Shocked Reactions

I’m reading a book outside of my religious paradigm, and more than half-way through, it dawned on me that I should write some of my reactions down, which I decided to start today.  Don’t you just love run-on sentences?

Here’s the first “note”:

In the Protestant Church, it is true that a pastor is “only as good as his last sermon.” It always made me wonder, as a former protestant, what they do in their off hours (when they’re not giving sermons).  Maybe some counseling here and there – but not much – isn’t that what “Christian counselors” are for? Maybe some administrative duties. But it seems as though there’s nothing for a pastor to do but make his next sermon.  It’s all about teaching, learning, intellectualizing.  I didn’t realize or necessarily have a problem with this when I was a protestant, but during my searching and conversion to Orthodoxy, it was wonderful to not have my value placed on how well I could do intellectually, but in what place my heart was.  (Note that I am not perfect, or even try to be some days.)

However, in the Orthodox Church, the real admiration for a priest comes from who he is as a person. We interact more deeply with a priest (than I ever did with a protestant pastor – and sometimes it wasn’t even for a lack of my trying). We have Confession, where we offer our sins and brokenness to God in the presence of a priest, and he gives encouragement and council.  Granted, there are few who take advantage of this sacrament, but it’s wonderful.  We are aware of holiness because it’s around us all the time – in icons – and in the people around us. We have monastics in our midst, those who strive after God their entire lives. No, they’re not perfect, that’s not exactly the point, but they love God and desire communion with Him. They make little improvements here and there and eventually they will be a little closer to God. And isn’t that what we all want?

Second more shocking reaction:

The most horrible, well, maybe not the MOST, thing is that some people, some protestants see the heart as a bad thing. We need to understand that our temptations and our passions are corrupt, yes, but it is not who we are.  This is not what God meant for us. To be truly free is to be free from the things that enslave us and be in freedom in communion with God.  The nous is commonly translated “heart” and sometimes “intellect” and is the deepest part of a person (see other posts on nous).  This is where we commune with God.

Part of what I had written before was about how the western half of the world separates heart and mind because the concept of nous is very foreign to them… which I’m sure I’ve talked about elsewhere and leave that to your own reflection and infer whatever you will.

The book I was reading mentioned that ‘the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?’  which is Jeremiah 17:9, I found out as I searched for it in the ESV.  I went downstairs and got my roommate’s Orthodox Study Bible, hoping to find some sort of study note that would explain that verse.  To my surprise and utter shock, I found that Jeremiah 17:9 (17:5)says this, “the heart is deep beyond all things, and it is the man. Even so who can know him?”  I sat there in utter shock, not even knowing what to say or what I would post here.  I will leave that to your own interpretation, I suppose.  But I will add two things that might help you, if indeed anyone reads this.  The note says, “St. John Chrysostom labors the point that only God  an know men’s hearts, citing Psalm. 7:9; 1 Kings 16:7, 2 Chronicles 6:30, and Matthew 9:3,4.”  Also I should mention that the Orthodox Study Bible is using the first English translation of the Septuagint, translated by St. Athanasius Academy.  I’m not going to comment further on that because it’s complicated and I’m sure if someone wanted to know there are plenty of resources out there that are more reliable than a blog.

Today we commemorate Melitios of Antioch

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 12:16-25

¹⁶ “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes: ¹⁷ Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves.”
¹⁸ So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
¹⁹ And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”
²⁰ Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹ And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. ²² For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. ²³ Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. ²⁴ Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. ²⁵ But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

The message is still the same: repent and turn from your wickedness.  The Lord is merciful.

1 John 1:8-2:6

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ¹ My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ² And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ⁶ He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

“John addresses three false gnostic teachings on “sin.” Their intertwined errors are that: (1) union with God is indifferent to sin; (2) sin does not exist; (3) one in union with God cannot sin.

John answers by saying: (1) Faith must be seen in works, that is, it must produce moral purity. To have a right relationship with God includes living a holy and righteous life. And faith must seek forgiveness and cleansing for sin. (2) Sin does exist, and teh practice of confession is the established basis for growth toward righteousness. (3) Though we do sin, we should strive not to sin. Salvation in Christ is a process of growth into sinlessness.”

I thank God that the Church has the office of Confession.

Mark 13:31-14:2

³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” ¹ After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. ² But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

Summary: be a faithful Christian. 

Romans 14

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord;^[a] and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose^[b] and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.^[c] 11 For it is written:
“ As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”^[d]
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

It is important not to judge others, especially in my experience, other Christians.  If we see that others aren’t fasting like “the rule” says to, or if we see people not praying, or not asking their priest for advice, i find it really difficult not to pronounce a judgement on them or say that that’s the reason why they’re having such a hard time.  I was reminded by my priest at Confession that I must remind myself every time I feel some sort of intellectual pride (and I could apply that to spiritual pride as well) of my failings, which are many (that part he didn’t tell me, or have to).  Every person is at a different point in their spiritual life and each of us has different temptations and weaknesses that the devil likes to exploit.  We must be understanding and show the grace and mercy of God to those whom God does show mercy.

14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things^[e]is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.^[f] 22 Do you have faith?^[g] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.^[h]

Let your life be about Christ.  Walk with Him.  Do not tear others down for the sake of your convictions -  which may be over grey areas.

Confession

 One argument.

 

We need to confess our sins ONLY to GOD – not to a man.  Only GOD can forgive and REMEMBER no more.

   

    1Tim 2:5  For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus.

    1 John 1:9   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

    Heb.10:11-22  (verse 17)  And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.

    Heb. 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities and will remember no more.

 

And from another one of my family members:

 

Where does the Orthodox church stand on the issue of confession. I hope they agree that God alone forgives us of our sins…not a priest. Below is a quick list of some verses regarding forgiveness / confession:

Mr 11:25 -
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.

Mr 11:26 -
["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."]

Lu 5:21 -
The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

Lu 11:4 -
`And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ “

Lu 17:3 -
“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Lu 17:4 -
“And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, `I repent,’ forgive him.”

Lu 23:34 -
But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

1Jo 1:9 -
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When I read these verses I can clearly see that their are 2 types of forgiveness we can identify in them. First, we as Christians are directed to forgive others of transgressions against us, and as we forgive others Christ then forgives us. Second, where Christ forgives us of our sins as only He can do.

I’m not sure why it is necessary in the eyes of Catholicism and Orthodoxy to utilize a man to confess our sins. The following questions are my own thoughts regarding this and things that I think you need to take a hard look at:

Don’t you think that at the moment you are aware of sin in your life you should immediately take that unconfessed sin to God and ask Him for forgiveness?

Wouldn’t you think that God would be much happier with you confessing that sin at the moment you are aware of it as opposed to waiting until you can go to confession?

Why would you want to go around with unconfessed sin burdening you, and keeping you out of fellowship with Christ until you have a chance to go to confession?

What I’m getting at is that sin grieves the Holy Spirit. We are told not to grieve the Holy Spirit in Eph. 4. We should, in my opinion do our absolute best to confess our sins at the time the Holy Spirit convicts us of them…plain and simple.

In light of this, I believe that I Tim 2:5 is clear in that we should go directly to Christ, who is our mediator between God and us. Christ is also the one who stands at the right hand of God and intercedes for us (Rom 8:27). I see no scriptural basis for us to have anyone take our confessions to God and intercede for us on our behalf. This would have been true in the Old Testament, but remember that the the temple veil was torn at Christ’s crucifixion, giving us direct access to God.

My Response:

No Orthodox priest would ever say that you can’t confess sins to God by yourself. But there is something to be said for saying your sins out loud and repenting in the presence of another person.

One ‘proof-text’ is John 20:23 “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

Secondly, a Priest is a representative of Christ (not the vicar of Christ, that whole Pope thing is totally foreign in the Orthodox Church) and so also is a Pastor, after all, he is the shepherd of the flock, Christ’s body. And so, this is what goes on in confession.

Order of Confession
- I say the Trisagion prayers and Psalm 51. and then i say:
“I have sinned, O Lord: forgive me. O God, be gracious unto me a sinner.
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I confess to thee all the hidden and open sins of my heart and mind, which I have committed unto this present day; wherefore I beg of thee, the righteous and compassionate Judge, remission of sins and grace to sin no more.

Priest says:
My sister, inasmuch as thou hast come to God, and to me, be not ashamed; for thou speakest not unto me, but unto God, before whom thou standest.
-the Priest questions me concerning my sins and afterwards says:

“My spiritual child, who hast confessed to my humble self, I, humble, and a sinner, have not power on earth to forgive sins, but God alone; yet through that divinely spoken word which came to the Apostles after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying: Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted, and whosoever ins we retain, they are retained, we too are emboldened to say: Whatsoever thou hast said to my most humble self, and whatsoever thou hast not succeeded in saying, either though ignorance, or through forgetfulness, Whatever it may bew: God forgive thee in this present world, and in that which is to come.”

-makes the sign of the cross of me and says:
“God it was who forgave David through Nathan the Prophet, when he confessed his sins, and Peter weeping bitterly for his denial, and the sinful woman in tears at his feet, and the Publican, and the Prodigal Son: May that same God forgive thee all things, through me a sinner, both in this present world, and in that which is to come, and set thee uncondemned before his dread Judgment Seat. And now, having no further care for the sins which thou hast declared, depart in peace.”

END RESPONSE

It seems to me that the Order of Confession really addresses all the objections, and satisfies them accordingly.  There are really good articles at www.stgeorgecathedral.net about confessions.

I was talking to a woman the other day at Church about Confession.  She said that it was an emptying of yourself of your sin, so that God’s grace comes in, and at the moment of absolution you are in perfect communion with God.  It’s not about saying your sins to the Priest, it’s about saying them to God.

It makes me want to cry to be faced with all the horrible things I’ve done and then be told that God forgives me.  I have my confession at 2:00 today, so maybe I’ll have an update, but then again, maybe not.

 

Beautiful: 

I behold Thy Bridal Chamber, richly adorned, O my Savior.  But I have no wedding garment to worthily enter.  Make radiant the garment of my soul, O Giver of Light, and save me.

 

Update:  I went to Confession, and it was a lot better than I thought it would be.  My whole idea about not crying though, that was a waste of time.  oh well. *shrugs*  God is good.