Today’s reading: Ephesians 2:19-22
[NOTE: Today I am starting a new From the SG series entitled “Modernism.” Today’s article is Part 7, because the first 6 appeared under “Thought for the Day,” entitled “Modernism.” This aspect of the faith just keeps coming up. And indeed, this is the greatest threat to our Church today, as it is from the enemy within.]
Today’s short reading from Ephesians has many applicable aspects that shed biblical light on today’s scourge of Modernism in our Church.
First, we are “no longer strangers and sojourners” (v.19a). We are just pilgrims passing through this world on our way to heaven. But modernists focus on this world and how people can be happy and fulfilled in the here and now. But the world does not offer what can truly make Christians happy and fulfilled. On the contrary, catering to sin gives temporary pleasure but always ultimately leads to perdition.
Second, we are “fellow citizens with the holy ones” (v.19b). Christians are called to holiness, and not to unrighteousness, including sexual impurity, which deprives us of being true members of the Kingdom of God. But modernists promote unrighteousness through acceptance and even in some cases celebration of LGBT.
Third, we are “members of the household of God” (v.19c). The household of God in this world is the Church. But modernist teaching from modernist pastors is overturning the age-old teachings of the Church. Rejecting the authentic teaching of the Church of Jesus excludes us from the household of God. Further, modernists in effect teach that the household of God encompasses all religions, look to the international brotherhood of man, and see all faiths as pathways to the divine. This is contrary to the truths that salvation is only in Jesus, and that there is only one true Church that Jesus established.
Fourth, we are “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (v.20a). Modernists are overturning age-old teachings of the apostles and prophets. What the apostles considered bad are now considered by modernists as good. For example, active homosexuality is acceptable; same-sex unions can be blessed; Holy Communion is not to be withheld from those in unrepented mortal sin; abortion is just another issue on the same level as immigration and climate change.
Fifth, we have “Christ Jesus himself as the capstone” (v.20b). Christians ought to live lives centered on Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Only with Jesus as the foundation can our house stand against the tsunami of evil in the world today. But modernists talk about a different Jesus, one who loves sinners but does not call out sin, one who is just nice and offends no one, one who does not allow eternal damnation, one who is concerned about the condition of the environment but not the condition of the soul. Indeed, there are those modernist clerics who proudly display the LGBT banner even inside their churches.
Sixth, “through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord” (v.21). Only in Jesus can we be truly united and grow as God’s people, even as we hold differing political, economic, social and environmental views. But if we do focus on Jesus, then we realize we are called to be holy as he is holy. This then would preclude the immorality and self-focus that modernists are foisting on people.
Seventh, “in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (v.22). Christians are to live according to the will of the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are supposed to be temples of the Holy Spirit, with God living in and through us. Modernists are desecrating this temple by the promotion of impurity, carnality, and even desecration of the sacred Host (such as when given to rabid, public, unrepentant pro-aborts).
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