Hey all, I know I have been dreadfully neglecting the blog these days, but life is crazy with classes and I have had no motivation.
Why not double-dip? I read Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition by James Payton for a traditions class, and did several reflections on it that I will share in this series. If you are as green as I was about the Orthodox tradition, I highly recommend this easy-to-read introduction.
Anyway, I will let the reflections give you a more extensive taste.
10/7/08
Western Christians on the Fourth Crusade stooped to a “three-day rampage of destruction, slaughter, rape, and pillage” (Payton, James. Light from the Christian East. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity, 34). My heart broke when I read this. Matt and I were on one of our usual treks back from visiting family. We usually take advantage of these chunks of time in the car to dream, set goals, and read together, so I was spending some time in Payton. Tears filled my eyes, and shock slowed my heart when I found out that it was the atrocities of our fellow Christians, not doctrinal differences, that created the permanent rift in our faith tradition. How could Christians do this to their own brothers and sisters?! It still brings tears to my eyes to think about it.
Matt and I began talking about the split, and it led to a broader conversation on our tradition of Protestantism. We have created a tradition of division, of splitting from our brothers and sisters over what sometimes are only miniscule differences. Now that I see the broader scope of our tradition and the creeds, the Protestant pattern begins to look rather petty.
The kicker is that I find myself “protesting” all the time. I am frustrated by those who interpret Scripture differently than I do because I believe my interpretation is the right one.
The question then becomes “how can we avoid continuing this pattern?” We came to the conclusion that it will require a continual spirit of humility and willingness to stay in learning dialogue with one another. The other day, I was listening to a Fermi Project Podcast that referenced this kind of attitude. In this particular podcast, Shane Claiborne was sharing about how he had a conversation with a kid on his block about homosexuality, how he had finished sharing his views with the kid by suggesting he also go talk with another member of his faith community who held a varying view on the issue (Interview with Shane Claiborne. Fermi Project, Podcast #12. November 28, 2007).
God, please protect us from our pride and individuality leading to the division and even destruction of your people…
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