Wednesday, September 22, 2010

10th visit and being distracted by books.


I made my tenth visit to an Orthodox Church last Saturday night. (And it was great to be back after a two week absence- Labor day weekend and some family obligations made my absence regrettably necessary). I walked in (in uniform because I came from performing my two week annual tour) right around 7pm and sat in the back left side. Of course, I venerated the Icons first but the seekers way- cross myself, quick silent prayer and a bow- no kiss.

Immediately, I began being plagued by annoying thoughts. You see, I am reading a book by Frank Viola and George Barna called “Pagan Christianity” which debunks the whole idea of the Institutional Church as being legitimate in terms of worship and practice because, not only does it depart from the New Testament model, but it actually adopted pagan ideas and rituals from the very beginning. Of course, I know all the arguments against this line of thinking and if I were in a discussion around a cup of coffee with an evangelical I would be able to soundly refute “all the charges” but while in the midst of Worship, these thoughts bombarded my mind. I am happy to say that I combated these thoughts by totally ignoring them and attending to Worship which is why we gathered in the first place.

Fr Gary gave a homily about our need to show Christ to the outside world. This we did by the special events of the last two weeks. (40th anniversary of the parish and 9/11 commemorations). It was an Evangelical message using Orthodox terminology.

As I was leaving to pick up my son from work, Bill the altar server whom I gave the military New Testament to, talked to me right after I was mulling about in the vestibule. “I am not allowed to let you leave until my father talks to you.” You never want to go against the orders of an altar server, so I hung about a minute until Deacon Ken could come to the vestibule. As I saw him, I said, “Are you okay?” because before, as he was serving with Fr Gary, he fell after losing his balance arising from a prostration. He said something that I want to put into my book of quotes- I will have to ask him if it’s original or if he got it from someone else – “You can’t learn humility unless you are humbled.” Now that is pretty profound, only because it is so simple!

Deacon Ken immediately produced not one but four books for me to read! It was almost as if the Holy Spirit was saying to me, “I noticed you were troubled by something you were reading, try these.” I started reading one called, “Cloud of Witness” which is a short introduction to the development of Christian Doctrine. By the way, it does mentions pagan influences on the Church but when you think about it, “God is everywhere present and fills all things.” so why shouldn’t He use whatever He wants to? And thinking about it, isn’t the idea of the Logos, mentioned in the Gospel of John, a Pagan notion? Please correct me, dear blog reader, if I am wrong.

I have every intention of finishing the book “Pagan Christianity” (recommended to me by a Nazarene Pastor), even though it will probably get me mad when I get to the chapter on the Eucharist but now I have four books to edify me on my journey towards Orthodoxy. I will be making special blog entries on my thoughts as I read these books.

As I was walking to my car, rushing to pick up my son – Reader John had detained me for a bit because he was anxious to tell me about the special events of parish mentioned above- and I love him for it because he really wanted to share a part of his life with me!- Anyway, as I walked to the car, I saw this girl run past in the parking lot, she was wearing a Life Guard T shirt and, I guess, shorts and I for the life of me have no idea where she came from. She climbed into this big box truck, started it up and drove away. I wonder what that was all about?

18 comments:

  1. Reminds me of a favorite quote, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Phil 4:8

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  2. I'm bothered by this "Pagan Christianity" notion. First, something that's pagan is tied directly to the worship of false gods/demons and is itself false or demonic. Take the example of St. Paul who used the idol to the Unknown God to preach Christ to the Greeks. There's the scriptural example of how the Church took something pagan and transformed it. I suspect anything that this book postulates, would likewise condemn St. Paul & thereby the New Testament itself for its pagan influences. Besides, St. Paul says that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth, not vice versa. "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." I Tim 3:15.

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  3. The concept of a universal Logos is indeed from Greek philosophy, so I suppose it can be called pagan. Many Protestant groups who seek to reform the Church to its "original" state without such "pagan influences" don't quite get it. The early Church took what was good in pagan culture, and transformed it to fit into Christianity. There were even some who considered themselves Christian philosophers after the style of the ancient Greek tradition.
    And please let me know how "Cloud of Witnesses" is, I've been considering reading it. :-)

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  4. Marianna,
    That's a great point about Paul and the "idol of the unknown god." The book "Pagen Christianity" hasn't said that Christians are worshipping false gods, only that we adopted "pagen" practices, i.e., candles, insense, vestments..they claim such an inovation is wrong. But God can use whatever He wants to, as far as I am concerned!

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  5. Alexandria,

    I think I am going to write/email the authors of the book "Pagen Chritianity" and ask them about "The Logos" and greek philosophy...I'll let you know if I hear anything back...I will also let you know about "Cloud of witnesses"

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  6. thanks to everyone who reads and comments on my blog! It is so much better to blog knowing people are reading! I appreciate it!

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  7. Jim, be careful reading books that are outside Orthodoxy when you are so close to truly finding your way. The closer you get to the Truth, the harder the demons will try to confuse you. Personally, if the book bothered me while at Church, that would be a sign to put it down. Read it again when your faith stronger if you wish. I don't know what books you were given, but here are a couple that helped me understand, coming from a protestant background. "The Orthodox Church" by Timothy Ware, "Reflections of a Humble Heart" by a monk, so it's hard to find an author, per say. And also, one that is great for being surrounded by protestants while seeking to convert is "Letters From a Convert". All three books can be found through the Hermitage of the Holy Cross's website.
    http://www.holycross-hermitage.com/
    Also, if you EVER get a chance to come to Wayne, West Virginia, I suggest you visit the Monastery. After a visit there, you will no longer have any questions about your faith. The place is so holy, you know God resides there. Plus, if you can, we'll go with you and introduce you to everyone. This is where Bishop George of Mayfield lives. He s so great with the kids. They all love him so much and you easily see that he loves them as well.
    ~Lavenna Ambrosia :)

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  8. Lavenna, thank you so much for your comment and concern. I have been convinced of the truth of holy Orthodoxy for some time now and one Protestant book isn't going to change my mind. Right now I find myself in an evangelical church and the only reason I don't make the quick switch that I want to is because of my family. The funny thing is all the time I was being annoyed by those thoughts during Vespers, I knew exactly what was going on. I suspect such an "attack" was bound to happen sooner or later. .. I will keep you posted on the other Orthodox books I am reading and ease remember me in your prayers.

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  9. Jim, this link might be of use in putting things in perspective. God bless you on your journey!

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  10. Hi Jim,
    First time visiting your blog. Just wanted to say "Hi"! I converted a few years ago. I was a seeker/catechumen for another few years before that. Looking forward to reading more posts.

    Janelle

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  11. Kim, excellent article on early Christian Worship, I especially like what they say about Antioch. The gentile Luke uses the word "leitourgounton" = liturgizing in the book of Acts describing what the church was doing. thank you, Kim!

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  12. Janelle,
    Thanks for stopping by. should have a new post tomorrow about my 11th visit. I appreciate everyone's encourgement!
    jim

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  13. I believe the Pentateuch is chock full of examples of "'pagan' practices, i.e., candles, incense, vestments".

    There are some things that are just a part of life (candles), and some things that are common practice in all the world when worshiping the God they often do not know (incense, vestments), and there are sometimes things that look an awful lot like something else but aren't (veneration of icons and saints is not idolatry).

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  14. melxiopp,
    You are so right about this! I think that God using things that are "pagen" (or, in reality, neutral) shows how He loves All mankind. The Gospel is Universal!

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  15. Jim, if you look on my blog you'll see a paper I wrote for school about wine in the ancient world. I touch on pagan use in Christianity in that paper. You might find something useful in it.

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  16. "these thoughts bombarded my mind"

    Fiery darts. You know how to quench them.

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  17. Matt,
    thanks for the reminder about "fiery darts."...I looked through your paper...I don't quite see the connection. Did I look in the right spot? I assume you wanted me to look at what you wrote about Melchezedik...How would that be pagen when he was a priest of the Most High God? Maybe, I am missing somethng.

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  18. Alexandra,
    I finally read "Cloud of Witnesses" You wanted to know how it was so read my latest blog entry where I review it!
    jim

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