“Adam in the Liturgy” — The Rev. Dr Laurence Hemming

We cannot understand texts by simply reading them

–Mainstream Christianity is being converted into an ethical humanism–we are moving away from doctrines like the resurrection. The liturgy is being converted into an opportunity for celebration of ethical humanism–this is nothing short of a blasphemy. Souls need to understand the way the doors of eternity open (through the liturgy).

Written texts demand traditions of interpretation – most sacred things  need to be kept secret and are not written down. In the  liturgical texts of the Catholic Church, the Father has resolved the Fall of Adam. How does this flesh become eternal? Through what means are we resurrected? (These are answered in the liturgy)

Modern theology doesn’t understand priesthood – who is the priest?  What does priesthood effect? I (Dr Hemming) have learned much about the priesthood from my friends among the Latter-day Saints. Who does the Melchizedek Priesthood concern? Priesthood re-conciliates heaven to earth – provides a way for the fallen to  be before the throne of God continually – it is a means to theosis. It is the means given for us to return to God.

But priesthood is not mentioned in Genesis. In the  Testament of Adam, we read ”Adam, Adam do not fear, you wanted to be a god, and I will make you a god, but not now.”  Adam is speaking to Christ.

The Book of Treasures specifically says that Adam is a priest  — a high priest.

Adamic priesthood is linked to Aaronic priesthood – to be vested in gold garments of Onyx.

Both the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods are at work in the sacrifice of Abraham –- Levitical priesthood makes visible the works of the Melchizedek/Heavenly priesthood. The sacrifice on the earth parallels the sacrifice in heaven.

The Priesthood should be understood through the liturgical texts.

The Adamic/Levitical priesthood is how we offer gifts to God – the Melchizedek priesthood is how God translates our gifts into higher heavenly gifts.

The parts of the liturgy that have been removed are the parts that originally were not to be written down  — they weren’t written down until the Middle Ages, so people now think they were a late addition – but they weren’t meant to be shared.

In the liturgy, there used to be a “preparatory” sacrifice before the Eucharistic sacrifice. (The preparatory sacrifice representing the earthly/Levitical Priesthood and the Eucharistic sacrifice representing the heavenly/Melchizedek Priesthood) There are two different kinds of priesthood at work here. There is one that remains and one that was lost and needs to be restored. I desire that my church would restore this full understanding.

The bishop is meant to be a high priest.

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This was a fantastic paper and I apologize that my notes simply do not do it justice. I would be very pleased to see Dr Hemming continue with this research and look forward to his further results in the future.