Thomas Aquinas—Theologian of Modern Roman Catholicism and Protestantism

How can one man be responsible for both the Modern Roman Catholic Church and the Modern Protestant Church?  The fact is that is what he talked about became the basis of the theology of the Roman Catholic Church.  It was what he said that led many to begin questioning the theology of the Roman Catholic Church (Protestant Reformation).  To understand Thomas Aquinas you have to understand where he came from and what influenced his life.  It his early life that led Thomas to become the teacher and theologian that had the influence that still continues today.

Thomas was raised in the Aquino county of Sicily.  His family was quite wealthy.  His older brothers went into the military.  It was thought that Thomas was to go to the abbey.  He studied at several different colleges.  During this time he came under the influence of Aristotle.  This influence affected his later writings. 

He then did something that was very contradictory to what his family wanted.  He met a Dominican priest.  It was this meeting and understanding of the order of Dominicans that he changed his career path.  It is quite interesting to see how his family reacted to this decision.  His father had his brothers kidnap them.  They placed him in an upper room of the tower to convince him to change his way. 

After one year he was freed and his theologian career began.  Because of his influence of Aristotle his theology views were against his contemporary Augustine.  He believed that understanding God was able to be done through reasoning.  It was his theory that God was explained by the physical world around us.  God was the only thing that existed perfectly.  Simply put God has no beginning or end.  God is complete and is the only thing that is not affected by the cause effect theory.

He took his thoughts one step further and added humanity to God.  Many people felt that God did not have a human side.  This was a much different view than his contemporaries.  The humanness of God shows the expressed love, anger, and grief that were expressed by different writers in the Bible.

The most defining part of his theology revolves around his five views of Roman Catholic Doctrines:

11.      Mother Mary was born without sin

22.      Jesus provides the way to salvation, but the Roman Catholic Church distributes the salvation

33.      The church actually has seven sacraments

a.      Baptism

b.      Eucharist

c.      Penance

d.      Ordination

e.      Marriage

f.       Last rites

g.      Confirmation into the church

44.      The Bread and Wine once blessed by the Priest become the Body and Blood of Christ

55.      Purgatory

These beliefs are still held by the Roman Catholic Church.  Yet, the Protest Reformation came to debate all of these views except Baptism and Eucharist.  This is why Thomas Aquinas has made a major impact on both the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Revolution.  One man’s theory that became common thought in the Church at the time split the Church latter.  We can all imagine that Thomas did not attend this when he expressed his theological views.  

Margaret Fell—Trusting God and Living in the Light

Margaret Fell is known as the founder of Religious Society of Friends.  Think on this a moment how important a person that she was.  It was her salvation experience that led her to start having meetings in her home.  These meetings didn’t have a particular agenda instead the members once inspired by God would share stories.  The meetings did not have a pastor instead it was an experience in which people had an opportunity to individually learn about God through the Bible.  We know this group today in a lot of circles as the Quaker.

Margaret Fells was born in England.  She married Thomas Fell and became the lady of Swarthmoor Hall.  Several years later she went to a revival of George Fox.  It was at this revival that Margaret had her conversion experience.  She came home and started inviting friends to her house.  It was this simple action that the Religious Society of Friends began.  The group believed that Jesus was not in the external environment helping the saved.  Instead, Jesus was internal.  They believed that Jesus was a light that inspired Christians to experience God in a new way. 

We have to remember that this was a split from the Anglican Church.  This split led to great deal of suffering for those that believe the new form of Christianity.  See you have to understand at this time the head of the Anglican Church was the King.  Those that stood against the Anglican Church were also standing against the King.  This was something that upset the King and he took measures to squelch this new way of thinking.

He began arresting members of the group.  Margaret felt that she had to put a stop to this.  She when to the King and began asking for the release of those that were being imprisoned.  She did this for a long period of time.  She was a thorn in the side of the King.  He finally agreed to release them and promised that he would not do anything against the group.

That promise did not last.  He actually started arresting people and throwing them in jail and taking their property.  Margaret pleaded again for their arrest.  The Quakers believed that no one should take an oath.  This belief came straight from their interpretation of the words of Jesus. Margaret was brought to trial and asked to take an oath that she would stop the meetings.  She refused to make the oath even after she was asked over and over again.  The king had her imprisoned because she failed to make the oath.

Once she was released she went straight back to holding meetings in Swarthmoor.  Her Oldest son did not approve of her conversion.  It is shocking to know that her very own son turned her in for holding meetings. This led to her second arrest.  After a year she was finally released and went straight back to holding the meetings.

 We have to remember that Margaret Fell felt the calling in her heart to spread what she had experienced.  It is amazing that a simple revival led to the formation of the Quakers.  We have to always remember that Margaret is a woman who started a new Christian Church.  This proves that there is a need to recognize the influence of Christianity.

Stephen—the Martyr—A Faithful, Spirit Filled Deacon That Never Betrayed the Call Placed on this Heart by His Savior

We know very little about Stephen until the day that he was chosen as a Deacon.  It is believed because of his name that he was probably from the Hellenistic Jewish Community.  The very first thing that we learn about Stephen is that he was faithful and filled with the Holy Spirit.  It was his spirit (speculated his ethnic background) that Stephen was chosen as one of the first seven Deacons of the community.

It is important to recognize that Stephen and the other chosen 7 were not Deacons of a particular church.  Instead they were chosen as Deacons of the community.  They were established to provide Alms and food to the poor and widows of the community.  They were chosen so that the Disciples could concentrate on preaching and prayer.  Their job was to perform ministry within the community.

Stephen shared his gifts to many.  He served Jesus loyally and was used to perform miraculous deeds.  His faithful service drew the attention of members of synagogues that feared his presence.  They decided to bring him before the council and lie about his actions so that they could get rid of the threat that he was causing.

Stephen went before the court and his accusers said that he had committed blasphemy.  The court council addressed him and asked if he had done what he was being accused of.  What comes next is a very long speech that addresses the issue. 

The first thing he addresses is the relationship between the forefathers of the Jewish community and obedience to God.  He points out that they were not located in one place.  They were called from different places, lead to different places, and died at different places.  This means that the history of Judaism is not connected to just one area.  Instead it is spread out throughout the land.

The forefathers were directed to do certain things to obey God.  Numerous times they would start following God.  Yet, in the end they were hard-headed and disobedient.  They only followed God so far.  Then they would do their own thing turning away from what God was directing them to do.  They did not complete the ministry that they were called to do.  Instead, they chose to do what they thought was needed to be done.

After making these references Stephen calls out the council.  He tells them that they are acting like their forefathers and denying Jesus as the Messiah.  He tells them that Jesus was the promised Messiah that their forefathers had prepared them for.  Yet, they were being just as hard-hearted as the past misguided forefathers. 

Stephen is so filled with the Holy Spirit that God allows him to see his reward.  He tells the council that he sees into Heaven.  He sees standing Jesus standing on the right hand of God.   With this statement the council deems that he has committed blasphemy.  He is immediately sentenced to death by stoning.  He in the end gives his life freely to God and asks for forgiveness of those that are stoning as he dies. 

Stephen changed history by setting an example of living your life in faith.  He showed that no one should fear what the world will do to them as long as they do the ministry that Jesus has called them to do.  Stephen died a man who remained faithful to his savior and his ministry.

*It is important to note that Saul (Paul the Apostle) witnesses the stoning and does nothing to stop it.

Mary Magdalene—Following God No Matter Where She Was Led

We know a lot about Mary of Magdala.  There are a few questions about her relationship prior to meeting Jesus.  Let us not speculate what led her to Jesus.  Let us concentrate on what she did after she came to find Jesus as her Savior.

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels more times than some of the other Disciples.  We know that Mary was there following Jesus throughout his ministry.  She witnessed the feeding of the multitudes.  She watched Jesus as he healed the Sick.

Even though these are the things that she witnessed, there is something that Mary experienced that was much more important.  Mary was there with the beloved Disciple and Mary the Mother of Jesus when Jesus was led to the hill of Golgotha.  She was there as Jesus died on the cross.  She witnessed Jesus being taken down from the cross and buried.

Mary’s story doesn’t end at the death of Jesus, just like Jesus life did not end with his death.  Mary Magdalene woke up that first Easter Morning and ran to the tomb of her beloved Savior.  She gets to the tomb only to find that the stone had been rolled away.  She looks in the tomb and finds Jesus is not there.  She runs as fast as she can back to the Disciples to tell them what she has seen.

The Disciples beat her back to the tomb and discover what she said is true.  No one at that moment knew what they were experiencing.   The Disciples leave the tomb.  Mary is so devastated that she stands staring into the empty tomb. 

It is in that moment that she hears a man asking her why she is looking for the living among the dead.  She thinking it is the Gardner tells him her Savior is gone.  It is then that Jesus reveals himself to Mary.  We have to remember that it was Mary Magdalene that first saw the resurrected Jesus.  She believes with all of her heart that her Savior was raised from the tomb.  She knew that she was experiencing the miracle of all miracles.

Mary Magdalene was there in the upper room when Jesus appeared to the disciples.  Mary was much more important to shaping of Christianity than most people want to give her credit.  Jesus had to feel close to Mary and knew of her faith to appear to her first.  She also establishes the value of women in the Christian ministry.  Mary was one of the first women who followed Jesus no matter where she was led.  She did not run and hide like the Disciples instead she followed Jesus to his death. 

It is important when we study history that we recognize that women played vital roles in shaping Christian History.  Women are important to today’s Christianity world.  It is time that we realize that women deserve to be recognized for what they can do to help the Christian Community.  Mary is a prime example of a woman who through faith followed Jesus wherever she was led.

Reverend Elder Troy Perry—Called to Minister to those the Church had Rejected

Reverend Elder Troy Perry did not have an easy life as a child.  He lost his father at an early age.  He then endured abuse from his stepfather.  Yet, there was a limelight to early days.  His aunts were preachers within the community.  They were the ones that had a great influence on his entire life.  It was during this time that he knew that he was called to the ministry of God.

In his early teenage years he became a licensed Baptist preacher.  He was soon married and had two sons.  During this time he attended college and also was a preacher at a Church of God.  This also marked the beginning of the change of his life.  He began having relationships with other me.  He was found out and had to leave the church immediately.    He moved with his wife to California.  Yet, the end of their marriage was just in the horizon.  His wife learned of his indiscretions and they were divorced once again the church pushed him out of his ministry.

It was after this loss and several other bad encounters that Rev. Perry posted an Ad in the advocate.  It was the beginning of what we now know as the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC).  A worldwide denomination that reaches out to all those that have been rejected and hurt by other Churches.  Twelve people attended that first service.  Today there are approximately 300 churches in 22 countries and more than 43,000 people are members of the denomination.

We have to understand that MCC is a place of healing.  MCC is a place where people of different sexual orientation and gender identity can serve a God that loves all people.   Even though this was the starting point of MCC there is much more about the church than this.  MCC believes in an open communion table, has a belief in social justice and encourages laity ministry.  MCC has gone into an era that they are not only the Gay Church but the Church that welcomes all who need a place where they can serve God openly.

Rev. Elder Perry made this dream a reality.  MCC exists because of one man’s desire and calling to serve God.  He has become a social activist in the process.  He is taking the theory of inclusivity to all into the world.  He has fought for many issues throughout his life including anti-discrimination rights and marriage rights.  He has written books that explore his life. 

It is because of his call to serve God that Rev. Elder Troy Perry became a man with a mission.  He spent the next decades opening more closet doors from ordaining women, to meeting the president and helping during the HIV crisis.  He has shaped the world of Christianity by simply following God through all the bad times.  He is now retired as the Moderator of MCC, but still plays an active role in the life of the denomination that God created through him for those that were lost and hurting. 

Reverend Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson—Living proof that women should be in leadership roles in God’s church

Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson is a pioneer of women’s rights when it comes to clerical service.   She followed her call to ministry at a time when women were not being ordained.  She not only became ordained by the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), she also became the youngest elder of MCC. 

She was called to be Senior Pastor of five different MCC’s around the country.  She at one point was the senior pastor of MCC Los Angeles, which is also known as the Mother Church of MCC.  Then in 1993 she became the vice moderator of MCC.  She held this position for 12 years as she continued to be the senior pastor of the various congregations as she gave leadership to the entire denomination.

On the retirement of Rev. Elder Troy Perry she became the moderator of MCC.  This role is the top leadership of the entire International denomination.  She at this point left being senior pastor of the local church to take on the role of moderator.  She was installed at the Washington’s National Cathedral in 2005.  Rev Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson has led the MCC into the Church it has become today.  No longer is the Church a place for the GLBTIQA community to have a safe home, MCC is a place that is reaching out to all that need help. 

She is a social activist that has stood up for people that HIV.  She has worked for fair treatment of prisoners.  She has also been involved in women’s rights; this expands from women having the right to be clergy to stopping the slave trade.  She is the founder of MCC Conference for Women in Professional Ministry.  She is also very active in ecumenical work.   She became the Ecumenical Officer of MCC, representing MCC at the National Council of Churches and The World Council of Churches.  During this time of her service she worked on establishing MCC as part of both councils. 

In 2011 she was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  She continues working on her social activities while also being a speaker at numerous churches and other events.   She is also the author of numerous books.  She is truly a woman that has shaped Christianity for both women and the GLBTIAQ community around the world. 

Julian of Norwich—Immersing Herself in the Will of God

Julian was born around 1342.  Julian was born in a time when women had no rights.  They were property of their fathers.  They only had a few options on what they were going to do in their life.  The first option was getting married and having children.  This would make them property of their husband.  The second option was to give their life over to God. 

Julian was called to serve God.  She became what is called an Anchoress. An Anchoress secludes herself from the world.  She spent her life in one space for 40 years.  She only left the room when her body was carried out upon her death around 1416.

Julian became very ill and received images from God.  She was miraculously healed and she felt the call to go into exclusion.  She wrote about this experience and in the process has become one of the most recognized females of Christian writings. 

Her philosophy was one of hope.  In a world of disease and death Julian wrote of the love of God.  Julian had a very controversial view that suffering was not bad if it led someone into a closer relationship with God.  She had felt that her own illness had brought her closer to God.  In that, she believed God had taught her that God had no wrath but only love for the world.

Julian also did not believe that there was sin and a need for grace.  Instead she believed that the wrong of the world was to teach us how to come closer to God.  Therefor the evil of the world was to encourage us to grow in a closer relationship with God.  We have no need for redemption because God loves us and only wants us to return love.  As we face the hard moments of our life we are to turn it over to God who will make all things better.

Her writings are considered the best of the mystic theology of the time.  This contradicted the protestant reformation that taught that it was a rational experience.  We have to remember that she believed that the understanding of God went further than just the Bible.  God had given us the Bible yet what she wanted us to learn is that we can learn through other experiences.