@Joe, that assumes that confession is a human work. We see it as something Jesus told us to do, and that He stands behind his word. Hence a sacrament. The priest is required–for serious sins–because (among other reasons)
we are good at deluding ourselves that God forgives us when we really have not repented. Confessing to another person helps keep us honest,
the community is involved in sin, and the community is involved in its forgiveness, as Jesus himself said in Matt. 16:18-19 and 18:15-18. In this, the priest takes the place of Christ as well as the community, and
The priest is also charged with helping the penitent change by offering advice.
Minor (venial, or “daily”) sins have a variety of ways to be forgiven–most of which do not involve a priest.
bmonk, I don’t read anything that says there is a hierarchy of sins, or a “Serious Sins” list and a “Venial Sins” list. Jesus said, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.”
I don’t object to feeling impelled to confess to a priest, if that helps you. I think people will find the formality or informality of any worship structure which suits them, and God is there.
Ah, but Joe only allows things sanctioned by the New Testament. And, perhaps, all things so sanctioned.
Does he then live in a community that “shares all things in common” as described in Acts 2 and 4?
Conversely, does he use a Creed? The term “Trinity”? Neither is found in the Bible.
Our understanding is that we do grow in understanding, over time and guided by the Holy Spirit.
As for a hierarchy of sins, Ifanterickson, 1 John 5: 16-17 speaks of deadly (mortal) sin vs. non-deadly (venial) sin, although it does not offer much guidance in figuring out which is which.
And, Radish, that is likely true, unfortunately. However, it is also very true that we are prone to confess to all sorts of people–barkeepers, acquaintances, friends and family–who may or may not keep our confidences. At least priests are under very strict moral obligation to keep the confession secret, and have both civil and church legal protection for doing so. The principle has been abused, but the priests who did so paid a heavy price.
ejcapulet over 14 years ago
I never did buy that line (neither do the germs that cause STDs, by the way).
detour_jones over 14 years ago
hey old joe… I figure we carry our sins the way we carry our past… it is a cloak we can never take off…
Trainwreck_1 over 14 years ago
At the risk of starting something I can’t finish…
AMEN Brother Joe!
valauny over 14 years ago
Wow, the nature of sin, forgiveness and redemption all in the comic readers. (Is Nancy saved?)
bmonk over 14 years ago
@Joe, that assumes that confession is a human work. We see it as something Jesus told us to do, and that He stands behind his word. Hence a sacrament. The priest is required–for serious sins–because (among other reasons)
we are good at deluding ourselves that God forgives us when we really have not repented. Confessing to another person helps keep us honest,
the community is involved in sin, and the community is involved in its forgiveness, as Jesus himself said in Matt. 16:18-19 and 18:15-18. In this, the priest takes the place of Christ as well as the community, and
The priest is also charged with helping the penitent change by offering advice.
Minor (venial, or “daily”) sins have a variety of ways to be forgiven–most of which do not involve a priest.
jpozenel over 14 years ago
Nancy is the niece of Fritzi Ritz.
Everyone knows that!
lfanterickson over 14 years ago
bmonk, I don’t read anything that says there is a hierarchy of sins, or a “Serious Sins” list and a “Venial Sins” list. Jesus said, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.”
I don’t object to feeling impelled to confess to a priest, if that helps you. I think people will find the formality or informality of any worship structure which suits them, and God is there.
bmonk over 14 years ago
Ah, but Joe only allows things sanctioned by the New Testament. And, perhaps, all things so sanctioned.
Does he then live in a community that “shares all things in common” as described in Acts 2 and 4?
Conversely, does he use a Creed? The term “Trinity”? Neither is found in the Bible.
Our understanding is that we do grow in understanding, over time and guided by the Holy Spirit.
As for a hierarchy of sins, Ifanterickson, 1 John 5: 16-17 speaks of deadly (mortal) sin vs. non-deadly (venial) sin, although it does not offer much guidance in figuring out which is which.
And, Radish, that is likely true, unfortunately. However, it is also very true that we are prone to confess to all sorts of people–barkeepers, acquaintances, friends and family–who may or may not keep our confidences. At least priests are under very strict moral obligation to keep the confession secret, and have both civil and church legal protection for doing so. The principle has been abused, but the priests who did so paid a heavy price.
jpozenel over 14 years ago
Jesus loves me when I’m good. When I do the things I should. Jesus loves me when I’m bad, but it makes him oh so sad.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
bmonk over 14 years ago
@Radish, the best way to interpret predictions is after they come true or fail…