Shaking a Sacred Tree
With more than a hint of courage Martin Luther peeled back the accumulated Christian thinking of the church five centuries ago. Christian knowledge and theology were most necessarily refined.
That Romish religion which was so ingrained fought Luther to the death, even placing a death sentence upon his head.
Nothing fresh here, nothing new under the sun as Luther's master, the good Lord Jesus received identical treatment for identical activity. But - it really did cost Jesus His life.
The time arrives when that which God established begins to exist for its own betterment, its own kingdom - and not God's. It is morphed into mans' codes, then multiplied.
A short man once stood up, He changed water into wine, healed the sick and raised the dead. Then, boldly he held whips to 'wave a threatening flag' at religious practise. Soon He was slain by the ruling naysayers, encouraged by the religious zealots who would angrily disagree. (See Chapter 1 - Great Mercy)
Rules and rituals regulated faith in Jesus' and Luther's day. Since Luther newer rules and newer rituals command faith this day, usually under the broad canopy of good theology.
Christians' alike are more ready to condemn their debateable opinion of poor theology, than grasp the measure the Lord applies of - pure righteousness.
Various versions of 'good theology' now rule the protestant ritual, and its readiness to condemn. This unwritten legislation, this heretical verbal code is held with a vigor equal to the ancient Pharisees and the priests.
Theology has become the regent when it is only ever the servant.
Let's not ignore that the measure of Heaven is righteousness; not love, not law or even theology.
Three facts of such current religious thinking:
- Theology pretends it can measure good and evil.
- Theology promises it owns the truth.
- Theology has become the arbiter of truth when it cannot be the guarantor of truth.
Sadly theology is as statistics - it can be tortured to agree with anything.
Those who first watch their righteousness closely will find their theology correctly and simply falls into place.
The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-12)
Today's Soul Snippet:
'No man is greater than his prayer life.' ~ Leonard Ravenhill
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