"The great tragedy, of course, is that contemporary Christianity has been so “gutted” by those who claim to be its reformers, that a central doctrine of the faith can now be used by non-believers in an effort to undermine a modernized Christianity that was only invented a few years ago."
+ Fr Stephen Freeman, http://glory2godforallthings.com/2009/04/23/a-faith-that-cannot-be-defended/
An interesting statement which I think suggests the dangers of reducing lived theology to moralism (codes and moral do's and don't's) and pietism (second storey, personal salvation and spiritualism).
There is also an subtle suggestion concerning the presuppositions when one deals with moralism, pietism or question about the Orthodox faith. One would hope that Orthodox presuppositions and Orthodox encounters with the world are not based on reductionism and the tendency to package.
Of course Fr Stephen is pointing out the issue of the "packages" created by the Reformation. Such packages are eventually threatened whenever someone challenges the materials or the methods of that "easy to access pacakge" or "box."
Another Orthodox priest once said a rather profound statement in a talk introducing Orthodoxy: "we don't start discussions of Orthodoxy with proving the existence of God."
There is also an subtle suggestion concerning the presuppositions when one deals with moralism, pietism or question about the Orthodox faith. One would hope that Orthodox presuppositions and Orthodox encounters with the world are not based on reductionism and the tendency to package.
Of course Fr Stephen is pointing out the issue of the "packages" created by the Reformation. Such packages are eventually threatened whenever someone challenges the materials or the methods of that "easy to access pacakge" or "box."
Another Orthodox priest once said a rather profound statement in a talk introducing Orthodoxy: "we don't start discussions of Orthodoxy with proving the existence of God."
Likewise in another blog post Fr Stephen points out:
I was challenged on the question of “proving God’s existence.” I understand the question but I do not think the question understands God.
I think our theology, our social responsibility and our worship, if packaged, if reduced, truly runs the risk of misunderstanding God and distracting us from union with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Perhaps this is why the appeal for non-Orthodox, or popular evangelical mega-Church materials and methods run contrary to the Life of the Church, because at the level of their presuppositions these popular consumer products branded as Christian only perpetuate the packaging and reduction of God and His people, His Bride, His Holy Church.
Je Nai Nan. Lord have mercy on us Your people.
