Church of God News

Zombie Catholics of Germany

By Rod DREHER

You cannot make this up:

Priests and pastoral workers in Germany defied the Vatican Monday by conducting blessing ceremonies attended by same-sex couples.

Organizers held a day of protest on May 10 in response to the Vatican’s recent declaration that the Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions.

The ceremonies, known as “Segnungsgottesdienste für Liebende,” or “blessing services for lovers,” were promoted using the hashtag “#liebegewinnt” (“love wins”). Organizers said that the services were open to all couples, including — and in particular — those of the same sex.

CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, reported that ceremonies took place in around 80 cities in Germany as well in Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city.

More:

In the Augustinian Church in Würzburg too all couples — expressly including same-sex couples — were invited to “come and get” the individual blessing in a backroom, after the service.

Ahem! More:

The order of service varied from place to place. A participant who attended the blessing ceremony in Cologne told CNA Deutsch that the ceremony was like a “political event.” The event was led by a female pastoral counselor in liturgical robes, who explained that she had already quit her church service.

After some political statements, the Gospel was read aloud, followed by a speech. Finally, the song “Imagine” by John Lennon was played.

Perfect, just perfect: the anthem of Boomer atheism, performed by rebel clerics and laity of a dying church, to celebrate the blessing of gay partnerships. And you watch: nothing will be done to the priests and lay leaders who participated in this.

These are the last rites of a dying liberal national church. Once again, I recall the conversation I had in Rome three years ago with a German Catholic, an orthodox believer who told me that he and his community are preparing themselves to continue their sacramental lives as Catholics when the institutional Catholic Church no longer exists in their country. … Still, there are reasons schism may not come.  https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2021/05/12/zombie-catholics-of-germany/

This anti-biblical “blessing” is something I warned about here right before it was supposed to happen (see ‘German Catholic churches to bless same-sex couples’).

Homosexual acts are clearly prohibited in the Bible:

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)

13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)

Those who try to claim that the Bible does not clearly condemn homosexuality are intentionally misreading what it actually teaches. The Bible prohibits and condemns homosexual behavior–the Bible calls it an abomination!

Notice that the New Testament teaches that those who engage in them, including lesbianism, are deserving of death:

24 … God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:24-32)

Notice that those who approve such things are deserving of death according to the Bible.

Blessing “same-sex marriages” is certainly an invention “of evil things” which is also in the list of condemnations above.

Consider also the following between king Balak and the pagan priest Balaam:

25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all!”

26 So Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Did I not tell you, saying, ‘All that the Lord speaks, that I must do’?” (Numbers 23:25-26)

So, even though he did not have a Bible, Balaam understood he was not to bless contrary to the word of God.

Sadly, many Roman Catholic clerics and Protestant ministers do not accept that for themselves.

As far as marriage goes, Jesus taught:

4 … “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)

Notice that God made humans male and female for marriage. The human body is “not for fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:13, KJV), nor for homosexual relations (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

No one should bless the abominable.

German clerics of the Roman Catholic Church should realize that.

Now, what about the idea that there may be a schism coming to the Roman Catholic Church?

Yes, I believe that will happen.

When?

While there may be various schisms relatively soon, one of major import looks to be one that will occur after the Beast and final Antichrist are in power. Notice the following:

15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:15-18)

A political band of some type of globalists who support the Beast and Antichrist will turn against the Church of Rome. Even Roman Catholic scholars recognize that the city being discussed in these passages is Rome.

What about the idea of “Zombie Catholics”?

Rod Dreher is clearly referring to Roman Catholics who defy at least some of the principles of Christianity.

And yes, opposing homosexuality was part of the original faith (see also The Bible Condemns Homosexuality).

That being said, I would challenge Rod Dreher and all who consider themselves to be supportive of the original catholic faith to find out more about it and check out our documented and free online book: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church. Here are some statements and a chart found in that book related to original beliefs:

Although some propose slick arguments to the contrary, the biblical and historical facts show that those of the original catholic church:

• Taught the millennium
• Kept Passover on the 14^th of Nisan with broken bread
• Believed it had the full New Testament canon
• Did not keep Easter or Christmas
• Did not eat biblically unclean animals
• Were not trinitarian as adopted by the Council of Constantinople in 381
• Kept the Ten Commandments
• Did not have a clergy with massively distinctive dress
• Did not insist on clerical celibacy
• Rested and worshiped on the seventh-day Sabbath
• Did not believe all humans possessed an immortal soul
• Did not use crosses
• Taught deification after the resurrection
• Were not militaristic
• Believed God had a plan to offer salvation to all
• Considered the Kingdom of God, not the Beatific Vision, as the reward of the saved.

Doctrine	Original Christian Belief and/or Change
Apocatastasis	Early Christians understood that God was only calling some remnant now, but would call the rest in the age to come. The rise of anti-Origenism resulted in Greco-Romans to change, and most Protestants accepted that change.
Baptism	Early Christians taught that baptism was by immersion for those that repented and accepted Jesus. In time, Greco-Romans implemented sprinkling, even for those without repentance. Some Protestants accepted this change.
Beatific Vision	Early Christians did not teach what is called the Beatific Vision. In time, the Greco-Romans adopted it and many Protestants hold to that teaching. Early Christians believed that they would, instead, be part of God’s kingdom making eternity better.
Biblical Holy Days	Early Christians kept biblical holy days, sometimes now called Jewish holy days. Greco-Romans formally condemned most of them in the 4th century, and Protestants generally do not keep them.
Christmas	Early Christians did not celebrate birthdays nor Christmas. In the 4th century, Greco-Romans adopted the 25th of December as Christ’s birthday, as it was long celebrated as the birthday of the sun god Mithras, whose worshiped had been promoted by Emperor Constantine.
Crosses and Icons	Early Christians did not have crosses or icons. This started to change by some of the Greeks in the late 2nd /early 3rd century and was adopted by the Greco-Romans in the 4th century after being influenced by Emperor Constantine.
Ecumenism	Early Christians were not ecumenical. In the 21st century, many Greco-Roman-Protestants are, though some see dangers in it.
History	We do not see proof of any called bishops/pastors in Rome until around the middle of the second century. But we do earlier in Jerusalem, Antioch, and Asia Minor.
Godhead	The original catholic view of the Godhead was binitarian. The trinitarian view of the Godhead that was formally adopted in 381 A.D. by the Greco-Romans was enforced by imperial edict.
Gospel of the Kingdom	Early Christians believed that Jesus’ message of the Kingdom of God was a reference to a future literal kingdom. The Greco-Roman churches do not teach that, but some Protestants do.
Heaven	Early Christians did not teach that heaven was the reward of the saved. They taught that the reward of the saved was to be part of the Kingdom of God on earth which came after the first resurrection.
Holy Spirit	Early Christians believed that the Holy Spirit was the power of God given to baptized Christians who obeyed God. The personhood of the Holy Spirit was declared by Greco-Roman councils in the mid-late 4th centuries.
Infant Baptism	Early catholics did not baptize infants. In time, Greco-Romans did.
Immortality	Early Christians did not teach that souls were immortal. They taught annihilation for those who would reject God’s offer of salvation. Roman Catholics do not teach annihilation and do teach souls are immortal.
Jesus	Early Christians accepted Jesus as the divine Savior and strove to imitate Him.
Jews	Jesus was a Jew. Initially, most Christians were Jews. Antisemitism began to be a factor under Emperor Hadrian. It was later put forth by Emperor Constantine and John Chrysostom.
Marcion	Marcion was an apostate denounced by Polycarp of Smyrna, but tolerated by the Church of Rome for decades. He denied Jesus. Some scholars have referred to Marcion as the first Protestant.
Matthew 24:14	Many Greco-Romans and Protestants believe that the gospel of the kingdom has been sufficiently preached to the world as a witness. 2nd century Christians did not believe this had been fulfilled. Since the end (meaning the Great Tribulation per Matthew 24:21) has not come, Matthew 24:14 has not yet been fulfilled.
Meat Consumption	Early catholics avoided biblically unclean meats. The Church of Rome claims that Eleutherius, bishop of Rome from 175-189 AD., changed that position. But in the middle of the third century, Pionius of Smyrna still avoided it.
Military Service	Early Christians did not voluntarily participate in military service nor watch intentionally violent sports. The Greco-Romans changed in the 4th century after being highly influenced by Emperor Constantine.
Millennium	Original catholic Christians taught a literal millennial reign. During the Council of Constantinople in 381, Greco-Romans ruled against that teaching.
New Testament Canon	Early catholics believed that the Apostle John did, in essence, canonize the New Testament. Because of confusion among the Greco-Romans, it took centuries to come up with their canon (which ended up being the same as the original catholic church for the New Testament).
Old Testament Canon	Early catholics accepted the same Old Testament books as the Palestinian Jews did in the 2nd century, which did not include what have been called the deuterocanonical books. Into the late 4th century, Jerome argued against the deuterocanonical books, but was overruled by Pope Damasus. The Roman Catholics did not truly finalize their canon until the Council of Trent in 1546. And the Eastern Orthodox until 1672.
Passover	Early Christians kept Passover on the 14th of Nisan. Greco-Romans began to change that to Sunday in the 2nd century and formally accepted that change at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. The Greco-Romans, also, basically dropped the vestiges of Passover from their observance and changed it to a resurrection holiday, later called Easter in English.
Passover Bread	Early Christians used regular unleavened bread that what was broken. The Roman and Armenian churches use an unleavened rounded host instead, whereas the Greeks use leavened bread.
Persecution	Early catholics were often persecuted, but were never the persecutors. Starting in the 4th century, Greco-Romans began official persecutions with the cooperation and encouragement of Emperors Constantine and Theodosius.
Rapture	Early Christians understood that they were to flee for 3 ½ years in the end times (cf. Revelation 12:14-16). They believed that Jesus would come after the tribulation (Matthew 24:30).
Sabbath	Early catholics kept the Sabbath on Saturday. The Greco-Roman churches formally accepted Sunday at the Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. (though Sunday was widely accepted in Rome and Alexandria in the 2nd century).
Salvation	Early Christians believed that God had a plan to offer salvation to all and most would ultimately accept that offer. Apostates, like Marcion, taught most people would be lost.
Ten Commandments	Early catholics taught the Ten Commandments. However, after writings from Augustine of Hippo, Rome changed the numbering. The Eastern Orthodox and the CCOG still teach the original order.
Three Days and Three Nights	Early catholics believed that Jesus was in the grave for a full three days and three nights. In the early 5th century, Augustine of Hippo tried to claim a lessor time to justify a Good Friday to Easter Sunday tradition. The Greco-Romans and most Protestants have accepted that change.
Worldly Politics	Early catholics generally stayed separate from worldly politics unless legally required to do so.

Consider the fact that the Continuing Church of God holds to the original catholic teaching on all the above doctrines. The CCOG continues to hold to, teach, guard, and promote the original deposit of faith (Jude 3; 1 Timothy 4:16).

But if you are not part of the COG, notice the following:

³ If the foundations fall to ruin, what can the upright do? (Psalm 11:3, NJB)

Now consider something from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Apostolicity of doctrine and mission is necessary. Apostolicity of doctrine requires that the deposit of faith committed to the Apostles shall remain unchanged. … it follows that if the Church of Christ still exists it must be teaching His doctrine. (O’Reilly TC. Transcribed by Jim Holden. Apostolicity. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume I. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York)

We in the Continuing Church of God continue to teach the apostles’ original doctrines.

If a “Zombie Catholic” can be defined as one who claims catholicism, but does not adhere to the teachings of the original apostolic catholic church of God, then there are close to 2 billion “Zombie Catholics” today.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God? , Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, and What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, and Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach? Here is a version in Mandarin Chinese 神创造婚姻.
Making Your Marriage Work Marriage is not also easy, but it pictures a divine relationship. How can you make your marriage work? Here is a link to the video sermon: You Can Make YOUR Marriage Work.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Husbands Love Your Wives An article written by the late Selmer Hegvold.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Dating: A Key to Success in Marriage, a practical dating guide for Christians This is a scripture-filled dating guide. It discusses many aspects of dating, as well as who to not consider for marriage. Two related sermons are available: The Art of Christian Dating. and No One to Date? Teen Q&A? Engagement? 2nd Marriage? A short animation is also available: First Date: Worldly vs. Christian.
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.