TOV - Is Christianity a Straitjacket?
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Christianity names some beliefs “heresy” and some practices “immoral”. It bars from it’s community those who transgress its doctrinal and moral boundaries.” (“The Reason for God” by Thomas Keller)
Is this evidence that Christianity is an exclusive club with its rules and regulations? Or do the doctrines and standards liberate us to become the men and women that God always intended us to be?
“People say that the Christian belief in an absolute, one-size-fits-all truth that is objectively true for everyone is subversive to our individual and communal freedom.” (“The Reason for God” by Thomas Keller)Is it a take it or leave it “one-size-fits-all truth” that restricts our personal freedoms? How can we best define ‘freedom’ in a Christian sense?
“Christianity is also reputed to be a cultural straitjacket. It allegedly forces people from diverse cultures into a single iron mold. It is seen as an enemy of pluralism and multiculturalism.” (“The Reason for God” by Thomas Keller)Does it divide us or unite us? Does a Christianity based worldview lend itself better to openness toward other cultures? What about other religions?
“Christianity looks like an enemy of social cohesion, cultural adaptability, and even authentic personhood. However, this objection is based on mistakes about the nature of truth, community, Christianity, and of liberty itself.”
(“The Reason for God” by Thomas Keller)
Have we seen both positive and negative examples of Christianity in Action each day - in the media and in our own lives and relationships with others? How have our experiences shaped our attitudes toward this concept? How do we answer the question “Is Christianity a Straitjacket”?
Our February 3rd Theology on the Vine session was canceled due to the Winter Weather.
However, we invite you to review the articles below, related to this topic.
While Fr. Mario was not able to deliver his talk at Theology on the Vine...
You can still listen to his homily on this topic!
Click for Fr. Mario (audio) on: "Is Christianity a Straitjacket?"
Click on an article below to read more about this topic....
Article 1 - "Is Christianity a Straightjacket"
Article 2 - “The Uniqueness of Christianity” by Peter Kreeft, Ph.D.
Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Boston College and at the King's College (Empire State Building), in New York City. He is a regular contributor to several Christian publications, is in wide demand as a speaker at conferences, and is the author of over 63 books.
Straitjacket or Guidance?
Article 3 - "Veritatis Splendor" by Pope Paul II
Pope John Paul II wrote the encyclical Veritatis Splendor ( The Splendor of Truth, 08-06-1993) in order to address the “genuine crises” caused by the rising tide of moral relativism and skepticism in society and even among some Christians.
For a shorter reading, see Chapter II.
Article 4 - “Teaching or Commanding? When bishops instruct the Faithful”
Bishops and priests have the responsibility of “teaching, sanctifying and governing” (Canon 1008).. Nicholas Lash, a British Catholic theologian, has written “Teaching or Commanding? When bishops instruct the Faithful” published in America Magazine, Dec. 13, 2010. Mr. Lash was for 20 yrs a Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University and has written many books and articles on church and theology. Wikipedia describes Mr. Lash as a “liberal.”
Music Link - "They will know we are christians by our love" by Jars of Clay
How often have we sung this in Church or sung along with it on the radio. How important is love!