A Proverb
Written by R.A. Loyd A young monk spoke to an elder after the liturgy service. “Why such formality? Why do we not merely worship as we will, in the Spirit?”
Liturgical Theology Part II
Written by Dr. Tim Brophy ORTHODOXY LEADS TO ORTHOPRAXIS According to Pope Benedict XVI, “theories, in the area of Liturgy, are transformed very rapidly into practice, and practice, in turn, creates…ways of behaving and thinking.” The last portion of this paper will give several examples of the practices that logically flow from the various elements of Benedict’s liturgical theology. First, and perhaps most obviously, kneeling during certain parts of the liturgy fits well with its being an act of corporate prayer and worship.[1] Benedict points out that this is not only fitting for the liturgy but is also biblical. He points to Stephen (Acts 7:60), Peter (Acts 9:40), Paul…
Liturgical Theology Part I
Written by Dr. Tim Brophy INTRODUCTION In October of 1962, Father Joseph Ratzinger, a 35 year-old priest and professor from Bonn, Germany, was brought to Rome to serve as a peritus (i.e. scholarly expert) for the recently convened Second Vatican Council.[1] As their first order of business, the Council tackled the issue of liturgical reform and produced its first document, Sacrosanctum Concilium (i.e. “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy”), on December 4, 1963.[2] Ratzinger, as part of the Council’s progressive wing, whole-heartedly embraced the liturgical reforms called for by the Constitution.[3] Looking back some 35 years later, he was still able to conclude that “the Constitution on the Liturgy, which…
Don’t Objectify Me!
A Theology of Adornment in the Age of Porneia Written by Marcia Smith “Don’t objectify me!” is the loud rallying cry for human dignity heard all across our individual rights obsessed culture today. Speakers addressing the evils of objectification at college campuses can usually expect to find a sympathetic audience of clucking tongues and angrily wagging fingers, most often among the women, as they rain hail fire and brimstone down on the men.1 Society has perhaps never before in history been so characterized by mass disorientation over the human body and the place of freedom. In the current battle over sexual identity and sexual license, and even in…
A Theology of Nakedness In Art
Written by Marcia Smith Curved and tense looms the colossal marble statue of Michelangelo’s David over the public square of Florence’s seat of civic government. Originally commissioned for the rooftop of the Florence Cathedral, he stands just blocks away from it in a wide open space, fully disrobed in a classic Renaissance celebration of the beauty and splendor of pure youth. In allusion to the veiled travesty taking place, his foremother stands outside the Florence Cathedral, clutching an animal skin at her waist in shame, while his promised seed and divine descendent overlooks the interior, resplendent and half-robed on the judgment seat. No explanation is given by the church…
Swimming The Tiber
Written by Jeff Benson INTRODUCTION In the history of Christendom there has always been a struggle for unity within local congregations in order that they might be able to form something greater than they could accomplish by themselves. Jesus in one of his final prayers asks that all believers “may be one”[1] and additionally notes that this is how “the world may believe that you have sent me”[2]. Historically the Catholic Church has sought to fulfill this prayer, by providing a single, unified body that is designed to work together as Christ intended.
Parents and Anglican Youth Ministry
Director of the Young Anglicans Project, Mr. Steven Tighe highlights some of the most important aspects of youth ministry that a parent can inquire about in this article posted by the ACNA. http://anglicanchurch.net/?/main/page/1462
What Then Shall We Do?
Written by Jeff Benson “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39 I am writing this on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Earlier today I was scrolling through my Facebook feed idly looking for the latest video and seeing how my friends were doing, when I came across a most interesting trend occurring within my social circle. The majority of posts I was seeing were somehow tied to a quote spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was then that I realized that I was in complete ignorance of the significance of the day,…
Celebrate Christmas If You A Real G
Written by Adam Coleman I spend a lot of my social media time debating with folks from various worldviews (i.e. Hebrew Israelites, Kemetics) and have picked up a number of Facebook friends that way. So around this time of year I find my timeline littered with Youtube videos, memes, and articles about whether or not Christmas is of pagan origins. Is jolly old Saint Nick just a mythical fat guy with nothing but love for everybody or is he some sort pagan-inspired distraction to an otherwise sacred holiday? Welp, I’ll let that battle rage on amongst the keyboard warriors and talk about something else entirely. After reading up on the…
Consciousness Community Part II
Written by Adam Coleman In my last article, I laid out a context for what appears to be a growing problem in the black community. I discussed the lingering identity issue that seems to grip so many people of African descent and then illustrated how it poses a barrier to the spreading of the gospel as well as a stumbling block for many believers. With this article I provide a more detailed characterization of the sub-culture I have been referring to as the Consciousness Community/Movement (CC).
