Individualism: An Orthodox Priest Speaks Out
Posted by tom | Jun 12, 2010Thank-you to Kevin for the recommendation of Praying for the World (http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/praying-for-the-world/, 4/29/2010), "An Orthodox priest, Father Stephen Freeman, has some very convicting words here on the issue of individualism. Humbling and refreshing." Below's a quote which connects with a thought which I've been articulating in a similar manner for some time. Please visit the blog post for the larger context and Father Stephen Freeman's clarifying comments on boundaries.
Our lives are a common life. Whether I want it to be so or not – my life is intimately connected with the life of every human being – both those now living as well has those who have gone before and those who are yet to come. This is an inherent part of the fullness of the Christian faith.
Refusals of this teaching mark the earliest sins of mankind. Adam refuses to accept union with his wife when he seeks to pass blame on her (and through her to God): “The woman You gave me – she gave me and I did eat…” In a similar fashion Cain, when confronted by God about the murder of his brother, defends himself by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
I've recently (or at least, I recently started paying attention) seeing a lot of people referring to "Father so-and-so". And I've wondered how they interpret
Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
I asked one friend and he thought that Jesus couldn't have been talking about our dads, the early church fathers, nor priests. He couldn't say what he thought Jesus did mean, though.
Posted by Jon Daley, Jun 14 2010, 10:29