Self Whipping as a Spiritual Discipline?

THEOLOGY IN THE NEWS Why Pope John Paul II Whipped Himself New book reopens questions on self-denial and "what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." By Collin Hanse

It is fascinating to read about this action of the late Pope John Paul II as he seeks to draw closer to God. Most Protestants will deplore the act but I think we need to understand the context and theology before we pass judgment. We, Protestants have such a fear of 'redemption by works' that we basically are offering a truncated Christianity, what is often referred to as 'cheap grace.'
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