In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.”
G.K. Chesterton – The Thing (1929)
The powerlessness and dismay that one feels at this time, with the rapid deforming of society, the thoughtless modern reforming of standards by which one lives, and the lack of intelligent reform in one’s immediate future, prompts one to draw attention – via this series of short articles – to matters about which one cares deeply, and through which one still clings to the hope that all is not lost.
Yes, this is one person’s perspective. However, I feel that now – more than ever before – it behoves the church to be pushing back against society’s norms, trends and whims. The church – more than ever before – needs to be a leader of society, not a follower. In short, it needs to offer an alternative to society rather than, in its seemingly constant search for relevance, providing an extension of society’s foibles.
1. RADICAL REIMAGINING AND REINVENTING – naughty, naughty, naughty!
“Due to our culture and the precedent set by the 1979 prayer book, our temptation now is to add, to compose, to proliferate.”
http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2017/02/28/a-concise-prayer-book/
2. ASHES TO GO – naughty, naughty, naughty!
“I won’t have time to go to Mass today,” quite a few of them muttered.
3. GLITTER ASHES – naughty, naughty, naughty!
Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 (The Gospel Reading for Ash Wednesday)
And another thoughtful piece…
https://www.punkmonksf.com/blog/2017/3/2/glitter-and-ash-folly
4. A BLANKET USE OF INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE – naughty, naughty, naughty!
“The 1979 BCP takes what ought to be a prayer of great comfort and transforms it into a nightmare of hopelessness for most of the human race, all in the service of making our worship more gender-inclusive.”
http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2016/12/06/neutering-jesus/
5. A CHILD OF THE SEVENTIES – naughty, naughty, naughty!
This is just a piece of fun, because it’s important to keep laughing! Funny how these things come back to you after 40 years! Yes, this was a hit during the time the 1979 prayer book was being assembled, with its “vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.”
That’s just NAUGHTY!
Life's Rich Tapestry 