Saturday, December 07, 2024
Friday, December 06, 2024
Pedigree of the Patriarchs of Antioch
Antioch is where the disciples of Christ were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
There is an unbroken list of the Patriarchs of the Church of Antioch down to the present day (OrthodoxWiki: List of Patriarchs of Antioch).
This is one element of Apostolic Succession. Christ left a Church and it is still here today.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X (Yazigi) of Antioch and All the East is the primate of the Church of Antioch.
Gospel Reading - 2024-12-06
LUKE 6:17-23 At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all.
And he lifted up his eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven."
The Source of the Text
This text in Luke is parallel to the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Saint Matthew chapter 5 but in a different setting (Matthew is on a mountain, Luke is on a plain) The differences between Luke and Matthew are so great, though, that it would be hard to make a case that they were dependent on a common literary source or that Luke used Matthew as a source.
There is an obvious parallel in this text to Moses coming down off the mountain and delivering the Law to the Children of Israel. The Law of Moses was the great organizing plan for the people of Israel in the land they were to enter. The words of Jesus were so much bigger and grander. These words were the organizing plan for the Church. These words tell us how we should live in this world.
The Message of the Text
Some cast Christ as a revolutionary. In some sense, that was true. His words did overturn the wisdom of that time and still more, the wisdom of our time.
Poverty
Poverty, in this world, is considered a curse. Riches are seen as blessings.
When we consider the riches that Christ left when He became man and look at the poverty he lived in we can see how our temporary humility is nothing in comparison
2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
We are to count the poverty of this world as nothing compared to gaining the richness of the Kingdom of God.
Hunger
Most of us in our comfortable parts of the world don't face hunger. That is not true for much of the world. There are people who go to sleep hungry every night. The Fasts of the Church season are intended to help us see this reality.
A much more significant hunger and thirst is our hunger and thirst for God. Our hunger and thirst is only satisfied with the life of Christ and is found in the sacrifice of the Eucharist where Christ gives His life to us.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Weeping
In this life we cry and weep. Sometimes for our life's condition. Sometimes for those we have lost. Depression is often just a fear of death. In Christ, the hope of life after death overcomes the ultimate sorrow, that of our own death.
Persecution
If we are seeking to live righteous lives the world will not love that. As the Apostle Paul wrote:
2 Timothy 3:12 ...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Not all persecution is because we are acting godly. Some is the sort of persecution we receive for acting badly ourselves. That is not what is being referred to here.
Gospel Reading 2024-12-05
The Lord said to his disciples, "All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
In the incarnation of Christ, the unknowable God becomes known. If we want to know what God is like we look at Christ.
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Epistle Reading - 2023-12-07
ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 13:17-21
Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Obey your Leaders
Who are the leaders in this passage? Are they political leaders who often act ungodly? Or are they our spiritual leaders? In some way, both watch over our souls. The New Testament shows both usages of the Greek word ἡγέομαι hēgéomai. This is cognate to the English word hegemon.
Matt 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, G2233 that shall rule my people Israel.
Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, G2233 as he that doth serve.
Perhaps the most parallel text is in the same book:
Hebrews 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule G2233 over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
The translators of the King James Bible seem tilted towards the implications this is referring to political leader. This verse seems more likely to be referring to the leaders in the church. This is not to imply that we should not listen to civic leaders and obey them to the extent we can.
Saints of the Day - 2014-12-06
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
Lived 15 March 270 – 6 December 343.
Thrown in prison, beaten and tortured for being a Christian. Set free by the Emperor Constantine when he made Christianity legal. He was at the First Great Ecumenical Council. Performed miracles.
Nicholas the New Martyr of Asia Minor 1657
Thursday, December 05, 2024
What is "the words of truth" in 2 Timothy 2:15?
The phrase "word of truth" is used in this passage. When I was a Protestant I would have said it was about the Bible. but what is Saint Paul talking about?
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In the context of the passage, Saint Paul is giving instructions to Timothy on the right approach to apologetics (See here: Study to show yourself approved). Most of the passage in this context were about developing the virtues.
Is Paul talking here about studying the Bible or is he talking about something else? In the context of history, the New Testament didn't even exist. Timothy knew Paul personally and had heard him preach and teach. If Paul was telling Timothy to study the Bible this would make no sense.
How is the phrase used in other places in the New Testament?
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
In that passage the phrase refers to the preaching of the Apostle - see the "that you heard" part? Paul didn't read out of the New Testament when he preached the Gospel. There was no New Testament to read out of. Neither did Paul open up one of his own letters and read it to them. The word of God was in his mouth.
In this instance, it was the preaching that was received orally by the people in the first century. They are told in the 2 Timothy verse to use the message that they were given orally and handed down by word of mouth. Today we have both the words of the Scriptures and the traditions of the church which preserved the practices.
Study to show yourself approved
I've got to admit this. I misunderstood this verse.
2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This verse is in a section of the Scripture where the Apostle Paul is telling Timothy how to do Christian apologetics. I used to read this and think that it meant I should read my Bible and be prepared with verses and arguments for any subject that came up. This is the way Protestant apologists read this passage.
The problem is the following verses are all about developing the virtues and nothing about Bible Study. Looking deeper, the word translated "study" in the KJV is an archaic use of the word. It doesn't mean study - like open a book. Everywhere else the word is used in the New Testament it is translated as "be diligent".
σπουδάζω spoudázō, spoo-dad'-zo; from G4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:—do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
This makes the entire passage make sense. It's not about developing arguments to be used in apologetics, it's about developing the right virtues. These are listed in the following passages of the text as: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace. gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness.
If you are filled with the Spirit you will speak from the Spirit who will give you the words you need at the moment you need them:
Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Worship v Veneration
I've often wondered what the difference between worship and veneration is. In particular, with respect to the veneration of Saints and Angels vs the worship that is only for God. Superficially it seemed like a distinction without a difference particularly where it comes to prayer...
But The Lord of Spirits podcast clarified it for me. Christian worship of God involves two things that veneration does not include. In Christian worship two things are offered to God. They are incense and the Holy Oblation (the sacrifice of the Eucharist).
This distinction not specifically called out, per se, but it is found in a number of passages. For example this can be seen in this Old Testament prophecy of the Church:
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.
Both of these two elements are present in the Christian worship; incense and the pure offering.
The same thing is found in this passage in Revlations:
Revelation 8:3-4 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. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Angels play an intermediate/intercessory role. They take the prayers of all saints and present them to God on the altar.
But why is there an altar? It is connected to the Eucharist where the life of God the Son is given to His people. The early part is the earthly altar and the heavenly part is the Heavenly altar. The two are connected together in the Liturgy.
Saints of the Day - 2024-12-05
Sabbas the Sanctified (527-565 AD)
Orthodox Christianity Then And Now Website
Holy Martyr Diogenes
Orthodox Christianity Then And Now Website
Philotheos the Righteous of Mount Athos
Orthodox Christianity Then And Now Website
Nektarios the Bulgarian
Angels and Prayer
When I was an Evangelical Protestant I missed quite a few things in the Bible. I read it often enough and could quote it back well. But there were a lot of passages which I didn't really see certain details in. One of these was the role of angels in prayer.
In Scripture, Angels play a role in prayer. This can be seen in this passage:
Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Zacharias prayed for a child and the angel came to communicate that his prayer was heard.
An even more clear passage is found in Revelation:
Revelation 8:3-4 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. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Here the passage shows angels performing an intermediate role. They take the prayers of the saints and an incense censor and place them on the altar before the throne of God. Why Do Orthodox Christians Pray to the Saints?
Orthodoxy in the News
Orthodoxy tends to stay out of the news. Recent growth in converts to Orthodox have got some notice this week in the NY Post article Young men leaving traditional churches for ‘masculine’ Orthodox Christianity in droves.
In Droves?
Internet Influencers
Other Media Outreach
Is Orthodoxy Based?
Thoughts on Authorship of the Pauline Corpus
Modern scholarship sees some of the letters of Paul as being genuinely written by Paul and others as written later by others.
There is strong consensus in modern New Testament scholarship on a core group of authentic Pauline epistles whose authorship is rarely contested: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon.
Several additional letters bearing Paul's name are disputed among scholars, namely Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. Scholarly opinion is sharply divided on whether or not Colossians and 2 Thessalonians are genuine letters of Paul.
The remaining four contested epistles – Ephesians, as well as the three known as the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus) – have been labeled pseudepigraphical works by most critical scholars
I am skeptical about this approach. It has flaws that come with the modern historical method.
The letters in question all have Paul's name on them
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
The assumption of the modern critical scholars is that the writers of these letters forged Paul's name on them in order to get them accepted. The burden of proof is on the critics and in my view, they have failed to meet that burden.
The Circulation of the Epistles
The Epistles themselves show that they were copied and shared with other churches but this was on an ad hoc basis (Sufficiency of Scripture?). Saint Peter knew of at least some of the Letters of Saint Paul (Saint Peter on Saint Paul - Scripture and Tradition).
The Letters were quoted by the Church Fathers
Polycarp of Smyrna (69–156 AD) not only quoted from 2 Thessalonians but also the Gospel of Matthew, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Luke, Acts of the Apostles, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Epistle to the Hebrews, 1 Peter, 1 John, 3 John. (The Development of the Canon of the New Testament)
An absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. It seems that a better explanation of the lack of quotes from some the earliest Church Fathers that some of the letters were not in circulation as much as others.
The Letters were accepted by the Church as Canonical
All of these matters were adjudicated by the Church. They were much closer in time to the events and had a motive to ensure the corpus was authentic. The tradition of the Church knew the authentic from the inauthentic epistles.
Writings attributed to the apostles circulated among the earliest Christian communities. The Pauline epistles were circulating, perhaps in collected forms, by the end of the 1st century AD. Justin Martyr, in the mid 2nd century, mentions "memoirs of the apostles" as being read on "the day called that of the sun" (Sunday) alongside the "writings of the prophets. A defined set of four gospels (the Tetramorph) was asserted by Irenaeus, c. 180, who refers to it directly.
Motives of the Scholars
These scholars have a motive that is so ancient that it is found in the words of the Serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Epistle Reading 2024-12-05
ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
The words, "have crucified" are a single verb in the Greek ἐσταύρωσαν and are in the aorist tense. There's no simple equivalent in English to the aorist tense. It is often translated in the past tense but that does not mean the action from the event isn't continuing. For us, the act of crucifying the flesh came when we came to Christ. It continues all our lives as we walk in the Spirit.
We are called to bear one another's burden. We do this through helping others and prayer. This is the opposite of causing strife among the brethren.
Tuesday, December 03, 2024
Gospel Reading 2024-12-03
The Lord said to his disciples, "Beware of men who will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
The Paradox
This is the true paradox of the Christian life. It is the ultimate goal to protect ones on life but to do so requires losing that life. How do we resolve this apparent paradox? It is by realizing that this life is but for a moment compared to eternity.
How Then Do We Live?
We are told that the way to live this life is to keep ourselves in the love of God.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
The word, "keep" in this verse is a verb in the aorist tense and it is active. It requires effort (the active part of the verb) without regards to time (the aorist part). The aorist tense -
Is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time.
This "keeping" is not a completed act, but it is on-going throughout our entire life in Christ.