My Desire performed by Heritage Mass Choir (korean)

Indulgences Return? Indulgence Never Left

“Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio,” it states on the website, “recently announced that parishioners in the Diocese of Brooklyn can receive plenary indulgences for participation in events connected with the 2008-2009 jubilee year of St. Paul the Apostle proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI in May.”

Paul Vitello writes an intriguing article about the return of plenary indulgence, and how one might earn them again, for the N.Y. Times.  Be mindful, there is a limit of one indulgence per day, per sinner.  You can still earn the forgiveness of sins for a deceased loved one, except it will cost you something other than cash.  Actually, you can still exchange cash for forgiveness but it needs to be defined as charitable giving.

The practice of selling indulgences was denounced by Martin Luther in 1517 while igniting the Protestant Reformation.  The main point being that Justification by faith alone on the authority of Scripture as God’s inspired Word is the gospel.  The gospel needs no amendments and the forgiving of sins can only be purchased by death, and that death for our debt of sin was paid in full by Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Until recently, I spent the better part of my life as a member of the Pentecostal or Charismatic church.  One of the reasons I am no longer a part of said churches is because of the lack of focus and reflection on the issues of the Reformation.  Quite frankly, I grew appalled at the thoughtlessness that I found to be present in myself and many of the leaders of the church.  I had  to think.  I needed to serve God with all my mind, and since I was caught thinking and that was so wrong, my departure was inevitable.

I would argue that the Charismatic church is also in the business of selling indulgences.  Certainly none in these circles would sell you the forgiveness of sin.  Short of that, whatever you want can be had for the right price, as I wrote in Rethinking What We Sell.   The entire healing line is available:  physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, marital and, yes, financial can all be had at the right conference for the right price.  I’m sorry, everything else is available for the right donation.  (I misspoke.)  Donations, of course, do benefit the lead “servants” and primary benefactors of these NON PROFIT organizations to a fault.  I’m still waiting for the congressional hearing on the over-compensation and excessive bonuses of many of these pastors whose collective greed is causing a recession in the souls of millions, and the local pastors who live just large enough to stay under the radar, while they do little to nothing for the common people or community.

The theology of Indulgence is rampant in the black church community.  You can even decide exactly what blessing you want and “plant a seed of faith” — translation:  give more money.  This  concept of the seed faith offering was invented by James Eugene Ewing, who has long run a scam known as St. Matthew’s Churches.

The reality is that the economy is in great shape compared to the great depression being experienced in the spiritual economy of our day.

People like being indulged.  They want to hear that they can have whatever they want.  Tell them they can, and they’ll do whatever you want, like pay for forgiveness and purchase houses that require two months’ salary for one mortgage payment.

People like prosperity.  They want to obtain whatever they want.  They’ll tell you whatever you want to hear for the right price, tithe, or offering.  Please don’t indulge me.

2 Timothy 4:3,4–”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

In The Mean Time

I am so grateful to all of you that have sent me notes, prods and encouragements to get back to blogging.  I will, I promise.  At the moment I am writing my second book.  It’s quite the undertaking and all my creative juices seem to be flowing to that project.  I will try not to keep you waiting long for new posts.

In the mean time here is some poetry from part one of the first book SCREAM.

Recess

Ding! The bell rings.
Doors burst open.
The daily stampede begins.
Teachers shouting
Children ignoring
Temporary freedom in the school yard.
Under the almond tree
The search begins for me.
Their words,
We don’t want to play with you!
You have no father and act like a girl too.
Come back when your Father comes home.
When he teaches you sports
We’ll know you’re no homo.
Until then you’re disqualified
You’re not even a real boy in our eyes.
Ding! The bell rings, time’s up.

Mr. Mom

I had my mom
I had my song
So my life soon went on
Trouble my eye did not see
All things deferred to mommy
Compassionate and tender
Fighting and mad
Reward and punishment
Who needs a dad?
When Mr. Mom
Lives with me
She’s My Mom
She’s My Daddy.
MOM
Teacher
Protector
Sacrificed all day
Showing her children the way
Girls to be, but boys to not
“Not meant to teach manhood to boys”

Seven Digits

Trail of tears left behind
Emotions overwhelm
On the bed, on the floor
Tears till she opens the door
Yes! You have a father, don’t cry
Don’t say you want to die!
I’ll give you his number for sure,
Remember always, God loves you more.
Seven digits she gave to me,
Seven digits for all eternity,
Burnt, branded upon my brain
Seven digits to call out your name.
Six times promised before made true
Two things you taught me to do
Three lies believed about me
Six hospitalizations, no visits from thee.
One sorry excuse after another
One focus, the pursuit of my mother
Two directions differently
We’ll never be son and daddy.
We’re sorry.
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Thank you.