Worth a Look 5.23.12
Trevin Wax Blog | May 23, 2012
Have you ever considered that your greatest contribution to the cause of Christ just might be the time you spend in intercessory prayer for your children and others we consider to be part of this "next generation"?
What a Comedian Taught Me About Parenting:
Some parents are permissive and lazy. Others are over-bearing kill-joys. Sadly, many of us manage to be both. I say: keep them safe, keep them away from sin, give them the gospel, and let the good times roll. Hey, I wouldn't mind being five again. So why make the five year-old miserable because she likes being five too. Kids are kids. And we'd be better and happier parents with better and happier kids if we allowed that sometimes the joy in their silly, childlike hearts is worth more than the paint on our precious parent-like walls.
Too Catholic to Be Catholic:
My Protestantism, my reformed catholicity, isn't at all in conflict with that passion for church unity. There is no tension at all. On the contrary, it'sbecause I am so passionate to see the church reunited that I, not grudgingly but cheerfully, stay where I am. My summary reason for staying put is simple: I'm too catholic to become Catholic or Orthodox.
Is Church Growth Always Good?
There seem to be two extremes with proponents and opponents of church growth, however. One extreme is overly captivated with growth. The other is overly cautious of growth. I don't think either is the right course of action.
Comments:
May 23, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Does anyone else see inconsistency in Leithart complaining about "closed communion" in Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, while at the same time accusing us of idolotry? Idolotry is no misdemeanor offense. If Orthodox and Catholics are idoloters, he should be thankful that at least we practice closed idolotry, no?
brian
May 24, 2012 at 09:36 AM
I prefer not to think of it as closed communion, but rather as the Church serving its role as faithful steward and custodian of this sacred gift. The Eucharist is given to those who are prepared and properly disposed. As a Catholic, there are many times I myself don't take communion because I'm not properly disposed.
Here's another thing to think about... What if we looked at the conjugal act the same as many look at communion? Properly understood, this act is a covenental, sacramental act that resides in the marriage union. Would a Christian father tell his unwed daughter, "It's shameful that the Christian church withholds this act from anyone. Sexual union is a gift from God, and it's unconscionable that the Christian church would teach to withhold this act unless you're in a properly recognized union." So, with the Eucharist, the Church is bound to safegaurd this sacrament.