parresia

Two big events

Two Big Events...the Laker Game...and the Laker Game!

Chronologically the first event is Friday night's big BIG BIG game: Lakers taking on SAC-Town: Channel 4; 6pm. Go Lakers!!!

The second big event, Lord willing, will be Game 7! Let's do it boys.

impecunious

But I can't afford another book!!!

To my simultaneous shagrin and delight Delgado pointed out a new book that I'm all but predestined to buy: Dostoyevsky: the Mantle of the ProphetThis book marks the final volume in Frank's five-volume masterpiece on the masterpiece author himself: Dostoyevsky.

Can anyone say credit card?

delgado ?

Delgado brought it up

In April, Michael Delgado (the second most talented writer I am fortunate enough to know) wrote the following:

I just finished reading a concise critique of the Eastern Orthodox , published by the Christian Research Institute. It gives a good breakdown on the Orthodox view of God, Creation, Man and Justification. I think one of the most frigtening elements in the article is when Professor Negrut writes about the Orthodox view of man:
"The rebellion of Adam and Eve against God was their personal sin. This resulted in no inherited guilt for their descendants. Although the Orthodox emphasize the unity of humankind, this unity includes only hereditary death and not inherited guilt. Sinfulness is a consequence of mortality. By becoming mortal, man acquired a greater urge to sin because he is subject to the needs of the body (food, drink, etc.) which are absent in immortal beings."

In response, I think it important to point out that the Orthodox do not deny "Original Sin" per se.

Bishop Ware:

"...The consequences of Adam's disobedience extended to all his descendants. We are members of one another, as Saint Paul never ceased to insist, and if one member suffers the body suffers. In virtue of this mysterious unity of the human race, not only Adam but all mankind became subject to mortality. Nor was the disintegration which followed from the fall merely physical. Cut off from God, Adam and his descendants passed under the domination of sin and of the devil. Each new human is born into a world where sin prevails everywhere...Man's will is weakened and enfeebled by what the Greeks call "desire" and the Latins "concupiscence." We are all subject to these, the spiritual effects of sin."

He goes on...

"Orthodox teach that men automatically inherit Adam's corruption and mortality, but not his guilt; they are only guilty in so far as by their own free choice they imitate Adam."

Take the words of Christoforos Stavropoulos:

"[After Adam's fall] Humanity loses the divine gift. Human nature becomes distorted. Death comes. Our subjugation to the tyranny of the devil follows. And thus, we human beings ourselves stand in the way of the divine grace which is poured out upon us. The image of God within us is weakened. We oursleves preclude the possibility of our union with God."

Consider a couple Orthodox prayers from early in the Church's history-- prayers, mind you, that are not archaic nor in seldom use, but prayers that are prayed nearly everday by many Orthodox Christians.

St. Antiokh (fifth century):

Oh Jesus, Good Shepard of thy sheep, let me not fall into the disobedience of the serpent, nor leave me to the will of Satan, for the seed of corruption is in me."

St. John Damascene (d. 777)

"...But upon me a sinner show the wonder of Thy mercy...let not my evil nature overcome thy grace and kindness that cannot be told; and as thou wishest, order my goings aright."

One can see from the passages above that the Church does not take a Pelagian view of Sin-- we are certainly born in need of the Saviour.

My Calvinist friends, how do you like that last part of John's prayer: "as thou (Heavenly Father) wishest, order my goings aright"? Sounds very keen to the sovereignty of God, if you ask me.

sins

hiking America

All Welcomed...yes, YOU

This Saturday a group of us are going on a day-hike in the Angeles Mountians. We'd really like you to join us. We'll be leaving (carpooling) from the parking lot of The Block in Orange (Just in front of the Carl's Jr) exit City Drive north off the 22 freeway. We'll meet there at 7am, and be on the road no later than 7:15 *crosses fingers.

You'll need:

A back pack. Decent walking/hiking shoes. Lots of water. A packed lunch (we'll be eating on the mountain). Snacks as you so desire.

There are restrooms available at the trail-head, payphones, and park rangers.

The hike is about 5-8 miles long/short (depending on how we're feeling at certain junctures). We ought to be back in O.C. at the Carl's Jr. parking lot around 5pm.

For more information email me: stock_jeremy@hotmail.com

St. John Damascene

A Prayer of St. John Damascene (d. 777)

This is usually prayed before going to bed, as an evening prayer.

O Master that lovest all men, will not this bed be my grave? Or wilt thou again enlighten my condemned soul with the day? Behold, the grave lieth before me; behold, death standeth before me. Thy Judgement, O Lord, I fear, and the unending torments, yet I cease not from doing evil. O Lord my God, continually I anger thee and thy most pure Mother, and all the heavenly powers, and my holy guardian angel. I know indeed, O Lord, that I am not worthy of thy love towards men, but am worthy of every condemnation and torment. But, O Lord, whether I wish it or not, do thou save me. For if thou savest the just, it is nothing great; and if thou hast mercy upon the pure, it is nothing marvellous: for they are worthy of thy mercy. But upon me, a sinner, shew the wonder of thy mercy; in this manifest thy love toward all men, and let not my evil nature overcome thy grace and kindness that cannot be told; and as thou wishest, order my goings aright...Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers like this are Orthodoxy. Does it not seem very difficult to attach a "pelagian" label to such words? I just have a hard time understanding how Protestants find fault in such belief.

But aside from arguments, indeed the reason I wanted to share this prayer, was the excruciating truth...

"Thy Judgement, O Lord, I fear, and the unending torments, yet I cease not from doing evil."

Lord have mercy.

Star Wars

Episode II; 12:01am

Marco, Gregory-Allen, Adam, Katherine and myself were among the blessed 1,108 persons who saw the very first showing of Star Wars Episode II "Attack of the Clones" on the largest screen this side of the Mississippi-- the Big Newport boasts Dolby-Digital THX surround-sound, and a 40x80 foot screen! If you're gonna do it, do it in style!

The movie is a great improvement upon Episode I; even if only for the fact that Jar-Jar Binks is all but not existent in the newest release. But the film offers much more than that by way of improvement. The film hearkens back to a sobriety the likes of which helped make Empire Strikes Back so powerful.

As a long time Star Wars fan (someone who has spent the night for good seats) I cannot claim that the newer Lucas productions are anywhere near the quality of the original trilogy, be it depth of character, story-line, even action. As most Star Wars fans accord, I much prefer the old analog system, along with the puppetry F/X from 20 years ago over the brilliant computer graphics of today. Give me Jabba the Hutt the size of my living room over a computer generated blue-screen projection; give me long, dialogue-filled light-saber battles over fancy acrobatics and martial arts; give me The Force deftly wielded as powerfully as we believe befits a Jedi over action sequences that mimic Western Showdowns or police shoot-em-up movies.

Don't take this the wrong way; I did truly enjoy the movie, as did my companions-- even my fiance had a good time-- and she is a tough sell, especially with Star Wars.

Be a true American: go out and see Episode II on the big-screen. You'll be glad you did.

Pelagian?

Sanctification "the spiritual life"

"The truly Christian life, begins, developes and rises to perfection (for each in his own measure), through the good will of God the Father, by the action of the grace of the Holy Spirit present in all Christians, and under the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who promised to abide with us for all time.

God's grace calls all men to such a life; and for all men it is not only possible but obligatory, for it is the essence of Christianity." ~~E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer taken from the Introduction to the Russian translation of the Philokalia.

Here we see a very clear explanation of the Orthodox view of Sanctification-- here we see the Orthodox view that it is not man alone who picks up his cross each day, rather, we see his picking up his cross is, by necessity, tied to Divine Will, Grace, and Action. (Sounds almost Calvinistic to me.)

Based on this passage above, and numerous other writings, prayers, liturgies, et cetera, it seems to me, to attack Orthodoxy on grounds that Orthodox theology diminishes God's sovereignty while it elevates man's independence would be to attack Orthodoxy with "spurious and misguided arrows."

Granted Orthodox will deny the hardline Calvinist view on Sanctification: where man is seen as merely co-operating with what is essentially a work of God-- but the Orthodox will only deny that view is so far as the Orthodox apply a different emphasis.

As I see it, the Orthodox will emphasize man's responsibility to live a faithful life, while it seems the Calvinists emphasize God's activity in the Christian's faithful life.

"[Sanctification] consists fundamentally and primarily in a divine operation in the soul, whereby the holy disposition born in regeneration is strengthened and its holy exercises are increased. [Sanctification] is essentially a work of God..." ~~Berkhof Systematic Theology pg. 532; Italics my own.

Having stated a difference as to emphases between Calvinists and Orthodox, I believe it is important to point out that the Orthodox will not deny the ontological necessity of God's grace in the sanctification of us Christians; it is just that the Orthodox are more concerned with explaining man's responsibility in sanctification-- stressing the truth "faith without works is dead", being less concerned with the ontology of sanctification.

I fear such emphasis placed upon ontology within Reformed circles leads to neglect of the Christian walk-- the Reformed Christian usually understands full-well his forensic justification in the blood of Christ, but it seems the Reformed Christian too often forgets that the Christian life is so much more than that one decision on that one day. By contrast, I have experienced the benefits of the Orthodox emphasizing our call as Christians to "be holy" each and everyday.

In short, let it be said that the Orthodox do take very seriously God's grace and activity in our lives, as do Reformers-- if Orthodoxy is "deceptive human tradition" then it is so in an area other than sanctification.

Pelikan

Some Pelikan

Some words we all need to hear as a reminder.

What the church of Jesus Christ believes, teaches, and confesses on the basis of the word of God: this is Christian doctrine. Doctrine is not the only, not even the primary, activity of the church. The church worships God and serves mankind, it works for the transformation of this world and awaits the consummation of its hope in the next. "Faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love"-- love, and not faith, and certainly not doctrine. The church is always more than a school...But the church cannot be less than a school.

Taxes and Church

Church and State

One of the common prayers of the Orthodox is as follows:

"...remember Your Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which You have purchased with Your precious blood. Confirm and strengthen it, enlarge and multiply it, keep it in peace, and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell forever...have mercy upon all world rulers, on our president, and on all civil authorities. Speak peace and blessing in their hearts for Your Holy Church and for all your people, in order that we may live a calm and peaceful life, in all godliness and dignity."

It seems these prayers have been answered, yet again.

The problem was that the 9th circuit court of appeals is considering to basically abolish the housing tax exemption for clergy. If the court were to do so clergy would no longer be able to deduct the market value of their home. One could imagine what this would do to small churches all across this country where the priest is barely making ends meet as it is.

The appearent answer to prayer is the House of Representatives' unanimous decision to uphold housing tax breaks for clergy.

The bill must still pass the Senate, but I would assume this bill would have no problem passing-- (for many reasons, few being religious, politicians do not want to upset constituents of faith.)

If you'd like to read the whole story, go here.

For the sake of those clergy who rightly use the tax exemption, may God preserve them; for those that do not, may they be rooted out with justice.

Prots No

A few of my own reasons for practicing Orthodoxy

I'd like to affirm that which Wayne Oh said concerning his current stance on the Orthodox faith. I agree with his words completely, and have myself experienced the same awesome, life changing liturgies.

What I wanted to add was a slight explanation of where I am at and why, related to the Orthodox faith, beyond what Wayne brought out in his blog. Aside from the Theological arguments, the historical arguments, aside from "intellectual" arguments in general, let me say the following.

The practice of Orthodoxy is where the rubber hits the road. The practice is what makes Orthodoxy what it is: it is living out the Christian life. Now, Protestants will immediately say, "Protestants also live out the Christian life." And this is where my comments are pointed to. Why I have chosen to live out the Orthodox Christian life as opposed to the Protestant Christian life. (I must say that in one sense "the Christian life" is identical no matter where it is being lived out, but that does not make all systems equal. Some systems foster the "Christian life" better than others. For example, one might find that "the Christian life" can be lived even by a person attending a 4-square church; granting this possibility we'd want to say that doing so would be very difficult: indeed the Pentacostal structure is not conducive to leading a Christian life in many ways, at least from a Presbyterian perspective.)

Orthodoxy, as opposed to Protestantism, seems to truly understand the needs of us humans, as humans. We are forgetful, lazy, zealous, hopeful, indeed above all, sentient beings-- We are a whole lot of bad, a little good, and a lot of it all roled into one package. I have found that the practice of Orthodoxy, through its various "rites" or norms of worship, fosters faithfulness, even in people like us-- even me. How so?

Let me cover just a few of the distinctions of Orthodoxy as opposed to Protestantism that have greatly fed my desire to be Orthodox.

Prostrations/Kneeling (what is said below about prostration, goes as well for kneeling).

Prostrating oneself in the Orthodox church is not uncommon. You are able to prostrate before an Icon of Christ, for instance, as you walk into the church. Often times, after a particular liturgy, you are able to prostrate before the cross of Christ, an Icon of Christ, or a symbolic "tomb" et cetera. At other times, during the service, you are able to prostrate yourself for supplications, or other prayers. There is something real, and something important about actually getting on your knees while worshiping Christ. I cannot well put this into words, but suffice it to say that I have seen a change in my prayer life, and I have been grateful to be able to prostrate myself before Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Now, one might say, well there's nothing wrong with prostrating yourself as a Protestant, so that's no reason to leave Protestantism. Well, first of all, I don't know of any Protestant churches that regularly allow/admonish their laity to prostrate in church. Second, if there were some that do, fantastic, but Presbyterian churches do not (not the PCA, OPC, nor URC). The difference comes down to, ultimately, Protestants may allow prostrations, but the Orthodox admonish the laity to do so-- the Orthodox Christian is fostered in an environment where prostration is integrated into the very worship of God. It isn't something you do all alone in your "devotion time," but rather it is a regular part of your worship practice. I find this to be very important and very powerful.

Prayers of the Saints.

Another aspect that is integrated into the Orthodox practice is utilizing the prayers of the Saints. Prayers from persons such as St. Basil, St. Lorenz, St. Cyprian, St. Chrysostom, et cetera. These prayers are, in most cases (I haven't read them all), absolutely beautiful, absolutely comprehensive-- covering repentance, thanksgiving, supplications, etc.-- and almost always paraphrases of Scripture. I have found using the Saints' prayers to not only be instructive in my prayer life, but also helpful in memorizing certain ideas from Scripture.

Again, one might say that there is nothing wrong with using Saint prayers in a Protestant setting. My response would be similar as above: yes they may be "allowed" but they are not incorporated into the worship routine; they are not invested in the prayer life of the laity. In Orthodoxy, many prayers of the Saints are used in Liturgy, Matins, Orthos, and Special services; memorizing much if not all of some of these prayers would not be uncommon. And just as it is beneficial to memorize Scripture, so too is it beneficial to memorize these prayers, for many of them are greatly taken from Scripture.

Further, from a Protestant perspective, some of the content of these prayers would have to be omitted due to doctrinal differences, e.g., prayers to the Theotokos. Only in Orthodoxy is the Christian able to engulf himself in the rich heritage that manifests itself in the recorded prayers of the Saints. I have found this to be very powerful, and very important.

Censing (the use of incense).

The Orthodox use incense a lot-- incense is not only used in the services at Church, but it is also used in the home for personal prayer. The incense represents the "Prayers set before [God]" Psalm 141:2. As I mentioned above, we are humans; we are sentient beings. In Orthodoxy even the nostrils are stimulated while worshiping God. In Orthodoxy the Christian is reminded of holiness, and prayer upon smelling that distinct fragrance. In short, the incense serves as a gentle reminder of our place before God, a gentle reminder of why we are here: to worship God.

It is not unimportant to point out that incense is mentioned all throughout the Older Testament as used in the Temple, and is even mentioned in Revelation in describing our worship of God in heaven.

Yet, there is nothing in Protestantism that denies one from using incense, and again, there may even be some Protestant churches that use incense. All very well. But, only in Orthodoxy is incense incorporated into the worship of God. Only in Orthodoxy is incense seen as holy, and sacred...something associated with the worship of God. I do not want to attend a church where incense is merely allowed, I want to be a part of a church that fosters its use, and considers holy its application.

Thus far I have discussed aspects of Orthodox practice that are extremely important to me, yet are aspects that could in one degree or another be used in the Protestant church. I now want to turn my attention to an aspect of Orthodox practice that could not be used in a Protestant church. This aspect, further, has also been very important, and very powerful. This practice is the use of Icons.

Icons are representations of Christ, Prophets, Mary, the Apostles, Saints, Martyrs, Ascetics, biblical events, et cetera. Icons make visible/physical those things and persons that were before but mental images taken from words on a page. Icons remind the worshipper of his place among the Church-universal throughout time. Icons, all at once, remind us of those whom have held the faith before us, have lived righteous lives before us, and perhaps have died for their faith. Icons offer a glimpse into the rich heritage and spiritual reality of the Church. When one stands in St. Paul's Church, surrounded by the many Icons, one cannot help but be reminded that, one, the church is a holy place, and two, you are worshiping not alone, but with the heavenly hosts-- you ought to keep your heart and mind reminded of that.

Icons would most likely be rejected in Protestant circles as a form of idolatry. I know the use of Icons in prayer and in veneration, and even in worship is not idolatry. I know that the use of Icons has been powerful, and important in my prayer and worship life. As a Protestant I would not be allowed the use of Icons, yet another reason as to why I am now pursuing the Orthodox practice of faith.

I want the reader to understand two things. 1. These are reasons personal to me; I understand their subjective nature. 2. I have strong convictions regarding Theology, Soteriology, History, Interpretation, et cetera, that have also been strong influences on my decision to practice Orthodoxy, but these convictions are hardly half the story.

May God have mercy on me, a sinner.

Basil

St. Basil the Great

I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that wherever you go, the least plant may bring a clear remembrance of the Creator. One blade of grass or one speck of dust is enough to ocupy your entire mind in beholding the art with which it has been made."

Let the heavens declare God's righteousness.

Jesus Conquers

Greek

IC XC NIKA "Jesus Christ Conquers"

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages, amen.

East and Now

Could be my own words

Immersed in a continuous, centuries-old faith, at last we feel at home. This continuity has become the hidden thread that runs through my life. I live at the corner of East and Now.
~~Ferderica Matthewes-Green
At the Corner of East and Now.

A very good book, at just the right time.

Job's Words

Job's Words

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Help me to have such a heart of faith, O Lord.

Psalm 51

Psalm 51:10-13

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

The Kathismata

The Kathismata

This is a chant recited on Holy Tuesday in every Orthodox Church around the world.

The Harlot came to Thee, O Merciful Master, and poured out upon Thy feet myrrh with her tears, and redeemed the offenses of her vices at Thy command: but Thy graceless disciple, breathing Thy grace, rejected it, and becoming involved in a morass of crime, he sells Thee in his avarice. O Christ, Glory to Thy Compassion...

The treacherous Judas, wrapped up in avarice, set out treacherously to betray Thee, O Lord, the Treasure of life. Wherefore in his violence he goes to the transgressors and saith to them: What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him to you, that He may be crucified?

The harlot, in her grief, called upon Thee, O Lord of compassion, and fervently dried Thy sacred feet with the hair of her head and from the depths of her lamentations cried: Cast me not out, neither destroy me, O my God, but receive me in my repentance and save me, for Thou alone are merciful...

I have transgressed, O Good Master, more than the harlot, and I come near to Thee without her flood of tears, but in silence I pray and bow before Thee; with fervour I embrace Thy sacred feet, that Thou mayest grant forgiveness of sins to me when I cry to Thee, O Saviour: Deliver me from the morass of my evil deeds.

OIKOS

She who was formerly a prodigal, showed herself suddenly wise, and she loathed her shameful deeds and carnal pleasure; she reflected on the magnitude of her shame, and the judgement of condemnation which awaits prodigals and harlots. Of these indeed the first am I, and I am in terror, but foolishly abide in my perverse habits. The harlot also was in terror, and at once she hastened and came and cried to the Redeemer: Of Thy mercy and pity, deliver me from the morass of my evil deeds...

When the woman who was a sinner was offering the myrrh, then the disciple was making terms with the lawless men; she rejoiced in emptying out that which was all-precious; he hastened to sell Him, Who was above all price; she recognized the Master, he severed himself from the Master; she was set free, and Judas became a slave of the enemy. Fearful is the rashness! Great is the repentance! This do Thou, O Saviour, grant to me; O Thou Who didst suffer for us, save us.

Lord, Have mercy on me a sinner.