Rituals - where is the line drawn?
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the pope washing 12 men on a Thursday Mass (read it here )
and in the Philippines, devoted Christians even go to the extent of whipping themselves with rope until their backs bleed. Some even go and re-live the scenes of Christ being crucified with nails really going through people's hands on a cross. (view it here).
Not so long ago, I was speaking to a catholic friend and they fast on Ash Wednesday in order to remember Jesus fasting for the 40 days in the dessert.
From my understanding, rituals in the old testament days are there for people to follow (most importantly with their heart without doubt) in order to show their reverence and obedience to God.
Today we no longer need to practice in rituals. We are freed through the death of Christ. We show our reverence in God by whole-heartedly submitting ourselves to Christ, acknowledging that he is our one and only Lord and Saviour.
But what is the extent of remembering Christ? In protestant churches, there is communion so that we may remember that Christ paid the ransom for our sins through his own blood and flesh.
What about fasting on Ash-Wednesday, washing the feet of 12 men, or re-living the crucifixion of Christ? Are they legitimate forms of remembering God's unconditional love for us?
Where is the line drawn between a ritual (religious practice) and something merely to remember Christ?
Read about the discussion here
and in the Philippines, devoted Christians even go to the extent of whipping themselves with rope until their backs bleed. Some even go and re-live the scenes of Christ being crucified with nails really going through people's hands on a cross. (view it here).
Not so long ago, I was speaking to a catholic friend and they fast on Ash Wednesday in order to remember Jesus fasting for the 40 days in the dessert.
From my understanding, rituals in the old testament days are there for people to follow (most importantly with their heart without doubt) in order to show their reverence and obedience to God.
Today we no longer need to practice in rituals. We are freed through the death of Christ. We show our reverence in God by whole-heartedly submitting ourselves to Christ, acknowledging that he is our one and only Lord and Saviour.
But what is the extent of remembering Christ? In protestant churches, there is communion so that we may remember that Christ paid the ransom for our sins through his own blood and flesh.
What about fasting on Ash-Wednesday, washing the feet of 12 men, or re-living the crucifixion of Christ? Are they legitimate forms of remembering God's unconditional love for us?
Where is the line drawn between a ritual (religious practice) and something merely to remember Christ?
Read about the discussion here
