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14 responses to “The Unity of the Faith”

1. 

   Kevin P. Edgecomb

   July 12, 2007

   Our learning crushes our patience and lays heavily on our hearts.

   Thanks for that, Father. It’s something I struggle with. I find myself too easily reading and writing instead of praying, though it used to be the other way around. There is an impatience associated with headiness that I’ve become impatient with, if that makes any sense, particularly that on my own part. It’s supportive to be reminded of the necessity to subsist in “Him whose simplicity confounds the wise.”

2. Între realitatea lui Dumnezeu şi conceptele despre Dumnezeu « Teologie pentru azi

   July 12, 2007

   […] “Theology is about God as reality and not God as a concept. Subtlety was an ascription given of the serpent, not applied particularly to God. That which is difficult about God is in the human heart. We find God difficult to know or understand because our hearts are hard. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” [ “Teologia se referă la Dumnezeul cel Viu iar Dumnezeu nu este un concept, o idee. Subtilitatea/rafinamentul a fost o caracteristică pusă pe seama şarpelui/a diavolului şi ea nu a fost atribuită lui Dumnezeu de către Scriptură. Dificultatea de a-L înţelege pe Dumnezeu ţine de inima noastră. Noi trăim greutatea de a-L înţelege pe Dumnezeu pentru că inimile noastre sunt reci, sunt dure. Ne trebuie ceea ce ne-a spus Domnul, adică: Fericiţi sunt cei curaţi cu inima căci aceia vor vedea pe Dumnezeu]. […]

3. “The Unity of the Faith” « into the light

   July 12, 2007

   […] Jul 12th, 2007 by kevinburt In light of discussions here regarding some frequently explosive topics, I thought Father Stephen had a pertinent posting yesterday on his blog.  He commented recently about how most comments on blogs are made on ideas over which we are more prone to argue, rather than over simple ideas on which our salvation actually depends.  What he says makes me realize the degree of folly that it is for me to try to explain Theosis, or Sacerdotalism, or Apostolic Succession.  I certainly find my hands full simply trying to take part in my own theosis, without trying to explain it to others (especially since I have no formal theological training).   It reminds me to quote myself less, and the Fathers, more.  Anyway, here is the beginning of Fr Stephen’s post: It is said proverbially in Orthodoxy that “one who prays is a theologian and a theologian is one who prays.” This intends fully to say that an unlettered peasant may be a greater theologian than someone who holds many degrees and can offer page after page of published articles. There is only one reason this is so:   Continue reading “The Unity of the Faith” […]

4. 

   Mark

   July 12, 2007

   I hope your resumed posting indicates you’re recuperating from the plague – whatever the CDF said, and however defective we may be, we remember all of you in our prayers during this joyous time!

5. 

   Fr John Bostwick

   July 12, 2007

   Father, I am grateful for that thoughtful and calm tone of your reflections. As a Catholic I’ve never felt any lack of courtesy on your part. There are differences of perspective for both the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Churches on these matters. If there were not, we would be in communion. It’s unfortunate that the CDF document uses language which is bound to offend other Christians. I know it is a technical language that makes sense within a certain framework, but for folks looking in, the language seems arrogant.

   I am happy to see your main point in this particular post “Theology is about God as reality and not God as a concept”. i struggle to help my students understand that theology is not (simply) a matter of the head but an engagement with the living God.
   Fr John

6. 

   fatherstephen

   July 12, 2007

   We all inherited the landscape in which we live. I’ve often thought about the fact that the pluriform character of Christianity, which has made a joke of Christ’s teachings in many ways, remains the landscape in which we must come to know God. 100 years ago there is simply no way, more or less, that as an American I would have become Orthodox. I am grateful for the opportunity today. But though the landscape has changed and thus increased confusion, God has not changed. And He is found as always, by asking, seeking and knocking. Thank God that the Fathers are not mere culutral artifacts but spoke of the God whom they knew, and thus serve as true signposts. I appreciate prayers. I served Vespers last night and am still on very measured rations today. I crawl to the wedding if need be!

7. Links for 2007-07-12 » anchorite.org

   July 12, 2007

   […] Fr. Stephen Freeman: The Unity of the Faith […]

8. 

   David

   July 12, 2007

   Father, though I am refraining from posting these days (I’m currently making myself a burden over that Kevin Burt’s blog), I wish to say with absolute clarity that you have shown me Christ in all you have done with this blog. Both in times when you have shown great patience with me personally, but also when I was just watching you loving others.

   Much separates us, much of which shouldn’t. But Christ will always make us one.

   Until ALL are one.

9. 

   stephen

   July 12, 2007

   Father, What a beautiful blog. What drew me to the Orthodox faith was that it was not relient on knowing it all or quoting it all though that is not necessarly bad, but that the faith is a living faith, one not to be lived as an abstract but one that is attainable, one that can be lived and we are given helps along the way, we are not to depend on ourselves but that there is a community of the church and the saints to draw from in our daily struggles. As your masthead states “Glory to God for ALL things”

10. Top Posts « WordPress.com

    July 12, 2007

    […] The Unity of the Faith [image] It is said proverbially in Orthodoxy that “one who prays is a theologian and a theologian is one who […] […]

11. 

    Pastor Andrew

    July 12, 2007

    Great post, I loved it. Your words are true! We have the same type of vision at our church. It is to Love God, Love People, and Change the World. I would love to have you come by my blog. It is full of very simple things. http://www.pastorandrew.wordpress.com.

12. 

    fatherstephen

    July 13, 2007

    I do not have a vision to change the world – though I thank you for the compliment. Changing the world is a modern idea, born of political nonsense. Just obeying the commandments in the small things that make up our lives. We leave the outcome to God. Changing the world can turn you into an activist or even a Methodist. I’ll be sure to drop by though. Thanks for the note! 🙂

13. 

    Pastor Andrew

    July 13, 2007

    The idea of changing the world is what you just said. Becoming who Christ has called us to be changes the world in some way. Thanks for the reply!

14. 

    fatherstephen

    July 13, 2007

    Pastor Andrew,

    Now I’ll say Amen.