Mattingly: Shocking words to the Presbyterians

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2 responses to “Mattingly: Shocking words to the Presbyterians”

1. Chrys

   July 22, 2010

   Curiously the opposing “voices” actually agreed:

   Father Hardun said

   “Christian morality is as old as Christianity itself. It doesn’t need to be invented now. Those attempts to invent new morality look for me like attempts to invent a new religion — a sort of modern paganism,” said Hardun, drawing scattered applause.

   “When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspired the Bible, if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspires the Holy Orthodox Church not to change anything in Christian doctrine and moral standards. But if it is the same Spirit, I wonder … if there are different spirits acting in different denominations and inspiring them to develop in different directions and to create different theologies and different morals?”

   The priest closed with a quote from St. Paul, urging the Presbyterians: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

   The moderator – arguing for that very change in morality – said:

   “We have to learn how to proclaim the Gospel in a multicultural age where Christianity is no longer at the center,” she said. “We have to learn how to tell people who have grown suspicious of institutions why an institution like the P.C. (U.S.A.) can be of value to them. … And we have to accept the loss of the church we have always known — as the church transforms itself into something new.”

   This is, in how, how one tries to promote the very thing Father rightly condemned: the church “has” to become something new and conform to this world in order to be “relevant.”

   Oh how I despise that word “relevant.” It has been used since the 60’s to pry the Church loose from Christ. So – Father was right. They as much as said so.

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2. Helga

   July 25, 2010

   Father Siarhei is awesome. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.

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