tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128144307446432865.post4142211527833389127..comments2023-03-27T00:34:21.392-07:00Comments on The Hackney Hub: Revisiting "Moderate Ceremonialism"The Hackney Hubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05814256545664986458noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128144307446432865.post-75130603567828703782013-11-21T04:37:30.055-08:002013-11-21T04:37:30.055-08:00my last comment should have said; "I am not s...my last comment should have said; "I am not saying that we shouldn't be looking for ways to repair and heal divisions within the Body of Christ"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6128144307446432865.post-14437076733969748282013-11-21T04:34:18.162-08:002013-11-21T04:34:18.162-08:00One must look specifically at the movement here in...One must look specifically at the movement here in the United States, not just in the Episcopal Church, but in other mainline bodies as well as the Roman Catholic Church. In the spirit of 'ecumenism' Lutherans, Methodists, Anglicans and Roman Catholics are all looking 'the same' in worship and ceremony. It is probably safe to say that from a 'lay' point of view and for many clergy as well, that not just ceremony, but theology is also the same at this time. However, one fact remains, the historic understanding of what occurs at worship, mostly dealing with the elements of bread and wine during the celebration of Holy Communion, is vastly different in the history of each movement. With the 'blending' of worship came a drastic shift in theology as well, which has left most Episcopal clergy looking and sounding like Roman Catholic clergy, and I have seen this in the UMC and ELCA as well. "Offering the Sacrifice of the Mass" is a common expression heard throughout PECUSA today, surprising as it is that many of those very people reject the Divinity of Jesus Christ! <br /><br />Perhaps what is most sad about this entire movement of 'blending' our traditions is that all seemed to follow the lead of Rome following Vatican II, when, for a time, it was the Book of Common Prayer that attracted other parts of the Body of Christ to our ceremony, worship and theology. <br /><br />I am not saying that we should be looking for ways to repair and heal divisions within the Body of Christ, but I don't feel that we should throw out that which historically makes us unique, especially at the thought of going back to a more medieval understanding of Church, worship and clergy. <br /><br />Of course, this is a reflection on the seminary process as well in the US. You have Nashotah which teaches one how to be a Roman Catholic priest with 'Anglican' trimmings. And the traditional Protestant Anglicanism that once was the method of training at Virgina Theological has been replaced by modern liberal theology that, and rightly so, finds no interest in worship and ceremony, because they deny the basic tenets of the faith! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com