tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585732092994259978.post4697888801397544039..comments2024-02-26T19:22:15.069-06:00Comments on Lex Christianorum: Universal Ethic-Introduction 1Andrew M. Greenwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242573723573203387noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585732092994259978.post-21850331882006940392011-07-28T12:57:48.235-05:002011-07-28T12:57:48.235-05:00"4. The search for a common ethical language ..."4. The search for a common ethical language is inseparable from an experience of conversion...This conversion is the condition of a true dialogue."<br /><br />My advice to our Bishops, if there is a way it can be heard in Conference, is that the "ought to's" here are missing the "how".<br /><br />Even our Lord reveals, prayer without substantive action is insufficient. The Lord helps those who help themselves, but on condition they do it His way. There are certain Precepts which must be followed if we are to help renew ourselves. <br /><br />Conversion is supported strongly by appeals to the mind, but even more strongly by appeals to the heart. Most people don't read. They hear. So things that appeal to the ear are ontologically how the most people will respond. That is intrinsically how we are made, an innate trait (sorry John Locke).<br /><br />This Ontological dimension goes up to the level of Natural Law. Hence, we must conform our man-made (Canon and customary) laws to closer harmony with God's Law on how our ears and minds were designed. We do in fact, flee from sounds which offend our ear, from "degrees, untuned" leading to Chaos (reference to the Violence unleashed in Shakespeare's 'Troilus and Cressida', when Pandarus sows envy and discord.)<br /><br />That is why Divine Revelation specifically asserts that the very highest standards in Liturgy Music, for instance, is directly related to Conversion and Attendance. The Teleological fact, as to why this was specifically spelled out for us, is to orient us towards an end: to build up God's Church, using all that we know about the ear's phenomenally sensitive response. Sadly, this is the area apparently neglected since some mysterious period well after Christ.<br /><br />Persecuting authentic Beauty in higher Liturgy Music and Devotional Arts is one of the great historic scandals still extant in our Church. <br /><br />God Himself reveals in Nehemiah 12, 13, Ezra, Parable of the Talents and others obligating us to Tithe specifically for the highest standards in devotional music and arts, since those artists are in a real Ontological sense, closest to mirroring the Creator in aspects of doing the "act" of creation (Christ himself, and Joseph, were carpenters).<br /><br />Today, we only buy mass produced "crafts" and music, not hand-made or highly crafted. So out of that blandness, we ourselves become bland, shallow. Others observing our shallowness, see no reason to convert. Why should anyone come to a church where the volunteer-led choirs are singing like a disordered tune-less throng? Where is the discipline?<br /><br />Hidden are the behind-the-scenes injustices committed against the true Artists, who are envied, slandered, mal-treated, driven away, left to fend for themselves, their Talents unemployed. Where's the Beauty? Where's the heart? Where's the love? Does this really "save money"?<br /><br />The reality is, aesthetic Beauty in sounds is revealed as a primary condition of conversion, prerequisite to true dialogue, with each other, and with God. Those highly gifted in it must be re-employed, via your tithes and parish committees elevating it high on their agenda.<br /><br />Let us pray for an atonement, to restore the Law of Nehemiah, who together with Parable of the Talents, defends the love of heavenly Beauty in Liturgical and Devotional arts.Arthur Sulithttp://www.youtube.com/ArthurSulitnoreply@blogger.com