The Christ-Centered Church, Part II

Let us review what was said in Part I: There are many so-called “Bible-based” churches which derive their form and function directly from Scripture. They begin with the Bible and from its pages springs forth their version of “church,” pieced together verse-by-verse. For these Christians, the Bible acts as the source and focal point of their ecclesiology (or “doctrine of the church”). We might call this a “Biblio-centric” (Bible-centered) view of church.

However, we know from Part I that it was Jesus (not a group of people with Bibles in-hand) who established the Church on earth. God did not send down a Bible and expect us to construct the Church from its pages. He sent us His Son, and it was Jesus who then gave us the Church. Jesus built His Church as a lasting institution. “…I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Such a Church should never need to be rebuilt in any age.

Christians who form new “Bible-churches” generally do so after first scanning the religious landscape and finding themselves in sharp disagreement with existing denominations and sects. They see the divisions within Christianity and they determine that there must be some source, some divinely established guide, which can solve these disagreements. There must be some final arbiter which can settle disputes and determine where the Truth lies.

Disagreement between individual Christians can certainly cause pain and division. Christians are all too often guilty of great sin against one another due to doctrinal disputes or jealous strife. There is no question that such division ought to be healed, but who should be the final judge between Christian factions? Where do we find the basis, the foundation of Truth for Christianity? What entity holds up the Truth for all to see?

The Protestant would answer: The Bible, of course! The Bible Alone forms the basis for Christian Truth! - And the Protestant would be wrong. The Bible itself does not even make this claim. Instead the Bible points to another source: “…the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”(1Timothy 3:15) According to Scripture, the Church forms the foundation of Truth and holds up the Truth, like a pillar in a strong building. This is the same Church that Jesus built to last for all ages, as a light to the world.

So according the Bible, the Church determines truth from error. And furthermore, this power extends over every Christian as a moral imperative; we are bound to the Church’s pronouncements even in matters as personal as sin:

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:15-18)

Jesus tells us that the Church has moral authority over every individual Christian. And God Himself recognizes this authority in the Church by “binding and loosening” in Heaven all that the Church declares “bound and loosed” on earth.

How does the Church arrive at this power?

Remember that Jesus breathed out the Spirit onto the Apostles on Pentecost. About the Spirit, Jesus had earlier proclaimed: “…when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) And so, guided by the Spirit, the Church speaks the Truth to all generations of Christians throughout history. This is the Church that Jesus established – a Church with real authority guided by the Spirit.

So, contrary to the Biblio-centric theory, it is not up to individual Christians to look into the Bible and determine what the Church ought to believe or how the Church ought to act, rather it is up to the Spirit-filled Church to instruct each individual Christian on the path to Truth. The Church has the authority to settle disputes between Christians and we are morally bound by these decisions. The individual Christian must submit to the authority of the Church or he finds himself cut off like “a pagan or a tax collector.” It seems that the Biblio-centric model has ecclesiology exactly opposite from what Christ intended.

Then where do we go from here?

We know that the Church was established by Jesus as a Spirit-filled institution, indestructible (even by the powers of Hell); that the Church is a visible institution (a light to the world) that has never faded away, or apostatized, or been lost from the pages of history; we know that the Church has authority to determine Truth (and is in fact the very foundation of truth), and can settle disputes between Christians with authority; we are bound by the Church’s decisions and this authority is recognized in Heaven (in binding and loosening); if we fail to listen to the Church’s authority we are cut off as any sinner would be. If all of this is true then it becomes imperative that we find the true Church that Christ established and submit to her authority.

So, which church is the true Church? To which body do I owe my allegiance? There are many competing denominations and sects within Christianity, each claiming to be the true Church that Christ founded. How can we know which is in actual fact the very same Church granted authority over all believers? If we can discover this, then we have no alternative than to obey.

To settle this, we can look again to Jesus’ words concerning the Church’s power. Twice Jesus stated that His Church would have the power to “loose and bind.” One of these passages has been cited above in Matthew 18:18. The other occurs two chapters earlier in the same Gospel. To this passage we now turn, for in this verse we see, quite literally, the “key” to the Church’s authority:

"I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19)

These words were spoken by Jesus to Simon, whom Jesus gave the name Peter (which means “rock”). Peter was to be the “rock” on which Jesus would build His Church. And to Peter Jesus gave the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” While the other Apostles were later given (in chapter 18, as we have seen) the same power to “loose and bind,” it was Peter alone who was given the “keys.”

But what are these “keys”?

In our day the meaning of the “keys” may be lost or obscured, but Scripture provides the answer. For the Jews of Jesus’ time the image of “keys” would immediately conjure up an image from the royal household of Israel in the Old Testament and the power that was given to the steward of the kingdom.  Isaiah 22:20-23 speaks of this authority:

“On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family…”

The power of the keys represents the authority to “shut and open” (or “loose and bind”) given to the chief steward of the kingdom of Israel. The “steward” was second in command to the king, and in the king’s absence, the steward exercised decision-making authority until the king’s return. Jesus is King of kings, and Lord of lords. Peter was given power to exercise authority as chief steward over the Church until Jesus’ return in glory. It is this power given to Peter (together with similar power given to the other Apostles) which forms the basis of the Church’s authority.

Now we must ask, how does this authority continue until our present time? Where do we find the keys of the kingdom of heaven?

The Apostles were careful to maintain their offices of leadership within the Church. Whenever one of their numbers died, another was appointed to take his place. The Acts of the Apostles records this in the case of Judas, as Peter himself explains:

“…it is written in the book of Psalms, 'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, 'May another take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1:20-22)

As the Church grew, more positions were added to the original Twelve, most notably Paul who preached among the Gentiles. And selected men were placed as heads of local churches – for instance Timothy was placed by Paul over a local congregation. These became known as bishops, and the Church continued this practice down through the centuries as Paul tells Timothy: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2Timothy 2:1-2)

The Apostles passed on their authority through the laying on of hands as Paul reminds Timothy: “…I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2Timothy 6-7) In this way, the power of the Spirit to govern the Church has been handed down through the centuries in Christ’s Church.

So where is this power now?

Only one Church has maintained (through the laying on of hands, from bishop to bishop, down through the centuries) the teaching authority first granted to Peter and the Apostles. Only one Church can trace itself back to the Church of the First Century, through a steady succession of bishops to Jesus Himself. Only one church can truly claim to be established by Christ upon the “Rock” - upon Peter - to whom was given the keys of the kingdom.

The Catholic Church has been governed by the successors of Peter (the popes) for nearly 2000 years. The Catholic Church was granted the power to “loose and bind,” an authority granted by Jesus Himself. The successors to Peter have passed on the “keys to the kingdom” as the stewards of God’s people until the King returns. All Christians who wish to be truly Christ-centered in their obedience must turn to the authority which Christ Himself left us. And that authority the Catholic Church alone possesses.

Sunday's Mass Readings

October 24, 2010
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

- R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
- R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
- R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
- R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.


Reading 2
2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel
Lk 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

This Week's Headlines

As another week comes to an end, this is your chance to top off your glass with a final helping of news, current events, and just plain interesting stuff that may not have made into the mainstream media. A chance to linger for a few more moments before we close the door on the week. Below are some links to articles, blogs, and miscellaneous happenings that caught my eye over the past few days. You can sample what you like - I'll serve up more next Friday...

Will the Real First Amendment Please Stand Up - "Thomas Jefferson wrote in a private letter of a “wall of separation” but, for the record, a private Letter of Jefferson is not the US Constitution and if Jefferson really intended a wall of separation then he never got his own memo."

What is This Wicked Capitaliam? -  "I’d like to address in this case the way in which opponents (particularly Christian opponents) of “capitalism” tend to address the object of their condemnation."

Archbishop Chaput  - The First Freedom: Religious liberty as the foundation of human liberty - "...many millions of Christians are now being persecuted or harassed for their faith around the world.  We need to pray for them.  And we also need to pray for ourselves.  Because we're not as securely free as we might like to think."

Pope Names 24 new Cardinals -  "...including two from the United States: Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, head of the Vatican's highest tribunal, and Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington."

Archbishop Raymond Burke, Critic of Obama and Pro-Choice Pols, Named a Cardinal - "Among those tapped is an American archbishop who has become one of the harshest critics of President Obama and pro-choice politicians -- and of bishops he feels are not sufficiently hard line."

Can a Catholic Accept Evolutionary Theory Uncritically? - "There are important insights of science in the matter of creation and the material world that Catholics are free to accept and wise to accept. The Catechism stakes out a middle ground wherein a Catholic may be able to accept certain aspects of evolutionary theory in terms of secondary causality. But this must always be balanced with a deep reverence for God as the first cause of all that is..."

Anglicans' Regret over Bishop's Conversion to Rome - "He intends joining the Roman Catholic Church because of his opposition to the way the Church of England plans to introduce women bishops."

Archbishop of Canterbury moves to flush out Anglicans plotting to defect to Rome - "In a surprise announcement, Dr Rowan Williams said he wanted to establish a new joint group of Roman Catholic and Church of England figures to oversee the conversion process."

Prank Calls and the Power of Humility - "The idea came to me to play the role of a religious zealot, to see if I could get the telemarketer to be the first one to hang up if I launched into a hellfire and brimstone lecture about how carpet cleaners were from the devil."

Gay Parents More Likely to Have Gay Kids - "...Walter Schumm knows he's about to become the next punching bag for the left. But this is where the study led him and he's sticking to the facts, and not heeding the politicized thuggery of the left."

What is a Cardinal and what is the purpose of the College of Cardinals? - "With the elevation of Archbishop Wuerl to the College of Cardinals, it might be good to spend a brief time reflecting on what a Cardinal is and how the College of Cardinals functions."

Mark Shea Doesn't Get It

Mark Shea has posted several commentaries in recent days at the National Catholic Register website slamming Catholic political conservatives using unfair caricatures and false assumptions. He obviously does not understand the people with whom he disagrees and he doesn't mind spreading that ignorance to his reading audience. He assigns the worst motives to conservatives and uses false logic to make his points. Pat Archibald offers a great rebuttal to Shea at the same website. Below is a excerpt to which I agree wholeheartedly:

"I am a Catholic.  I call myself a conservative.  I put my Church first and my party about 108th.  I prefer small government because I believe it protects our God given liberties, including our religious liberties, best.  I believe in the Constitution.  Not because it is a document handed on from on high but because it was written by men who understood what dastardly deeds of which men with power are capable.  Moreover, I support the Constitution because it is the arrangement to which we all agreed.  Until that changes, it should still apply..."

"I believe in free enterprise, not because I hate poor people, but because I think that it offers the best chance at prosperity for the most people.  Does it eliminate inequity?  Surely not.  However, all the other systems I have seen tried produce even more inequity or even worse.  So free enterprise seems like the best idea."

"I believe in a strong defense, but a strong defense that never subjugates the dignity of any individual to a greater good.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  No way.  No how."

To read the whole piece click here.

The Christ-Centered Church, Part I

Many Christian churches describe themselves as “Bible-based.” That is to say, their structure, their organization, their method of worship, etc. are all drawn directly from biblical passages that have been woven together to form their own idea of “church.” So-called “Bible Christians” claim that this verse-by-verse method is the most accurate way to re-construct the First Century Church; they are simply worshipping as Christians of the New Testament worshipped. The pages of the Bible (so they say) describe Christianity as it was in the first decades after Jesus’ death, and there is no need to look anywhere else when trying to live out the Christian faith. It is the old Protestant motto – “The Bible Alone” – carried to its logical conclusion.

Of course, there is no end to the types of Christian churches this method yields. No two Bible-based churches look the same. They function differently; their doctrines are different; their interpretations of Scripture contradict one another; their understanding of salvation, the sacraments, the afterlife, heaven and hell, the end times…all of these and much more are often radically opposed to one another. Biblio-centric (Bible-centered) Christianity offers a plethora of competing churches with no sure way to distinguish which one is practicing real, authentic Christianity.

Now, obviously it is commendable when Christians desire to imitate the early Church. It is wise to seek our roots in ancient Christianity, to be grounded in the historic foundations of our faith. And it is certainly correct to use Scripture as a guide to govern doctrine and maintain sound teaching. But is the Bible truly the starting point for the formation of the Christian Church? Did God give us first the Bible and from the Bible springs forth the Church? Is this the true order of things?

Is the Church Biblio-centric?

I would propose instead that the Church ought to be Christo-centric – centered on Christ. God gave us Jesus Christ and from Christ springs forth the Church. Those who call for a “Bible-based” Christianity should instead be seeking a “Christ-based” Church. This does not mean that the Bible must be rejected. Far from it! The Bible is the primary source for Jesus’ own words about the Church as recorded in the Gospels, and an excellent record of how those words were applied in the early Church. The Bible plays a vital role in any search for Christian Truth. The Bible is, after all, the very Word of God. It is His revelation to mankind.

But as “the Word of God made flesh,” Jesus is the truest, most direct revelation of God to humanity. It is in Jesus that we must search for the Church, since it is through Jesus that God searches for us. We must not seek a Bible-based Church; rather to find the true Church of Christ we must find the Church that has its origins in Jesus Himself.

If we listen to the words of Christ, we can see that the Church had its start directly from Christ: “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) He did not say: “I will give you a Bible and from that Bible you will construct my church.” The Bible does not precede the Church. Jesus precedes the Church and it is through Him that we become children of God.

Since we know from Scripture that Jesus built the Church nearly two thousand years ago, why would Bible-Christians today feel the need to re-build the Church from the pages of the Bible? If Jesus built it, then where did it go?

Many Bible-Christians would argue that the original Church apostatized, fell into serious error, collapsed into doctrinal ruin. According to this belief, at some point in its long history, the Church that Jesus originally established failed and must now be reconstructed. Others believe that the Church slowly faded away, disappeared from the pages of history, or dwindled into obscurity. Some believe that the Church’s failure was a part of God’s plan; that the Church was meant to be hidden or gone for all these centuries only to resurface in our own age. Whichever theory they espouse, Bible-Christians believe that it is up to them to restore the Church so that she can fulfill her intended purpose.

But this idea of the Church’s failure and re-establishment does not agree with Jesus’ own words. Recall the earlier passage we cited from Matthew concerning Christ’s Church: “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” If not even Hell itself can topple the Church, then how could she have fallen into apostasy? And furthermore, look at the broader context of this passage: “[U]pon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” The Church that was built by Jesus to withstand the powers of Hell was built to last. Like the wise man from the parable (Matthew 7:24-27), Jesus built His Church on the “rock,” not on “sand” like the foolish man. Bible-Christians who claim that the Church failed are, in effect, calling Jesus a fool!

What about the claim that the Church slipped into obscurity; that the Church vanished for a time from the pages of history only to resurface in our own time? This also does not agree with the words of Jesus. He said to his disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15) Jesus did not light the lamp of the Church only for it to be hidden from view. He did not place a “bowl” over the Church and keep it out of sight. The Church was built as a visible symbol of Jesus’ presence in the world. Bible-Christians have a low estimation of Jesus’ power to sustain His Church.

Even if Bible-Christians were correct that the Church did fail and it must be re-established with Scripture as our sole guide, the Bible contains no blueprint for the structure and function of the Church. There is no point-by-point manual in the pages of Scripture that tell us how to “do church.” This is because the Church does not arise from the pages of Scripture, rather the Church sprang forth from the lips of Jesus as He breathed life into her at Pentecost: “‘…as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21-22)

From that moment the Church has bore witness to Him throughout history. This Church, which Jesus established, is a Spirit-filled Body centered on the Resurrected Christ. We cannot build anew what Christ Himself has already built. This Spirit-filled Church cannot be discarded when we perceive some abuse or human neglect (real or imagined), and then re-established or re-constructed by every passing generation. And yet new “churches” continually spring up in every corner of the globe, as though the Church is a “thing” to be assembled like a jigsaw puzzle from pieces scattered throughout Scripture.

Thus far, however, we have shown that the Church, when rightly understood, is NOT derived from the Bible in this way. There should be no need to “reverse engineer” a Church from the Scripture when Jesus has already given us a Church which He promised would be a visible light to the world and that would resist being destroyed even by “the gates of Hell.” Christians who seek a “Bible-based” Church ought instead to seek the “Christ-centered” Church, the one Church that can trace itself back to the Lord.

[To be continued in Part II ]

Blog Face Lift

I'll be updating the blog layout for the next few days, so things may look jumbled up and out of place for awhile. This should not affect the readability of the posts or disturb any functionality of the blog, but some items may appear out of place or shuffled around. The end result should be worth it.

Mass Readings

In Lumen Gentium we read: "The gathering for Mass should begin long before the Entrance Procession and Hymn. As people ready themselves and their families in their homes for the Sunday Eucharist, they should be preparing for Mass. The Eucharist is 'source and summit' of all we do, and it deserves attentive preparation." In that spirit, I have provided below the text for this Sunday's readings so that we are better prepared to recieve our Lord:

October 17, 2010

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 (Ex 17:8-13)
In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)
-R. (cf. 2): Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
-R. Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
-R. Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
-R. Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
-R. Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

Reading 2 (2 Tm 3:14-4:2Reading 2)
Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

Gospel (Lk 18:1-8)

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'"
The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"