Traditionalist View of the Universal Call to Evangelize?

[TimothyH]

I’m interested in the traditionalist view of evangelization.

How do traditionalists live out the universal call to evangelization in their daily lives? What practical things do traditionalists do to evangelize? Do you feel that traditionalists differ from the contemporary Church in terms of the call to evangelize or the practical application of that call?

It’s something I have not heard discussed.

-Tim-

 

[Esrb99]

I’m interested in the traditionalist view of evangelization.

How do traditionalists live out the universal call to evangelization in their daily lives? What practical things do traditionalists do to evangelize? Do you feel that traditionalists differ from the contemporary Church in terms of the call to evangelize or the practical application of that call?

It’s something I have not heard discussed.

-Tim-

I think it’s because amongst some in the traditionalist community, there is a stigma attached to the word evangelize. For example when I hear the word, images of multi-denominational/multi faith prayers to ‘the spirit’ in large meeting rooms or gyms come to mind. While it is not necessarily a fair portrayal, it nonetheless is a stereotype that exists.

In St. Louis, the main trad community has billboards up around the major interstates, advertising the old mass. Priests volunteer in the local neighborhood, and can be seen in cassock playing basketball with neighborhood kids around the block.

As I understand it, evangelization for us has been to build up a steady parish life with events such as dinners, plays, etc sponsored by the TLM community to get us known in the city. Priests regularly attend mass at the cathedral basilica in choir, making their presence and solidarity with the archdiocese known. Again as said above, it seems to be that for us evangelization is about showing that we are with the diocese and that we exist, with a vibrant parish life.

Image edited by moderator for size.

 

[R_C]

I don’t know how much of a traditionalist I’d be, but I’d say that the main difference is that both traditionalists and the contemporary Church follow the basic tenet of evangelizing all the nations, while some groups within the contemporary Church follow it by adding the erroneous idea that it’s all good under the sun, all leads to heaven, all it’s holy.

Sorry, but it’s not quite so. Certainly we do have extremists on the traditonalist side (I think, at least) who claim that anything other than X, Y, and Z is simply evil. The Church, being more prudent, teaches that those things which are good come from God and in fact predispose to accepting the Gospel of Christ, the ultimate divine revelation, the ultimate fulfillment of man’s search for God.

That is not to say that anyone can do anything. I think a traditionalist holds to the basic idea that he is drawing others to the Church, not vice versa. That he is showing, like Paul in Athens, how others are close to the knowledge of the true God, the God revealed fully by the teachings of Christ in His Church, the Catholic Church. This is very delicate, and it is easy to be tempted to take shortcuts, to throw away Catholic teachings that are inconvenient, to negate solid, orthodox doctrine in order not to “scare away” those to whom we are bringing the Good News.

I know - I mean, I have read about - other groups, far from being Catholic or, as far as I know, holy - that also have in mind this idea of bringing all together, of this universal goodness of all religions and their lack thereof…we cannot walk that path, because it is no good. We are, like Christ said, the lamp placed on top of the hill. When we reach to others, humbly, we point at the darkness that surrounds us and point at the little lights that everyone holds in his hands, and show them that there is only one source of light, and that this source abides on top of that hill, and that anyone who loves the light is naturally drawn to the dwelling place of the source. This, I think, would be a somewhat traditionalist view - I could be wrong. On the other side, we’d have the groups that place the Church on level ground with everything else, as if the source of light was in some unidentified, invisible high place, and both us and everyone else were desperately looking for it…forgetting that Light itself already made His dwelling place amidst us, and that His Kingdom is already here.

I look forward to read what others have to say on this interesting topic

 

[crazzeto]

I think that in catholic circles in general for the past several years the word “evangelize” and especially “evangelist” has gained a stigma due to certain of our protestant brothers. While I tend towards the traditional, I can’t say I’m “a part” of that community as such. At least for me and my perspective, it seems Holy Mother church has put forth great effort to get over “that hump”, the stigma of the word. And in a sense, a lot of us lay believers are just now figuring out what we should be doing.

I participate here personally (though more infrequently now) and (more so) on facebook sharing the views of the orthodox faith. I’ve even set up an (incredibly small) St. Justin Martyr facebook page for the express purpose of sharing the catechism as well quotations from the great apologists works (with very little commentary).

 

[TimothyH]

I think it’s because amongst some in the traditionalist community, there is a stigma attached to the word evangelize. For example when I hear the word, images of multi-denominational/multi faith prayers to ‘the spirit’ in large meeting rooms or gyms come to mind. While it is not necessarily a fair portrayal, it nonetheless is a stereotype that exists.

In St. Louis, the main trad community has billboards up around the major interstates, advertising the old mass. Priests volunteer in the local neighborhood, and can be seen in cassock playing basketball with neighborhood kids around the block.

As I understand it, evangelization for us has been to build up a steady parish life with events such as dinners, plays, etc sponsored by the TLM community to get us known in the city. Priests regularly attend mass at the cathedral basilica in choir, making their presence and solidarity with the archdiocese known. Again as said above, it seems to be that for us evangelization is about showing that we are with the diocese and that we exist, with a vibrant parish life.

Image edited by moderator for size

Is this evangelizing the nations to come to the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church or is this evangelizing other Catholics to come to the Latin Mass/traditionalism?

I ask in all sincerity.

-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

I don’t know how much of a traditionalist I’d be, but I’d say that the main difference is that both traditionalists and the contemporary Church follow the basic tenet of evangelizing all the nations, while some groups within the contemporary Church follow it by adding the erroneous idea that it’s all good under the sun, all leads to heaven, all it’s holy.

Sorry, but it’s not quite so. Certainly we do have extremists on the traditonalist side (I think, at least) who claim that anything other than X, Y, and Z is simply evil. The Church, being more prudent, teaches that those things which are good come from God and in fact predispose to accepting the Gospel of Christ, the ultimate divine revelation, the ultimate fulfillment of man’s search for God.

That is not to say that anyone can do anything. I think a traditionalist holds to the basic idea that he is drawing others to the Church, not vice versa. That he is showing, like Paul in Athens, how others are close to the knowledge of the true God, the God revealed fully by the teachings of Christ in His Church, the Catholic Church. This is very delicate, and it is easy to be tempted to take shortcuts, to throw away Catholic teachings that are inconvenient, to negate solid, orthodox doctrine in order not to “scare away” those to whom we are bringing the Good News.

I know - I mean, I have read about - other groups, far from being Catholic or, as far as I know, holy - that also have in mind this idea of bringing all together, of this universal goodness of all religions and their lack thereof…we cannot walk that path, because it is no good. We are, like Christ said, the lamp placed on top of the hill. When we reach to others, humbly, we point at the darkness that surrounds us and point at the little lights that everyone holds in his hands, and show them that there is only one source of light, and that this source abides on top of that hill, and that anyone who loves the light is naturally drawn to the dwelling place of the source. This, I think, would be a somewhat traditionalist view - I could be wrong. On the other side, we’d have the groups that place the Church on level ground with everything else, as if the source of light was in some unidentified, invisible high place, and both us and everyone else were desperately looking for it…forgetting that Light itself already made His dwelling place amidst us, and that His Kingdom is already here.

I look forward to read what others have to say on this interesting topic

This is a good explanation of the ideals behind evangelization. Thank you for posting it. I hope to hear more about this from you and from others.

I guess my follow-up question would be, how is this played out in everyday life? How do you “Point at the one source of light?”

-Tim-

 

[YoungTradCath]

I think it’s a nice idea, and we’ve been harping on it for a while, but I’m ready to move beyond hypotheses and toward action.

 

[HappyPagan]

Is this evangelizing the nations to come to the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church or is this evangelizing other Catholics to come to the Latin Mass/traditionalism?

I ask in all sincerity.

-Tim-

I’m not a trad or a Catholic but I don’t see the issue here, they are inviting people into there House in the Catholic Shire (to paraphrase and use a Lord of the Rings metaphor.). It would be down right rude to invite them into someone else’s house.

After all why advertise for other groups in the Church especially if you do not know how Orthodox they are or if you know they are a “I can’t believe it’s not Protestantism” group?

 

[Esrb99]

Is this evangelizing the nations to come to the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church or is this evangelizing other Catholics to come to the Latin Mass/traditionalism?

I ask in all sincerity.

-Tim-

Haha I see your point. I think it’s fair to say a bit of both-lord knows people by and large both inside and outside the church are in a spiritual desert. If advertising the aesthetic beauty of the Tridentine Rite brings people who are lukewarm about the faith (both inside and out) to a mass just to experience it, then good in my mind.

I guess my follow-up question would be, how is this played out in everyday life? How do you “Point at the one source of light?”

For me it starts at home by setting an example. My father- a convert from a southern baptist household converted, and as of late has become embittered with faith due to trying times. As such, for me evangelization begins by tackling challenges in my life with strength, acting with charity, etc. this is also an example for my sisters and brother.

On a larger level, I participate in the local theology on tap my school’s Newman center hosts at a local brewery. While some of my trad views have been taken with some surprise by other Newman students, it’s gotten to the point where they ask ahead of time if I’ll be there, as they enjoy my perspective. I should note that we have other denominations there, along with Hindus, new agers, and a good friend of mine who is an atheist. Everything is centered on comin froma catholic perspective, but it’s been pretty good.

Beyond that, I’ve just tried to build up devotional a in my personal life, my home life, and the Newman/parish life. I’m a hundred miles from the nearest TLM, so for me getting together with 4 other college students and learning to chant solemn vespers is enough. We hope to start a schola, amongst other things.

These are the things I participate in within my hometown at an OF exclusive parish. As time goes on and I (hopefully) develop in my faith and prayer life, I’m certain a number of these practices will change.

 

[Esrb99]

Haha I see your point. I think it’s fair to say a bit of both-lord knows people by and large both inside and outside the church are in a spiritual desert. If advertising the aesthetic beauty of the Tridentine Rite brings people who are lukewarm about the faith (both inside and out) to a mass just to experience it, then good in my mind.

For me it starts at home by setting an example. My father- a convert from a southern baptist household converted, and as of late has become embittered with faith due to trying times. As such, for me evangelization begins by tackling challenges in my life with strength, acting with charity, etc. this is also an example for my sisters and brother.

On a larger level, I participate in the local theology on tap my school’s Newman center hosts at a local brewery. While some of my trad views have been taken with some surprise by other Newman students, it’s gotten to the point where they ask ahead of time if I’ll be there, as they enjoy my perspective. I should note that we have other denominations there, along with Hindus, new agers, and a good friend of mine who is an atheist. Everything is centered on comin froma catholic perspective, but it’s been pretty good.

Beyond that, I’ve just tried to build up devotional a in my personal life, my home life, and the Newman/parish life. I’m a hundred miles from the nearest TLM, so for me getting together with 4 other college students and learning to chant solemn vespers is enough. We hope to start a schola, amongst other things.

These are the things I participate in within my hometown at an OF exclusive parish. As time goes on and I (hopefully) develop in my faith and prayer life, I’m certain a number of these evangelization practices i personally partake in will change.

 

[TimothyH]

Haha I see your point. I think it’s fair to say a bit of both-lord knows people by and large both inside and outside the church are in a spiritual desert. If advertising the aesthetic beauty of the Tridentine Rite brings people who are lukewarm about the faith (both inside and out) to a mass just to experience it, then good in my mind.

For me it starts at home by setting an example. My father- a convert from a southern baptist household converted, and as of late has become embittered with faith due to trying times. As such, for me evangelization begins by tackling challenges in my life with strength, acting with charity, etc. this is also an example for my sisters and brother.

On a larger level, I participate in the local theology on tap my school’s Newman center hosts at a local brewery. While some of my trad views have been taken with some surprise by other Newman students, it’s gotten to the point where they ask ahead of time if I’ll be there, as they enjoy my perspective. I should note that we have other denominations there, along with Hindus, new agers, and a good friend of mine who is an atheist. Everything is centered on comin froma catholic perspective, but it’s been pretty good.

Beyond that, I’ve just tried to build up devotional a in my personal life, my home life, and the Newman/parish life. I’m a hundred miles from the nearest TLM, so for me getting together with 4 other college students and learning to chant solemn vespers is enough. We hope to start a schola, amongst other things.

These are the things I participate in within my hometown at an OF exclusive parish. As time goes on and I (hopefully) develop in my faith and prayer life, I’m certain a number of these practices will change.

I wasn’t trying to make a point. I was asking.

I think this is the heart of all evangelization - living the gospel in our personal lives first. When we are calm and at peace, people will notice and want to be like us, and they will ask how we do it. Then it is time to talk.

I think we have to set examples with our lives.

But I would like to hear more about what traditionalists do in terms of evangelization and how it differes from the contemporary Church if anyone else has (name removed by moderator)ut.

-Tim-