"We do not say that the nature of the Word was altered when he became flesh. Neither do we say that the Word was changed into a complete man of soul and body. We say rather that the Word by having united to himself hypostatically flesh animated by a…
Here are the links you're looking for Rem
http://tasbeha.org/community/index.php?p=/discussion/5689/theosis/p1
http://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/15450/the-deification-of-man-hh-pope-shenouda-iii/p1
Have any of the Bishops actually come out …
Rem btw I also like how you mentioned aesthetics and maturity into asceticism. I never thought of it that way and it's a nice meditation.
Maybe aesthetics can always be present though? Maybe the two go hand in hand instead of opposite ends of the …
That was beautifully said Rem. Thank you. I like how you mention the importance of recognizing beauty (and the glory of our God) and affirm beauty in the light of Christ, even in the face of the broken and lost.
I still think physicality plays an …
"....for Orthodox Christians of course we lavish beauty on our worship, beauty is a very significant and important part of our worship...
...there’s something about the beauty in this worship that I think is not an insignificant factor. Love has som…
Rem, perhaps Fr Peter is speaking about the asceticism of the liturgy... Beauty it seems is asceticism par excellence if that tension he speaks about is held. Also why does beauty and aesthetics have to be reduced entertainment or to the banal or su…
Here's an interesting paradox in regards to aesthetics:
"So the real God, the Living One, will never conform to our expectations, whether good or bad. God has promised to be there, in these sacramental liturgical realities, but it is He who comes, …
But if aesthetics are not important then why bother with hymns, icons or any physicality? Why bother with poetry? Is Monasticism a denial of the physical beauty? Doesn't theological depth require beauty to be lived?
If beauty is also just a consequ…
With regards to "Amen, Alleluia"
The phrase is not self evident or very reflective in terms of theological poetry. But I'm not a theologian or a person who is particularly humble or prayerful to perceive the depth of the phrase on its own or from t…
Hi Everyone just wanted to point back to this other thread that was discussing language so we don't get too off topic
http://tasbeha.org/community/discussion/15186/lessen-arabic-influence-in-north-american-orthodox-churches/
Also this one
http://t…
I like the mention of education. Especially about soteriology...because what we understand about salvation probably shapes our understanding and methods of mission. [Is mission about getting people into heaven? Is mission about love? is mission abou…
But perhaps the line can be understood if it's read in a particular context. Like for example take the Saint who we ascribe to one our liturgies, St Basil, also had a strong sense of liturgy served on the altar which fed the faithful and the table w…
copticmission I'm a bit uncomfortable with this line:
“liturgical worship interacts with the culture by challenging the culture [,]...Christian worship does not seek to blend in with the culture and become absorbed; rather, it seeks ways to critique…
Has anyone read scholarship on the Coptic Church in America? Maybe the mission Churches arose in response to some serious pastoral concerns. If you read "Of All Nations: Exploring Intercultural Marriages in the Coptic Orthodox Church of the GTA" a…
Also on Liturgy as a source:
"Several years ago I came across a short article in a journal of the Coptic Church where it stated that this Church had decided to remove prayers for those held in hell from its service books, since these prayers “contra…
But is Liturgy a primary or secondary source of theology for us? If we're suggesting that liturgy is also Holy Tradition shouldn't it also be given same weight as Holy Scripture, the Fathers, the witness of the Saints (martyrdom and acts of mercy), …
What is everyone's thoughts on the authority of the Liturgy and the theological implication of what we pray? For example the bit about prayers for those in hades that were in the Pentecost kneeling prayers.
Few more quotes from the comments section
"The weakness in the “moral” criticisms coming my way, are their failure to speak about the inner character of morality – that the Law is spiritual. How does the Christian keeping of the commandments diffe…