Daily Archives: January 19, 2007

Unbearable burden of Evangelicalism

Posted on by

A quote from Peter J. Leithart, professor, pastor, Presbyterian.
Well??? Considering my Evangelical past and considering my present, I can agree with him!
Unbearable burden of Evangelicalism

“Anti-sacramental, anti-ritual evangelicalism emphasizes a personal relationship with God, but tends to encourage what Anthony Giddens calls “pure relationship,” a relationship that is not tacked down with external anchors and supports. A live-in relationship, without benefit of the rites and legalities of marriage, is a pure relationship. Evangelicalism tends to encourage a live-in relationship with Jesus.
This is wrong, a departure from Christian tradition, and unbiblical. It also places unbearable burdens on the soul. Tempted by the devil, Luther slapped his forehead to remind himself of his baptism. His standing before God was anchored in Christ, to whom he had been joined by baptism.
For evangelicals, assurance cannot be grounded in anything so external and objective. Spontaneous enthusiasm is the test of sincerity, and the source of assurance. But eternal, self-scrutinizing vigilance is necessary to ensure that the enthusiasm is really spontaneous.
Enthusiasm was supposed to liberate the soul from all the dead forms, but it comes with its own set of chains. “

Peter J. Leithart on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 06:55 PM
via: Titusonenine

The City #9

Posted on by

I walked out of the Rectory this morning and onto Carroll St. and there it was, snow coving tree limbs, gates, banisters, cars, and it was wonderful. The snow was falling very lightly, almost done. The snow didn’t really accumulate on the sidewalks or streets, but just enough to give the streetscape a nice snowy, winter feel. The air was still, brisk but not cold. The sky was gray and the “air” was just a bit misty, but not really foggy. Anyway, it was very nice.
Getting out of the subway at 42nd St., I noticed how quiet the station seemed to be. I don’t think I ever remember that kind of quiet in such a busy station. No other trains were there at that moment. No sound of equipment humming or screeching, just still quite. The faint sound of the conductor’s voice announcing “the next stop is Rockefeller Center” could barely be heard. It was the kind of quite that in New York you only “hear” in large stone churches or when a heavy snow is falling.