The case of the prominent Jew who had observed all the commandments of Mosaic Law from the time of his youth is one we can easily relate to. He asks Jesus what remains for him to do in order to gain eternal life. Jesus knows what it is that usually binds people to earth, so He answers: ‘You’re missing one thing: sell everything you’ve got and give the money to the poor and, in that way, you’ll have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me on the difficult path of the cross’. Continue reading “Whole or Half Christians?”
How can I deal with my sinful condition?
by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom †
In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
So often we ask ourselves and one another a very tormenting question: How can I deal with my sinful condition? What can I do? I cannot avoid committing sins, Christ alone is sinless. I cannot, for lack of determination, or courage, or ability truly repent when I do commit a sin, or in general, of my sinful condition. What is left to me? I am tormented, I fight like one drowning, and I see no solution. Continue reading “How can I deal with my sinful condition?”
St. Mark the Ascetic – On the Spiritual Law
Here we present words of wisdom of Saint Mark the Ascetic, taken from the book ‘Philokalia” Continue reading “St. Mark the Ascetic – On the Spiritual Law”
The Wisdom of Obedience
The various Books of the Elders, ancient and modern, take us into the world of the monastic state. There the genuine way of the Christian/Gospel life continues, as does the human reality of blunders and failures, which are overcome through asceticism. One very important and substantial mode of asceticism is obedience. Continue reading “The Wisdom of Obedience”
Why Morality is not Christian
By Fr. Stephen Freeman
I recall my first classes in Moral Theology some 35 or so years ago. The subject is an essential part of Western thought (particularly in the Catholic and Anglican traditions). In many ways the topic was like a journey into Law School. We learned various methods and principles on whose basis moral questions – questions of right and wrong – could be discussed and decided. These classes were also the introduction of certain strains of doubt for me. Continue reading “Why Morality is not Christian”
Psychology and Orthodox Christian therapy
By Abbot Tryphon, a recovering psychologist
I was a psychotherapist, in private practice, and teaching in a small college, many years ago. It became increasingly difficult for me, facing, as I did, the “cut throat” behavior of fellow professors, ever trying to be on the top of the pile. I also came to believe that most of my patients were not mentally ill, but spiritually ill, and my profession seemed to be contributing to the problem. Many of my colleagues, in my opinion, were nurturing codependency in their clients, their income dependent on keeping people returning for “therapy.” Continue reading “Psychology and Orthodox Christian therapy”