Authority

[away]

I was reading a russian philosopher the other day, I forget his name now. He made the point that free will is the ultimate authority, that God Himself does not oppose our free will, even to the point of allowing us to willingly take ourselves to hell.

Authority in the Church is simply the reality that we experience within it. God speaks through our conscience, we respond by choosing to follow or ignore. We have the temporal authority because we can change, God has the eternal authority because He is not subject to change. We can choose to not become like God, that is human authority misused, or we can allow God to re-create His image in us through our repentance and thanksgiving, by giving and recieving mercy, we accept Gods authority to forgive us, he accepts our authority to forgive, in this way we offer back to Him something that was always His, and confess that he is the source of all things, including our own free decisions. Our decision to follow Him and Glorify Him unites us to Him. We then have the authority that Jesus had, to turn the other cheek, to forgive our enemies etc. without the grace of God, no-one has the authority to do these things, he is bound to his passions and always falls back into sin against his fellow creatures.

Looking for a single authority is a false and vain attempt to gain a totally objective viewpoint, a viewpoint only God can have. People who find such a viewpoint, as far as they are able, are saints and are aware of nothing but God, as long as they are aware of Him.

[Mor Ephrem]

So, I guess when it comes down to where the rubber meets the road, I will respect bishops, defer to them whenever possible and when it is apparent that they speak within the Apostolic Tradition, but steadfastly defy them when they contradict what I know to be true.

This begs, I think, the question of how we know what is and what is not the Apostolic Tradition. Is there a purely objective way to definitely know what the Apostolic Tradition is? Or is this another instance where it is basically our best and most well-informed judgement?

[Chrysostomos]

Lucian,

You said: "I understand what you are saying, but what if different sets of equally qualified and credentialed doctors recommend different "cures?"

I do not believe that Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism are
equally qualified and creditialed doctors who recommend
different "cures." Cures that equally have the ability to heal.
I truly believe that Orthodoxy is the cure, that what Catholicism
and Protestantism offers are merely bandages that don't provide
the cure, but merely "dress" it and since they are derived from
the cure, will assist in possibly stopping the bleeding, but not cure.

Quoting the same authorities is once again, like discussing the
cure, but not applying it.

Frankly, I have said it before on this board, I believe God will
hold us Orthodox much more accountable for our actions, etc.,
than for anyone else, due to the ability to be cured, and yet, if we
do not apply it..."then we honor God with our lips, but our hearts
are far away from him'. Also, did not our Lord say, "To them
that much is given, much will be required". Thus, as Orthodox,
we are in a much graver position than the Catholics, Protestants,
or whoever.

To me, this is not an intellectual quest....as I think that is
our heritage, to seek things, answers, intellectually. This
is a matter of the soul and as such, cannot be resolve with
mere intellectualization.

I ask for your prayers on my behalf and my family,

Rd. Chrysostomos

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

I think mor ephrem is asking an important question.

Christ warned us that in the last days we must “Take heed that no man deceive you”, because the danger of being deceived is great. He says “many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Christ’, and shall deceive many”. Many will come saying that they are Christ, or that they are His representatives or have been sent by Him, or are teachers of Christianity - people who will claim to be Christians without really being so. And they will succeed in snaring men’s hearts leading many into deception.

So clearly, especially in the last days, it will be important for Orthodox Christians not to ask “how do we know” as if it may or may not be required of us, but in a most urgent tone we must ask “how do we find out!”

[Etienne]

Amen, Amen, Amen

[TomS]

So clearly, especially in the last days, it will be important for Orthodox Christians not to ask “how do we know” as if it may or may not be required of us, but in a most urgent tone we must ask “how do we find out!”

And the anwer is ??????? Cause I think that is the question that was being asked?

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

And the anwer is ??????? Cause I think that is the question that was being asked?

Pray. And with an open heart study the history, lives, and teachings of the saints of the Church. At some point if you also practice it, you will not only know, you will be!

Quite simple.