The Universal Church is today, it seems to me, more definitely set against the World than at any time since Pagan Rome. I do not mean that our times are particularly corrupt; all times are corrupt. In spite of certain local appearances, Christianity is not and cannot be within measurable time, 'official'. The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide.
The French have finally voted "non" to the European treaty. That's an amazing thing to me, although it was predicted. It's hard for an English man like myself not to give a wry smile!
I have long felt some disquiet about the growing intrusions and secularizing power of the European Union. For instance, over 25 years the EU has issued 23,000 directives and regulations into UK law - a figure greater than the total number of Acts passed by Parliament in the whole of its history! This growing libraries of constraints, such as banning bananas that are not bent enough, mandating the use of genetically modified corn (to the universal disapproval of almost everyone), or throwing people in jail for using lb's (Pounds, weight) alongside kilo's, should be a cause for concern to anyone who values the people's right to decide. These things are the tips of a swelling iceberg.
Citizens of sovereign nations should be able to chose their own standards of commerce and discourse, and apply common sense in their own nations, for goodness sake! To say nothing of protecting their own interests and defense, as history seems to beg us. United groups with no place for God have a way of failing in a most spectacular way. Every "tower of babel" is doomed. However, the many euro-committees are populated by an army of unelected officials who are not averse to a little tyranny, such as not letting democracy get in their way. Case in point: The European Commission is a permanent unelected body of 17 people appointed by national Governments for 5 years or more. Responsible for most EU law, which passes directly into UK law, the Commission is aided by a legion of more unelected officials. I think we all know the maddening and cynical results of every bureaucracy.
Some might point out that the rejection of the constitution by the French (and other countries, though not all) is indicative of their fears of job losses, as immigration controls are weakened, of the introduction of the Euro, again, without a vote, and of the admittance of ten new nations without consulting them (what can you expect un-elected politicians to do? It must be intoxicating for them with such a free hand). These objections are likely candidates or reasons for the results of the vote, but there are other outstanding questions and issues that are overlooked. Deeper and more profound matters are in play - as are their implications.
Reuters gives some reason's for the vote here:
Do you know, that despite the urging of the John Paul II, or JP the Great(!), the "wise" drafters of the stalling constitution decided to exclude any mention of the Christian heritage of Europe. Much can be made of the errors that have been committed by, so-called, Christians, but that does not invalidate the simple truth and manifest common wisdom encapsulated in the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, and certainly, the fact that art, science, and morality, to say nothing of the freedom of the human soul, have not been given an incredible impetus as a direct result of faith of generations of scholars and leading lights.
More on the late Pope's plea for Christian content:
http://www.cathnews.com/news/302/100.php
For the most part, the EU and its majority of citizens have little, if any, real knowledge of true Christianity. They seem to believe that Christianity, and probably America, are the causes of many of the evils plaguing our world. Whereas, in fact, communist and fascist states have singularly butchered their way through history, with incomprehensible levels of murder and systematic oppression in tow, far surpassing anything that has gone before. Although we Christians must hang our heads in total shame at travesties such as the fool-hardy crusades, (not that these crusaders were all sermon-on-the-mount believing Christians either), we must also weep at the lost opportunities and failure to live out our faith, which leaves us impotent and rightly accused of hypocrisy in too many instances - but not all.
In the days of the Romans, it was put about that Christians were cannibals, so ignorant were they of the practice of celebrating the Lord's death in Communion with simple bread and wine. I fear that European and other Western nations are holding many (though, I hope not so off-base) misconceptions about Christianity; and why wouldn't they? The Church is being overtaken (largely in the mainline churches, which are shriveling, take note!) by doubting Bishops, and those who believe that it quite OK to make cultural accommodations with the content, not just the form, of our Faith and Practice.
One remembers the great irony of York Minister being hit by lightning (July 9th, 1984) shortly after the liberal Bishop of Durham was consecrated there. We might want to ponder the meaning of this apparent demonstration of divine displeasure, even as the dogged march of secularism, liberalizing modernism, relativizing postmodernism, and the diluting power of consumerism tries to infect our own lives. It is all a blindly foolish war against God, and its a sop to our flesh. In a way, this is akin to a surrendering of our birthright for the proverbial, mess of pottage. It is suicidal to continue in this way, firstly for the weak and helpless, but secondly, to the whole of humankind in the end. The forces of good are not just different to the forces of darkness; they are polar opposites, and their end is just as dissimilar.
Regarding the liberalizing of Christianity, I protest that the articles of faith are not up for debate, nor can the solid traditions of 2000 years and biblical authority be cast away just because they are not popular. Sure, we may need to communicate these things accurately in a way the makes sense, but we must never allow the mob to generate our creed, or politics to hold sway over our dogmas. People need to be given the opportunity to at least hear and even reject, the actual and accurate truth, and not some poor facsimile thereof. Concerning our current penchant for fast, "instant results" everything: we fall prey to a great deceit when we act like teenagers and decry the wisdom of our elders, spurn any measure of caution, and rely on our own shortsighted counsels. Not everything old is bad, and not everything new is good - despite what the marketers and advertisers attempt to portray in their quest for the supremely fast buck.
A new battle will also ensue with the relentless rise of Islam. Of course, Muslims or any other persons are not the real enemy, but nations are in darkness, serving a master they don't realize has them in bondage, just as much as any secular European.
Nevertheless, I also believe that when we are weak, we are strong in the Lord. The power of the Gospel and the oft neglected, Holy Spirit, are primed to take a vital and shining witness into the growing secular morass. Who will the new champions of Grace be? Where will the army of Lord emerge; clothed in humility and passion for Christ, the spotless lamb? I think we will be surprised. They may not be like we expect or in forms we prefer, but arise they will. Can we say "no" to Europe and then "yes" to Christ? Or can we say, "yes" to Europe by given them Christ back?
-----------------------------------------------
More cornball about the EU:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/unelected_eu_commission_ap_19052004.html
A few disquieting facts about the EU:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1298349/posts
“England's Declaration of Independence” - Article by Dick Morris:
http://www.frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13791
No comments:
Post a Comment