I have never been comfortable with the “Dark Ages.” That is, how it is historically presented has always bothered me. Why would God basically abandon his church for abut 1500 years? It doesn’t fit with his “modus operandi.” It is contrary to the idea that the “gates of hell shall not prevail.” So what really happened?
We all know we need to scrutinize what we read, but certain stories have been presented as nearly Biblical truth. To question them is to flirt with heresy. A different view challenges the legitimacy of established organizations. So is discussion of this good or just causing unnecessary upheaval?
The fact is that there has been a steady stream of true believers through this period, but they are nearly rendered invisible in a history written by their enemies, then passed down in ignorance or convenient inattention. These believers would not agree to subject themselves to man-made religious systems, which in essence denied the completeness of Christ’s work for them. They would not acknowledge men who took authority over them under the guise of speaking for God. They knew there is only one mediator between God and man. For this, they were not only mistreated, banished, tortured, and killed, but vicious lies are spread about them to this day. They are accused of things that make men shudder and turn away from even their memories, refusing to call them brothers.
It is from this perspective that many contemporary Protestant organizations claim their place as those who finally represent God correctly. However, if they aren’t “the light that rescued the church,” what are they? If this type of religious system was not pervasive among true believers up until the time fondly referred to as the Reformation, what was the church like? Maybe, as Constantine’s cultural absorption of Christianity led to corruption and a Romanized hierarchy, the political forces for the Reformation created a sense of freedom, but only proved to trap in a very similar bureaucracy those who would attempt to please God.
The result of the Reformation was not really religious liberty. It was political separation of countries from the Catholic administration. Within the countries that broke away, the Protestant leaders were strictly and severely authoritarian, to the point of frequently killing believers. There is no example of this in Acts or any New Testament reference. It is unacceptable. Today, in most of the western world, the marketplace is more of a power, but the position of those who claim religious authority is not really less stringent. They would have you think you need them in order to understand and communicate with God. And, by the way, would you also give them some of your money. Any system built on this premise is at best man’s foolish ideas of religion and at worst a barrier to walking in freedom and grace. The Bible makes it clear that we who are believers are to encourage one another, but we are all taught by the Holy Spirit. Call me by no other name than a believer in the Way.
Addendum:
John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
And: Phillipians 1:6 “… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
As well as: Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (Jesus is always the rock in scripture) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
When we believe in Christ Jesus, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), empowered and safe. He has promised that we are kept by Him and for Him against all forces. His true followers, old or new testament, never abandon Him because by His grace we are saved from sin and our old selves. The body of believers may be learning, maturing, and being conformed to His image, but she is always waiting expectantly for Him. (The church can learn from Israel, but not all in Israel believed and some were destroyed (Jude 1:5) Therefore, we cannot make a direct comparison in this regard between the church and Israel.) Oh, the wonderful faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises to us.
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It really is very interesting to read on what points those believers disagreed with the Catholic church and were subsequently branded as heretics for those beliefs. Especially as it is from the account of a Catholic priest.
I understand even more clearly every time you explain it… and I’ll go by that last name as well 🙂
It’s amazing what you find any time you dare to look beyond ‘accepted’ history – everything was written or recorded by someone whose point of view colored their representation of events. We’re walking blind unless we allow the character of God to influence how we perceive the past. He declared that there would always be a remnant – and it’s very obvious that the popular version of ‘history’ doesn’t bear out that promise. Oh, look, another trap where Satan makes it look like God just can’t handle things …
I would venture to say that there has always and will always be opportunity for abuse and misuse of God’s word and ways in any situation. It does ultimately boil down to personal responsibility in the midst of fellowship, assembling together in large and small groups, teaching, prophecy, evangelizing, administration, tongues, unity in love with the bond of peace, those who are preaching the pure word earning a living by it, generosity, total commitment, complete abandonment, unity on essentials, grace for non essentials and charity to all.
It really is very interesting to read on what points those believers disagreed with the Catholic church and were subsequently branded as heretics for those beliefs. Especially as it is from the account of a Catholic priest.
I understand even more clearly every time you explain it… and I’ll go by that last name as well 🙂
I offer an analogy. If a husband and wife choose to live in ways that inhibit their time and communication, whether it be in different locations or because of only spending time together in ways that are not conducive to depth of relationship, no one will tell them they are not married. But those with insight will know something is missing. Whether or not the couple realize it is another matter. They may be so committed to their well-intentioned or selfish agendas that they don’t want to see. What they need is the simplicity of being together, enjoying each other, discussing life’s issues, and then they will be much more prepared for encouraging others or making right decisions about how to help others. A multitude of counselors may make a living off of telling them how they can fulfill themselves, with enough truth in it to make it sound right. Their advice will probably be subtly infused with reinforcement of their role as counselor. The counselors may be honest, but still wrong. Since they are the experts, any friend who cautions otherwise is disregarded.
It is not about divisiveness, it is about freedom to really be the church that God wants us to be, without man-made rules, trappings, or facade. If a system is wrong, it doesn’t make the people unbelievers, but if you don’t do things God’s way you don’t get His results. There is much in the NT about us encouraging one another on a level that requires deep, vulnerable relationship. There is nothing about listening to speeches once a week. The speeches may be based on scripture and teach some good things, but they take up time that would be better spent actually knowing each other very personally.
As for preaching, it is most obviously translated as proclaiming the good news of what Jesus has done. This is done by all who know him and a few have take it to places where there are no other Christians. We have the option of supporting any believer we discern to be humbly doing this. Giving to those who minister to you is in the context of those who are walking right along side you, taking time from caring for their own needs. No training required other than a mature walk with Christ.
The vocabulary of fellowship changes shades dramatically when it is removed from the top heavy organizations and how they validate themselves. They are like the Pharisees, who say the right things, but don’t fully act according to the heart and word of God. If they did, we wouldn’t see them, we would only see Jesus Christ. That is probably another reason why we don’t hear much about those living faithfully outside of such organizations, even now. They only exalt Christ.
It is rather amazing how quickly you can convince people that something is true and how long it takes to convince them otherwise. Even in the matter of what brand of peanut butter you buy. Once you’ve convinced yourself that one type is the ‘best’, none of the others taste good to you, as long as you know what you’re tasting. But in a blind tasting, everything can change.
It’s amazing what you find any time you dare to look beyond ‘accepted’ history – everything was written or recorded by someone whose point of view colored their representation of events. We’re walking blind unless we allow the character of God to influence how we perceive the past. He declared that there would always be a remnant – and it’s very obvious that the popular version of ‘history’ doesn’t bear out that promise. Oh, look, another trap where Satan makes it look like God just can’t handle things …
I would venture to say that there has always and will always be opportunity for abuse and misuse of God’s word and ways in any situation. It does ultimately boil down to personal responsibility in the midst of fellowship, assembling together in large and small groups, teaching, prophecy, evangelizing, administration, tongues, unity in love with the bond of peace, those who are preaching the pure word earning a living by it, generosity, total commitment, complete abandonment, unity on essentials, grace for non essentials and charity to all.
I think that’s an interesting point about famous people – not seeing those who live faithfully, because all you can see is Christ. I’ll have to think about that …
Sounds like someone is speaking from peanut butter experience. 😛
I offer an analogy. If a husband and wife choose to live in ways that inhibit their time and communication, whether it be in different locations or because of only spending time together in ways that are not conducive to depth of relationship, no one will tell them they are not married. But those with insight will know something is missing. Whether or not the couple realize it is another matter. They may be so committed to their well-intentioned or selfish agendas that they don’t want to see. What they need is the simplicity of being together, enjoying each other, discussing life’s issues, and then they will be much more prepared for encouraging others or making right decisions about how to help others. A multitude of counselors may make a living off of telling them how they can fulfill themselves, with enough truth in it to make it sound right. Their advice will probably be subtly infused with reinforcement of their role as counselor. The counselors may be honest, but still wrong. Since they are the experts, any friend who cautions otherwise is disregarded.
It is not about divisiveness, it is about freedom to really be the church that God wants us to be, without man-made rules, trappings, or facade. If a system is wrong, it doesn’t make the people unbelievers, but if you don’t do things God’s way you don’t get His results. There is much in the NT about us encouraging one another on a level that requires deep, vulnerable relationship. There is nothing about listening to speeches once a week. The speeches may be based on scripture and teach some good things, but they take up time that would be better spent actually knowing each other very personally.
As for preaching, it is most obviously translated as proclaiming the good news of what Jesus has done. This is done by all who know him and a few have take it to places where there are no other Christians. We have the option of supporting any believer we discern to be humbly doing this. Giving to those who minister to you is in the context of those who are walking right along side you, taking time from caring for their own needs. No training required other than a mature walk with Christ.
The vocabulary of fellowship changes shades dramatically when it is removed from the top heavy organizations and how they validate themselves. They are like the Pharisees, who say the right things, but don’t fully act according to the heart and word of God. If they did, we wouldn’t see them, we would only see Jesus Christ. That is probably another reason why we don’t hear much about those living faithfully outside of such organizations, even now. They only exalt Christ.
It is rather amazing how quickly you can convince people that something is true and how long it takes to convince them otherwise. Even in the matter of what brand of peanut butter you buy. Once you’ve convinced yourself that one type is the ‘best’, none of the others taste good to you, as long as you know what you’re tasting. But in a blind tasting, everything can change.
I think that’s an interesting point about famous people – not seeing those who live faithfully, because all you can see is Christ. I’ll have to think about that …
Sounds like someone is speaking from peanut butter experience. 😛
Wow! The new age of gathering information is indeed awesome! I am thankful that we have the ability to look deeper and wider into the things the Lord is trying to help us to understand as we search for truth.
Wow! The new age of gathering information is indeed awesome! I am thankful that we have the ability to look deeper and wider into the things the Lord is trying to help us to understand as we search for truth.
I see this is an older post, but I just read it today for the first time. Your analogy in the “comments” section is very good – it should be included in the main body of the post.
Five stars to this – “Any system built on this premise is at best man’s foolish ideas of religion and at worst a barrier to walking in freedom and grace.”
I see this is an older post, but I just read it today for the first time. Your analogy in the “comments” section is very good – it should be included in the main body of the post.
Five stars to this – “Any system built on this premise is at best man’s foolish ideas of religion and at worst a barrier to walking in freedom and grace.”