We all have rituals. Pray before we eat, pray before going to sleep, kneeling when we pray, standing when we hear the Gospel, Make the sign of the cross. Some people see this as a chain holding you down. I see them as growing in faith. Crawl, walk, Run. We do not go from 0-60 in an instant. And keeping this rituals also ensures we stay in the narrow road.
Do rituals have power?
- Thread starter RedTent
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Here's an example of how one might look at these innocent "rituals" as we are calling them.
I'll give a make believe example of something that might appeal to myself, you can easily make your own example.
Let's say I decide that I will start spending my day of rest in my remote mountain cabin. I decide, that I'll take bread and wine for obvious purposes.
At some point, I may read the following instruction in the bible:
"Don't eat upon the mountain(s)"
And I may interpret it as:
"Don't let the surety of your personal salvation be your sustenance"
Further, there are bread and even water in particular mentioned.
I then think: "well, that's exactly what I've been doing physically for the last several weeks, but... I know I have not had that self-victory attitude, so I haven't been guilty of this, yet, I did not seek this sign, so it may be a reminder. Now that I have recognized this, should I continue innocently as I was, with one ritual, or do I change my sabbath stay at my cabin to one of fasting? And, will I be able to endure a fast and simultaneously call it rest?"
I do not believe I must "choose correctly" if or how to change my "ritual", because I would never have planned such a thought process. I never considered it a "ritual" to bring about a purpose, and if I change it, it will be a reflective change, not an intended "prophetic" change. Either way I proceed in the flesh, will bring no harm, and my intent is my best effort at righteousness, I believe God is happy with the intent.
Therefore, I believe "Mother Teresa" for example, probably carried more in her Spirit while she prayed the rosary than most who do it because it is "required." Based on my observation of her fruit.
I'll give a make believe example of something that might appeal to myself, you can easily make your own example.
Let's say I decide that I will start spending my day of rest in my remote mountain cabin. I decide, that I'll take bread and wine for obvious purposes.
At some point, I may read the following instruction in the bible:
"Don't eat upon the mountain(s)"
And I may interpret it as:
"Don't let the surety of your personal salvation be your sustenance"
Further, there are bread and even water in particular mentioned.
I then think: "well, that's exactly what I've been doing physically for the last several weeks, but... I know I have not had that self-victory attitude, so I haven't been guilty of this, yet, I did not seek this sign, so it may be a reminder. Now that I have recognized this, should I continue innocently as I was, with one ritual, or do I change my sabbath stay at my cabin to one of fasting? And, will I be able to endure a fast and simultaneously call it rest?"
I do not believe I must "choose correctly" if or how to change my "ritual", because I would never have planned such a thought process. I never considered it a "ritual" to bring about a purpose, and if I change it, it will be a reflective change, not an intended "prophetic" change. Either way I proceed in the flesh, will bring no harm, and my intent is my best effort at righteousness, I believe God is happy with the intent.
Therefore, I believe "Mother Teresa" for example, probably carried more in her Spirit while she prayed the rosary than most who do it because it is "required." Based on my observation of her fruit.
E
It would depend.
Rituals which are repetitive in nature seem to lose their power because you get "used" to doing it/. It becomes an ordinary thing, thus loses its meaning and purpose. Even praying before a meal can get ritualistic and become not thinking God for our blessings, but just a trained occurrence.
However. things like baptism and communion are commanded (not for salvation, but as teaching tools) and thus have deeper meanings..
Rituals which are repetitive in nature seem to lose their power because you get "used" to doing it/. It becomes an ordinary thing, thus loses its meaning and purpose. Even praying before a meal can get ritualistic and become not thinking God for our blessings, but just a trained occurrence.
However. things like baptism and communion are commanded (not for salvation, but as teaching tools) and thus have deeper meanings..
Indeed He did. When they asked Him about Him and His disciples not fasting He pretty much told them that He was here and there was no need to fast with Him here, but when He leaves they would.
For the most part He did everything the Jews did. He is God and can do as he pleases. We on the other hand are to do as He pleases. I know you know this I am just presenting my point.
For the most part He did everything the Jews did. He is God and can do as he pleases. We on the other hand are to do as He pleases. I know you know this I am just presenting my point.
You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink. We are shown the way trough scripture and traditions. One is not with ought the other. There are rituals we do as humans that are not biblical but can be pleasing to God. i.e. bow your head and close your eyes or kneel when you pray and put your hands together.
E
true, but in the same token, there are rituals which place to much emphasis on man and his works. and not on God. All these things should either lead us to God (like the law) or remind us of what God did (like baptism) but none of them should be used in a way which one thinks they are made right with God by doing them.
This is when individual interpretation can mislead from the truth. You doubt something don't go about to disprove it. When you believed in God truly did you try to disapprove of this with scriptures? Trinity is never in the bible, that is a man made believe as some people state it. I believe God guided the councils which gave us the explanation to the Trinity mystery and the books of the bible to be used. Every thing we argue today has already been discussed in councils, which where lead by God because he will always be with his church.
E
This is a falic argument. The jews had the same councels they demanded were also lead by God. and these councels lead people away from truth.
Yes trinity is found in scripture. Yet it can be completely proven by scripture. where many of the so called roman traditions can not be completely proven by scripture. As the jews were warned about doing this, by adding their laws and traditions, We as the church should learn from these so we do not make the same mistakes.
Yes trinity is found in scripture. Yet it can be completely proven by scripture. where many of the so called roman traditions can not be completely proven by scripture. As the jews were warned about doing this, by adding their laws and traditions, We as the church should learn from these so we do not make the same mistakes.
