i. Secular humanism arises as much if not more out of its roots in Christianity than it does as an outside critique of Christianity, eg. hospitals, universities, socialism. ii. Many of the most pertinent secular critiques of Christianity are actually critiques of degradations of Christianity and so function as internal (not external) correctives
Clint, I see you are drawing in part from the oft-overlooked Dane NFS Grundtvig. As editor of the publication Church and Life (https://www.churchandlife.org), which comes out of that Danish American Lutheran tradition, I am wondering if I might have permission to reprint this.
I think your counting got off with two xiii theses. I didn't catch that because of a close reading, but because I wanted to comment on the xiii thesis that the unity of the church is a dream. So if I do have permission to reprint, should I correct the numbering or simply note it? (I think the latter since it's already published here. But I put the question to you.)
As for my comment, the lower casing of "church" in this thesis (xiii) and most of the other ones that use the term seems to be equivalent to "Christianity." The capitalized "Church" is the communion of saints, unified as the Body of Christ, and is that a dream? As I write this, I realize that "union" and "unity" are not equivalent. The terms "communion" and "community" are not the same. So, now I'm with you. Unity may be a dream, but union is the reality. For me, the terms "Body of Christ" and "communion of saints" do not merely refer to believers that make up Christianity.
Another great post capturing lots of rich current discussion from many arenas in one post. I may use this for a future Workshop with my congregation. Also: a other good addition to the Creed is “was befriended by Mary Madalene.” Thank you for this, Clint!
Clint, I see you are drawing in part from the oft-overlooked Dane NFS Grundtvig. As editor of the publication Church and Life (https://www.churchandlife.org), which comes out of that Danish American Lutheran tradition, I am wondering if I might have permission to reprint this.
I think your counting got off with two xiii theses. I didn't catch that because of a close reading, but because I wanted to comment on the xiii thesis that the unity of the church is a dream. So if I do have permission to reprint, should I correct the numbering or simply note it? (I think the latter since it's already published here. But I put the question to you.)
As for my comment, the lower casing of "church" in this thesis (xiii) and most of the other ones that use the term seems to be equivalent to "Christianity." The capitalized "Church" is the communion of saints, unified as the Body of Christ, and is that a dream? As I write this, I realize that "union" and "unity" are not equivalent. The terms "communion" and "community" are not the same. So, now I'm with you. Unity may be a dream, but union is the reality. For me, the terms "Body of Christ" and "communion of saints" do not merely refer to believers that make up Christianity.
Bridget Lois Jensen (bridget.jensen2@gmail.com)
Another great post capturing lots of rich current discussion from many arenas in one post. I may use this for a future Workshop with my congregation. Also: a other good addition to the Creed is “was befriended by Mary Madalene.” Thank you for this, Clint!