Recent thoughts
I have been having a lot of thoughts recently about a number of subjects. here is a brief smattering of some of them.
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As a result of my studies of Christian history, doctrine, and dogma, my own beliefs are quite messy and might often be inconsistent. For instance, whenever I hear the word 'synergism,' I immediately and temporarily have a negative reaction, resulting from the time when I was studying and leaning towards Reformed monergistic theology, even though I do not now hold to such a Reformed monergistic theology nor consider it to be correct. As another example, if I hear the word 'revival,' I temporarily have an involuntary negative reaction, due to my studies of revialism and revivalists such as Finney while I was Reformed-leaning. (Finney and other revivalists, and indeed much of the beliefs and doctrine of revivalism as a movement is labeled as semi-Pelagian or even Pelagian by some Reformed folks.) This is a great problem especially as I consider the veracity of Eastern Orthodoxy.
For instance, I can't really think of any of the main beliefs of Orthodoxy which I really disagree with. Some of the common objections or problems which Protestants or Evangelicals such as my friends and family might have with Orthodox beliefs and doctrine - items such as the veneration of icons, thoughts about icons, episcopal church structure, liturgical worship, Tradition and its relationship to Scripture and to correct doctrine, Orthodox soteriology and theories of the atonement (in contrast with Western views), etc. - concerning these things, I find that I have no problem with them. In fact, I consider the Orthodox view to be more correct in many of these fields.
What then keeps me from becoming Orthodox? Well, I might say that it is a lack of sureness about their claim to being the historical church. But, in response to myself, I would have to note that it does seem to me that Orthodoxy does have a valid claim to being the historical church.
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Perhaps the greatest worry I have is a concern over ecclesiology. If the Orthodox church is the one true Church, what does that imply about other Christian groups?
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As I further consider it, I really want Orthodoxy to be true. I suppose that I could also say that I would really like to become Orthodox.
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As I study the theological debates associated with the fourth, fifth, and sixth Ecumenical councils by reading the second book of Pelikan's five volume history of doctrine and dogma, I get confused, tired, and my head hurts. So, I have been reading other books to rest my head. I just finished Garbage Land, by Elizabeth Royte. I am planning to read Crunchy Con, by Rod Dreher, Unspeak by Stephen Poole, and Cookoff, by Amy Sutherland.
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I am also planning to read Christianity: Essence, History, and Future, by Hans Küng, a Roman Catholic theologian, just so I can get another viewpoint on the history of Christianity.
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As I look at my own situation, it seems to me that there are a number of issues on which Protestant and Evangelical doctrine lacking. Thus, I find myself to be in a wrong position, but I don't know which position is right. It's a very frustrating position to be in.
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You know what else is a frustrating situation? How to relate to other people, such as those of other Christian Traditions and also to those of the opposite gender. Whatever. I am trying to learn to trust God in all these things.
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Working for CMI has been good, although very tiring at times. Sometimes I wonder about the importance of the things I am doing, but I remember that, if for nothing else, that which I do is important for it teaches me to be humble and to try to have a servant attitude, as Christ had (see Phillipians 2).
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In other news, I got my first blood blister the other day (or at least it's the first one as far as I can remember). I was carrying a couch off of the CMI loading truck, and I hit my hand on a post while holding the couch. So, now I have a little dark bubble on my finger. I don't know if I should pop it, so I am just leaving it for now. But I must say, its presence is quite interesting. I find myself playing with it like a child might play with a loose tooth.
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As a result of my studies of Christian history, doctrine, and dogma, my own beliefs are quite messy and might often be inconsistent. For instance, whenever I hear the word 'synergism,' I immediately and temporarily have a negative reaction, resulting from the time when I was studying and leaning towards Reformed monergistic theology, even though I do not now hold to such a Reformed monergistic theology nor consider it to be correct. As another example, if I hear the word 'revival,' I temporarily have an involuntary negative reaction, due to my studies of revialism and revivalists such as Finney while I was Reformed-leaning. (Finney and other revivalists, and indeed much of the beliefs and doctrine of revivalism as a movement is labeled as semi-Pelagian or even Pelagian by some Reformed folks.) This is a great problem especially as I consider the veracity of Eastern Orthodoxy.
For instance, I can't really think of any of the main beliefs of Orthodoxy which I really disagree with. Some of the common objections or problems which Protestants or Evangelicals such as my friends and family might have with Orthodox beliefs and doctrine - items such as the veneration of icons, thoughts about icons, episcopal church structure, liturgical worship, Tradition and its relationship to Scripture and to correct doctrine, Orthodox soteriology and theories of the atonement (in contrast with Western views), etc. - concerning these things, I find that I have no problem with them. In fact, I consider the Orthodox view to be more correct in many of these fields.
What then keeps me from becoming Orthodox? Well, I might say that it is a lack of sureness about their claim to being the historical church. But, in response to myself, I would have to note that it does seem to me that Orthodoxy does have a valid claim to being the historical church.
----------
Perhaps the greatest worry I have is a concern over ecclesiology. If the Orthodox church is the one true Church, what does that imply about other Christian groups?
----------
As I further consider it, I really want Orthodoxy to be true. I suppose that I could also say that I would really like to become Orthodox.
----------
As I study the theological debates associated with the fourth, fifth, and sixth Ecumenical councils by reading the second book of Pelikan's five volume history of doctrine and dogma, I get confused, tired, and my head hurts. So, I have been reading other books to rest my head. I just finished Garbage Land, by Elizabeth Royte. I am planning to read Crunchy Con, by Rod Dreher, Unspeak by Stephen Poole, and Cookoff, by Amy Sutherland.
----------
I am also planning to read Christianity: Essence, History, and Future, by Hans Küng, a Roman Catholic theologian, just so I can get another viewpoint on the history of Christianity.
----------
As I look at my own situation, it seems to me that there are a number of issues on which Protestant and Evangelical doctrine lacking. Thus, I find myself to be in a wrong position, but I don't know which position is right. It's a very frustrating position to be in.
----------
You know what else is a frustrating situation? How to relate to other people, such as those of other Christian Traditions and also to those of the opposite gender. Whatever. I am trying to learn to trust God in all these things.
----------
Working for CMI has been good, although very tiring at times. Sometimes I wonder about the importance of the things I am doing, but I remember that, if for nothing else, that which I do is important for it teaches me to be humble and to try to have a servant attitude, as Christ had (see Phillipians 2).
----------
In other news, I got my first blood blister the other day (or at least it's the first one as far as I can remember). I was carrying a couch off of the CMI loading truck, and I hit my hand on a post while holding the couch. So, now I have a little dark bubble on my finger. I don't know if I should pop it, so I am just leaving it for now. But I must say, its presence is quite interesting. I find myself playing with it like a child might play with a loose tooth.
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posted by thebrainkid at 7/31/2006 10:06:00 PM
2 Comments:
Perhaps the greatest worry I have is a concern over ecclesiology. If the Orthodox church is the one true Church, what does that imply about other Christian groups?
----------
As I further consider it, I really want Orthodoxy to be true. I suppose that I could also say that I would really like to become Orthodox.
----------
As I study the theological debates associated with the fourth, fifth, and sixth Ecumenical councils by reading the second book of Pelikan's five volume history of doctrine and dogma, I get confused, tired, and my head hurts.
Regarding ecclesiology and the Orthodox Church's view of the non-Orthodox, take a look at "The Non-Orthodox: The Orthodox Teaching on Christians Outside of the Church"
by Patrick Barnes. It is available to read online at:
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/
status.aspx
If you "would really like to become Orthodox" pray to Christ, and to the saints for their prayers, for exactly this. Conversion for head-y Westerners is often a matter of allowing our heads to catch up with our hearts. Orthodoxy allows us to rediscover what the Fathers call the "nous", the eye of the soul that can directly "apprehend" the spiritual. We are not simply physical senses, intellect and emotions. We also often don't "really" believe in prayer. Orthodoxy at the end of the day is equally "right belief" and right worship" - probably more the latter, so make sure to be praying and worshipping as the Orthodox do (under guidance, of course, so you don't do too much, too little, or too much of your own thing.)
The deep dogmatics and spirituality of St. Maximos Confessor and the Philokalia make my head hurt, too. I noticed, however, that I understood more of these works each time I progressed in the sacramental life of the Church. I could see progressively more when I moved from inquirer to catechumen to baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christian, to tonsured Reader (anagnost). Of course, simple spiritual experience helps, too, and being guided by a veteran of the spiritual life - my spiritual father.
Instead of taking on the hard data and dogmatics of Orthodoxy first, see the flowering of the same in the Lives of the Saints. I always recommend "The Way of a Pilgrim", "Saint Silouan the Athonite", "Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father", and Bishop Kallistos Ware's "The Orthodox Church" and "The Orthodox Way". The Lives of the Optina Elders and the newest edition of the life of Fr. Seraphim Rose are also very good.
I can totally relate. About a year ago I found myself growing apathetic towards Reformed theology in general. I found it disconnected from my spiritual practice and life as a Christian. As for the basic Protestant tenets I was increasingly suspicious of them.
And then there was Orthodoxy. And I discovered both a deep sympathy for their concerns and emphasis and as Christopher said above, my head caught up with my heart. It's been a bumpy ride so far but I'm excited about becoming a catechumen.
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