Do You Realize?

This post is actually written by me, Michael Rowley, and not an article that I have copied and pasted.



Last night I was enjoying a dinner with my best friend Meredith, and another good friend Eddie.

The topics discussed were varied, but we always seemed to find a way back to a theological topic. This is not out of the norm for me lately, in that I am completely immersed in the subject of spirituality because: I am attending a Christian school and I am a biblical literature major which requires extensive study of Scripture and the context it was written in and what meaning it was intended to convey. These classes are coupled with four Humanities requirements, which I am currently enrolled in. The Humanities class that I attend every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30-1:45 is primarily focused on the Byzantine Empire through The Renaissance period. Studying this explosion of human history alongside theology classes makes one start to ponder on things.

Basically, I am seeing how cyclical the world is, and by the world, I mean humanity. I know this is already established and is no great and new revelation, but I think we don't pay enough attention to it. We live in a post-modern American society that is starting to skeptically view religion and all that it claims, and rightfully so. Does this sound familiar to the rejection of the church by those who started religiously following the claims of secular philosophers and accepting a "humanism-worldview" during the Renaissance period? The question of the similarities is not necessary to ponder on for hours, but instead one would benefit from studying why this mass departure from faith occurred.


So what did the American church do wrong to create another vicious cycle of apostasy and, hopefully, reconciliation? I think the answer is simple enough, they twisted and misrepresented the truth that is Christianity (the revelation of Jesus Christ) to the point of creating so much heresy that why should anyone want to take part in it? If it wasn't for the greedy, war-mongering, consumer-obsessed, gnostic, magic, hypocritical, and most importantly, unloving Christians, then maybe we wouldn't be in this "terrible and evil American society" that we find ourselves in today. I admit that I also am one who is guilty of most, if not all, of those accusations in the previous sentence, but what I do feel proud of is that I am cognoscente of the issues and asking why are we so completely and apathetically blind to our failure?

The Catholic church sold forgiveness, the modern church sells healing through tel-evangelists. The Catholic church promised salvation for fighting in the crusades, the modern church promises judgment if one doesn't vote for the war-hungry-Republican. The Catholic Church decided what would be forgiven and what would be forgotten, the modern church preaches damnation to the sins of her choosing. 1+1+1=Apostasy.


I am not here, sitting on an elitist throne, trying to point out the faults of everyone else. Instead, I am doing the only thing that is the answer that will bring those in a state of apostasy back: ADMITTING MY FAULTS. I understand that I don't deserve my salvation. I am NOT better than the average unsaved person. I am a failure. I sin EVERY SINGLE DAY. I CANNOT and WILL NOT live a sinless life. I forsake my savior with too little fear of His feelings and how it will affect our relationship. I judge people every day. I struggle with lust. I have viewed pornography. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. I have supported evil companies that take advantage of less fortunate people. Pride plays a role in my life. I swear. I damage my temple with tobacco use and terrible food. I don't pray everyday. I have damaged the Earth that the Lord graced me with. I sin out of apathy. I AM NOTHING GOOD.

This, however is the answer. It is only when we admit that we are shit that the Holy Spirit can show up and prove itself to be truth, grace, and love. It is only when I say: "Jesus, I can't do it. Jesus, I will never be able to do it. Jesus, I don't deserve you. Jesus, I love you for your grace, righteousness, and peace. Jesus you are the definition of love," that we will become attractive to others who are just as lost as we are. Please, let us awaken from this ignorant and passive slumber of self-righteous-elitism and step out of the swamp that we have created and start to build something new. Please help. I feel such a strong burden for how messed up the world is. Christ is the answer and the Church conveys Christ's love; let us admit our faults and glorify Christ for who he was and is and is to come. Let us get back to the beautiful and pure roots of our faith: Father-Son-Holy Spirit.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.


For the sake of your sorrowful passion have mercy on us sinners.
We pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.