The subject under review is Monasteries and Monastic vows. The medieval concept and assumption of "perfection" and a meritorious, holier order of humans is impugned and criticized. The doctrine of justification by faith alone continues to inform this section--with genuine readability and clarity. We are hereby edified.
The Defense of the Augsburg Confession. XXVII.45-47.
Article XXVII: (XIII): Of Monastic Vows.
45] Another passage is also cited concerning perfection Matt. 19:21: If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and come and follow Me. This passage has exercised many, who have imagined that it is perfection to cast away possessions and the control of property.
46] Let us allow the philosophers to extol Aristippus, who cast a great weight of gold into the sea. [Cynics like Diogenes, who would have no house, but lay in a tub, may commend such heathenish holiness.] Such examples pertain in no way to Christian perfection. [Christian holiness consists in much higher matters than such hypocrisy.] The division, control, and possession of property are civil ordinances, approved by God's Word in the commandment, Ex. 20:15: Thou shalt not steal. The abandonment of property has no command or advice in the Scriptures. For evangelical poverty does not consist in the abandonment of property, but in not being avaricious, in not trusting in wealth, just as David was poor in a most wealthy kingdom.
47] Therefore, since the abandonment of property is merely a human tradition, it is a useless service. Excessive also are the praises in the Extravagant, which says that the abdication of the ownership of all things for God's sake is meritorious and holy, and a way of perfection. And it is very dangerous to extol with such excessive praises a matter conflicting with political order. [When inexperienced people hear such commendations, they conclude that it is unchristian to hold property; whence many errors and seditions follow; through such commendations Muentzer was deceived, and thereby many Anabaptists were led astray.]
2 comments:
Enter the Traditional "Anglican" communion, which supports not only monasteries, but idolatrous Marian shrines.
By "Traditional Anglican Communion" I think you are referring to Bishop Hepworth's group of about 400,000 "so-called" Anglicans. The word "Anglican" does not really apply since they are not Anglicans, but Romanists.
Where's James I. Packer, in terms of print and visibility, on the theology of this?
Where's David Virtue, the advertiser of Anglicanism, or so he thinks.
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