Dark Brightness

Part of the Reformed position is a sense that the Church is in society and should influence it. The technical name for this is Catholic — the Church is full of fallen people and (it is only by God’s power) that any good happens. The Roman Church calls itself Catholic, but the position is shared by those who take a Orthodox or Reformed position.

The other position the Church has taken is separation from the world. The first people who did this were monks. There has been a quietist and mystic group within the Catholic churches that subsumes its feelings to the wider church. However, from the enlightenment on, the idea that the Church should be separate from society has gathered both among pagans and believers. This leads to statements such as:

“This is a personal opinion, but I don’t expect New Zealand society to observe the Christian story at Easter.

“I don’t have religious objections at all if shops are allowed to open any time they like over Easter. I don’t think the churches can expect New Zealand society to observe Easter in the way the Christian churches do.

“It’s something that is special and precious to Christians that should be respected, but the churches shouldn’t seek to impose that on society.

“People can have their days off and enjoy them in ignorance of what Easter is about for Christians, and that’s fine.”

I’d say that if Jesus did not rise, our faith is vain. If our faith is not vain, it behooves us to bear witness to him at all times — and the cycle of festivals within the Church (and fossilized in Society) gives us a chance to do this.

via Pagans, Passover and the resurrection | Otago Daily Times Online News.