_Father Lasch: Daily Scripture_ (http://fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture) fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture_Cached_ (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:pG6_ZB7sHakJ:fatherlasch.com/dailyscri pture/1219/daily-scripture+"became+a+radical+centrrist"&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&g l=us) You +1'd this publicly. _Undo_ (http://www.google.com/#) Over the last few years, I have become a 'radical centrist.' Some people scoff at that attribution and some people laugh. I really don't care what they think ...
_Daily Scripture_ (http://fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture) Friday May 18, 2007 + 6th Week of Easter Stop your bickering! Readings: _Acts 18:9-16_ (http://fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture#) _Psalm 47:2-7_ (http://fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture#) _John 16:20-23_ (http://fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture#) “But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal saying, ‘This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.’ When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear your complaint, but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves.’” [_Acts 18:12-15_ (http://fatherlasch.com/dailyscripture/1219/daily-scripture#) ] When I was a kid, my sister and I would argue over turf or some other petty issue of major significance to us. Then came the voice of my mom from another room. “Stop your bickering! Settle your differences!” There’s a lot of bickering in the household of God these days. But there was a lot of bickering in the early Church described in the Acts of the Apostles. Much of the time it was between traditional Jews and a new sect that had grown up within Judaism called “the way” comprised of those who followed Jesus. But even among early believers there were differences of opinion with regard to the laws of worship and some doctrinal matters that had yet to receive the status of ‘dogma.’ Dialogue, not bickering is the most effective way to resolve differences however significant they may be. In fact, bickering usually makes a mountain out of a molehill. There are serious issues that divide religious traditions and issues that divide Christians and yes, issues that divide some members of the Catholic family. Over the last few years, I have become a ‘radical centrist.’ Some people scoff at that attribution and some people laugh. I really don’t care what they think because I really think Jesus was a radical centrist too. Truth does not exist in a vacuum. Even doctrines and dogmas are formulated within an historical and cultural context and need to be revisited and, over time, need to be reformulated otherwise religious beliefs become stagnant. Ancient disciplines also need to be revisited lest they become obstacles to growth, e.g., the law of celibacy, the ban against the ordination of women, issues of sexuality, etc. I can’t remember my dad bickering with anyone. He was a great listener and after listening, he expressed his opinion. When the bickering started, he walked away. I think he was doing what Jesus instructed his disciples to do— wish them peace, shake the dust off your feet and move on. Peace! -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
