Archive for the ‘Mr. Vane’ Category
Re: Thoughts On Protestant-OC Dialogue
Closer, I agree with your statement that we are almost “utterly incapable of translating [our faith] into a language most protestants would understand (and not be offended by!)”
I would take it even further to say that it is impossible to present the faith of either Orthodoxy or Catholicism in a non-offensive way to Protestants without either compromising our own faith or at least withholding parts of it.
This is why I believe great care and discretion is needed.
The Life in Christ
Constantius wrote: “I’m not sure about anybody else, but most of the time I think I know my faith more than I feel it.” I must vigorously, though unpleasantly, agree with my brother. Indeed, I posted something like this thought on my own blog last evening.
In my case, however, it is less that I know my faith but that it doesn’t always strike me deeply and meaningfully, and rather more the case that, for all my knowing, for all those moments of deep feeling, I do not do what I know to be true and necessary. Mine is, perhaps, too, too close a cousin to that sort of faith St. James refers to, a demonic sort of mere belief.
I have been trained to have a certain facility with concepts and ideas, to be able to discern and make valid connections. This is a good thing, and the Lord’s gift and providential ordering of my life. It does not make me smart, let alone wise, but it does enable me to at least avoid some pitfalls (though hardly all). It concomitantly increases my responsibilities and obligations.
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