Penance & Self-Sacrifice

[1edyson]

Am I generalizing to feel that the RCC puts more emphasis on penance and self-sacrifice then other mainline non-Catholic Christian Denomination?

 

[Joyful_1]

Am I generalizing to feel that the RCC puts more emphasis on penance and self-sacrifice then other mainline non-Catholic Christian Denomination?

Maybe you are generalizing, but I think you’re right. Most non-Catholic Christians put so much emphasis on the Resurection that the Cross is not as important. I don’t really know the reason for it, but it’s true.

 

[ralphinal]

Not if you include the EO. THey are all about it.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Am I generalizing to feel that the RCC puts more emphasis on penance and self-sacrifice then other mainline non-Catholic Christian Denomination?

The beginnings of the Methodist movement (which began as a movement within Anglicanism) were steeped in self-denial, as well as spiritual exercises such as repentance and fasting (twice a week). Those traditions continue today, both in and out of the Lenten season.

 

[ralphinal]

The beginnings of the Methodist movement (which began as a movement within Anglicanism) were steeped in self-denial, as well as spiritual exercises such as repentance and fasting (twice a week). Those traditions continue today, both in and out of the Lenten season.

I am not doubting that, but the vast majority of Methodists that I know, and from talking to members of Methodists churches, do not even begin to get the message. Is it commonly preached everywhere? Is there much use of these exercises?

 

[O.S.Luke]

I am not doubting that, but the vast majority of Methodists that I know, and from talking to members of Methodists churches, do not even begin to get the message. Is it commonly preached everywhere? Is there much use of these exercises?

I grew up hearing about, and taking on, self-denial and prayer disciplines all my life, and it’s never been new news to any church I’ve ever served as a pastor. But I am sure, just like all traditions, that there are varying levels of faith, involvement, and ways of living out those things.

Wesley wrote a sermon on Self-Denial. It starts out so:

Self-Denial
By John Wesley
Sermon 48

(text from the 1872 edition - Thomas Jackson, editor)

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

I. What it is for a man to deny himself, and what to take up his cross.

II. If a man be not fully Christ’s disciple, it is always owing to the want of this.

III. Conclusion.

1. It has been frequently imagined, that the direction here given related chiefly, if not wholly, to the Apostles; at least, to the Christians of the first ages, or those in a state of persecution. But this is a grievous mistake; For although our blessed Lord is here directing his discourse more immediately to his Apostles, and those other disciples who attended him in the days of his flesh; yet, in them he speaks to us, and to all mankind, without any exception or limitation. The very reason of the thing puts it beyond dispute, that the duty which is here enjoined is not peculiar to them, or to the Christians of the early ages. It no more regards any particular order of men, or particular time, than any particular country. No: It is of the most universal nature, respecting all times, and all persons, yea, and all things; not meats and drinks only, and things pertaining to the senses. The meaning is, “If any man,” of whatever rank, station, circumstances, in any nation, in any age of the world, “will” effectually “come after me, let him deny himself” in all things; let him “take up his cross” of whatever kind; yea, and that “daily; and follow me.”

1. The denying ourselves and the taking up our cross, in the full extent of the expression, is not a thing of small concern: It is not expedient only, as are some of the circumstantials of religion; but it is absolutely, indispensably necessary, either to our becoming or continuing his disciples. It is absolutely necessary, in the very nature of the thing, to our coming after Him and following Him; insomuch that, as far as we do not practise it, we are not his disciples. If we do not continually deny ourselves, we do not learn of Him, but of other masters. If we do not take up our cross daily, we do not come after Him, but after the world, or the prince of the world, or our own fleshly mind. If we are not walking in the way of the cross, we are not following Him; we are not treading in his steps; but going back from, or at least wide of, Him…

O+

 

[ralphinal]

I grew up hearing about, and taking on, self-denial and prayer disciplines all my life, and it’s never been new news to any church I’ve ever served as a pastor. But I am sure, just like all traditions, that there are varying levels of faith, involvement, and ways of living out those things.

Wesley wrote a sermon on Self-Denial. It starts out so:

O+

From what I know of you from on here, I believe that you do place appropriate emphasis on it. I seems like the ones I know miss that class…

Example, the number of Methodists that I grew up with who had no concept of Lent, fasting or anything related to it. Then again, that might be why that Methodist Church is dying the slow death and the bathodist (Methodist who act Baptist) is growing where I am.