"Not to Preach"

Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: Scholarly Pursuits
Forum Name: Philosophy and Theology
Forum Discription: Topics relating to philosophy
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35533
Printed Date: 19-Apr-2024 at 23:14
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Topic: "Not to Preach"

Posted By: LeopoldPhilippe
Subject: "Not to Preach"
Date Posted: 13-Jun-2015 at 20:51

In the hymn "As a Fire is Meant for Burning", part of one verse is "Not to preach our creeds or customs. But to build a bridge of care,"
Why would a hymn indicate that the congregation "not to preach" their "creeds or customs"?

Replies:

Posted By: Sidney
Date Posted: 14-Jun-2015 at 16:49

It follows the idea that actions speak louder than words. "Preaching" is just telling people what to do and believe, "building" is about putting your beliefs into practise and showing how to behave through example.

Posted By: J.A.W.
Date Posted: 14-Jun-2015 at 17:03

Unless the hymn is from a sect who does missionary work to 'convert'
foreign peoples to their views, but does not want to alienate them
by straight out condemning - their traditional customs & ways..

-------------
Be Modest In Thyself..

Posted By: Onasander
Date Posted: 21-Aug-2015 at 17:06

Marvin Heemeyer

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Heemeyer

He went on a rampage of his town in Colorado, in a specially designed, uparmored bulldozer, complete with bullet proof glass and guns galore (plenty of one way gunslots).

The police were ontop the bulldozer, trying to break in as he went around town, destroying building after building, blowing stuff up.

They found his letter detailing how he was doing God's work in a Catholic Church, apparently he went in and sat there.

Do you think this hymnal would apply to any Catholic Priest hearing his 'last confession', had one been there? Or do you think they would have a absolute duty to do this, and more. Such as beat him down with candles and crosses, throw Sand in his eyes, bite his ankles and grab his legs on his way out to the bulldozer?

There are clear, rational exceptions to every rule. Sometimes to be a good Samaritan, you gotta break some kosher rules. To be a true man of peace, instead of turning the other cheek, you gotta tear the temple market place up.

In general though, not preaching is a good idea, without the bishops permission. It's the way it is in the Catholic and eastern churches, cuts down on bad publicity and heresies from popping up from ignorant hill folk who discover one day they really know what's best. But as to customs, it sounds anti-christian, like its Secular European. It's actually very much the role of the church to tackle issues of customs, its not a private affair, but one of a community, and a voluntary matter best not always regulated by laws. Dress codes, fasting, traditional vs liberal X, Y, or Z idea.... You can't responsibly claim to be a Christian denomination and not being up community actions. It makes Communion rather one sided, receiving from the lord. The congregation is there communally to one another as well.

Customs reflect upon Ethics. You abanded Ethics for absolute freedom from external examination, you abandon Christianity. It's alot more than a assertion of the Golden rule, and everything other wise goes. Alot of compromise and shared values in the community comes into play.