There is a destructive, though disorganized, reformation occurring within western Christianity. It is mostly based in the United States of America, but has been exported worldwide on the strength of American affluence. This reformation brings a real threat to the historical and Biblical faith.
The reformation movement of the early sixteenth century began as an attempt to correct perceived abuses and non-orthodox practices within the Roman Catholic Church. It came to be called the Protestant Reformation. Luther, Calvin, and other reformers felt they were working for the faith and its positive growth (Pro = for).
This new reforming of the faith, the Contestant Reformation (Con = against), is not driven by the pursuit of truth or the love for God. It is a struggle for superiority over the orthodox Christian faith…the one holy catholic and apostolic church. Popular American culture seems to be enamored with those people, places, and things that are accursed. “Save the sins, not the sinners!” This new reformation finds its roots in the early heresies of the Church, paganism, narcissism, and even democracy.
From the neo-gnostic movement of the Mormon cult (with a sprinkling of Masonic code) to the modern Arianism of the Jehovah’s Witness heretical sect, all catholic and orthodox Christian beliefs are under attack. These beliefs were defined by the early doctors of the Church in the early ecumenical councils, and summarized in the Nicene Creed. To be a Christian one must profess the faith as defined by the Nicene Creed, the traditions supported by the early councils of the Church, and, most importantly, found in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible.
There is a pagan element in this Contestant Reformation, also. There seems to be a great love for creation, the environment, Gaia, the sciences, and scholastic rationalism. Creation is wonderful. When God created it He said it was good. When He created man He said it was very good. It is a curious thing to worship creation and not the Creator, though. From the sciences we can find the elegance and wonder of the consciousness behind creation. The mind of God can be glimpsed, though not grasped. What is the source? Love is God! This generous and loving God has shared His love with creation and the creatures, and we are creatures. Yes, the cosmos is physics, chemistry, and, perhaps, a unified theory, but all is from the one source: God.
In the 1960s and ‘70s the world received Hans Kung and others’ “God in man’s image” idea. It is so dangerous to “be” a god. Many have seen their reflections and have fallen in love with them selves. In such a godly narcissism is found a relativism of lifestyle. “If I want it I should get it. If it feels good I should do it. I will answer to myself. I am all that is good for me, aren’t I?” A hedonism that finds a “now” salvation in self will find no salvation in God and the Church.
The Episcopal Church U.S.A. (ECUSA) has produced its own model of narcissism in its most public bishop, now retired and publishing,, John (Jack) Shelby Spong. Though thoroughly enjoying his office, his salary, and his title, and living like a prince, he openly denies all the tenants of the Nicene Creed, the traditional faith, and the Bible. In his heretical, his apostate teachings he has called for a new reformation. It is here, Jack. He is only one of the many extremes in the Contestant Reformation.
The Contestant’s moderates (if such a term can be used in this reform movement) seem to be those intellectuals who have the utmost trust in democracy. They want to hold and own the Gnostic writings, the Gospels of Thomas and Mary, and other writings. They want to pass their own judgment on the validity of such pieces. Of course, they don’t want to read and study why such writings were set aside as incompatible with the Faith. They want to vote on them. “Majority rules. If it is the majority it must be accepted, not just tolerated.” Perhaps that is why there are thousands of different “Christian” denominations, sects, and cults in America. Does authority come from majority? A majority of whom?
The truth is simple. Christianity is a monarchy. Christ is the King. He is a benevolent King, to be sure. All people have the free will to accept or reject Him. Anyone can turn away from the love of God, the most Holy Trinity. If people turn away from the creedal,/traditional/Biblical faith they are not Christian. They may be good people. They may be great leaders. They may be wonder workers. They may be gentle caregivers. They may be Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, etc. They may certainly be friends and neighbors. They are not Christians, though.
This Contestant Reformation, though disorganized, is evil. It has confused many. It has led many astray. It is a convenient tool for the devil. When other countries try to close their doors to such evil America withdraws its affluent support. Such blackmail allows for the evil one to find converts worldwide. In the twentieth century there were more Christian martyrs than at any other time in history. “If we could just throw those Christians to the lions, again.” They still are! The death of the body is not as significant, though, as the eternal death of the soul. Many in the movement don’t even believe humans have a soul or spirit. Neo-heresies, paganism, narcissism, and society all play a part in the Contestant Reformation’s active attack on Christianity.
To combat such an attack on Christianity by Contestantism there are steps that need to be taken. Prayer and worship of the one true God is the first defense. Christians must live their faith in the open, defend that faith from the world and the devil, and die for that faith if God asks us to drink of that cup. God is the source of all that is good. He is greater than all evil and the evil one. He is the Creator of all. In Him we will conquer this attack on the orthodox and catholic Christian Church.
In Christ's love,
Fr. Robert Pax
