Justification

Contrary to what you may be thinking, this blog is not part of the long ongoing debate in Calvinistic circles on the modern doctrine of justification by faith alone.  I will be musing on something a little more practical.
This thought picks up where I have left off in previous blogs.  Some time ago, I ruminated on the idea of why we do the things we do.  I would like to pick up from there and consider how we justify the things we do and think.
Any justification we give for our thoughts, actions or interests can come from a variety of places.  We can deceive others actually quite easily.  We can deceive ourselves, but it usually backfires on us.  But we can never deceive God.  No matter what, no matter how articulate or complex our rationale or justification is for our thoughts and actions, if it is not honest, accurate or true, then it is all for naught.  The truth will be present and it may condemn us.
Do we justify it by appealing to common practice (but everyone is doing it)?  Do we justify it by speaking to our own desires (I want to do it, so it must be ok)?  Or is it simply a matter of not thinking about it at all?
We can think it through now and deal with the huge number of situations and sinful tendencies in which we find ourselves, or we can ignore rational thought and try to explain/justify ourselves before the judgment seat of God at the last judgment.
I'm thinking sooner is probably better.

Thoughts on expertise

Often times we hear or read about something that appeals to the expert for validation.  A subject is presented and then supported by the expert.  Or an expert speaks, presenting a new or novel idea, and his thoughts are embraced simply because he is an expert.
In some circles, it is nearly anathema to not listen to the expert.  "Don't question, just listen," seems to be the unwritten mantra.
Now I can appreciate the value of expertise and the wisdom that is typically included in expertise, but one cannot and must not mindlessly follow any human direction or advice.  We see an example of this in the science world.  The standard practice in science and medicine is peer review and documentation.  The scientist must "prove" his work and must document it to the point that it can be reproduced by a third party. His work must also be released for review and criticism, i.e., peer review journals.
A third thought is in regards to our circles of influence.  We tend to more quickly believe the thoughts and ideas of those from our own circles and distrust those from without.  This is probably a natural response, but a slightly dangerous one.  Because all men are fallible, including the pope, everything must be tested and checked.  Personally, I believe there's are three checkpoints to consider: Scripture, tradition and logic.  That is, the Bible, as given to us by the church, tradition, as in that which has always been taught and believed by the historic church and logic, as given to us by God.  This is not to say that everything must be logical, but that nothing can be illogical.
The main point here is this, consider the source, critique it against a known standard and pray for wisdom.

The practical subjectivity of reality

It could be that the title of this blog is not exactly accurate, so I'll explain a little. Everyone has had a lifetime of experiences and education that has formed who they are and how they think about things.  Following from this, everyone is different.  This means that the way people see reality and interpret common and uncommon events differ.  This is not to say that reality is malleable but that people understand reality differently.
I believe that one very important thing to glean from this observation is the fact that we cannot judge another person on the presumption that we understand what they are doing and why.  Our thinking will be different from theirs, the world that formed their thinking will have been different from ours and their rationale for why they do what they do will be different from ours.
The important thing here is love.  When we love someone, we do not judge them, we do not assume that we know better or would respond better than they in a situation, and we don't look down upon another for the situation they are in.  We must, as part of the body of Christ, love unconditionally and pray for all men.
As Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."- John 13:35

Addressing Sin

Moving from the Protestant world into Eastern Orthodoxy continues to reveal and enlighten numerous things.  One that had come up lately is the addressing of sin.  At least in my experience in the Protestant world, there was always such an emphasis upon being right, upon having all the details lined up and understood, upon thinking right and making sure everyone else was thinking right as well.
In Orthodoxy, things are handled differently.  This is not to say that being right is not important.  It certainly is.  But there is so much to life that is organic and living.  Everyone has come to the faith upon a different path, with different circumstances.  The vast multitude of details that make us who we are, also make us think differently and prioritize differently.  It is cold, unsympathetic and illogical to think that everyone needs to think and respond the same way we have and do.
So in addressing sin, we really shouldn't think that we need to set everyone straight in regards to the sin that we may see (or think we see) in their life.  There is so much we simply do not know about people and why they act and respond the way they do.  Unless someone approaches us and asks for help with their own sin, we really should simply deal with our own sins and pray for others.
Believing in the power of prayer means something. Believing in the power of prayer means pursuing for others, in the way that the Church has taught us, will change things. I can almost guarantee that if we spend our time on our own sanctification and pray for others, much more will be accomplished than if we Bible thump.
This recalls a quote from St Seraphim of Sarov,  "Obtain the grace of the Holy Spirit and a thousand around you will be saved."

The truth?

I am currently looking over my wife's shoulder as she peruses documentaries to view.  One has jumped out as ironic, it's called "The Truth about Food."  Upon reading this title, the first thing that came to mind was, yeah, for right now.  In fifty years, "the truth" will most likely look completely different.  Not that this is a bad thing.  It could be bad, it's could be good, is really hard to say.  The simple fact is, we actually know very little, and it is sheer arrogance to claim "truth".
The only place that truth can unresolvedly be claimed is the Church.  God has come in the flesh and is currently leading His church through the Holy Spirit leading the church. 
I really wish any ideas and theories would be posted as "maybe", instead of truth.  I think a little humility might be a good idea.

A drastic paradigm shift in economic worldview

I was thinking about the way that I spent and saved money when I was younger, and then comparing it to the way that money is viewed today.  I certainly wasn't a miser in my youth but I don't think I spent foolishly either.   In my youth, people had hobbies and frivolties, like they always have, but the youth of today seem to be in a far different situation that I ever was.
The problem comes in today because of technology. Kids today have cell phones, internet access, Netflix, Xbox online, Spotify, etc etc, and all of these costing a monthly fee.  Kids today are learning to consume and not save.  And the expenditures are on non tangible items.  With our technology today, at the end of the month, there is nothing to show for it.
This isn't even to mention the incredibly high level of constant distraction that goes on.  A constant barrage of entertainment keeps our minds from considering anything of eternal value.
All in all, I really have to question the actual value of our technology.

Life is boot camp

The longer I am in the Orthodox faith, the more I realize that my life on earth is not going to be roses, feather beds and gourmet meals.  While on the one hand I realize that everyone who takes on the name of Christ has gotten hold of some truth, on the other hand, everyone has some things wrong.  Some people more than others.
My wife imparted some wisdom to me the other day that will take some time to assimilate and implement.  She reminded me that in the spirit of Christian love we ought to find the good in others and glean what is helpful from them, instead of nit picking their errors.
With this in mind, many in the church have made the mistake of striving after temporal success and comfort, under the guise of "success in Christ". 
The Church, on the other hand, while not denying the success and power of Christ over all things, teaches that our responsibility is to undo the horrible effects of sin upon our life.  We have so much work to do, there is so much that is wrong in our thinking and actions.  The Church has given us the sacraments to strengthen and empower us to succeed over sin through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Life is bootcamp.  We must think of life as a training ground, a place to burn off the dross, to get rid of the flab, cleanse ourselves from sin and to strive after holiness.  There is no time for distraction and titillation.
Life will be difficult and tiring.  Life will be grief and repentance and humility.
Fortunately, we have our spiritual fathers and the sacraments and the Divine Liturgy to move us forward.
Ultimately, we have the love of God that, like any healthy relationship, will lift us up and heal us.

Extreme measures

My wife recently read a summary biography of St Nilus, circa 450 AD.  St Nilus, in response to the wicked culture in which he lived, responded with an extreme measure.  He was married and had two children. He and his son went to one monastery and his wife took their daughter and joined another. That is an extreme response.
A few questions have come to mind, in this regard.  This godly man responded in an extremely blatant manner to sin, and it worked.  The church has recognized him as saint. First, could this response be seen as a blanket response that anyone could use, or was it specific to him, not to be imitated?  Second, was it a good response, or was it merely an attempt to escape?  Third, would this sort of response with in our day and in our culture?
The question I need to ask myself is, what extreme response am I willing to give, in response to the wicked culture in which I live?  It is very easy to rationalize, justify and/or explain away the way we live.  We really need to pause and consider how we live, how we respond to sin and how strongly we strive after holiness.
Or are we simply living an easy, unobtrusive life?  Have we chosen an easy path, one that is inoffensive and nice? It is easy to throw around the catch phrases and platitudes that sound holy, but do we live them?
No one can answer that question for anyone else, but only for themselves, but everyone will have to answer to God for themselves and no one else.

More Thoughts on Story

What is the point of the story?  I suppose that the point of the story is found in the motivation behind the one telling the story.  But is that all?  Can a story carry a message and a value that the writer/teller did not intend?  Can we bring something valuable out of a story that was meant to only entertain?  But in doing so, are we being honest with the story?  I have known people who are really good at seeing parallels, at finding metaphors, at seeing imagery in a story (particularly movies).  While it is kind of interesting to hear them explain what they are seeing, I have to wonder if that sort of thing is actually valuable.
We can't argue that there is something better we can or should be doing with our time.  That can be said with just about everything we do.  But I suppose it is all about priorities.  How much time are we spending with our focus on entertainment?  How much time is spent with that sort of thing on our minds?  How much time do we actually pray the Jesus Prayer?  How much time do we spend with others, trying to build up and encourage?
I think it comes down to being honest with what we are doing and why.  We don't have to answer to anyone about it, really, but we should be acting in love.

The power and influence of culture

Many Christian parents won't send their kids to the public school because of concern over worldly influence.  Most of us watch over who our children associate with, in order to keep them safe.  We as adults choose our friends based on their character.   In all of these situations, the concern is over the power and influence of culture and worldview.
If these instances are legitimate (and I believe they are), then why do we not concern ourselves with our culture at large?
If you hadn't noticed, I have a big interest in things Russian.  I pulled up demographics on the nation of Georgia.  I found that 84% of that nation professes the Orthodox faith.  To me that is amazing.  I can hardly imagine what a national Orthodox culture looks like.  Obviously, I have to avoid the "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" mentality. But one has to wonder what it would be like to live in an Orthodox culture.
I have to ask the question, is it legitimate to move from a greater evil to a lesser evil, if at all possible?  Obviously, people are people wherever one lives.  Everyone struggles with sin, no matter what culture one lives in.  But should we do the most we can to live in the best environment we can?