Tag: Orthodox Christianity

The Ecological Crisis

One of the most important problems facing us over recent years has been the ecological crisis and environmental problems which are afflicting our planet. Ecological changes have always existed and are the result either of natural disasters and changes in the environment, often resulting in new ecological balances in nature, or people’s careless exploitation of the natural environment in order to satisfy their needs, without any consideration of the damage they’re causing. Continue reading “The Ecological Crisis” →

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On Spiritual Knowledge

The position of the Church has always been, however, that we need help and guidance if we’re to understand Scripture in depth. Thus, as early as the Apostolic age (Acts 8, 30-31), Philip encounters an Ethiopian reading the Book of Isaiah. ‘Do you understand what you’re reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ This is a strange answer because the man can obviously read and the words are simple enough, a lamb being led to slaughter, but it’s only when Philip explains the deeper meaning of the prophecy that the man can understand. Continue reading “On Spiritual Knowledge” →

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What is the meaning of “Church”?

Church:  Greek = Ecclesia  (the summoned ones)

 What is the Church?  Is it a building in which we meet and spend some time praying?  No. Of course, it is important that we be churchgoers, but that is not the Church.  Is the Church  an organization that makes us feel good, or one that does charities, or one that provides lovely works of art and culture?  Does it make us feel like “good people”?  Could it have to do with ceremonies and rubrics – state or otherwise?  It is just the “Padres”?  All these things might be very nice and useful, but they are not the Church.  So let us see what the Church is, and why She is a necessity.

Continue reading “What is the meaning of “Church”?” →

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Ancestral Versus Original Sin: An Overview with Implications for Psychotherapy

An essay by Fr. Anthony Hughes of St. Mary’s Church, Boston

The differences between the doctrine of Ancestral Sin—as understood in the church of the first two centuries and the present-day Orthodox Church—and the doctrine of Original Sin—developed by Augustine and his heirs in the Western Christian traditions—is explored. The impact of these two formulations on pastoral practice is investigated. It is suggested that the doctrine of ancestral sin naturally leads to a focus on human death and Divine compassion as the inheritance from Adam, while the doctrine of original sin shifts the center of attention to human guilt and Divine wrath. It is further posited that the approach of the ancient church points to a more therapeutic than juridical approach to pastoral care and counseling. (Abstract [1]) Continue reading “Ancestral Versus Original Sin: An Overview with Implications for Psychotherapy” →

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