Orthodox View of Dispensationalism

The End Times - Orthodox Vs Evangelical Protestant Teachings - Presentation 3

A good overview of Dispensationalism as contrasted to Orthodoxy.

Review of Father Josiah Trenham's "Rock and Sand" book

This is a great review of "Rock and Sand". I'm only three chapters through the book (due to some vision problems). I took Reformation History at Fuller as well as a class on John Calvin at a secular university. I also did quite a bit of reading of Reformation History along the way so I feel like I should have known much of this. So far, I found about a third of the book to be completely new material and quite damning on the Reformation.

There seems to be a pattern of sexual immorality related to much of the Protestant Reformation. The Catholic Church had strict rules on divorce and remarriage and the Protestant Reformers gained power because they allowed divorce in cases that the Church would not have allowed.

Additionally, there was obviously a large part of the Reformation that was political in nature. 

In the end, one is left to wonder if the world would not have been better had the Reformation not happened at all.

I will likely add more commentary from the book as I read it but am less likely to do as good of a job as this reviewer did with the book.

Gospel Reading 2024-11-18

 The Gospel reading is:

Luke 17:20-25 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things and be rejected of this generation.

Errors of the Dispensationalists

This passage is read by Dispensationalists as:

the "Church" is an invisible and heavenly "SPIRITUAL ORGANISM"

But is this passage actually teaching an invisible church?

Take note that the Dispensationalists differentiate between the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven". From Time Periods in the Bible: Questioning Classical Dispensationalism – Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven

As we saw in the introductory article in this series, classical dispensationalism believes that the kingdom of God refers to God’s rule throughout time. The kingdom of heaven, on the other hand, refers to the political kingdom to be set up by the Messiah after his return.

This distinction can be easily dispensed of from parallel passages in the Gospels where the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven" are used interchangeably.

Luther's "Spiritual Church"

Luther taught that the church is “a spiritual kingdom” that cannot be seen with the naked eye or comprehended by one’s own reason. In other words, the church is an article of faith: “I believe in one holy catholic church.” 

“Nor indeed are we dreaming about some platonic republic, as some have slanderously alleged. Instead, we teach that this church truly exists, consisting of true believing and righteous people scattered through the entire world. And we add its marks: the pure teaching of the gospel and the sacraments” (Ap VII:20).

 The Doctrine of the Church in the Confessions

 For a deeper dive on the sense of this passage see these BLOG posts:

Is Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God the Church?

Parables about the Church

Are Icons an Accretion? A Response to Gavin Ortlund

 This is very well written. Are Icons an Accretion? A Response to Gavin Ortlund

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY THEN AND NOW: Panegyric to Great Martyr Theodore the Tiro (St. Gregory of Nyssa) ca 396 AD

Theophan the Recluse

I asked a friend for help finding a Saint name for when I get received into the Orthodox Church. My birth name, Douglas, isn't a Saint's name. I was stuck.

He suggested I look at the meaning of Douglas but it came back as something like "dark waters". I couldn't find anything redemptive in that either. He suggested the Theophany where Jesus came up from the waters of baptism.

That led me to Theophan the Recluse. I like it but it will take special permission from the Church since Theophan is recognized by the Russian Church but not the Antiochian Church (yet).

Parables about the Church

In a previous BLOG, it was established that the Gospel references to Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God are references to the church.

Since this identification has been established we can turn and look at the things Jesus said about the Kingdom to help better understand the Church. Much of this information comes from parables.

What are Parables?

Jesus spoke using parables which were plain language stories to illustrate greater truths.

John 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Why Did Jesus Use Parables?

Matthew 13:10-13 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

The Revolutionay Part of This

There's an aspect to the church which was revolutionary. Jesus was gathering a people together for Himself and that people were part of the Hebrew religion at the time. Identifying with the church would bring division within the existing Hebrew community as some of the Hebrews would follow Christ and others would reject Him. Christ spoke of this division:

Luke 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Christ made following Him an absolute. Blood ties are the closest of human ties, but one could not choose even family over Christ.

Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Parable of the Sower and the Seed

This is the parable of the Sower and the Seed. It would have been fully understood at the time Jesus spoke it since it was a very familiar sight.

Luke 8:4-8 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to His Disciples.

Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The parable is about how people react to the good news of the Kingdom of God. Some choose the things of the world over following God. They don't produce fruit. Jesus summarized this in a short saying.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

No Secret Kingdom

Almost every parable of the Kingdom describes a visible kingdom. For example:

Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

This parable is repeated here.

Luke 13:18-19 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

This isn't some secret hidden tree. Everyone can see it. It is also a single tree, not many trees. It started with the ministry of the God-Man, Jesus Christ and grew to fill the whole world.

A similar illustration is:

Luke 13:20-21 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

 A small amount of leaven makes a whole loaf of bread rise.

Is this Passage about a Secret Kingdom?

With this background, we can tackle the "harder" passages which are frequently appealed to as a secret kingdom.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Within the Hebrew people themselves, there were those who had come to constitute the Church of Christ. The Church itself had not yet been formed, since Pentecost had not yet happened. Yet the Church was already present in those who followed Christ.

Palm Sunday is the day where some of the people of Israel recognized Jesus as thei8r King.

John 12:12-16 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

Is Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God the Church?

The New Testament has quite a few parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God. Is the phrase Kingdom of Heaven the same as the church? My Evangelical Protestant training led me to think that they are not the same, but they are related.

More Dispensational Falsehoods

First, let's look at one Dispensational falsehood. 

Dispensational theology sees a distinction between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God.

As we saw in the introductory article in this series, classical dispensationalism believes that the kingdom of God refers to God’s rule throughout time. The kingdom of heaven, on the other hand, refers to the political kingdom to be set up by the Messiah after his return. Time Periods in the Bible: Questioning Classical Dispensationalism – Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven

Another similar statement:

Knowing the doctrinal difference between the terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" is the key to understanding the complete timeline of Biblical history past, present, and future, the proper place of the Church and the prophetic future of Israel.  Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God The Doctrinal Differences

The first thing to note about this error is that the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" is only used in the Gospel of Saint Matthew. On its face this creates a serious problem for those who see the two as different. There's just no reason from the text to believe that Matthew was only talking about a future Kingdom and the other Gospels were talking about the Kingdom throughout time.

Parallel passages between the Gospel can be used to easily dispel this notion of a difference. For instance:

Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

and 

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Many other such passages can be cited:

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

and

Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of Heaven/God Includes Old and New Testament Believers

The Kingdom includes both Old and New Testament saints. They are all present in the same Kingdom.

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

The Kingdom is past, present, and future.  This is demonstrated when Jesus speaks of the Kingdom being present.

Matthrew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

The Kingdom of Heaven/God is the Church

In the Gospels, Jesus only spoke of the church (by name) in two passages. The first passage establishes the identification of the church as the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 16:18-19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The other passage is:

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

This passage can be understood in the ordinary sense of the word translated "church" here as "assembly". From Strong's:

ἐκκλησία ekklēsía, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.

So we are left with one of two conclusions. Jesus almost never spoke of the church (in just the two passages mentioned above) or Jesus spoke all the time about the church as the Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God passages in the New Testament.

The church was not a surprise but was the plan of God to have a people called out for Himself all the way along. It was present in the Old Testament.

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

This plan is further detailed by the Apostle Paul:

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Epistle Reading 2024-11-18

The Epistle reading is: 

Col 2:13-20 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Paul's concern is expressed earlier. Paul had never been to their city in person. His concern was that there were elements trying to draw people away from Christ. The particular concern above was that they would draw people back to the Hebrew faith.

Col 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 

If a person is in Christ, the things of the Law no longer bind them. Returning to the things in the Law is departing from the life of Christ.

This fits well within the context of the Epistle itself.

Col 1:27-28 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Gospel Reading 2024-11-17

The Gospel reading for today is Luke 12:16-21.

Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

The most surface level reading of this passage would be to emphasize giving to the local church. It is often brought out when a church is behind in giving. Certainly, supporting the local church is giving from our substance to the work of God but it goes much deeper than that.

The Orthodox Church puts this passage together with the Epistle reading for today (see previous BLOG post). The parable related here is of a person who lived their life only for themself. They failed to live for eternity. The hazard of doing this is shown where the Apostle Paul put it:

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Scripture tells us that we can lay up for ourselves treasure in Heaven:

Matthw 6:20-21 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

How do we lay up treasures for ourselves in Heaven? 

There is only one thing we take out of this world - it is ourselves. If we live a life faithful to God we are transformed into the image of His Son. In this way we actually do take something into the next life. We take on ourselves as transformed people. It is put well into this short poem by Charles Studd.

I think this quote gets close. In the end the only thing we can do for Christ is to give our lives to Him and to be conformed into His Image. This is done though repentance, prayer, service. Christ put it well:

John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Daily Epistle Reading 2025-11-17

 The Epistle reading for today is Galatians 2:16-20.

Galatians 2:16-20 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Reformed View of this Passage

Reading this passage as a former Protestant, of course, brings to mind Luther and Calvin and their understanding of the law and justification. The Reformed interpretation of this passage hinges the meaning of the phrase "the works of the law" and the meaning of "justification". The Westminster Confession on Justification puts it this way:

Those whom God effectually calleth, He also freely justifieth, (Rom 8:30; Rom 3:24): not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them,

For Calvinists, this is a legalistic imputation. The person is guilty under the law and the work of Christ is applied to their person from God regardless even of the faith of that person. That flies in the face of the very words of the passage "that we might be justified by the faith of Christ". For the Reformed, even the faith we possess doesn't justify. 

NPP View of this passage

Here is where the NPP sheds light. The "works of the law" are a short form reference to the Covenant relationship of the Hebrews with God. They put their trust not in the ability to perform the law perfectly, but in the fact that they are genetically descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The words of Christ disallow physical decadency as a reason for justification.

Matthew 3:9-10 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

With these words, Christ forever declared that physical decadency from Abraham does not secure salvation for a person. The people of God are now formed by those who believe in Jesus. Those descendants of Abrahem who come to faith in Jesus as His people, and form the Church.

First of all, the passage must be read in its immediate context. The scene is the John baptizing at the Jordan River. Some of those who went to John to be baptized imagined that they could just add John's baptism as an act of righteousness but have unchanged hearts. Archeological evidence shows washings were a common practice in first century Judaism.

The Pharisees and Sadducees that John is addressing imagined that their Old Testament covenant relationship secured themselves a right relationship with God. They imagined in their minds that they were in a right standing with God because were descended from Abraham and followed the Law of God. This is what they put their trust in. But John told them:

Matthew 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

John made it very clear to them that they would not be justified with God by that relationship and that God required repentance and the works that demonstrated they had repented. John pointed to Christ in the final part of the passage.

Matthew 3:11-12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Paul carries forward this theme and made it clear that the Hebrew branch was cut off by Christ.

 Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

The Orthodox Life

And here is where we get to the essence of the Orthodox Life. That life is found in being conformed to the Image of Christ.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Being conformed is a life-long process. It involves repentance and prayer. IN repentance, our minds are transformed as we set aside our wills and do what Christ Himself did:

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

This conforming is found in the words of Saint Paul:

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This conforming is also known as theosis where we are conformed into the image (icon in Greek) of Christ. This takes us full circle back to the end of the Epistle reading.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

St John Chrysostom on v 20:

The foregoing, says he, relates to our spiritual life, but this life of sense too, if considered, will be found owing to my faith in Christ. For as regards the former Dispensation and Law, I had incurred the severest punishment, and had long ago perished, for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 And we, who lay under sentence, have been liberated by Christ, for all of us are dead, if not in fact, at least by sentence; and He has delivered us from the expected blow. When the Law had accused, and God condemned us, Christ came, and by giving Himself up to death, rescued us all from death. So that the life which I now live in the flesh, I live in faith. Had not this been, nothing could have averted a destruction as general as that which took place at the flood, but His advent arrested the wrath of God, and caused us to live by faith. That such is his meaning appears from what follows. After saying, that the life which I now live in the flesh, I live in faith...

Why I'm an Orthodox Christian (w/ Fr Andrew Stephen Damick)

 

Protestant authors that are gateways to Orthodoxy

The Protestant authors that are gateways to Orthodoxy are largely English Anglican authors and still preserve something of the historical church.

Two good ones are NT Wright and CS Lewis. 

Wright and the New Perspective of Paul (NPP) have caused a stir in the Reformed world. He's taken on the Reformed view of justification. The NPP starts with a more critical view of the world of the first century Hebrews. Wright's four volume series, "Christian Origins and the Question of God", (projected to be six volumes) is a masterpiece of writing.

CS Lewis is widely read and enjoyed from his Narnia books. Some want to read more and discover his other deep writings.

Once you start down that path, it's hard to look back.

Another Old Testament Prophecy of Christ and the Church

Here is another prophecy of Christ and the Church

Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Partly fulfilled here:

Luke 23:44-46 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

And here:

Luke 2:27-32 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Old Testament Prophecy of the Church

There's a prophesy of the church found in the Old Testament

Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

There are a few things worth pulling out of the text.

The Church is Worldwide

From the "rising of the sun even unto the going down" - the sun rises and goes down all across the world and the church is spread throughout the entire world.

The Gospel goes to the Gentiles

"my name shall be great among the Gentiles" - The good news went into the entire world. It is no longer just for the Hebrew people.

Churches Everywhere

"in every place" - There are churches in all the places the gospel would go and the good news is proclaimed there.

Smells are found there

"incense shall be offered" - Some might spiritualize this. Particularly if their church does not burn incense. But where's the cause in the text to do this? Strong's emphasizes this:

kaw-tar'; a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship):—burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).

Incense is offered with prayer as described in Rev:

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

The Eucharist is Offered there

"pure offering" - not an animal sacrifice, since Christ did away with all of those things.

 The Eucharist is a pure offering to be sure. It is no re-sacrificing Jesus. It is embodying Him.

The Church Glorifies God

"my name shall be great among the heathen" - this was missing from the Hebrew religion. There were converts to that religion, but not at all to the depth that the church had. And those converts to the Hebrew religion came to Jesus.

It was a prophecy

The phrase "saith the LORD of hosts" marks this is a prophecy.

CS Lewis and Theosis

This week's Catechumen class reading is from The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life. 

The subject is Section 3.7 The deification of man. This is also called theosis.

Theosis is "to become Gods by grace."

CS Lewis had the same teaching.

Lewis the lover of myth, and Lewis the imaginative writer who was most sensitive to this idea’s power. In this, too, he showed himself kindred to the mystical tradition of the Christian East, where theology is more experiential than systematic, more poetic than propositional. - Shine As the Sun: C.S. Lewis and the Doctrine of Deification

From CS Lewis “The Weight of Glory”

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all love, all play, all politics. 

 

Friend of a friend tells his journey to Orthodoxy

 

I knew Seraphim Hamilton when he was "Cage Stage" Orthodox. He even blocked me on Facebook at one point. He's grown a lot over the years.

"Cage" stage is a borrowed term from Calvinism.

Daily Reading - 2024-11-16

The daily reading today is here.

What impressed me from today's epistle reading is that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. All are one in the Church.

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

The Gospel reading is the call of Matthew, a tax collector, and the scandal it caused that Jesus associated with sinners. Thank God He did. Because I am the worst of sinners.

 

The Fast and My Puppy

 My puppy is doing the fast along with me. In fact, he's probably doing it better than me. 

Authority in the Church

Authority in the Early Church

Jesus established His Church with a structure that had authorities.

Jesus is the Head of the Church

Jesus is the head of the Church. The Church is His body.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Jesus Appointed Apostles

First of all, there were the twelve (minus Judas, makes eleven) Apostles who were appointed by Jesus Himself and He empowered them.

 Matthew 10:1-4 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

See also Mark 3:14, Luke 6:13, John 6:70.

Jesus affirmed the Apostles after His resurrection.

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

There were seventy others also.

Luke 10:1-12 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

The Authority of the Twelve extends into the Eschaton.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Deacons

The early church had very high growth and it was too much for the Apostles to take care of the daily administration of needs. The Apostles appointed Deacons for this purpose.

Act 6:1-7 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Church was Spread to the World

The original eleven Apostles were present in the earliest church in Jerusalem.

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

During HIs earthly ministry, the original commission above was to go to the house of Israel. Jesus told the Apostles that the witness of the Gospel would go out to the world.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Persecution in Jerusalem drove the church to spread out to other places.

Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Bishops

As the Church spread out through missionary activity there was a need for authority in the places the Church spread. This need became obvious as the church grew. Elders are also known as Bishops.

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Titus 1:5-7 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Qualifications of Bishops

1 Timothy 3:1-7 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Deacons are not Bishops

All three authorities were present in the local churches.

Philemon 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

There is Only One True Church

There is only one faith.

Eph 4:5-6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Orthodoxy and Freemasonry

In 1933, the Orthodox Church of Greece officially declared that being a Freemason constitutes an act of apostasy and thus, until he repents, the person involved with Freemasonry cannot partake of the Eucharist. This has been generally affirmed throughout the whole Eastern Orthodox Church. The Orthodox critique of Freemasonry agrees with both the Catholic and Protestant versions: 

"Freemasonry cannot be at all compatible with Christianity as far as it is a secret organisation, acting and teaching in mystery and secret and deifying rationalism. (Wikipedia)

Freemasonry: Official Statement of the Church of Greece (1933)

Orthodox YouTube Channels

• PatristicNectarFilms
• Kyle
• Ancient Faith (Radio)
• David Erhan
• Trisagion Films
• SHAMOUNIAN
• Lives of Orthodox Saints
• NFTU: True Orthodox News and Apologetics
• Orthodox Church
• Protecting Veil
• Orthodox Teaching of the Elders
• OrthodoxSermons
• GreekOrthodoxChurch
• Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Washington DC
• Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church
• Orthodox Christian TV
• Archimandrite Philip
• ACRODDIOCESE
• Saint Anne Orthodox Church
• Be Transfigured Ministries
• Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies Cambridge
• Orthodox Christian Chants
• Orthodox Christian Fellowship
• Fr. Chris Moody
• Fr. David Smith
• Gregory Decapolite
• Nicodemos Hagiorite
• Orthodox Wisdom
• Uncreated Light Press
• Orthoglobus
• Orthodox Talks
• Orthodox Church
• GreekOrthodox
• Father Spyridon
• Orthodox Notes
• Orthodox Reactionary

Orthodox vs Protestantism

Background

My faith background was as an Evangelical Protestant. I attended two Evangelical seminaries and got a Master of Theology degree and a Master of Divinity degree. I was an Evangelical church pastor for a few years. It didn't end well.

Good Things about being an Evangelical

One thing I am thankful about being an Evangelical is the love for the Bible that I got from Evangelicals. Many know chapter and verse and even if they don't, they can find something in the Bible that relates to any particular subject.

Evangelicals are so good at spreading the Gospel that they are all around. They've even penetrated Central and South America. Countries that were once Catholic are now around 1/3 Evangelicals. You can probably find a half dozen of them a short drive from where you live. 

Evangelicals have all sorts of theological understandings of Scripture to suit any interpretation of the Bible.

Weaknesses in the Evangelical Approach

One problem is it leads to a "My Bible and Me" view of the faith. The church gets viewed almost an accessory to the faith. If you don't like your church, you can jump down the street to another church that suits you better.

There's no accepted and standard way of reading the Bible. This has resulted in a wide fragmentation of the Evangelical church into hundreds or more denominations.

Orthodox Nativity Fast

Today is the first day of the season of the Orthodox Nativity Fast.

Fasting for the feast

I spoke with my Priest about fasting during the 40-day period. My concern was related to my history of Type 2 diabetes which in in remission due to a Low Carb diet. When I tried the fast for Lent I gained 20 lbs and was concerned about my health. The fast is essentially a high carb diet and being normally low carb/carnivore I was always very hungry on the standard fasting diet.

My Priest gave me guidance during Lent to add eggs and dairy for the fast. I bought Low Carb tortillas and will eat egg and cheese burritos for three meals a day for the fast.

Fasting from Social Media

I will be off social media but will keep my DMs open for friends to reach out to me directly. It's not fair to disappear from people's lives completely. X and Facebook take up way too much of my time. I enjoyed being off both for the Lenten Fast.

I will keep up on world affairs by watching The Duran, Alex Christoforou, and Alexander Mercouris every day as I currently do but won't be posting on social media about them. That will be hard since they are very insightful.

Prayers

My priest gave me guidance for prayer. The guidance was to pray the prayers three times a day. I have not been doing that but I want to pick up the practice during this fasting period. At the very least pray The Lord's Prayer before my icon wall three times a day.

Reading

I want to do the daily Epistle and Gospel readings. They can be found here.

I've got a lot of books to read. First of all, I want to read the weekly Catechumen class reading from The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life book.

I'd also like to finish the book I recently started, Rock and Sand: An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformers and Their Teachings, by Father Josiah Trenham. It is a great book. I've just got through the first chapter.

Cleaning my House

I got a dog and my house is a mess. I'd like to spend more time with the dog and clean my house.

Blogging

I'm planning to blog this season here.

Orthodox Eschatology Series

Fr. John Brown presents a series of lectures on "The End Times: A comparison between the Orthodox understanding and Evangelical Protestant Teachings."

Anabaptists Go Crazy - The Dark History of Münster...

Wikipedia article 

Apostolic Succession: Common Objections Refuted w/ Perry Robinson

 

The Confession of Dositheus (1672)

The Synod of Jerusalem of 1672 soundly rejected any further attempts at reformulation of Orthodox teachings and strengthened Orthodox beliefs against both the Protestant Reformation and Catholicism. The Synod produced its own confession, The Confession of Dositheus (Patriarch of Jerusalem), in which point by point it refuted Cyril's' eighteen points. Orthodoxy’s Official Response to Calvinism — The Confession of Dositheus (1673)

Orthodox Apologist Responds to Tony Costa's Critique of Eastern Orthodox Theology

Orthodox Apologist Perry Robinson has a five hour response to Reformed Baptist Tony Costa's critique of Eastern Orthodox Theology. (Perry on Ancient Faith Today podcast with Kevin Allen).

Gospel Preached to the world?

Sign of the end?

Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Fulfilled in the time of Paul

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Currently Reading

The Lord of Spirits: An Orthodox Christian Framework for the Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare (Ancient Faith store link).

 

Perpetual Virginity of Mary

I've had a change in my view of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary. I now believe it is more than an optional doctrine, but a necessary one to guard the virginal conception of Jesus. 

PV of the BVM

For those with access to theological libraries, or who can get the document through the Theological Research Exchange Network, the thesis that I found was by William Essey and is dated March 1973. The title is “Mariology in the Fathers: Apostolic Era through Byzantine Synthesis”. In the paper the author notes the influence of the Protoevangelium of James on the theology of St Clement of Alexandria (ca. 215) who then influenced Origen (c. 253). Here’s the relevant quote from the thesis:

Although not playing so great a role in the Mariology of the first three centuries, the “Protoevangelium of James” was known by some Fathers and planted the seeds which would bear fruit in a few generations. (p 10)

 He then proceeds to list the things that are found in “the apocryphal text” including “references to her [Mary's] ever-virginity”. Thus, my central thesis, that the source of the dogma of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary rests upon the Protoevangelium of James finds support in the scholarly writings of St. Vlad’s Seminary. In fact, I did a search of the thesis on file at the library and could find none that support a contrary position. However, there may be some that are not on file at the theological library.

The Church in the Wilderness

If the writers of the New Testament were to use a Greek word to describe a gathering together of the people of God in the Old Testament they would naturally use the Greek word ekklesia which means assembly. 

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

 The word has a “holy” meaning to us today, but if we just use the word “assembly” we can see how absurd the claim is that the church was born that day. The people of God have always assembled together and the Greek word could even be used to describe the assembly of Jews in a synagogue.

The same Greek word is used in this passage translated as “assembly” and it’s not about the church at all:

Act 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Someone else put it better

Someone else put it better than I did/could:

A forgiving person is ready to forgive and desires that the scenario for forgiveness to take place will develop in time.

One who has been wronged can learn to still be considerate and compassionate ( that is the fruit of love) when true repentance has not taken place .

However, we need to affirm to the one wronged that they were wronged and seek to help them communicate to the wrongdoer that repentance is the only acceptable response when it comes to the specifics of what took place.

Repentance and forgiveness takes place before God and openly between the human parties.

Without such a process we demean the righteousness of Christ and undermine the redemption He has effected and open the gates wide open for narcissism to prevail within the company of saints.

 Well put.

Parable on Forgiveness

Mat 18:23-35

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses”

People read the last sentence but don't often take the time to read the context of the parable.

Each of those examples of forgiveness involved an exchange between two persons. The one who was owed the debt gave up the debt because the other person repented. When it turned out that the repentant really wasn’t the first one withdrew the forgiveness of the debt.

Nothing about secret forgiveness in the heart without any external interaction. That’s pure imagination and foreign to the Scriptural idea of forgiveness.

Someone asked me to put forth my position. See Matt 18 above.

• Master was owed a debt
• Master demanded payment of the debt.
• Man could not pay and begged patience.
• Master had compassion and forgave the debt.

 That’s the basic paradigm. The Master is God. The man is us. If we don’t forgive as we have been forgiven we are in trouble. But what about the actions of the Master? He demanded payment and forced the man to beg for forgiveness.

Forgiveness = Good News/Bad News

I think it will be a relief to many people to understand that God doesn’t ask them to forgive those who have abused them. It’s good news.

Of course it’s bad news to the dispensers of religious tradition who think they can control people by keeping them under a guilt trip telling them that about ”forgiveness as an act of Christlike obedience.

Biblical teaching on forgiveness

Someone asked me to summarize my theology of forgiveness.

• We need to forgive people who are truly ignorant of their sins.
• If someone repents we are obligated to forgive them.
• Repentance includes sorrow, restoration, recompense.
• If someone does not repent, we are obliged to confront and rebuke them.
• If someone refuses to repent after confrontation, there is a process that needs to be followed through until the end.
• If someone does not repent at the end of the process, they are handed over to God. for vengeance, we are forbidden to take vengeance ourselves on the unrepentant.
• God stands with the victim, not the perpetrator of the offense.
• God’s goal is reconciliation of persons but this reconciliation can not happen without repentance.

The Church chooses to not forgive?

If you are to always to forgive then why does the Scripture say:

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 

That doesn’t fit at all with the unilateral forgiveness paradigm. Why doesn’t the church just always forgive if that’s really the right thing?

Doctrine Saves?

Someone wrote:

Some people really think that Jesus said, By their doctrine you shall know them. That always baffles me.

Look these passages up:

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Turns out doctrine really does matter...

So, why stay away from Chuck Smith and his disciples?

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

  

Forgive as Christ has forgiven you

Someone quotes (as they always do when discussing the subject of forgiveness)  this passage:

Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Yes, I agree 100% with what Eph. ch 4:32 says. But, do you see what it says?

If we refused to repent would we be saved? Nope. God forgave us because we repented, ie, we changed our mind about who Jesus is. We are to forgive others who repent as well.
 

Unilateral forgiveness is imaginary forgiveness

"I was forgiven BEFORE I repented.”

Not exactly. If you were, then you would not need to receive it.

“The penalty/debt was paid and justice was met at the Cross.”

True.

“I simply need to receive that forgiveness.”

If I offer you a dollar and you refuse to take the dollar, who has the dollar? Same with forgiveness. We can offer the gift of forgiveness but it the other person hasn’t taken it there’s been no forgiveness – at least not as used/defined in the Bible. Forgiveness has to be received as exemplified here:

Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Unilateral forgiveness is imaginary forgiveness.
 

BENNY HINN CONFRONTS JOEL OSTEEN & OPRAH (Larry King)

Welfare and the Bible Part 3

1Ti 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
1Ti 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
1Ti 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
1Ti 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
1Ti 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1Ti 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
1Ti 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1Ti 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1Ti 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1Ti 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1Ti 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
1Ti 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Welfare and the Bible Part 2

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Welfare and the Bible

2Th 3:10-14 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Difficulties of being a pastor’s wife

1. Life in a fishbowl. People notice your parenting, your actions, everything you do. You can’t have a bad day.
2. Husband devoted to his first love – Christ’s church. He’s on 24-hour call.
3. Few real friends in the church in whom you can confide due to rampant gossip in the church.
4. Financial concerns – pastors don’t typically make all that much money. Many pastor’s wives have to work to support the family.
5. If you make close friends in the church others feel slighted.
6. If you make close friends outside the church, women in the church think you think you are too good for them.
   
7. Expected to be the right hand person to the pastor but may not have any call to ministry yourself.
8. Your pastor is also your husband – you can’t count on him to give you the sort of compassion that he gives to his average parishioner.
9. You may be spiritually starving – having to listen to a preacher every week that doesn’t feed you.
10. Husband has grown apart, you married him when he wasn't a pastor and you don't feel like you signed up for this.
11. Pastor’s spend years in seminary (in real churches, not CC) and their wives attend seminary social events. Very few “real-life” training for pastors wives. And I blame seminaries for their ineffective help of training wives on how to be a pastor’s wife.
12. Spouse may feel isolated since the church they are serving may be far from their family.
13. [Added by suggestion] It is particularly hard on the spouse when the pastor is criticized. He or she may feel they cannot say anything to defend their spouse. On the other hand female spouses are increasingly professionals themselves and quite busy. Sometimes far too busy.
    
14. [Added by suggestion] Another issue for the schools is that some women do not want to be a part of a spouses group. Our Partners in Ministry Program has been more effective in some years than others depending on the leadership.
    
15. [Added by suggestion] One final thought: the smaller the church the bigger the problem!

This is all much more common that you might believe.

Suggestions

1. Denominations need to think harder about these things. Find the decision makers. Many seminary Presidents are former pastors themselves but they don't want to "interfere" with this subject. Encourage them to encourage the organizations they already have in place that ministry to pastor's spouses needs to address the issues listed above.
   
2. Invite pastor's wives to speak to these organizations, especially ones that are frank about the problems they had in ministry.
   
3. Let your pastor's wife know you love her. Her husband probably already gets enough praise from people.
4. Denominations need pastor's spouse retreats where the spouse can meet others with the same issues who can help them work through the issues. They will learn they are not alone and find someone safe to share their issues with. This has to happen at local denominational level. There needs to be child care because the excuse the wife gives is that she can't go to a retreat because she's a mom and dad is not able to do the job she can.

Ariz. pastors indicted for not reporting sex abuse

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/05/2031806/ariz-pastors-indicted-for-not.html#storylink=mirelated#ixzz0wVBMUApb

Eastern Orthodoxy in America unifying

Bishop Basil of the Antiochian Orthodox Church talks about the Episcopal Assembly which met to discuss the way forward to administrative unity between the various jurisdictions of Orthodoxy in America.

PCUSA Ecumenical speaker tells truth

Good stuff.

The Confession of Dositheus

Acts and Decrees of the Synod of Jerusalem (A.D. 1672)

QUESTION I.

Ought the Divine Scriptures to be read in the vulgar tongue by all Christians?

No. For that all Scripture is divinely-inspired and profitable {cf. 2 Timothy 3:16} we know, and is of such necessity, that without the same it is impossible to be Orthodox at all. Nevertheless they should not be read by all, but only by those who with fitting research have inquired into the deep things of the Spirit, and who know in what manner the Divine Scriptures ought to be searched, and taught, and in fine read. But to such as are not so exercised, or who cannot distinguish, or who understand only literally, or in any other way contrary to Orthodoxy what is contained in the Scriptures, the Catholic Church, as knowing by experience the mischief arising therefrom, forbiddeth the reading of the same. So that it is permitted to every Orthodox to hear indeed the Scriptures, that he may believe with the heart unto righteousness, and confess with the mouth unto salvation; {Romans 10:10} but to read some parts of the Scriptures, and especially of the Old [Testament], is forbidden for the aforesaid reasons and others of the like sort. For it is the same thing thus to prohibit persons not exercised thereto reading all the Sacred Scriptures, as to require infants to abstain from strong meats.