Wednesday, January 18, 2012

*BEST OF DTB #127* Twinkie religion vs Meat and Potatoes

Before I get assailed for this article, let me just say that probably 50% of my friends are of the protestant tradition. They are, for the most part, very good people and I do not question the sincerity of most of them in desiring to do God's will.

Nevertheless, I am not a protestant for a reason. Theological speaking, protestantism is twinkie religion.

Sure it appears wholesome and fulfilling to the eyes. It looks pure, golden and white, like heaven in plastic wrap. It is, undeniably sweet to the taste.

Why on earth would anyone not want to eat a twinkie? Why would anyone not want to be a Protestant?

The reason is very simple. Though the Twinkie is easier, and sweeter, and certainly costs you less, it cannot fill you up, warm you up and give you the nourishment you need, like steak and a baked potato or a hearty stew.

Sure, it takes a great deal more time to cut up the onions and the mushrooms and peppers, marinate the meat and peel the potatoes but do you want to eat fast or do you want to eat well?

What is true of food is certainly true of faith. You get out of it what you put into it. When you try to reduce the equation of Salvation to a few tortured Bible verses that you convince yourself offer a nearly effortless path to salvation, you are, in essence, downing a twinkie and calling it a day.

You are robbing yourself of the hearty spiritual nourishment you need by deliberately turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to all those giants who have gone before. Through scrupulous study of the scriptures, over centuries, they went down into the Bible's deep water, while you are content to wade in the ankle-deep currents.

It is an astounding arrogance to assume that Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Jerome, and all the other Fathers of the Church have no more to say than the average person picking his Bible off his night stand.

Put the Twinkies down and get to work peeling potatoes. Read what these early church goers actually believed and practiced. It is much deeper and heartier than you have been led to believe. It is worth the effort.




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