Mark 3:14
"...And He appointed twelve..."
In this edition let us focus on clarifying a confusion that surrounds the
appointment of the twelve (as it is being interpretted by me). Just like all the
twelve tribes of Israel were not distinct and separable by the time of Jesus
because they had merged with neighboring tribes and kingdoms, the Churches
established by the apostles appointed on this day were not always separable and
distinctly recognizable after the passage of time. Some of these Churches
established by these apostles had died (in that the Christian communities there
ceased to exist)while there were others established by others who came later
(probably disciples of the twelve or the disciples of the disciples etc, a
lineage which may have become blurred with the passage of time, yet united by
the same rock-like faith of the original Apostles).
We must realize that the important takeaway from this verse is that the Lord
essentially appointed an "order" of Apostles (those being sent out) as opposed
to "bishops"(overseer, caretaker) of regional Churches. Each of the ones
"appointed" on this day contributed to this mission (going out and spreading the
Gospel) except the betrayer (but there was another one appointed later in his
place). These Apostles "also" established regional Churches as part of their
mission.
It is by extrapolating backwards and by the wisdom of hindsight that we are
today able to connect back to the Apostles with the regional Churches (for
example Thomas with the Church of the East, Peter or Paul with Rome etc). But
this idea has its limitations. This line of thought does not automatically
disregard the importance of the Churches that were established in later
generations based on the same "rock like" Orthodox faith professed by Peter and
the other Apostles. Nor should we associate a divine origin to the establishment
of the Churches at this time as we know (also from hindsight) that some of these
had died out with time and circumstances.
Having defined this premise for our clarification, let us now continue to focus
on our main theme - the Character of our beloved father St. Thomas. By hindsight
and armed with the truth of history, we connect Thomas with the Church in India
and all the east. When we dwell back to the day of the appointment - we see the
Omniscient Lord, to whom nothing is hidden, in whom everything is revealed,
calling apart Thomas from among a larger crowd, appointing him to "go out" to
the world, specifically to the far East, to the shores of India with the Gospel.
This day, the Lord called out "Thomas" by name drawing him out from the crowd.
This day Thomas moved out of the crowd to work intimately with the Lord. This
day our Lord and Thomas started the work of redemption for the Far East. This
day Thomas was set apart for the mission to be "sent out" to India. This day
Thomas was also set apart (to be connected back by hindsight) as the founder of
the Church of the East, as the first Catholicose of the East.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
------------------------------
Note: A Rev. Deacon of the Holy Church (who is a friend who cares) patiently
guided me to see an error in the idea that I was developing in this series
which I have tried to clarify and correct with the above laid out premise. Hope
it clarifies matters and will help us to focus on the main theme. Some of the
words used in this edition are taken from my private discussions with the
deacon, but errors in thought if any are entirely mine. I am thankful for the
opportunity to correct myself and grateful to the friend who pointed me to it.
Part 5:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23332
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23406
"...And He appointed twelve..."
In this edition let us focus on clarifying a confusion that surrounds the
appointment of the twelve (as it is being interpretted by me). Just like all the
twelve tribes of Israel were not distinct and separable by the time of Jesus
because they had merged with neighboring tribes and kingdoms, the Churches
established by the apostles appointed on this day were not always separable and
distinctly recognizable after the passage of time. Some of these Churches
established by these apostles had died (in that the Christian communities there
ceased to exist)while there were others established by others who came later
(probably disciples of the twelve or the disciples of the disciples etc, a
lineage which may have become blurred with the passage of time, yet united by
the same rock-like faith of the original Apostles).
We must realize that the important takeaway from this verse is that the Lord
essentially appointed an "order" of Apostles (those being sent out) as opposed
to "bishops"(overseer, caretaker) of regional Churches. Each of the ones
"appointed" on this day contributed to this mission (going out and spreading the
Gospel) except the betrayer (but there was another one appointed later in his
place). These Apostles "also" established regional Churches as part of their
mission.
It is by extrapolating backwards and by the wisdom of hindsight that we are
today able to connect back to the Apostles with the regional Churches (for
example Thomas with the Church of the East, Peter or Paul with Rome etc). But
this idea has its limitations. This line of thought does not automatically
disregard the importance of the Churches that were established in later
generations based on the same "rock like" Orthodox faith professed by Peter and
the other Apostles. Nor should we associate a divine origin to the establishment
of the Churches at this time as we know (also from hindsight) that some of these
had died out with time and circumstances.
Having defined this premise for our clarification, let us now continue to focus
on our main theme - the Character of our beloved father St. Thomas. By hindsight
and armed with the truth of history, we connect Thomas with the Church in India
and all the east. When we dwell back to the day of the appointment - we see the
Omniscient Lord, to whom nothing is hidden, in whom everything is revealed,
calling apart Thomas from among a larger crowd, appointing him to "go out" to
the world, specifically to the far East, to the shores of India with the Gospel.
This day, the Lord called out "Thomas" by name drawing him out from the crowd.
This day Thomas moved out of the crowd to work intimately with the Lord. This
day our Lord and Thomas started the work of redemption for the Far East. This
day Thomas was set apart for the mission to be "sent out" to India. This day
Thomas was also set apart (to be connected back by hindsight) as the founder of
the Church of the East, as the first Catholicose of the East.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
------------------------------
Note: A Rev. Deacon of the Holy Church (who is a friend who cares) patiently
guided me to see an error in the idea that I was developing in this series
which I have tried to clarify and correct with the above laid out premise. Hope
it clarifies matters and will help us to focus on the main theme. Some of the
words used in this edition are taken from my private discussions with the
deacon, but errors in thought if any are entirely mine. I am thankful for the
opportunity to correct myself and grateful to the friend who pointed me to it.
Part 5:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23332
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23406
No comments:
Post a Comment