On news analysis

Yesterday Father Orthoduck commented on how often our interpretation of the Scriptural end times is influenced by our culture, our political beliefs, and our theological beliefs. That is why the Church’s Ecumenical Councils are always multicultural and multi-ethnic. Everything in the Christian life is a mixture of humanity and divinity. We are often quite unaware of how much that is true. The Incarnation has had an effect not only in our salvation but also in how the Church works out what is true. It is completely true that the Holy Spirit watched over the Ecumenical Councils to ensure Truth. But that watching over did not negate the human element of discussion and differing cultural viewpoints. Sadly, all too often we make the mistake of looking at those decisions as though they were free of any human “contamination.” Then we take a good course in Church history, and even at the most conservative of seminaries we are shocked when we realize just how much human drama and argumentation was involved.

But, the same is true today. That is why it is so important for us to read different news, information, and theology sites, whether or not we agree with them. In fact, if we are serious about being open to signs of what is to come and if we are very serious about avoiding mistakes such as the book, “88 reasons why The Rapture will be in 1988,” then we need to follow the example of those early Jerusalem apostles and elders, who were willing to listen to the Pauls and Timothys and Lukes in order to see what God might be trying to say. Let Father Orthoduck remind you that Saint Paul was not a native born Jew, but was born in the Diaspora. For “nativists,” Saint Paul would not have fully qualified as a full Jew. Both Saint Timothy and Saint Luke were Gentile converts. In fact, when Saint Paul had Saint Timothy circumcised and then tried to take him to the Temple, the “nativists” rioted because a non natural born Jew, a naturalized Jew, was being allowed the same privileges as a natural-born Jew. Imagine what would have happened in Acts 15 had not the natural born Messianic Jews been willing to listen to the convert Christians.

So, let Father Orthoduck ask you. Do you make a habit of reading Orthodox writers from outside the USA? If you are not Orthodox, do you make a habit of reading writers from your tradition from outside the USA? Do you make a habit of going to the websites of secular news organizations from outside the USA to see what their view is on our actions and reactions? Do you try to inform yourself so as to ensure that your Christian viewpoints are not simply cultural viewpoints? Do you read writers from outside your Christian group? Do you read writers with whom you know you will disagree in order to see what they might be arguing?

Father Orthoduck is not saying that you need to do every one of the things he listed above. Different people have different interests, different callings, and different ministries. But, in the light of yesterday’s posting on the end times, Father Orthoduck would like to suggest that your Scriptural interpretation might benefit from reading widely and diversely.

But, this gives Father Orthoduck the opportunity to give a “shout out” to a family in Port Huron who often disagrees with Father Orthoduck on issues of politics. That family, in and out of Port Huron, is one of the most widely read families that Father Orthoduck has ever met. When they disagree with Father Orthoduck, they disagree from a broad and rich background of readings. They exemplify that wide range of knowledge that Father Orthoduck wishes more people had. And, in our political disagreements, they also exemplify the reason Father Orthoduck understands why God ensured that Ecumenical Councils were formed of people from different cultures, tribes, peoples, nations, political beliefs, etc. Now, if only Father Orthoduck could convince Roger and Ellen (and children) that Father Orthoduck is completely correct.