It is always hard to see the world through one' own lens and position in it, but it strikes me that we currently have a dearth of medieval style saints.
Yes, I know: an odd thing to say from a Protestant who holds they typically Protestant view on such individuals (as opposed, say, to the Catholic and Orthodox creeds). But there is nothing wrong in my world view to holding to their example and life, which is almost universally accepted no matter what your religious background.
Oh, we have plenty of self proclaimed saints (and prophets, which is pushing the envelope even more and which I definitely have thoughts about). But most of the medieval saints, if you read of their lives via history or hagiography, were none of the things that these self proclaimed vessels of God are: Loud, exuberant, self-advertising, and too often greedy for the world's gain.
I wonder: if Benedict of Nursia appeared in today's world, would we even recognize him? Or Guthlac of Crowland? Or any of the other saints that have filled the world (even up to this day; yes, I know they are out there)?
Likely not, even as likely they live among us now. Running through all the saints is a humility and quiet service that today's self proclaimed saints cannot understand or comprehend.
A "Prophet" is one who is chosen to be the Holy Spirit's voice. The true prophet is a transparent window that does not alter, tint, refract, bend or bias the light, the message, that God chooses to transmit through the window.
ReplyDeleteA "Saint" should have the same optical properties as a "Prophet".
I try to be a saint but I fail every day.
Anon. - Prophecy (or at least, modern prophecy) gets into an area that I find incredibly divisive, as there are essentially two views: It ended with the closing of Scripture (for most Christians, the book of Revelation), or it continues to this day. I tend to be in the first category, as most "prophets" I have heard simply do not speak like the prophets of recorded Scripture. That said, one simply cannot say that God would never act in this way - He is God, and He can speak any way in which he pleases.
DeleteBut to your point, yes - the Prophet, as the saint, should correctly transmit the light of God's message, be it a message or simply living as Scripture commands, without any interference or additions. Which is where I find most "prophets" and "saints" today: with additions.
Well, none of the ones on TV are what I'd consider a saint/prophet, $$$ are what they appear to be worshipping.
ReplyDeleteYou and I both Nylon12, you and I both. Which is why Chesterson's quote struck me so deeply.
Delete"Chesterton", not "Chesterson". I should read my quotes more carefully.
DeletePaul calls the Roman Christians saints (to be was added for obfuscation). Same thing for the Corinthians. As I understand it, so are we. Timothy and Titus make it clear we are to be working to take our place among the leaders of our respective churches, if so be ye are truly saved. Anon nailed it above, a sainit is a true representation of the message. That message is Christ in YOU. You are Jesus the Christ, in His TB form, moving, working, and serving in your sphere of influence, under His control. Using the tools of Ephesians 1-3, according to the instructions of Ephesians 4-6, the current saint impacts this world with Kingdom living. It has ever been thus. Cooperating with God to work His plan is sainthood.
ReplyDeleteSTxAR, agreed that the world "saints" as applied to Scripture is in fact the body of Christ - every Christian should, in that sense, be a saint. However, for whatever reason, some people are just "better" at it than others and seem to have a special grace poured into their lives (could I be a Benedict or Francis of Assisi? Probably not.).
DeleteIt does bring up the question of how those "Saints" were/are determined in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions (mainline Protestants have at best just accepted the pre-1520 versions, and modern non-denominationals do not really have them at all). That said, using the word "Saint" to identify them for historical purposes and ease of discussion makes some sense to me.
Often, they can often be models for us as well, even if we do not accept the doctrine of how saints operate as in Catholicism and Orthdox Christianity. That is a failing I think the rest of Christianity can be guilty of: there is much to find in many of the official "Saints" lives that is worth emulating.
Thoughtful post today, TB. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou all be safe and God bless.
Thank you Linda. Mostly, thank G.K. Chesterson in this case. I am just along for the ride.
DeleteSigh. "Chesterton", not "Chesterson".
DeleteSome of the old saints, at least what I have read about them, are inspiring. But some of the newer saints seem more like they were inducted not because of a miracle but because it was the PC thing to do at the moment.
ReplyDeleteEd, I tend to agree with you. I fear it will get worse as our Western Culture demands representation based on things other than what truly makes a saint.
DeleteI will say one of the more interesting things to me in the Orthodox church is the move to beatify certainly bishops and priests that suffered prison and death during the Communist period. I like that the Orthodox Church was able to recognize not all persecution happened in the long ago days.