Some of you may have come here from (really) Orthodox bloggers which have me listed as another Orthodox blogger.
Truth in advertising constrains me to note that I am not yet Orthodox. You shouldn't uncritically take my comments as representing the true Orthodox faith. I want to accurately and fully represent the Orthodox Faith, but I'm not yet chrismated. And my life doesn't match up very well, either. I'm working on it . . .
But still . . . caveat emptor.
Posted by Clifton at December 10, 2003 01:00 PM | TrackBackI can move you in my roll if you want....
But just because your blog is Orthodox, doesn't mean *any of us* actually live out Orthodox perfectly. "Orthodox blog" for me is more of a content advisory--not a statement of sanctity or some such.
Posted by: Karl Thienes at December 10, 2003 01:07 PMKarl:
You best know what you mean by the label.
It's just that reading about Father Seraphim has really got me convicted about where I'm at with Orthodoxy right now. Not that I'm not where I should be, but that I'm not living what I already know.
Goodness. Who *is* "living what they know"? Really.
Even St. (do I dare use that title yet!) Seraphim of Platina in the early 80's would have said he hadn't yet begun to live the Orthodox life....and you and I know that, in many ways, that he certainly was!
I suppose each of us knows when the paradox is leaning more towards one side or the other and where we need to balance it....I suppose for you this is a different bag, not actually being in the Church...
St. Seraphim pray for us!
Posted by: Karl Thienes at December 10, 2003 01:48 PMKarl:
Inded, St. Seraphim for me. Given the looseness with which, as my priest gives me to understand, the Orthodox handle titles like "St." and "Blessed," and given his obvious sanctity, St. Seraphim, it is.
You're right. And there is a danger of spiritual pride in my "humility." But I like how you describe it. Right now I feel the pendulum swinging hard toward "fake" in my life.
Clifton...everything you wrote here, with the exception of "not yet Orthodox" could just as easily been written by me.
Posted by: Jamesofthenorthwest at December 10, 2003 04:46 PMIt's too bad you guys aren't really Orthodox yet...shoot i could show you how. Send your SASE to:
Being Orthodox is FUN
123 Wannabe St.
Byzantium, GA 99999
Yeah Clifton...
I could remove you as well. But then I'd have to go into my template...cut your name from the Orthodox Bloggers list...and then paste it into the (Not quite) Orthodox Bloggers list...and…well…"Man, that's just too much work!"
I think you should take the Monkeys advice and send for the information on "Being Orthodox is FUN" - heck...I heard in course #2, you learn the gift of "uncreated light". Sounds good to me...especially if you're not "already" Orthodox and lack the gift.
Hey guys! You're forgetting about the secret handshake and decoder ring....you can kiss the uncreated light goodbye without these babies!
Posted by: Karl Thienes at December 11, 2003 10:02 AMThat's right, that's right...my bad!
Posted by: John at December 11, 2003 10:39 AMIt must be part of my modernist ecumenical jurisdiction: I've not gotten the decoder ring yet.
Posted by: Huw Raphael at December 11, 2003 10:38 PM