There are more Dalai Lama sympathizers amongst orthodox activists then genuine supporters of the Ecumenical Patriarch. There is more tolerance for Hindu believers then for the adherence to orthodox doctrine. There is more attention payed to rearing our children for social and economic success then true orthodox piety. We respect more the Muslim rites of worship and their religious dedication to their ancient heresy while practicing orthodox laity everywhere are met with critical and disapproving nods. Heterodox and heretics alike quote three or four references to assert fallacious and inane arguments to justify schismatic and unholy self serving ends.
Know this we are being sifted separated one from another like wheat from the shaft. To paraphrase a notable church father 'one who has no help during time of war (to include spiritual warfare and territorial power grabs) should take no comfort in times of peace'. I am sad to see so many bend to their knees to offer worship to temples dedicated to their own ego. They justify divergent positions on some higher kind of thinking. Something which alludes the rest of us.
Saint Paul was big on order deciding who and where and when churches were to be established and led. The litmus test for correct praxis is multidimensional not flat. If I am wrong I suffer no ill or at the most suffer well; if you are error on this point all could possibly be lost for you. Don't let your super-intellect be a stumbling block.
1 comment:
Part of the problem is that people are not really hearing the Gospel. Not that it is not read, prayed, etc, but that it is not proclaimed with power. I don't mean some kind of false charisma, but simple exhortation to follow Jesus with our whole lives.
Once people at the 'grassroots' level start to exhort their brothers and sisters (even the clergy) to holiness, the tendency to come together as an ethnic community instead of a faith community will begin to dissipate. Ethnic identity and community are very important, and should not be marginalized, but when they have precedence over the Gospel in our day to day lives, that is the heresy of Philetism.
I think the kinds of exhortations found in the Epistles of Paul should be heeded by the Church today. We need a bit of 'shaking up" and awakening to the Gospel.
We should definitely show tolerance and love toward those outside our faith, as Christ did, but not at the expense of our brothers and sisters.
Good points Angela
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