As a spiritual-futurist, I have a BA degree majoring in history. One cannot know the future without knowing the past which holds clues to what is on the horizon. The world is in such a rapid expansion of knowledge that we are close to entering a tipping point that will forever change earth as we know it.
Martin Luther simply could not agree with the Catholic practice of indulgences which was the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence was granted by the church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution, and PAID the church. Thus we got the Protestant revolution.
Those who lived thousands of years ago, didn't know any better!
Today, one has to ask how is it that sacrificing a dove that you bought from the priest would get you favor with God? Does God need thousands of doves, lambs, and so forth? In some societies it was far more difficult to fathom. For some, sacrificing the first born male child would somehow get favor on children 2-6. Looking back on such practices we have to shake our head in shock.
We are far more civilized today!
We no longer sacrifice animals, nor humans. We no longer pay for indulgences. But we still believe, albeit more subtley, that we can BUY GOD OFF! We still have our means of attracting the attention of God, by flattering Him with offers of repentance (usually quickly retracted), promises of fasting, and a giving up of chocolate or Starbucks (who would do that?) in return for the favor of God
There's an interesting difference between Occidental and Oriental thinking in this arena.
In the West we will barter, beg, and make a deal with God if he will get us out of the predicament that we're in. In the East the prayers are more that God give them the strength to go through the trial, testing, or ordeal. God is not a genie, nor a grandfather longing to give whatever makes grandchild happy.
What gets the attention of the One, the I AM, that we all are, is a sincere relationship, intimacy, love, and time together. We in the West want the quick fix and that's one reason that meditation and contemplation are not popular. It's one reason why deliverance is becoming more popular. Take the demon out NOW so that we can get on with life.
Why would they think God would respond to a sacrificed lamb? And why would we today think that God would be anxious to "cut a deal". Think about it. And then see what results you might get by spending more quiet time with God vs. making some "deal".
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