Over the centuries the Church has done enough to make any critical person want to leave it. Its history of violent crusades, pogroms, power struggles, oppression, excommunications, executions, manipulation of people and ideas, and constantly recurring divisions is there for everyone to see and be appalled by.
Can we believe that this is the same Church that carries in its center the Word of God and the sacraments of God’s healing love? Can we trust that in the midst of all its human brokenness the Church presents the broken body of Christ to the world as food for eternal life? Can we acknowledge that where sin is abundant grace is superabundant, and that where promises are broken over and again God’s promise stands unshaken? To believe is to answer yes to these questions.
~ Henri Nouwen
Related posts:
- believing in the church
- a postmodern meditation on romans 12. (part 3)
- in, but not of.
- theology of social change
- becoming new now.
I love how no one comments when you put up posts that praise how the church is good. But up something that slightly rips on the church and watch what happens, it will be a test.
I love how no one comments when you put up posts that praise how the church is good. But up something that slightly rips on the church and see how many people flow towards the negativity, it will be a test.
I agree with.
I agree with you.