More Links: Googling God comments on the letter as well: "Crisis is always a moment where things can turn around, or even simply turn anew."
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
German Theologians Ask for Reform
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4 comments:
Thank you, Missy, for the links.
I remember reading an article on this and feeling that Europeans are just not as awed by the Vatican than some other folks.
As a German, and we all know German's know everything about everything, I think I remember something in our church history about outspoken German theologians causing the Church a bit of a challenge as they tried to get the Church to reform. That's why I was raised a Lutheran.
As an American, and we all know that Americans know everything about everything, I've come accross two major reform groups within the Church in America trying to get similar reforms as those stated in the NCR report about the Germans.
Now as being both German and American, I must be right in telling you that I honestly do not agree with "all" the reforms mentioned.
Should the priests have the option to marry? Of course! Even Pope John XXIII understood that but didn't feel he should push that change at that time because there were so many other updates our Church needed.
Do I believe women should be priests, no, and I am a woman. I, a woman, can give birth but I cannot be a priest because that is how God has set the order throughout scriptures. A man can be a priest but cannot give birth, also part of God's order. Can we not see that we each play our part in God's plan and it takes both male and female, together, to be the image of God? (Genesis)
I still enjoy reading these things so thanks for sharing these articles that I must have skimmed over.
Gloria
Hi, Gloria! Thanks for your comment. Well, you know I'm a good soldier, I'll do as I'm told--and yet I personally struggle with many of the questions raised.
The idea that there are six sacraments for girls and seven for boys does not ring with me and I have a hard time receiving that teaching. Even your argument, and I mean nothing personal by this, but I think the logical fallacy of false dilemma is at work there. I mean, okay, women give birth and men are priests. Oooookay. It sounds like "separate but equal" and that is not an easy teaching to receive.
Also, the argument from tradition is often invoked in theology as a reason for this, and while it is considered a pillar in theology it is marked as a fallacy in logic. I think when it comes to liturgy and story, tradition is beautiful; but for some practices it feels insufficient as a reason.
Not an easy teaching to receive.
Peace, my friend.
Hi Missy
Oh, how I love a good discussion, but . . . you begin with a question . . . are there really seven sacraments?
Both Lawrence E. Mick's book "Understanding the Sacraments Today" and Kurt Stasiak's book "Sacramental Theology" leave space for future revision of the sacraments. Which makes your argument as shallow as mine.
And that is basically the problem I see going on right now.
Many of our theologians allow their ego's to direct their thinking instead of allowing their hearts to direct the discussion. Without discussion we are dead but to use this dicussion to promote one's own ideas, that's ego and we must die to our own ego (or take up the cross) and let God direct us.
The German theologians and the reform movements in America are interesting to say the least, but we must be careful to identify the leader whose ego is leading the revisions. Can we do that?
God bless
Gloria
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