The Practical Side of the Christian Faith

 

Academics tend to fall into the trap of critiquing situations based on theory and presumed underlying presumptions. While I am not one to argue for “the ends justify the means”, there is a certain level of practicality to the fruit of one’s actions. With the recent Russian military action in Ukraine, a large number of voices have risen criticizing President Putin’s use of the Orthodox faith to promote his own agenda. But the question that comes to my mind is that of fruit. Does it really matter the reason for Putin’s “use” of Orthodoxy? If he is actively promoting the Orthodox faith and has continued to portray it as the faith of the Russian people, how is that a bad thing?

The same can be said of Constantine. Regardless of motives, Constantine did make Christianity the official religion of his empire. In doing so, he moved it out of the shadows and into a position of authority and recognition. Regardless of the errant ways that the faith is seen or used, the church will always be extant. Christianity will never die out or cease to be the faith once delivered. Whether Christianity is seen as an illegal aberration or is the official faith of an entire nation, what it teaches is true.

It does not matter what Putin’s motives are for promoting the Orthodox faith. The fact is, Orthodoxy is the historic Christian faith and will continue to grow regardless of what man says or does. The Orthodox church passed through terrible suffering during the time of Soviet Russia, but it was never destroyed. When communism fell, the church was still there and came back to its rightful place as the faith of the nation. 

It is a good thing that the Orthodox faith is the foundation and heart of the nation of Russia (and others). Whether Putin’s motives are good, or evil is irrelevant. The church will continue to flourish, and it is our responsibility to love God and love our neighbor.