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.

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.

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.

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.