The Place of Content within Tradition

 

A critique against the Orthodox church is their valuation of tradition. Tradition does not overrule or replace Holy Scripture. Instead, Holy Scripture needs to be understood within the context of tradition. “That which the Church has always believed and practiced” is the definition of tradition. Tradition is not about man made rules or practices but is the truth handed down by the apostles to subsequent generations, it is unwritten belief and practice.

While tradition is a necessary and unavoidable foundation for historic Christianity, this does not mean that the method of teaching doesn’t change. The worldview and language in which the Church was born is vastly different than the world in which we live today. Because culture and knowledge has radically changed over the past 2000 years, so too much our approach and methodology but not the content.

The way we talk must change but what we teach cannot.

Generational Authority

 

Generational authority is a historic reality. A king will be in power and will pass his kingship onto his eldest child. The kingdom may be vast and powerful but the child, being young, inexperienced, and immature, will not understand the incredible opportunity he has been given. As the child grows and matures, he will begin to grow into his role and advance the kingdom forward.

This is the nature of our reality as the Church. With the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, we began our role as small children inheriting a vast kingdom. It is now our responsibility to take dominion over the earth. That role of dominion will continue to expand into the entire universe. We do not understand the huge responsibility and incredible opportunity that we have been given.

It is only when we continue to mature that we will know how to rightly make use of everything in the known universe. And this will take eons to even begin to accomplish.

Expenses as a priority

 

I would argue that 90% of what we see or read in the media is distraction. Human suffering, deprivation, and moral depravity are real problems that need to be addressed. Suffering will always be an issue because people will often make foolish decisions that negatively impact themselves and others. But do we really need to be spending multiple billions of dollars on space exploration, military budgets, and political manipulation when there is so much good that could be done instead?

Caring for those in need and creating a better world ought to take precedence over personal comfort and hobbies.

Art and Culture

 

Artistic endeavors are circular. The culture in which one grows up will impact the boundaries of one’s artistic creations. The moral code of one’s culture will determine how one approaches art. When a culture loses its moral compass, art becomes more of an effort to push the boundaries and be novel, rather than to create beauty and excellence.

When one undergoes suffering or abuse, the pain from those experiences will come out in one’s art will brings about the idea of art as emotional release rather than a pursuit of beauty. This response will then impact the art of future generations, as art is then redefined.

In Remembrance

 

No one will remember us. The more time that passes after our death, the less we will be remembered until eventually our names will be forgotten, and all proof of our existence will cease to be. We can make an impact right now by positively influencing those around us but for nearly all men, the only legacy we will leave behind will be our offspring. No one will remember how rich we were, how beautiful we were or how successful we were in business or politics. What will be remembered, at least for a generation or two, is our acts of kindness and love toward others.

At the same time, even though we will pass from the memories of mankind, we will continue to live forever in the state that we formed our souls into during our lifetime. What then is the logical response? When your house is burning down around you, what will you rescue as you escape the flames?

The Big Picture in the Moment

 

We live in a paradox. We need to live in the moment and focus on being holy, right now, dealing with the struggles and sins that plague us right now. But at the same time, we need to look at the big picture and not be distracted by the pleasure and comfort of the moment. We should work hard to be holy so as to be prepared for eternity.

Like an athlete who pushes himself with aching muscles and exhaustion, with the goal of finishing the upcoming marathon. If the athlete only looked to the moment, he would not regularly exercise each day. The goal of being in shape is always one step ahead of him. If he stops for a time, he will not maintain his physical state, but he will begin to decline and lose the progress he has made. 

If the Christian approached his spiritual life as the athlete approached his physical strength and endurance, holiness would be achieved.

Of a Person

 

People should be who they are. If they are sweet and understanding, that is good and fine. If they are introspective, quiet, angry, aggressive, thoughtful or pensive, this too is good and fine. But there should never be judgment against someone else who is different than they. Any emotional/psychological manifestation is part of what makes us human as long as it is directed and controlled in a healthy manner.

Regardless of one’s state of mind, one should understand who they are and why they are what they are. Everyone is made up of responses to a million variables in their lives and one never knows what sort of struggles and troubles someone else may have endured.