Gnostic Christianity in the Narthex and Vestibule

Sometimes voices, which might seem insignificant, actually perform like sirens enticing unaware christian sailors towards rocky shores; for the purpose of dashing their ships and drowning all those on-board.

I have seen art depicting the church as a ship.

One day, I entered the front doors of a local Parish. It was actually quite beautifully designed; highlighting the wooden architecture of the area.

Within the "narthex" / "vestibule" -- a covered hall separating the exterior doors of the Church from the main interior doors of Church -- was a welcoming table placed between the two main set of doors.

A person opening the main set of doors would enter immediately into the space set-aside (set part from the profane) and dedicated for sacred liturgical celebrations.

Placed upon the table, were pamphlets containing the words of the hymn, "The Te Deum."

I was (am) quite familiar with the language of "The Te Deum." It is a hymn found within the Divine Office of Readings.

The "Te Deum" hymn follows the second responsory, within the Divine Office of Readings. It is recited or sung on all Sundays outside of Lent, and on Solemnities and Feasts.

It is a hymn of praise which begins with the verse: "We praise you, O God; we acclaim you as the LORD. Everlasting Father all the world bows down before you." (Divine Office, Collins, Dwyer, Talbot, 1974)

Soon the hymn reaches a crescendo with verses containing the language of Father, repeated several times:

"Father, whose majesty is boundless"

"You Christ are the King of Glory, Son of the Father"

"You overcame the power of death opening the Father's Kingdom to all who believe in you"

and

"Enthroned at God's right hand in the glory of the Father"

Strangely enough, when I mumbled the words of this "Te Deum" placed upon this table in the narthex of this Parish, the word "Father" was absolutely missing. Instead the word "God" was used or else the "Fatherly" verse was simply missing.

I was not amused.

The persons in charge of sacred liturgy, in this Parish, were essentially acting as sirens enticing unaware christian sailors towards rocky shores; for the purpose of dashing their ships and drowning all those on-board.

I small voice entered into my ears: "We have progressed beyond the language of Father. We have progressed beyond the cultural limitations of Jesus of Nazareth, the Evangelists, and the apostles. No more Father. In fact, no more Son. We only speak the language of Spirit. Have you not read: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus'" (cf. Galatians 3:28).

What an overly abused verse, which has been adopted by those who have become disciples of Gnostic Christianity.

Pay attention to small things.