Spirit is raising up prayer warriors even now. Let us be found faithful. Reading the hermit- Marie Theresa Coombs books on prayer and spiritual direction is a great way to grow in your spiritual journey. Lord, hear our prayers 🙏✝️
Coexist seems to be the message from all churches and = false unity = nothing changes because nothing can change with a unity that is fabricated.
Jesus Christ is the Truth and may He have mercy on us all.
Fr. Calvin, may God continue to bless your work. You are not alone. Your labor is not in vain. Take heart, our Redeemer lives!
Just curious… Have you read much Leslie Newbigin? He offers a unique perspective as an English theologian that served as a bishop in the east. If you have read his work, what is your take on his assessment of the West and suggestions for a corrective course of action?
Amen! Great read and I am praying over these individuals you mentioned, that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives to draw them to know our Savior. Contend for the Faith - it is the only source of Joy, peace and hope for our world
Hello Calvin I saw your video in 2022 on being cancelled by the cofe I was in the anglican church as a boy & then moved to a pentecostal church. We've also been part of a baptist church & are now back at a local elim church. Re praying for muslims I see your point but I myself have prayed for muslims during ramadan. My prayer has been that they would have a REAL encounter with God or our Lord Jesus & know him fully & the truth of the Gospel. Apperently Jesus has appeared to muslims who were on a pilgramage to mecca. Keep up the good work in standing for God & the truth🙂🙏
Calvin pray that my city Oslo will get a routine Latin Mass. Loved the article!
Amen!
The Catholic heresy of Mohammedanism
This is an interesting phrase. Does this mean that Islam is somehow a distorted version of Catholicism?
Absolutely. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/heresy-of-mohammed-10817
Agreed. People have always noted that similarities between Islam and Arianism, so it can be argued that Islam is a Christian heresy. But the Christians who were in the region of the birth of Islam were mainly Orthodox or Nestorian, not Catholic.
Great article otherwise.
You have quite a few opinions regarding the CoE but you are not Anglican but rather Old Catholic with a different bishop(s). One of the problems with those advocating for an ancient Christianity (The Great Tradition) is we need to mind the right door in which we enter it. To enter by no door (RC, EO, Protestant) is to have no standing and no piety. It is to be neo-modern in a way which isn’t even realized.