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Great Thinkers in the History of the Church (no. 2)
Again the sun in a house that is strait, is straitened therein though he be great: but in a house that is goodly and large, when he rises thereon—far and wide in it he spreads his rays; and though the sun is one and the same in his nature, in divers houses he undergoes changes: Even so our Lord in divers men.
(St. Ephrem, ca. 373, http://ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-13/Npnf2-13-30.htm#P3137_1066538)
Poem
Do you feel unloved?
Then, quit kissing the mirror,
And be drawn beyond it to the lips of the Beloved.
I dove through the cloud
And into an
Ocean.
I fell through
The earth and into
Heaven.
-Brian K. Wilcox
Quote
“There are many monks and laymen who are believers only in words,” said Saint Kallinikos of Cernika.
(http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8137.asp)
Comments
The New Testament speaks of faith as “faithing” or “trusting.” We do not have faith, as though faith is an object we possess or can acquire if we are determined enough, smart enough, or holy enough. Indeed, such effort to get faith blocks faithing. We can faith in, or trust in, but we cannot have faith. Faith is not a subject or object. Faith is a living, relational process. Faith is a dynamic, communal reality. Ultimately, a true Christian does not faith in a doctrine or the Scripture. These are matters of words, regardless of how important. The Christian has faith in the Godhead, or the God who is, also, Triune Mystery. The Christian faiths in God.
One cannot serve words and God. One cannot trust in words and God. One is a believer in God or a believer in some lesser good than the Good.
Then, what of Scripture and doctrine? Scripture and doctrine, as well as other words in the Church, arise from trusting in God and confirm trusting in God, and increase trusting in God. The whole life of the Church arises from faith in God and, therefore, gives validity to all means toward witnessing to and increasing that relationship.
However, words easily become idolatrous. This occurs when priority is placed on these means that arise from relationship and lead back into relationship. Scripture and doctrine for many have come to take a position of authority that is problematic to understanding and living faith as a relationship. Priority on anything, even Scripture or doctrine, which sets the order of priority away from faith in and with God, becomes idolatry and a hindrance to the relationship.
Therefore, we see a reason behind much of the conflict even among confessing Christians. Persons can enjoy unity in Christ only when that communion arises from trusting in God. When a faith community places its faith in Scripture or doctrine, which is idolatry, then, it will be unable to enjoy unity. Rather, the beautiful and wise diversity arising from the fullness of God will be blocked in an effort at conformity. And, conformity in the Church, while mimicking unity, is an immature and fearful matter, and such conformity is always antithetical to unity.
Yes, Saint Kallinikos of Cernika is right, in that there are many believers in words. And, ironically, these believers in words consistently fail to exemplify the life the words are indicative of. For the noble intents of doctrine and Scripture can only arise when trust in God is placed as the context and priority of all for the Christian and Church.
Spiritual Exercise
Keep spending at least twenty to thirty minutes daily in Silence, resting in the Lord of Love.
Explore the website www.sacredspace.ie offered by the Irish Jesuits and do some of the meditation exercises offered at the site.
Consider, if you are not already, sponsoring a child through Compassion International. You can find out more about Compassion International by going to www.compassion.net to read about sponsoring, in the name of Jesus, children living in poverty. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
To contact Brian, write briankwilcox@comcast.net .
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