Adventures in Orthodoxy!
Yes, I realize that my title is totally a ripoff of that oh-so-popular Focus on the Family cartoon and book series. Man, I used to love watching those... =D
Anyway...
Matoushin: How's Japan been? Do you speak much Japanese? Any cool stories?
About Orthodoxy:
Well, I've been going to an Orthodox Church for about a month now (an Antiochian Orthodox church, if anyone wants to know...). I must say, it's really ... interesting. I will definitely say that it has been a blessing, and that it has been helping me answer some questions and some issues that I have been having, both theological and non-theological.
Yes, I totally agree with you: there is definitely a lot of ritual in what they do. And, I'm not sure if that's totally bad. And, yes, I agree that such ritualism can exist in even the most free evangelical church there is.
I have gotten used to and even accepting of the idea of veneration to the saints, although there are certainly a few things that still irk me a bit. But, for the education and edification of those who read this: The saints (including Mary) are to be venerated (i.e. highly respected and honored) because of their relationship to Christ. They were obedient, and they loved God, even if they weren't perfect. They stand as examples of what a Christian life should look like (although, again, they weren't totally perfect). And, concerning kissing of icons, etc: Such actions are simply physical representations of honoring someone. We don't really have that in American culture anymore, but ther are some cases in other cultures: Japanese people bow, Filipino people (and many others) perform a "Mano po" (kissing the hand of an honored one, or touching it to your forehead), and there are many more. The kissing or whatever before an icon is just like that.
Concerning doctrine, Mat. wrote:
"Doctrine is a tool that can be used to great effect, but it isn't a Swiss Army knife. It has a specific place, and a specific use, and it isn't meant to divide the church as it has."
I totally agree. However, when one looks at doctrine and sees it as dividing the church, one is at the same time acknowledging that that doctrine doesn't matter. For if it did matter, then it would be something that is worth arguing over, to the end that all may experience the truth and true salvation. With Creation/Evolution, when I look at it now, i realize that it isn't that important. But there was a time that I thought that you couldn't be saved unless you were a YECist. And, at that time, I argued. A lot. Because it was important for salvation.
The same can be said for a lot of things. Baptism, the Eucharist, church membership, homosexuality, etc. These things are argued about because they are thought to be important for salvation.
...
Hmm, what else...
More to come at some other time, when I am not up at 3 in the morning. I'm going to bed.
Kyrie eleison. Gospodi Pomiluj. Lord, have mercy.
Anyway...
Matoushin: How's Japan been? Do you speak much Japanese? Any cool stories?
About Orthodoxy:
Well, I've been going to an Orthodox Church for about a month now (an Antiochian Orthodox church, if anyone wants to know...). I must say, it's really ... interesting. I will definitely say that it has been a blessing, and that it has been helping me answer some questions and some issues that I have been having, both theological and non-theological.
Yes, I totally agree with you: there is definitely a lot of ritual in what they do. And, I'm not sure if that's totally bad. And, yes, I agree that such ritualism can exist in even the most free evangelical church there is.
I have gotten used to and even accepting of the idea of veneration to the saints, although there are certainly a few things that still irk me a bit. But, for the education and edification of those who read this: The saints (including Mary) are to be venerated (i.e. highly respected and honored) because of their relationship to Christ. They were obedient, and they loved God, even if they weren't perfect. They stand as examples of what a Christian life should look like (although, again, they weren't totally perfect). And, concerning kissing of icons, etc: Such actions are simply physical representations of honoring someone. We don't really have that in American culture anymore, but ther are some cases in other cultures: Japanese people bow, Filipino people (and many others) perform a "Mano po" (kissing the hand of an honored one, or touching it to your forehead), and there are many more. The kissing or whatever before an icon is just like that.
Concerning doctrine, Mat. wrote:
"Doctrine is a tool that can be used to great effect, but it isn't a Swiss Army knife. It has a specific place, and a specific use, and it isn't meant to divide the church as it has."
I totally agree. However, when one looks at doctrine and sees it as dividing the church, one is at the same time acknowledging that that doctrine doesn't matter. For if it did matter, then it would be something that is worth arguing over, to the end that all may experience the truth and true salvation. With Creation/Evolution, when I look at it now, i realize that it isn't that important. But there was a time that I thought that you couldn't be saved unless you were a YECist. And, at that time, I argued. A lot. Because it was important for salvation.
The same can be said for a lot of things. Baptism, the Eucharist, church membership, homosexuality, etc. These things are argued about because they are thought to be important for salvation.
...
Hmm, what else...
More to come at some other time, when I am not up at 3 in the morning. I'm going to bed.
Kyrie eleison. Gospodi Pomiluj. Lord, have mercy.
posted by thebrainkid at 11/26/2005 03:06:00 AM
2 comments
