Resistance or accommodation?
Sr Clare's comment on my last posting was useful indeed and, if I may call it so, a jolt. Following the debates around Martin Luther's Theses and Articles, including the prestations at the Diet of Worms (featured on Radio 4's 'In our Time' this week), there is no way of avoiding the fact that Luther became at times vindictive (see John Osborne's play: 'Luther'), but also blatantly anti-semitic. What is more, according to Diarmaid MacCulloch, the reformation Historian, Luther was deeply disappointed and even insulted that Jews were not turning to Christianity, as he felt that he was living in the last times. As a result of that disappointment, he supported the torching of Jewish businesses to name but one atrocious reaction.
Of course, it is ridiculous to write about Luther and Niebuhr in one short posting. For that please accept my apologies. However, Niebhur has been used by both American Neo-Conservatives and by left wing Liberals, became more and more critical of the cold war political justifications. What is more Liberation Theology has been a reminder that resistance has always been a major issue for the Church. Resistance or accommodation?
No individual, no matter how astute, courageous or, for that matter spiritual, has a corner on the truth. That is where the apostolic nature of the Catholic Church is so utterly essential. The Body of Christ is where the Mystery of God in Word and Sacrament is 'held' and 'released'. However, as Kierkegaard made the distinction between Christianity and Christendom, there must always be, it seems to me, Christianity's critique of Christendom (the organisational aspect of the Church).
This is an incomplete response to Sr Clare.... I'll be back! Thank you Clare.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
Of course, it is ridiculous to write about Luther and Niebuhr in one short posting. For that please accept my apologies. However, Niebhur has been used by both American Neo-Conservatives and by left wing Liberals, became more and more critical of the cold war political justifications. What is more Liberation Theology has been a reminder that resistance has always been a major issue for the Church. Resistance or accommodation?
No individual, no matter how astute, courageous or, for that matter spiritual, has a corner on the truth. That is where the apostolic nature of the Catholic Church is so utterly essential. The Body of Christ is where the Mystery of God in Word and Sacrament is 'held' and 'released'. However, as Kierkegaard made the distinction between Christianity and Christendom, there must always be, it seems to me, Christianity's critique of Christendom (the organisational aspect of the Church).
This is an incomplete response to Sr Clare.... I'll be back! Thank you Clare.
+Martin
Argyll and The Isles
posted by Martin at 10:54 am
1 Comments:
Bonhoeffer made a transition from pacifism to getting involved in an assassination plot. We have the hindsight’s benefit of being able to see how that could be justified. It must have been a very great struggle of conscience at the time as Keith Clemens examines in his book.
I bring that struggle up because of what you said about certainty in an earlier posting. Similarly when anyone mentions the Cross to me it seems such a frightening prospect of sacrifice that I cannot even come close. Likewise I am asked if I am a Christian I always hesitate because I am only trying to be one. The question alone reveals a certain [sic!] mindset.
I’m with Schleiermacher on Religion and Politics: Do nothing for the sake of religion but do everything with religion. Religion like a holy music should accompany your every deed.
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