Page 22 - Read and Recognize

Precepts of the Church

Precepts of the Church

Let us here take only one of them: the precept of fasting. Really, fasting
is to be recommended. It raises the sluggish mind and gives strength
against the lazy and greedy passions. But it cannot be made a precept
under sin! Once again this clashes with the teaching of the Apostle
Paul.

1 Tim. 4,1ff Now the Spirit manifestly says that in the last times some shall
depart from the faith (and the teaching), giving heed to spirits of error and
doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience
seared, forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God has
created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have
known the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be
rejected that is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of
God and prayer. These things proposing to the brethren, you shall be a good
minister of Jesus, nourished up in the words of faith and of the good doctrine
which you have attained unto.
But avoid foolish and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself unto god-
liness. For bodily exercise is profitable to little; but godliness is profitable to all
things …

Therefore you can see:
Temperance and chastisement of the flesh are to be recommended,
but one must not make it a precept so that the enjoyment of food (e.g.
meat) will become a sin.

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