I was struck today by the thought that so many churches need to have “a confession” as part of their services. Some churches even have special little boxes where you can confess.
At the same time I see people in the limelight that seem to find it impossible to admit to anything less than perfection.
A recent post by Franklin Graham said:
Without repentance, our country will continue to spiral downwards with more division, more hate, more violence.
The responses were by people pointing out who they thought should repent – them over there.
Tesco have reminded us that there is no naughty list this year.
I have never really liked the Santa naughty and nice concept.
My interest is in the breadth of the spectrum from “I am perfect” to “Miserable me” and where we should sit on it. I think I never get it quite right myself.
One of the antiques shows this week showed a Papal Indulgence – a “get out of hell free” card. It was interesting because it had 50 “write in” spaces for friends names.
Martin Luther is well known for his opposition to this idea. It is worth reading his 95 Theses, there are some interesting parts:
Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and passes him by, and gives [his money] for pardons, purchases not the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God
In other words – it is more important to support the poor than support the church.
But his view was still that people needed to be penitent before they were absolved, so he still wanted people to know their guilt.
Personally I think it is healthy to accept our imperfections, but is it healthy to live with permanent guilt? I can’t accept that.