AC V has left a new comment on your post "Deutschlander - UOJ Is Missing from the Book of Co...":
LPC,
I appreciate your point. I wonder, however, how seriously the Wauwatosa Theologians appreciated this phrase (in bold) from the conclusion of the Augsburg Confession:
"Only those things have been recounted whereof we thought that it was necessary to speak, in order that it might be understood that in doctrine and ceremonies nothing has been received on our part against Scripture or the Church Catholic. For it is manifest that we have taken most diligent care that no new and ungodly doctrine should creep into our churches."
While being careful not to give them the same authority as Scripture, it seems to me the Fathers considered the beneficial traditions of the "Church Catholic" to be very important in maintaining the true faith.
There is a way of worship and ecclesiology that by long use has proved most beneficial in proclaiming and maintaining pure doctrine.
New ways of worship and ecclesiology that are far different from those of the "Church Catholic" usually are a reflection of "ungodly doctrine creeping into our churches."
The "ad fontes" of the Wauwatosa theologians ought to have included the "ceremonies" and "Church Catholic" of the AC Conclusion, not above or equal to the Scriptures, but as a testimony of the Spirit's working in the Church.
These two passages come to mind from St. Paul:
"All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up" (I Cor. 10:23).
And:
"For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized" (I Cor. 11:19).
***
GJ - I believe Dr. Cruz was addressing the entertainment aspects of Roman Catholic ceremonies. What gives sacrament-starved Protestants a buzz is often mocked among life-long Catholics. One priest shook my hand and asked, "Do you feel the thrill? I offered Mass this morning." Priests and laity are supposed to go around in a reverie after the Mass.
I see Lutheran clergy, sinuflecting toward Rome or Constantinople, aping high church without realizing they are part of the circus.
I say that with full appreciation for the traditional liturgy. I am even thinking of chanting the announcements.
The emphasis must be on the efficacy of the Word. Our worship does not have to be exactly the same, but all the synods were closer together in liturgical worship 50 years ago than they are today.
The common thread in ELCA, WELS, Missouri and the Little Sect is aping the Maggot (Emergent) Church Movement:
- Movie screens instead of hymnals.
- Hidden sacraments.
- Fat bellies hanging over faded bluejeans.
- Shirts best left for emergency spills and changing the oil.
- Wretched music.
- Few hymns left unbutchered by Spike Jones editing.
- No sermons.
- Messages plagiarized from Groeschel and other law salesmen.
- Forcing Pietistic cell groups on the innocent.
- Lawsuits and prison sentences, accompanied by synodical cover-ups.
