On Relativism, Then and Now

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, now that the weather has cooled off and I find myself indoors with fewer chores to do. One of the latest books I’ve read was originally published in 1929 but was recently re-published by Ignatius Press in 2008. Entitled One Lord, One Faith, the author, Vernon Johnson, tells of his personal struggles (both spiritual and intellectual) as an Anglican priest converting to Catholicism. I was particularly struck by some passages that could easily apply to our own time even though they were written generations ago. Consider this description of cultural challenges faced by the author in his priestly ministry:

“Another thing that began to perplex me in dealing with souls was the need of something to counteract that slavery to the prevailing fashion of the moment which fetters so many who wish to make the pace with their own special circle. Life today is so very much a series of passing crazes. The latest stunt or fashion victimizes everyone. People must be original. Their lives become a perpetual pose, and in their pursuit of the latest thing they are never themselves. Such a life is all one rush. There is no time for thought, but just a superficial movement which is taken for progress. Real personal life is being lost. This is clearly seen in the break-up of the English home.” [Emphasis added]

The author describes here what he calls the “slavery to the prevailing fashion.” The whims of society are constantly shifting and each person must adapt or be left behind - “Their lives become a perpetual pose, and in their pursuit of the latest thing they are never themselves.”family. As the culture transforms, values change and moral norms shift, with each passing phase we are caught up in this destructive cycle. Institutions that were once anchors of stability in people’s lives crumble. The author specifically points out the damage done to

This “slavery to the prevailing fashion” sounds rather like what Pope Benedict describes as the “dictatorship of relativism.”  The constantly shifting whims of society, the rejection of absolute Truth, the lack of moral certainty, are even more a sickness of our culture today as they were then. Vernon Johnson applies this malaise to his former church as well:

“All this is reflected in the Anglican Church. She is very much the victim of the age at any given moment. In her anxiety to meet the difficulties of the modern mind she is too ready to embrace and give voice to the ideas and theories prevailing at the moment, and to give them an importance which is not really justified. The latest scheme for social betterment, the latest theories in psychology, the latest results of biblical criticism, are preached upon in pulpits, written about in magazines, and discussed at meetings in a way which obscures the great fundamental truths of the Christian religion.

“The result is that the Anglican Church presents the character of a debating society discussing open questions rather than of a teacher of eternal truths divinely revealed for the guidance of the spiritual and moral life of the world.” [Emphasis added]

In this way Anglicanism (and Protestantism in general) is unable to put forth a solid defense against Relativism, which is the greatest threat to Christianity in our time. Instead of certaintyTruth, Protestant Christians are mixed up in a confusion of debated opinion and pet theories with no way to decipher true doctrine. The great fundamental truths of the Christian religion are indeed obscured. and

“I became more and more conscious of the deadly effect of that vague uncertainty with which the Anglican Church surrounds her children, till I became finally convinced that it was entirely contrary to the revealed will of Our Blessed Lord. It does not lead to truth but to a terrible uncertainty and to a real paralysis of faith. Poor human nature needs above everything else a guide which can lift it above the vagaries of the human mind and above the flood of momentary passion. And the Catholic Church alone can do this.”

As Pope Benedict warns us, Relativism is attacking the culture at large, and Christianity is not immune to this assault. As far back as the 1920’s Protestant Churches began to succumb to its lure. At that time the Catholic Church was recognized as a bulwark against the changing whims of society. Vernon Johnson was drawn to Catholicism in part because she is a lone voice standing up for Truth in a shifting culture. How much more today can it be said that the Catholic Church is the surest defense against the attack of relativistic thought.

With the issuing of “Anglicanorum Coetibus” in October of 2009, and the creation of the Anglican Ordinariate we are sure to see more good priests and other Christian souls (like the Vernon Johnsons of our time) fleeing the sinking ship of Anglicanism for the safety of Rome.

Sunday Mass Readings

November 28, 2010

First Sunday of Advent

Reading 1
Is 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Reading 2
Rom 13:11-14

Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Gospel
Mt 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

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. Sample what you like - I'll serve up more next Friday...

Dioceses around the world joining Pope's 'unprecedented' pro-life vigil - "Although it is common for the Pope to encourage prayer for particular intentions, the request for a coordinated worldwide vigil –to be held on the same date and approximately the same time, in all dioceses–  is highly exceptional."

American Anglicans ready to go when Ordinariate is established - "As the Anglican Ordinariates are developed, they will be launched into the deep of mostly uncharted waters. Only the American Ordinariate will have any sort of history or track record to give it some type of map to follow in its establishment."

Archbishop of Canterbury warns Anglicans to brace for shortage of vicars because of exodus to Catholic church - "Dr Rowan Williams made the warning after meeting Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican during an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity"


Pope: I am not opposed in principle to Communion in the hand but prefers communion on the tongue - "The idea behind my current practice of having people kneel to receive Communion on the tongue was to send a signal and to underscore the Real Presence with an exclamation point."

Vatican clarifies papal statement on condoms... - "The Pope again makes it clear that his intention was not to take up a position on the problem of condoms in general; his aim, rather was to reaffirm with force that the problem of AIDS cannot be solved simply by distributing condoms..."


On the Pope's new book, Light of the World - Here is a partial round-up of some of the commentary...


Pope Benedict advocates right sexuality, not condom use, in fight against HIV - "While secular outlets such as Time Magazine characterized this remark as 'a stunning turnaround' for the Church, Pope Benedict goes on to explain that this is not the true and proper way to defeat HIV."

New Developments on the Pope and Condoms - "Each new day seems to bring several new twists to the pope/condom story, so let’s look at what’s happening now."

Notable Catholic news stories (I mean, besides condoms)

Louisiana’s flag becomes more Eucharistic

"Mark Wahlberg: Daily Communicant - "No, I’m not canonizing Mark Wahlberg; I’m recognizing a sort of a modern day Magdalene story."

Giving Thanks for Life

A little excerpt from a piece a posted two years ago at Thanksgiving…

“Sharing a common meal as a way of giving thanks to God is an integral part of many religious faiths, especially the Judeo-Christian tradition which shapes our own cultural understanding of God. Every year observant Jews celebrate the Passover meal thanking God for delivering their ancestors out of bondage in Egypt. Christians adapted the Passover ceremony to reflect what Jesus did at His Last Supper. Christians give ‘thanks’ to God for delivering humanity from the bondage of sin. These Jewish and Christian meals put the faithful in contact with God. And the ritualized form of these shared meals creates a visible link between all those who share the faith around the world and throughout history.

Historically Christians have given a specific name to their ceremonial meal, a name that aptly describes a key element of its purpose. Most Christians in the first few centuries A.D. were Greek-speaking converts to the new religion. Greek was the language regularly used by the early Church. And in Greek the ritual bread-breaking ceremony was often called eucharistia. From this we derive the term Eucharist which is still used today by many Christian denominations to describe the action and the object of their Sunday celebration. The Greek word eucharistia means “thanksgiving.”

…[T]he word “thanksgiving” carries with it a wealth of religious meaning that should not be lost on any Christian (or any member of any faith). To give “thanks” to something greater than ourselves implies that there exists a Being to receive that thanks and bless us in return. And our celebration of Thanksgiving should retain that vital element. Without God, there is no one to receive the "thanks" we "give."

Thanksgiving is not a Catholic “holy day.” But giving thanks to God is a very “Catholic thing to do - especially in our Eucharistic celebrations and adoration outside of Mass. On this Thanksgiving, as we gather with friends and family and enjoy their loving presence, we should keep in mind another Presence of Love in our midst…the bodily Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. The Holy Father has presented us with an excellent opportunity this year to do just that. Pope Benedict requests that Catholics around the world join in a world-wide vigil this Saturday evening on behalf of the unborn. Many dioceses will hold Eucharistic holy hours for this purpose, and countless millions will join in prayer to promote life. More can be found at this link.

Whether you are able to attend an organized Eucharistic adoration or if you participate in this vigil from your own home, please take a moment on Saturday to remember the vulnerable, unborn members of our society and give thanks to God for the gift of life.

Sunday's Mass Readings

November 21, 2010

The Solemnity of Christ the King

Reading 1
2 Sm 5:1-3

In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:
"Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you,
'You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.'"
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5


R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Reading 2
Col 1:12-20

Brothers and sisters:
Let us give thanks to the Father,
who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Gospel
Lk 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
"He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God."
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."
Above him there was an inscription that read,
"This is the King of the Jews."
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us."
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
"Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."

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. Sample what you like - I'll serve up more next Friday...

Bishops of England, Wales announce details of new Anglican ordinariate  - "At the beginning of Lent, the groups of faithful together with their pastors will be enrolled as candidates for the Ordinariate."


Dr Rowan Williams: Ordinariate ‘may be prophetic’ - "He said: 'Well, I think if the Ordinariate helps people evaluate Anglican legacy or patrimony, well and good, I’m happy to praise God for it.'"


The Pope, The Bible and The Response... - "There has been a surprising hush amongst Catholic Bloggers on the Holy Father’s recently released Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini."


"Faithfully, But Not Slavishly": Amid Questions, Bishops Release Missal Update - "As the work of editing and assembling nears completion, there is assurance that the published text will be available in more than ample time for implementation in Advent 2011."


Voluntary extinction: America's one child policy? - Absent a shift in cultural attitudes, the United States will eventually face the demographic realities that Japan, Western Europe, and sooner rather than later, China are facing. These societies will have fewer workers to support an increasing number of elderly.


US bishops elect NYC archbishop as leader in upset - "This is an indication that bishops are going to continue to be leaders in the culture wars." See also: In Bishops' Shocker, TIM WINS!


New Catholic Bishops President Chided Biden, Pelosi on Abortion - "In Archbishop Dolan, the USCCB will be headed by a strong pro-life advocate."


The USCCB's New President, Archbishop Timothy Dolan - New Tone, New Face, New Voice - "Archbishop Dolan brings with him a passion for orthodox Catholic faith, firm conviction on the right to life from conception to natural death, and an unfaltering commitment to Christ and His Church." And: Three Great Things About USCCB’s New President Dolan


Cardinal O'Conner's Revenge - "...the “Seamless Garment” bishops are running out of steam, stopped not only by their overtly political liberalism, which looks painfully passé in the light of the Democratic Party’s crack-up and the nation’s changing mood, but also by the moral fallout of their doctrinal liberalism."



God and George W. Bush - "He became a laughingstock among some. He probably should be a role model."

Why Marxism Always Fails - "Action compelled by government can never transcend itself, because the person has nothing to draw on from within, or look to from without. "


New York Times Columnist Says Death Panels Needed to Fix Economy -  “They laughed when Sarah Palin said Obamacare would require death panels to control medical costs. But for some reason no one laughs when New York times columnist Paul Krugman says the same thing."

Converting Anglican bishop says papal action changed the landscape - "...he noted the scriptural image of the shepherd, who must lead his flock from the front rather than follow it from behind. 'This is what I hope I am doing. I am leading the way and I hope and pray that many of you will follow me in the months and the years ahead,' he explained." See also: Here Come More Anglicans

The Antichrist tells us to "build the city of God" - "It is one of the great heresies of our day that man can perfect himself and can save the world himself. Whether this be expressed as a political party (e.g. Communism), or a religious movement (e.g. Liberation Theology), or an individual work (e.g. Pelagianism) – the Church has always insisted that salvation does not come through human works, but through the grace and the power of Jesus Christ."

A Holy Fear of Man - "We began with the fear of God, but the incarnation of Christ taught us also a 'fear' of man -- that we ought, on pain of sin, to hold in religious awe the liberty and sanctity of the created human person. "

"As Great a Challenge as the Reformation": The Bishops on Social Media - "...I don’t think I have to remind you of what happened when the Catholic Church was slow to adapt to that new technology. By the time we decided to seriously promote that common folk should read the Bible, the Protestant Reformation was well underway." 

In Defense of Provocative Preaching - "I think a lot of people think that preaching is supposed to merely please and encourage them. There is a place for that but good preaching also afflicts and provokes response. Jesus was more than willing  to provoke people and unsettle them."

Countercultural Time -  "...we should not look for ways to cut temporal corners by shifting to Sunday long-established feasts whose celebration during the week once gave a unique rhythm to Catholic life."

And We Can Talk About Things Catholic! - "The Catholic way is varied. The studious use intellectual approaches. Those devoted to Mary use the rosary. Sensitive souls use art. Some ladle soup and visit prisoners. Others simply listen. There are so many ways for Catholics to evangelize."

Book Review: The Consuming Fire: A Christian Guide to the Old Testament

Tracing God's Word through History

God speaks to us through His Word. It is therefore essential that Christians engage in serious study of Scripture. But in doing so we must remember that the Bible is not a text book. The Word of God does not instruct us in the same way a math or science lesson informs our brains with facts, figures and formulas. Nor is the Bible a single book; it is a collection of books drawn from many genres including poetry, historical writings, wisdom literature, myth, and so on, each with its own purpose and method of conveying ideas. Among the authors, editors, and compilers of Scripture there are many voices, each lending a different perspective as they carry out the work of the Spirit. Sacred Scripture is the product of centuries of prayer and reflection, editing and compiling – passed on from generation to generation – and lived out as a faith experience.

As opposed to a “textbook” we may think of the Bible as a “conversation.” And it begins with the people of Israel in the Old Testament. Michael W. Duggan, Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Mary’s University College in Calgary, puts it this way:

“When we read the Hebrew Bible, we listen to a conversation that lasted more than a millennium, from the first settlements of the Israelites in the Holy Land during the thirteenth century B.C.E until the Roman emperor Hadrian expelled all Jews from Jerusalem in 135 C.E. Throughout these fourteen centuries minstrels, storytellers, priests, prophets, poets, and sages composed and collected the texts that rabbis ultimately arranged as the compendium of Jewish Scripture…The whole compendium, while exhibiting the coherence of a conversation among people of shared commitment, does not say the same thing from beginning to end. Each book – sometimes each part of a book – has its own voice. Just as a good listener respects the uniqueness of each speaker, so the good reader of the Bible discerns the unique contribution of each book or portion thereof.”

Duggan’s book, The Consuming Fire: A Christian Guide to the Old Testament, from which the above quote is taken, proposes to do just that – to discern the unique contribution of each “speaker” in the Old Testament. For anyone interested in embarking on a serious study of Hebrew Scriptures from a Christian perspective this book would certainly be a tremendous resource.

It must be noted that there are many methods for studying the Bible, and many levels at which people feel comfortable delving into such a topic. This particular book is not a simple “Sunday school” approach to Scripture, with Noah’s Ark and Rainbows, and cardboard cutouts of the Ten Commandments. This is a rigorous, academic approach to Scripture. Professor Duggan presents a thorough examination of the text, the history of its writing, a cultural analysis of the ancient Israelites, and citations from the latest scholarly work to construct a detailed view of who wrote each passage and why. This book is not primarily a spiritual reflection on the beauty and meaning of God’s Word. Instead Duggan offers a framework from which such a spiritual understanding could be deepened in light of the history of the text.

This is not to say that The Consuming Fire is devoid of spirituality. It is obvious that Professor Duggan writes with a deep respect for the Word of God. He hopes the reader will use his work as a starting point for coming to a more profound understanding of Jewish Scripture as applied in our own lives as Christians. He honors the Jewish roots of the Old Testament, while yet allowing for the Christian fulfillment of these Scriptures in the coming of Jesus. At the end of each chapter he provides Scriptural passages for further reflection and includes New Testament references that explain the Christian view of Old Testament themes. He insists from the outset, that the best way to use his book is to have a Bible open in front of you so that you can prayerfully consult the actual text that is being examined. This book is meant as a companion on a journey through Holy Scripture.

At just over 650 pages, this is not light reading.  Add to this the text of the Old Testament itself as well as New Testament references, and anyone who undertakes this as a Biblical study is in for a long and intense experience. Although the author wrote this book with the beginner in mind (he assumes that the reader may never have been exposed to the Old Testament before), this text is most suited for a college-level reader and preferably someone who has at least some familiarity with the Old Testament.

In preparing to review this book I quickly read through the entire text to familiarize myself with the overall format and content. The first few chapters give a brief introduction to the Old Testament (the people and places of ancient world, the languages and cultures of the time, and some historical context) all of which prepare the reader for a book-by-book examination of the Canon itself.  The following chapters explore the individual writings of the Old Testament one at a time. The structure of these chapters is as follows:

“Every chapter begins with a reflection on issues of faith and life, which were of concern to the biblical author(s) and with which we may be able to identify today. The examination of every book follows a basic design that aims to give you immediate access to the biblical text. The analysis unfolds in six steps: (a) a description of the historical setting of the events related to the text; (b) a portrayal of the historical situation of the author and his audience (all of whom are usually quite distant from the events); (c) a summary of major themes (i.e., the message that the author conveyed to the original audience); (d) a survey of how various New Testament writers used the book; (e) a list of passages for meditative reading; and (f) an outline of the book.”

After an initial read through of the entire text, I selected a few chapters to study as the author suggested (with Bible in hand, and focused on opening up God’s Word). I cannot stress enough that this method is an intense but fruitful exercise. If done properly, reading this book could easily stretch to an entire year of study, perhaps more. But with enough time and dedication, The Consuming Fire can open up new insights that are well worth the effort.

To put all of this into perspective, we can again turn to Professor Duggan’s example of the divine “conversation.” With regard to the Old Testament, The Consuming Fire tells us who did the speaking, when they spoke, to whom they spoke, and why they spoke as they did. Beyond these details the author merely suggests a general direction for further study and reflection. The Consuming Fire does not directly answer questions about Catholic doctrine or spirituality; it does not provide exhaustive interpretations of passages or explore the nuanced positions of theologians on various matters of the faith. However, what this book does well is explain where the Old Testament came from. The reader will be able to “listen in” on the great “conversation” from the moment when it was first spoke. In this way Professor Duggan’s work gives new life to our conversation with God.

[This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Consuming Fire and be sure to check out their great selection of baptism gifts while you are there.]