Worst Theological Invention
I saw a post on another blog asking for readers to give their vote for what they considered to be the worst theological invention (heh!). I thought I'd post some of the choices (in no special order) ...
* The Just War theory
* Pretty much every form of Atonement
* Divine immutability
* Predestination
* Biblical inerrancy
* Papal infallibility
* And my favorite comment ..... The doctrine of the Rapture ... But, I will admit its usefulness in explaining the presence of underpants on the footpath. :-)
* The Just War theory
* Pretty much every form of Atonement
* Divine immutability
* Predestination
* Biblical inerrancy
* Papal infallibility
* And my favorite comment ..... The doctrine of the Rapture ... But, I will admit its usefulness in explaining the presence of underpants on the footpath. :-)
posted by crystal | 10:41 PM
8 Comments:
It was at least once said, Let the dead take care of the dead and for what it’s worth I say let the spiritual world take care of the spiritual world. For any of us humans in the real world to vote on something that we might think is right or wrong with Godly matters is what I believe that even a bad catholic might call stretching it somewhat and on this occasion I also would agree.
To be honest, I really did not check any of the items to vote on but I believe that if “Human’s made in the image of God” is a candidate then I’m almost sure that most readers would considered that one to be the worst theological invention.(heh!).
One thing I vote on for sure and that is that most of U.S. (U)sual (S)inners including myself, have so little faith compared to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.(lol) laughing out loud?:-).
As someone once said, Just War is just war.
Although some say that clerical celibacy isn't a theological issue, I still think it is, and should be included on any list of Worst Theological Inventions.
I should say "celibracy for priests," not celibacy for monastic orders, which makes sense to me.
Very good topic!
It isn't so much predestination, but in my opinion, the most obnoxious Christian doctrine ever proposed is the one of Double Predestination, in which God not only determines who will go to heaven by eternal decree, but who is predestined to hell as well.
I think William has a good point with his disciplinary observation, though. Mandatory celibacy for diocesan clergy is problably the real mother of all schisms.
Hi Victor :-)
William - Just War is just war ... I like that.
Jeff - I agree with you about double predestination ... damning people from the word go is about as bad as it gets, theory-wise. Also agree with you and Will about celebacy - in religious orders it makes more sense.
I really do have a certain affection for the Rapture ... read too many of those Left Behind books, or perhaps it was the movie The Rapture with David Duchovny ... :-)
Rapture would be on my list, Just War too. Limbo is one that makes me squirm, though never an official teaching. But the whole idea of Indulgences drives me insane!
Once we are dead we are no longer bound by the length and breadth and depth of space and time. It is an eternal 'Now' we enter into. How in the world this can be reconciled with taking 10 million plus years off your time in purgatory for reading enough scripture or sitting in Adoration is beyond me.
Cura,
I don't really understand about indulgences. Wikipedia said this ...
Church teachings explain that individuals who experience trials and tribulations in this world by God's grace may have them serve as their temporal punishment for forgiven sins (Catechism 1473); other individuals die without having served the full temporal punishment for their sins. These individuals do not have guilt for sin, because it has been forgiven either through reconciliation or perfect contrition before death, and therefore they will attain Heaven. However, they are not yet ready to enter Heaven, as their punishment has yet to be served.
When sins are forgiven, people still have to be punished for them?
Can you explain more about indulgences and purgatory, etc? Thanks.
Hi Crystal,
I did my best to put together what I believe about these things and what I teach. You can see it here;
Purgatory, Indulgences and Sin...Oh My!
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