Dear all,
I was reading the book "The Council of Chalcedon Re- examined" by
Rev. Fr. V.C. Samuel of blessed memory, a superlative work on the
Council in a non-partisan approach by the world renowned thinker from
Malankara. The opening pages of the book introduces us to the
political\theological background in which the Chalcedon Synod was
placed in history.
Reading the gory details about the background convinced me of one
thing -"Many times - ignorance is definitely bliss".
The maneuvers and strategic moves initiated by the "very Holy" Church
Fathers were not very much different from the clever (read - cunning)
manipulations that happen in a game of chess. ( where the ultimate
goal is to "check mate" the opponent). The political games played
there were not very much unlike the "dirty politics" we are familiar
with today. No wonder, all Protestant movements of today cite
the happenings there to support their claims, and most Orthodox
and Roman Catholics of today prefer to ignore the details.
When we read\hear about the Councils in Nicea, Constantinople,
Ephesus in our fifth Thubden each Sunday, we seldom think about the
details that constituted the setting of these councils\their
decisions, which have had profound impacts on Christianity. I will
not be surprised if many of us, if we dwelt deeply into the details,
would have a different opinion about these Synods.
Yet, looking back, we see the work of the Holy Spirit even there ,
silently carving out a definite guideline for Christendom, working
through\with the human weaknesses\cravings that were prevalent then,
as they are today.
The Holy Spirit was faithful to us then, in-spite of our frailties;
He will be merciful to us today in-spite of our weaknesses.
O Holy Spirit, work within us, cleanse us, forgive us and guide us -
may everything we say, do or think be always for the glory of the
Holy Trinity.
Mathew, Austin,TX
===========================
This note is in no way intended to belittle the respect due to the
truly Holy Fathers who fought for faith in the Synods, but to make a
point that our Lord, the Holy Spirit, uses human weaknesses too, to
work wonders.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/3461
I was reading the book "The Council of Chalcedon Re- examined" by
Rev. Fr. V.C. Samuel of blessed memory, a superlative work on the
Council in a non-partisan approach by the world renowned thinker from
Malankara. The opening pages of the book introduces us to the
political\theological background in which the Chalcedon Synod was
placed in history.
Reading the gory details about the background convinced me of one
thing -"Many times - ignorance is definitely bliss".
The maneuvers and strategic moves initiated by the "very Holy" Church
Fathers were not very much different from the clever (read - cunning)
manipulations that happen in a game of chess. ( where the ultimate
goal is to "check mate" the opponent). The political games played
there were not very much unlike the "dirty politics" we are familiar
with today. No wonder, all Protestant movements of today cite
the happenings there to support their claims, and most Orthodox
and Roman Catholics of today prefer to ignore the details.
When we read\hear about the Councils in Nicea, Constantinople,
Ephesus in our fifth Thubden each Sunday, we seldom think about the
details that constituted the setting of these councils\their
decisions, which have had profound impacts on Christianity. I will
not be surprised if many of us, if we dwelt deeply into the details,
would have a different opinion about these Synods.
Yet, looking back, we see the work of the Holy Spirit even there ,
silently carving out a definite guideline for Christendom, working
through\with the human weaknesses\cravings that were prevalent then,
as they are today.
The Holy Spirit was faithful to us then, in-spite of our frailties;
He will be merciful to us today in-spite of our weaknesses.
O Holy Spirit, work within us, cleanse us, forgive us and guide us -
may everything we say, do or think be always for the glory of the
Holy Trinity.
Mathew, Austin,TX
===========================
This note is in no way intended to belittle the respect due to the
truly Holy Fathers who fought for faith in the Synods, but to make a
point that our Lord, the Holy Spirit, uses human weaknesses too, to
work wonders.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/3461
No comments:
Post a Comment