I'm not sure, though...<here's the backstory, so you know how I reached my alleged deep thought> Last night, driving home from work and stuck in traffic, my mind starting wandering. I was thinking about a thread from the board about Biblical texts that support the "L" in TULIP. Several people responded with texts that they feel support Limited Atonement. I wrote down all the passages so I could do some reading. I couldn't get over how many there were listed. (And I'm sure that it's not an exhaustive list.) The more I thought about it, the more upset I got. How on earth can other churches not see it when there are so many Scriptures that support it? I was thinking specifically of the Catholic Church (which is the church I used to belong to). How do they not see it? Then, as I was stuck at a light at St. Clare of Montefalco Church (yet another saint noone would ever have heard of except there's a church named after her) and I started thinking about Mass. And it hit me! Eureka!
The Catholic Church has certain Scriptural texts that they read, based on a calendar system. So, for example, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, every year, the same Scriptures are read. Of course! They are not using the whole Bible! They are ignoring the texts that they don't like, and using the texts that they do to support themselves. Unless you read the Bible independently (and with a critical eye) you may NEVER KNOW about the Scriptures which deal with TULIP. I am referring now to the whole Reformed concept, not just limited atonement. Limited Atonement is just what started my little hamster on her wheel. Up until Vatican II (the sequel), the Catholic Church embraced limited atonement in the Mass. ("The Blood of the new and everlasting covenant, which has been shed for you and for many, so that sins may be forgiven." which got changed to "for you and for all" The sixties have much to answer for.)
OK, reading over my note now, I feel a little subdued. Maybe it wasn't such an amazing conclusion after all. What do you guys'n'gals think? PLEASE don't tell me it's stupid, even if it is...it's OK to say it's not well-thought out, etc. But be gentle - I am very gingerly putting a toe into the ocean of theology. The water's cold & deep, and a big part of me wants to stay on the beach where it's more comfortable...
Mary
The Catholic Church has certain Scriptural texts that they read, based on a calendar system. So, for example, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, every year, the same Scriptures are read. Of course! They are not using the whole Bible! They are ignoring the texts that they don't like, and using the texts that they do to support themselves. Unless you read the Bible independently (and with a critical eye) you may NEVER KNOW about the Scriptures which deal with TULIP. I am referring now to the whole Reformed concept, not just limited atonement. Limited Atonement is just what started my little hamster on her wheel. Up until Vatican II (the sequel), the Catholic Church embraced limited atonement in the Mass. ("The Blood of the new and everlasting covenant, which has been shed for you and for many, so that sins may be forgiven." which got changed to "for you and for all" The sixties have much to answer for.)
OK, reading over my note now, I feel a little subdued. Maybe it wasn't such an amazing conclusion after all. What do you guys'n'gals think? PLEASE don't tell me it's stupid, even if it is...it's OK to say it's not well-thought out, etc. But be gentle - I am very gingerly putting a toe into the ocean of theology. The water's cold & deep, and a big part of me wants to stay on the beach where it's more comfortable...
Mary