More than ever we need a solid apologetic for the faith. We need a clear strategy for evangelism and apologetics. We are surrounded by, both inside the Church and outside, a culture that has abandoned Christianity.
Even many who profess Christ and the basic doctrines of the faith, those ‘agnostics with collars,’ exist within the church and sometimes control entire denominations. In some cases, there are bishops with full episcopal juristiction who do not believe in the same ‘Christ’ as faithful believers have for 2000 years.
What, then, do the faithful do? What then do orthodox laity and clergy do? There is the obvious answer. Leave. Form a new ‘province’ or ‘communion’ or ‘house church’ or ‘denomination,’ or whatever you want to call it. Is there another strategy?
What would Christ do in the face of apostasy? I’m not sure. We only have one example of Jesus facing obvious apostasy. This was when Judas turned him in for 30 pieces of silver. What did Jesus do with Judas? The same thing he did with Peter the denier and all the disciples who abandoned him. He washed their feet. He was Judas’ servant as much as he was the ‘beloved disciple’s.’ Can we do no less? But what might this look like?
“There is the obvious answer. Leave. Form a new ‘province’ or ‘communion’ or ‘house church’ or ‘denomination,’ or whatever you want to call it.”
There is another option. It is not “leave,” but “come home.” I’m sure you know what I mean.
John Henry Newman did it, and I did it too.
You are in my prayers.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
This is similar to Christ’s approach. I’m not sure if going “home” is really the answer either.
Maybe a violent revolution is in need! (Sarcasm)
Anny,
It seems to me that Rome is in no better shape, and Orthodoxy has hundreds of juristictions, sometimes in the same general area. What to do?
As you may know, this question has plagued me. I am positive that the Roman Catholic Church has been off the path, en masse, on occasion in the past. Similarly, I’m positive that the Orthodox seem to be everywhere. I yearn for episcopal leadership and authority to ally with, but don’t know where to find it. Are we to be alone with Christ? No. So how?
FrNeo, you can’t fix something that is predicated on breaking faith as a foundation — hence the ECUSA problem.
A_Different_Anonymous