 Posted Saturday, September 22, 2007 7:18 PM
|
|
|
|
Methinks your continual use of methinks is getting tiresome.
Anne Hathaway
|
|
|
Posted Saturday, September 22, 2007 7:48 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:05 PM
|
|
|
|
| I'm just thankful it's not "Talk like a Pirate (And that's coming from a TB Buccaneer fan)
|
|
|
Posted Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:41 AM
|
|
|
|
Mr. Do-Go-Be-Man...
That's Mrs. Shakespeare to you....
Anne
|
|
|
Posted Sunday, September 23, 2007 6:21 PM
|
|
|
|
| No, Do-Go, I was not thinking of "Pirate-Talk Day." I was aware of it--I have three teenagers! Just not at that posting. But I do want to be clear that that kind of "prosperity gospel" is dangerous and deviant. And CS is a kind of health-and-wealth belief system. We've touched on occult thinking in a few other threads, and there is a conceptual overlap between these two issues. What they share is a belief, even if it is not cognizantly articulated, that say, if I my prayers/spiritual understanding/practice/thinking/etc. are correct, then the spiritual realm/God/patron saint or spirit is in some way obligated to respond and fulfil my request. Sometimes this is understood in terms of a "law," * a practice, a ritual, energy, or force. But the results are the same: an expectation that the system will yield well-being, health, and prosperity. Similar to habitual gamblers, those involved in these beliefs and practices become adept at minimizing the failures and losses and maximizing the blessings and winnings in their memories and testimonies. *MBE mimicked the immature natural sciences of her day, and loved to posit her teachings as "rules" and "laws." E.g., The true Logos is demonstrably Christian Science, the natural law of harmony which overcomes discord,--not because this Science is supernatural or preternatural, nor because it is an infraction of divine law, but because it is the immutable law of God, good. S&H 134.21
|
|
|
Posted Monday, September 24, 2007 9:53 AM
|
|
|
|
Mrs. Shakespeare,
I've admired your contributions to your husband's work. I especially liked your suggestion to change the title of his play, "Julius, Grab Her Quick Before She Gets Away".
Do Go Be Man
<><
|
|
|
Posted Monday, September 24, 2007 10:48 AM
|
|
|
|
followingHim,
No, Do-Go, I was not thinking of "Pirate-Talk Day." I was aware of it--I have three teenagers! Just not at that posting.
To tell the truth, I thought you were showing an influence by MBE in your use of "methinks", but did not want to dive down into making any serious analogies regarding Scriptural piracy. Were I to suggest that CS pirated Scripture, someone may suggest I walk the plank, be keel-hauled, or be lashed with a cat o'nine tails (or sit through a CS lecture).
But I do want to be clear that that kind of "prosperity gospel" is dangerous and deviant. And CS is a kind of health-and-wealth belief system.
I agree with the hazards of "prosperity gospel". My views on the relevance of works got a pretty good work over earlier this year. To attempt to judge someone's salvation by their material prosperity is pretty bad. Yet, at least in the wide circles of CS in which I hung out, CSists do tend to keep score based on their wealth and demonstrations of overcoming material limitations. My CS mother even after years of me telling her how offensive I find it, describes her CS friends in terms of their million dollar condos and summer homes in exclusive reserves.
We've touched on occult thinking in a few other threads, and there is a conceptual overlap between these two issues.
There are similarities to the "name-it-and-claim-it", prosperity-oriented theologies, occult thinking, and CS. I'm sure, however, that as a CSist I would have never been able to see that well enough to even discuss it seriously. God's will and glory are usually the missing component in those perspectives. In all my years hearing and giving CS testimonies, I heard an abundant allotment of "I'm grateful for CS", "...grateful to MBE", etc. I do not, however, recall one time when someone stood up to say something such as...
"I am struck down in humble gratitude for the awesome power of our magnificent Creator as He is glorified in me and His creation. He has graciously forgiven me my multitude of sins against Him through the precious blood of His Son. God, our Father in Heaven, I thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, my blessed Savior. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, for guiding me, leading me, humbling me, and for lifting me up. I pray that in all things that you be glorified and in all things, I give thanks to You. I look forward to that day when I may be with you in Heaven though undeserved of my own merit. Thank you for your holy word and please continue to use it to lead me in further knowing your will, your plan for my life."
The closest I ever heard to that in a CS testimony meeting was delivered by a Southern Baptist infiltrator. I recall being very uncomfortable. The First Reader, a former Baptist himself, ultimately asked the infiltrator to be seated as the meeting was for the sharing of CS testimonies.
Do Go Be Man
<><
|
|
|
|