A note
on hymnology and liturgical resources:
Beloved, do not imitate
what is evil, but what is good. (3 John 11) The modern
evangelical movement in the West has not truly appreciated the
depth of devotion or richness in history of the rest of
the church of Jesus. In particular, all traditions and
branches of Biblical Christianity, whether Catholic, Orthodox,
or Protestant, have both good and bad in their history and
both good and bad in their doctrines. We look at
hymnology and the vast wealth of prayer resources (both
devotional and intercessory) that have been handed down to us
through almost 2000 years of Church history as one of the
"good" things that are part of our heritage. We are to
keep what is good in this regard and reject what is bad...
whether that goes for our own tradition or someone else's.
So, with that thought in mind, the catechisms, common prayer,
and devotional history of all tribes of Christian faith can be
a rich resource, especially in developing corporate,
systematic prayer for revival and God's purposes.
There is I am sure both good and bad to be found in their
content as well... but we are to use discernment and, as the
beloved John urges us, imitate what is good. Paul tells
us "Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thess 5:21)
This is our guiding principle and should be yours as well.
We can receive from "all the saints" without having to agree
with every doctrine or belief of "all the saints" as well.
|
