- Feb 5, 2002
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I think it is time to be pugnaciously honest about something: Whatever we may say about cultural adaptation in presenting the Catholic Faith to the world, the one undeniable fact is that, compared with the apostles, both the tone and the substance of Catholic discourse have changed dramatically. Sadly, huge segments of Catholic leadership speak and act today exactly how only knavish and cowardly apostles would have spoken and acted in the first century. Think of the eleven or even of the eleven plus Matthias—all witnesses to Christ’s Resurrection. Now think of Judas instead—the worldly stage manager who was always making deals with those he thought more powerful than Christ.
Which image calls to mind modern “dialogue” and modern proposals for change in the Church?
Nowhere in Scripture, in fact, will you find a spirit of “dialogue” except with those who had a serious interest in the truth. You will not find study groups set up to probe error for its vestiges of truth; nor will you find joint statements to emphasize where opposing groups agree so that they can disagree in peace. It is as if the Church in the West, as soon as it was clear that she was no longer part of the dominant culture in the West, has decided no longer to preach the truth or denounce error but henceforth to bravely acknowledge that she approves of some contemporary secular insights…while remaining silent about everything else.
Now of course there is nothing wrong with recognizing the good in other persons, groups and movements. But this recognition of some particular good is no substitute for proclaiming the whole of the Good News. Christ came to bring a message of salvation to the world, and to establish a Church to proclaim that message down through history. Blessed indeed are those who find no scandal in Him (Mt 11:6)! For anything that contradicts this message—this Gospel—is error. Sadly, many efforts at affirming a few things in common are simply a modern way of taking offense at Christ.
The accommodation myth
Continued below.
www.catholicculture.org
Which image calls to mind modern “dialogue” and modern proposals for change in the Church?
Nowhere in Scripture, in fact, will you find a spirit of “dialogue” except with those who had a serious interest in the truth. You will not find study groups set up to probe error for its vestiges of truth; nor will you find joint statements to emphasize where opposing groups agree so that they can disagree in peace. It is as if the Church in the West, as soon as it was clear that she was no longer part of the dominant culture in the West, has decided no longer to preach the truth or denounce error but henceforth to bravely acknowledge that she approves of some contemporary secular insights…while remaining silent about everything else.
Now of course there is nothing wrong with recognizing the good in other persons, groups and movements. But this recognition of some particular good is no substitute for proclaiming the whole of the Good News. Christ came to bring a message of salvation to the world, and to establish a Church to proclaim that message down through history. Blessed indeed are those who find no scandal in Him (Mt 11:6)! For anything that contradicts this message—this Gospel—is error. Sadly, many efforts at affirming a few things in common are simply a modern way of taking offense at Christ.
The accommodation myth
Continued below.
What happened to the Christianity of the apostles?
There is nothing wrong with recognizing the good in other persons and groups. But this recognition is no substitute for proclaiming the whole of the Good News.
www.catholicculture.org
