On the Investiture Controversy

[John Ivory 4547]

On the Investiture Controversy

9th of the Deep Cold, 1534.

 

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In a recent essay, titled 'The Church of Canon', as well as in a recent petition to the Imperial Crown, a fellow theologian by the name of James Turnbull has made argument that investiture of Churchly titles should be granted by individual land owners, and not the High Pontiff and his lessers. This is dangerous, and in fact a horribly frightening idea altogether, and should be avoided at all costs.

 

The investiture of Churchly titles has, for most if not nearly all of its life, been a matter of the Church and the Church only. Only near its inception, and during the Caesaropapist era, have we seen such titles granted by a secular authority. It should remain that way. To suggest that a irreligious authority grant titles of our Faith is simply absurd. What right, if the Church holds not, do dukes and lords and counts of the land have to grant bishoprics and churches? Where from, if not by God, is this right derived?

 

To answer most humbly and basically: the right is none. It is the Church's right and the Church's right alone to deal with its matters. The Church of the Canon is not an entity subservient to Man, but an entity subservient to God and God alone. It is not through Man that our Church receives its powers, but through the Lord All-mighty, he who granted the Scrolls of our faith to our prophets, and from them our Church. Never, ever, should such a lowly being as Man hold control over our Church- because then, they vie for control of our Faith itself, destroying that which the Lord made for us.

 

A poisonous beast which has time and time again trampled upon our Faith is we Men, we Men are those who cannot be trusted to alone guide our Faith. We rely upon the Lord and his heavenly blessings, his heavenly prophets and saints, it is the Lord who guides us. And therefore, it is the Lord who should decide which Men guide his flock. Is the Duke Otto the Lord? Is the lowly count, the lowly baron, the burgher, are they his Mightiness? Nay- they are all but nothing which humble before the power of the Lord, mere Men, who cannot and should never be trusted to use the power of God in his reserved right, Holy Investiture.

 

It is frightening, the idea that men of secular power should hold control over men of theological power. How then shall we prevent the deadly sins of those powerful- greed, envy, wrathfulness, from seeping into our most holy sanctums? How then shall we prevent the struggles of Man, with his crown and his iron, from tearing in two or three or many more our institution? If a Man with a hand holds power over which Man with a book is permitted where, it can be confidently said that the Man with his hand holds power over the Book- the most holy word of God.

 

We must prevent that which plagues we Men from poisoning the waters of God and our Church. It is the right of the Lord and the Lord alone to decide he who spreads his Good Word.

 

Take up your book, take up your faith in GOD, and trust not the Reformationists and their lies.

 

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Gianfranco Gradic, Acolyte

Edited November 24, 2015 by Hunwald

[Haribo 385]

Gustav Gradic reads the thesis, nodding agreeably as he sees his younger cousin's name on the thesis. 

 

"Ah Gianfranco is becoming a churchman! Well the Gradics are rising up in this world."

[Church of the Canon 230]

"Bravo"

[Sultan 3953]

"So the Bishops lied to the Emperor then." 

[Burkester 1247]

"So the Bishops lied to the Emperor then." 

"How so?"

Edited November 24, 2015 by Burkester

[big narstie 1701]

rocco yawns

[Heff 2460]

Fernando smiles, adjusting his reading glasses while sitting in the rafters of the Felsen Cathedral.

[Daisy 9739]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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