On the surface it is seemingly simple—Sweeney’s style is light and his writing clear; his chapters are short. But deep down it is deceptively complex, raising all sorts of fascinating issues. One is the question of identity. Sweeney feels no need to convert because to do so would be a repudiation of his Protestant heritage, a severance from the community that nourished his faith and introduced him to the allure of theology. At the same time, he feels the tug of the Spirit toward practices of the religion his ancestors rebelled against—perhaps even sacrificing their lives in the process, as did so many in the religious wars. As Sweeney points out, the labels, Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox are non-Biblical. These are constructs that arose out of the tug and tussle of human interactions through the ages. Their heritage does more to divide us than unite us and Sweeney sees his mission as that of bridge builder between the traditions.
Another is the question of habits. My wife is Lutheran (ELCA) and in her church about a third of the parishioners, including the ministers, cross themselves at the opening invocation of the Trinity. I’m a Catholic, so when we worship at her church, I cross myself in the Catholic manner—forehead, chest, shoulder, shoulder. My wife makes a little cross with her thumb on her forehead. Sweeney talks about this. So many of our religious practices are done without thinking—we do them because that’s the way we’ve always done them, because that’s the way that feels right. Sweeney is asking his audience of fellow Protestants to step outside their comfort zones and try something new. Reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church (which is a marvelous document), or lighting a candle (“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”) can’t hurt you and may just enrich your spirituality.
Now if I were going to follow Jon’s advice, that would probably mean that I should skip mass this Sunday and check out the Pentecostal church that’s just up the street from my home. It’s tempting, but scary at the same time.
One reason I love the Episcopal church is that it does retain the connection with Protestant tradition, while incorporating devotional practices such as using the rosary (there is even an Anglican rosary, kneeling for prayer, and yes, even confession.
Posted by: Patricia Lyndale 6/19/2008 4:52:02 AM
I only found spiritual development in my life when I layed aside Church doctrines to develop my relationship with the Jesus we are all trying to follow.
Posted by: Denis Babes. 6/18/2008 7:17:01 PM
It seems to me that \"religion\" is the creation of human beings seeking a way to have a relationship with God. Perhaps, determining how you worship is a big part of developing and growing in your relationship with God. So if crossing yourself, or kneeling, or raising your arms in praise helps you to relate to and worship God, then it doesn\'t really matter what \"religion\" the behavior is attached to. First & foremost, it\'s about God - which is as it should be.
Posted by: Elaine 6/18/2008 1:57:03 PM
Iam of the view that one day, we christians will pay more attention to our individual and collective relationship with God, than we do to the various practices of our different churches and that will lead to the embracing of the concept of the one universal church under Christ.
Posted by: Petra Dale Desir 3/28/2008 3:17:01 PM
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