It occurred to me this morning, as I was perusing my library, at how differently I have grown in my understanding of the Orthodox faith than I have in any other topic.
I came across a relatively old copy of the St Vladimir Quarterly. I remember purchasing it somewhere around 2010, in hopes of gaining a better understanding of apatheia. I didn't, even though the article therein was very good.
My point is this: in the Orthodox faith, one does not grow in faith and understanding by reading books. Books are excellent (as you can guess by the size of my library), but they are only introductory tools to get one moving. Growth comes by living the life of the church. This means that one is to immerse himself in the church services, the sacraments, the church calendar and confession/repentance/fasting.
The Orthodox faith is not an academic one. It is certainly intelligent, coherent and refined, but this is not the life of the faith. We grow in faith as we grow in love for God and love for neighbor.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Growing in understanding
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Tool of the trade
It's seems to me that the greatest tool that Satan has used over the past hundred years or so is that of distraction. Our country is far too immersed and familiar with the Protestant faith to be drawn into gross immorality (though that seems to be less and less the case any more). The most effective tool to draw man away from that which is most important (our relationship with God) is that of misuse of that which is overall good. If you eat desert a few times a week, you are probably going to be okay. But if you eat a box of Twinkies every day, you will most likely be in serious trouble.
We are born into a physical world, but far too often completely forget or ignore the fact that we are spirits as well. Ignoring this will lead to our total demise. It is so easy to become distracted by all the good and beautiful things of this world that we will fall into spiritual negligence, or even more difficult, spiritual delusion. To live in a state of mind where everything is okay is extremely damaging and ultimately damning. We are fat and happy and more than content to stay that way. The problem is, we wallow in sin and don't even notice it. We live selfish lives and think its right and normal. We relegate God to the background and think that it is okay.
In short, we are totally screwed up but too blind and distracted to even notice.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Culpability
If we had a friend who was about to commit some horrible crime, or perform an extremely dangerous, life threatening stunt, we would, with great effort, do all we could to warn him or try to stop him. It would be reasonable and entirely expected of us. No one would argue or label us a busybody for intervening.
This response is based upon our concern for their well being. We are concerned that some sort of harm may befall them and this is a very reasonable concern, an expression of love.
But is our love limited to the mere physical? What about being concerned over souls of our loved ones? Are we or even should we be concerned when a loved one is poisoning/corrupting/damaging their heart and soul?
Some of the real problem here is one of definitions. It seems that most people believe in the existence of the soul, but it also seems that, practically speaking, few live as if the soul is real. How is the soul defined? Who can speak authoritatively on it? Of course, you can guess to whom I will appeal in this regard. We ought to, we should, we must, submit to the body of Christ for direction and definition for our hearts and souls. We go to a doctor for our physical needs, why would we not do the same sort of thing for our souls?
Again, this is all about love. We should act in love, not pride, not wanting to be "right", not wanting to win an argument. We have many problems here in America and the church needs to start acting like the church. Let the world know us by our love.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
That one item
So the next time you purchase item "x", remember that your will have to answer for that purchase. God will require of you an account for how your used your money. It this thing worth more than helping the poor?
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Reality
The sooner we realize that the reality we claim is not really true reality but a faulty, short sighted interpretation of current events, the better off we will be.
It is so easy to think that we know things, that we understand things, that we have a good grasp of all that is good, right and beautiful, but really, when we step back and look at who we are, what we have experienced and what we have learned, we are all really quite pitiful. As modern day Americans, we are terribly under educated and overly comfortable. Everything is far too easy, too quick and shallow. Anyone, with even a sliver of typical American credit, can have anything one desires. And we always want the trite, the simple, the easy and the instantly gratifying.
So what is reality? I will suggest three. One, Jesus Christ is sovereign over all creation. Two, we are terribly consumed with, enamored by and involved in sin. Three, we will die one day and will have to answer for everything we have said, done or thought.
These three things, if truly understood, will direct our lives in the right direction.
The sad part is, if we do this, everyone else will think that we are fools.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Coherence
The thought occurred to me today that discussions and disagreements, in regards to theology, come about, at least for me, because any one doctrine either fits or does not fit into the overall system of Orthodox belief. Any time I hear a new or different thought, teaching or doctrine, my initial response, either conscious or subconscious, is to see if it fits into an Orthodox, covenantal worldview.
I believe that all people do this, as a natural response to things different. None of us like some things to change. We all like consistency and stability. So when something comes along that disturbs that comfort, we respond with suspicion and caution. I think this is good.
That being said, we should always be ready to entertain any question and run it through the matrix of the Christian worldview, as long as we know and understand that worldview. This then means that we must know what we believe and be able to defend it, lest we fall into error. While some may balk at an academic faith, our faith must be informed and intelligent. At the same time, our faith must be a living, organic, personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, within the context of the Orthodox Church.
Coherence? Absolutely! The Christian faith is true, right, and pure. In it we find perfect coherence, balance, and love. It contains no errors, contradictions or confusion.
Definitions = control
One of the truths we see in Scripture is that of "the one who names is the one who has authority." In other words, God gave Adam authority over the animals and this was shown by Adam naming them.
A really good, but abhorrent example of this today is seen in the term "homophobe". The pro gay community has taken the initiative and labeled anyone who is opposed to homosexuality. Etymologically, the term means "one who fears sameness. In essence, the pro gay community has labeled these as ones who are afraid of homosexuality. This is simply false. This is a deliberate attempt to malign a Christian perspective. Christians are not afraid of homosexuality. We see homosexuality as a sin, like so many others, of which one needs to repent. We do not hate homosexuals, we pray for them. Our response to them must be one of love, not hatred or derision. Anyone struggling in sin needs prayer and love, not hatred.
We need to take the definition away and replace it with one accurate. The world must know us by our love.
Pattern #1- phase two
So mankind moved through the first phase of the old covenant. It was a matter of God raising up a man to lead. As long as that man was alive, things were good. But, in this first phase, Adam sinned, immediately "died" and he and all of his offspring began a decline into sin and death. Because man was created with free will, God allowed man to make choices. Finally, when man could descend no further, God brought judgment, in the form of a flood, saving only a remnant, that is, Noah and his family.
When the waters of the flood subsided and Noah set foot back on land, all that was left was the world. The garden of Eden was gone and the land of Eden was gone. When one reads about God re-establishing man upon the earth, it compares precisely with the first creation. Noah is instructed to refill the earth and the covenant is set up, again, between God and man. This time, more detail is given about the covenant. But with Noah's sin and Ham's subsequent sin, man again begins his decline. Judgment then falls upon man, this time in the tower of Babel. God comes down passing judgment upon man by confusing his tongue/confession/beliefs. Man then spreads out like he has been commanded to do.
As this time period ends, God raises up Abram to begin the third phase.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Just plain giddy
People seem to have the impression that I am grumpy, surly and otherwise unpleasant of company. As I look around and view so many people, all around, it seems to me that so many are quite the opposite. Smiley, the life of the party, just plain giddy. What is happening here?
I believe some definitions are important to make. I am not talking about joy. Joy is not an emotion but a state of mind, a state of understanding. Because we are Christians, we are joyful. Because we know the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us, we are joyful. Because we know that we serve a God of love, who will do good for us, we are joyful.
I am talking about happy, about distraction. It is far too easy to forget, to not think about reality or to be distracted by the trifles of this life. If we spend any time at all looking at what happens every day, there is much to grieve over. There is so much suffering, so much evil, so much wrong. We ought to weep with those who weep. We come into God's presence in the Divine Liturgy and are built up and strengthened by the sacraments. We then should go out into the world and love our neighbor. We should be moved to tears at all the wrong, so much of which we can do nothing about, but pray.
So I am not grumpy, surly or otherwise, I am joyful but torn up by so much sin, mine and the effects of global, cultural sin.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Paradigm shift
I know quite a few people with a wide variety of religious beliefs. A large number of Protestants, Catholics, Sikhs, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and some quasi-Protestant folks. Each of these believe that their belief system is right and they are, for the most part, faithful to the truth.
Obviously, only one of those groups or none of them, is correct. The big question is, for anyone in one of these groups that believes in the importance of evangelism, how do we convince someone to move from their current belief system into another. This is called a paradigm shift. This shift involves a radical change in belief.
For many of the Protestant groups, this involves academic dialog. A debate to prove the other wrong by pointing out errors or inconsistencies in a belief system.
But for the Orthodox Christian, this is not so. St. Seraphim of Sarov really summarized it best. He said, "Be filled with the Holy Spirit and a thousand around you will be saved." In essence, this is calling us to pursue our own sanctification and relationship with God and in doing so, in a mystical manner, influence those around us. The western mind so much wants to intellectually direct others. But this is not how we are saved. Our salvation comes about by the purification of our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit through the sacraments, through prayer, through fasting and through almsgiving. When our hearts are purified, we are open and receptive to the love of God. We are capable of communing with God.
The person who is holy will shine divine light into everyone they meet. Conversion and sanctification is the work of God, not man.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Our responsibility
I am in the middle of reading four homilies by St John Chrysostom, "On poverty and wealth." I will begin by simply quoting him,
"And for this it is that God has permitted you to possess much, not that you should spend it in fornication, in drunkenness, in gluttony, in rich clothing or in any other mode of luxury, but that you should distribute it to the needy."
This is absolutely stunning. The first part of his list lists the obvious. We should not spend our wealth on sin. But the second half lists the rest of the story. We should not spend our wealth on luxury or comfort. We should help the needy.
In short, how can we dare wallow in luxury, when so many suffer in genuine need?
Something new
By modern standards, we are at the beginning of a new year. But really, this calendar standard is arbitrary. According to the Orthodox calendar, the new year begins on September 1. But this too is arbitrary.
The usefulness of a calendar is in its provision of a reference point. We often use this as a means to begin something new. Sadly, most new year resolutions fail quite quickly. Part of this problem is from trying to accomplish too much. Talk to your priest and try to grow a little bit this year.