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Escape from Reason
Read more: Escape from ReasonFrancis Schaeffer, the Evangelical Protestant theologian, authored a book by the title Escape from Reason. He argued that modernity could only find a solid ground within a world grounded in the inerrancy of Scripture. This article does not engage Schaeffer’s work. Instead, it suggests that “Reason,” as popularly understood is a distortion of the proper […]
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The Mount of Transfiguration and the Bridal Chamber of Christ
Read more: The Mount of Transfiguration and the Bridal Chamber of ChristThere is a propensity in our modern world to break things down – to analyze. We have gained a certain mastery over many things by analyzing the various components of their structure and manipulating what we find. It has become the default position for modern thought. This power of analysis, however, is weakened by its […]
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Apocalypse Now
Read more: Apocalypse NowFew teachings of the Christian faith are as easily misunderstood and equally misapplied as the things pertaining to the “End of the World.” Christian history, both East and West, offers numerous examples of popular misunderstandings – some of which led to bloodbaths and the worst moments in Church history. By the same token, apocalypticism, the […]
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Communion as Salvation
Read more: Communion as SalvationRecent conversations have brought me back to the essential importance of this topic. Few things are as fundamental to the New Testament as the reality of communion (koinonia). It means a commonality, a sharing andparticipation in the same thing. It is this commonality or sharing that lies at the very heart of our salvation. This communion is described in […]
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The God Who Sings
Read more: The God Who SingsMy parish is in the process of installing and blessing bells. It is a joyous milestone in our parish’s life and an important addition to the proclamation of the gospel. According to Orthodox thought, the sound of a Church bell is an icon of the voice of God. It’s blessing reaches as far as the […]
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Truth
Read more: TruthIn the Gospel record of Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate, we are told that Christ said He had come to bear witness to the Truth. Pilate, in what he must have thought was a clever response, says, “And what is Truth?” We know from elsewhere in the Gospel that Christ explained, “I am the Way, […]
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The Unnecessary God
Read more: The Unnecessary GodMany years ago I knew a pastor who said he did not believe in angels. I was surprised by his statement and asked him why. His response was interesting: “I do not believe in angels because I cannot think of anything that they do that the Holy Spirit could not do instead.” I thought his […]
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The Unknowable God
Read more: The Unknowable GodYou cannot know God – but you have to know Him to know that. – Fr. Thomas Hopko +++ Fr. Hopko’s small aphorism is among my favorites in contemporary Orthodoxy. Besides the fact that it sounds humorous – it states one of the most profound paradoxes within the Orthodox faith. This fundamental truth is stated […]
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Glory to God for All Things – The Song
Read more: Glory to God for All Things – The Song
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Freedom and Slavery – A Word to Neurotic Christians
Read more: Freedom and Slavery – A Word to Neurotic ChristiansBe both a servant, and free: a servant in that you are subject to God, but free in that you are not enslaved to anything – either to empty praise or to any of the passions. Release your soul from the bonds of sin; abide in liberty, for Christ has liberated you; acquire the freedom […]
Father, That does help. It can be hard to understand how the “nature” of creation is good, and the “state”…