Glory to God For All Things

September 9, 2007

When an Icon is not an Icon

When is an icon not an icon? There are several answers to the question. Some of them would be technical, even somewhat argumentative as the strict canon governing icons gave way to more “Westernized” styles in the 17th century and beyond – but there have been notable “icons” among even very “Westernized” icons. St. Seraphim […]
Read more: When an Icon is not an Icon
Icons, Orthodox Christianity, Scripture
September 7, 2007

Icons and the Scriptures

I have had many thoughts this week about problems within the modern academic study of Scripture. An inherent problem is that scholars of Scripture lack both imagination and experience. I do not mean to impugn the intelligence of any particular academic – indeed, I have known many interpreters of Scripture whose work was almost pure […]
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Icons, Liturgy, Orthodox Christianity, Scripture
September 6, 2007

Being Formed in the Light – Icons and Salvation

1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.John 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this […]
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Conversion, Icons, Knowledge of God, Orthodox Christianity
September 4, 2007

Windows to Heaven Are Not One Way

I am participating in an icon workshop this week. Lectures, slides, and the slow process of learning how icons are painted, by painting one yourself under the guidance of an accomplished master. My experience is that you very quickly see that here you can only be pupil (at least at this stage of my life). […]
Read more: Windows to Heaven Are Not One Way
Beauty, Icons, Orthodox Christianity, Prayer, Saints
September 4, 2007

What Do You See Outside Your Window – Evil in a One-Storey Universe

A question was put several days back about what would be said about “evil in a one-storey universe?” Of course, as I’ve thought about the question, my simplest conclusion is to wonder how one would give an account of evil in a two-storey universe. For it seems that those who have imagined the universe as […]
Read more: What Do You See Outside Your Window – Evil in a One-Storey Universe
Beauty, The Church
September 2, 2007

Icons – A Room with a View

Dreams are interesting things – our modern age either makes too little of them or too much of them – but mostly, we believe our dreams are about us and about the inside of our heads. Those who make too little of their dreams write them off to anxiety or other stresses of the day […]
Read more: Icons – A Room with a View
Beauty, Icons, Knowledge of God, The Church
September 1, 2007

Face to Face with God

2 Cor. 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now […]
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Beauty, Icons, Knowledge of God, Orthodox Christianity
August 30, 2007

The Fullness of the Cross of Christ

In writing about our union with Christ I offered the following as the response to a question. It seemed to me, worth a posting of its own, though it be short. I have, however, added a few thoughts to it. There are many ways of which to speak of Christ’s work on the Cross, all of […]
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Orthodox Christianity, Union with God
August 30, 2007

Communion with Christ and the Union of Marriage

One of the clearest images of the relationship we have with Christ is that of marriage between a man and a woman. St. Paul makes reference to this in Ephesians 5: So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated […]
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Family, Orthodox Christianity, The Church, The Sacraments, Union with God
August 29, 2007

What Does It Mean to Have Communion with God?

I am sure that the title of this post seems obvious and as though I had pulled a question out of a catechism. And yet, my experience tells me that things that seem as though they ought to be obvious often are not, particularly the more basic and fundamental they are in our life as […]
Read more: What Does It Mean to Have Communion with God?
Conversion, Knowledge of God, Orthodox Christianity, The Journey of Faith, The Sacraments, Union with God

David, I’ve offered no word of blame.

I can only start from where I am at. I can’t start from anywhere else. That is all anyone can…

Anna, Thank you for your comment! It really is about love. Usefulness (utility) is certainly something that can be measured,…

Fr. Stephen, this is such a beautiful post, thank you! I don’t think I’ve ever commented before, but have been…

I can only speak of God as I know Him in Christ crucified. Apart from that, the conversation becomes an…