In an article entitled "Never Changing Gospel; Ever Changing Culture," Fr. Robert M. Arida writes a lengthy post of which I will post the below selection. For the complete article, go here. My response to his article is in their comments section. Do go read it if only to see how this sort of thinking develops over the length of the article.
If the never changing Gospel who is Jesus Christ is to have a credible presence and role in our culture then the Church can no longer ignore or condemn questions and issues that are presumed to contradict or challenge its living Tradition. Among the most controversial of these issues are those related to human sexuality, the configuration of the family, the beginning and ending of human life, the economy and the care and utilization of the environment including the care, dignity and quality of all human life. If the unchanging Gospel is to be offered to the culture then the Church, in and through the Holy Spirit will have to expand the understanding of itself and the world it is called to save. That there are Orthodox Christians who misuse the never changing Christ to promote a particular political agenda and ideology or as license to verbally and physically assault those they perceive as immoral along with those who would question the status quo of the Church impose on the Church a “new and alien spirit.”
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He's definitely got it backwards. The older I get, the more I see that human nature does not, in fact, change. We make the same mistakes over and over. Homosexuality, sexual promiscuity and abortion were not invented in 1965. As my father pointed out to me once, all we silly humans ever do is repeat the first eleven chapters of Genesis.
ReplyDeleteEnvironmental stewardship, he has a point, but in practice once the environmentalists realized they were headed into irreconcilable conflict with globalism, they shifted the debate from anti-globalist ventures like land stewardship and biodiversity to incorporeal, gnostic concepts like 'climate change.' Actual environmentalists like the late Edward Abbey are no longer heard from.
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ReplyDeleteAs a former Episcopalian and repentant homosexual this is blather! What a smooth come-on. Former Episcopalians will pick up on this immediately! And the OCA is letting this out to Orthodox youth?!
ReplyDelete"Editor’s Note: We would like to thank everyone who has responded to this article. The purpose of the Wonder Blog is to spur discussion among the college students and young adults of the Church. As such, Wonder often explores topics and features articles that may be deemed controversial in both the topic and the opinions expressed by the authors. However, Wonder’s editors would like to take this opportunity to remind readers that our blog does not present itself as the authoritative, dogmatic teaching of the Church. The opinions expressed are that of the author and any concerns can certainly be directed to the author directly for response. The below article, as all of our articles do, reflects the individual opinions of the author."
ReplyDeleteJoseph's Note: This is not the place to do this. Our children are not where we want to sow confusion. They get enough contradictory information from the world and, as often as not, their parents. Clear teaching would be Wonder-ful.
I think these words from the Gospel are apropos: "But who so shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
ReplyDeleteThe OCA should remove the post, provide a clear retraction, and censure the priest.
Here is my comment, which is awaiting moderation on that blog:
ReplyDeleteFr. Robert continues to engage in studied ambiguity on homosexuality. He will not come right and say what he really believes on the matter, nor will he come right out and condemn the long standing teaching of Scripture and Tradition on the subject. If he has something to say, that is also true, he should have the courage to say what he actually believes, and say it in an unambiguous manner. Either homosexual sex is inherently sinful, as the Church has always taught, or it is not. If Fr. Robert cannot say what he actually believes, then he should ask himself why.
I am glad to see that people have responded directly to Fr. Robert on HIS blog. I can't see the point in discussing it here behind his back in a way.
ReplyDeleteAOI has picked it up too and Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse has written out his response.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aoiusa.org/blog/fr-robert-arida-why-dont-you-become-episcopalian/
I feel quite helpless at this point. Being in the OCA I know all too well how any concern by the laity falls on deaf ears at Syosset.
I meant to add.... They'll probably start up a committee to discuss how best to respond.
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