The latest question panelists at “On Faith” are weighing in on is the following:
Pope Benedict is encouraging wider use of Latin Mass. What elements of tradition — including language — are essential for worship?
This elf found the reply of Baptist Chuck Colson to be a very clear and concise reflection on the power and importance of liturgy and tradition. See what you think.
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Tradition Must Stay Close to Truth
First off, as a Baptist I am hardly an expert on liturgy or the history of liturgy. But the real question being posed is the necessity of maintaining continuity between our worship and the way in which our ancestors in the faith worshiped.
Sadly, looking at modern Christian worship in this country — Catholic and Protestant alike — it appears that most congregants are more interested in being entertained at worship and in feeling good about themselves than they are in respecting the connection with the roots of our faith.
I have discovered a tremendous joy in orthodoxy (that is, the right belief entrusted once for all to the saints) when I visited Mars Hill in Athens and stood on the very spot where the Apostle Paul confronted the wise men of the day and challenged them with the Gospel. I am thrilled that, almost 2000 years later, I am able to preach that very same Gospel.
A function of tradition in the Christian faith is to preserve this eternal, unchanging Truth. So worship always must be rooted in and express fidelity to the Scripture, the Creeds, and the Apostolic teaching that all Christians hold in common. This is accomplished in virtually every Christian worship service through Bible readings, sermons, explication of Scripture, the reading of prayers, and the observance of the sacraments or ordinances — most notably the baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
I am always struck when I come to the Lord’s table in communion by the fact that I am joined together not only with all believers today, but with the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, hundreds of millions, indeed billions who have shared the same belief in the same Christ who died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
BTW, Mr. Colson was raised in the Church of Rome and actuallly took the title of his first book — Born Again — from a Catholic song. It doesn’t mean much, but in emphasizing his current Baptist practice, he might mislead some.
Also, his background as a Marine — the most tradition rooted of the services might play some influence in his thoughts. (You may recall the posting awhile back about someone’s reflections on a Marine Corps burial and an Episcopal memorial service.)
And, for the record, I am proud to be the Son of a Marine (and was also reared in the Church of Rome).