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There was a point very briefly between thirty and forty years ago when there was a great awakening In all the Western churches, then special interest groups hi-jacked the process. Vatican II had opened the doors and windows of the Roman Church, Lutherans were examining their confessional theology, Presbyterians were enlivening and rediscovering their liturgical roots, Methodists brought out a new Hymnal and Book of Worship and began covenanting with Presbyterians and the United Church of Christ to seek the reunification of Christ's Church. A broader base of understanding began to grow. Lectionaries were revised and a common three year Lectionary among the major Protestant denominations, together with Roman Catholics increased the reading of the Bible and use of the Psalms in worship. Lutherans began to talk to one another and to Roman Catholics and Anglicans, ethnic divisions began to dissolve. Even while this was happening other groups began to crystallize, becoming more dogmatic in their parochialism, more alienated and polarized in their viewpoints. As these broke off and splintered they drew with them other conservatives, afraid of the changes which had taken place and fearful of more change yet to take place. Their withdrawal made the apostasy they feared inevitable, there was no longer any stabilizing force in the mainstream, the conservative voice became more isolated. The Charismatic renewal and other renewal ministries such as Cursillo, Koinonia, Faith Alive, and ecumenical ministries (COCU) which held and hold so much promise became increasingly open to a false enthusiasm, evangelical rigidity, and speculative theology. Christians once again withdrew from one another in distrust. Instant bible scholarship and a new literalism produced disastrous results. Ships tore loose from their moorings and foundered in the turbulent waters, many lost their compasses. All these churches once again need to find the One who is asleep within their boat, and remember the entire fleet has but one Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We crucify Jesus, day by day,
In the things we do,
And the words we say.
His Body, the Church laid out
Upon the cross of the world;
We drive wedges, sharp and cruel,
Not merely to affix the corpse thereto
In caricature of execution, redemption's tool,
But to sever the limbs, break bones in two.
We see atonement, purchased thereby,
Only applicable to our particular crumb
As if the whole loaf were not sanctified,
But only "the elect" for whom He died.
In our perfection we deny
Both benefit and necessity
And allow no grace but what we mediate
Loving our Lord, while our brother we hate.
If only Peter, more perfect he,
And Paul less irascible he might be
Each an apostle fit for Jesus' choice,
But neither these days would find voice
In a church ruled by image instead of Lord,
Innocent of need for living Word.
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What reforms needed in Protestantism?
