Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
It seems our belief is similar in the matter of territory or what we would call locality. You would visit the Orthodox church in London if you were in London, and would not visit the Lutheran church in London because you recognize that the sphere of the Orthodox is the whole city or region. That is, you do not see the Orthodox church as being one slice of the pie in the city but the whole pie.
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Forgive me for intruding on a conversation not mine. But I was considering the Orthodox faith, and a verse came to mind, in context of the "recovery" process as it has played out, and I wanted to comment, before mentioning a hypothetical trip to London. All of which is of course personal and perhaps irrelevant to the discussion here.
First, the verse:
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Now it seems to me that the "recovery" idea isn't a return to the ancient paths at all, but an idea springing up out of Protestantism, which, like Communism as a proposed replacement of Capitalism seemed fine in theory but was disastrous in actuality. By the time Nee showed up in the early 20th century, Brethrenism was splintered into quarreling factions, showing the dis-credited fruit of the ground of the "localism" idea. There was no "rest for the soul" in a Brethrenism where Brother A, B, and C, were arguing continuously with Brother D and E over doctrine, interpretation, allegiance, practice.
But "localism" still became an exceptional engine to remove the Chinese (who were ignorant of the Brethren saga) from the Western yoke, and it flourished in China under Nee. But in reality it was just another Protestant sect based on the shifting sands of its charismatic leader. Thus the ground went from localism to the Jerusalem Principle, to "getting in line" and "handing over" and so on. New winds of teachings blowing in every other week. No ancient paths. No rest for the soul.
The EO, on the other hand, have access to the Fathers, many of whom were connected to the apostles, or to those who knew them. Thus the continuity to the ancient paths was preserved. Not in toto, of course; much has been lost. And much, unfortunately, was added. But the paths are there, accessible to those who seek. But the modern "recovery" and "restoration" movements which flow out of Protestantism are merely cries to return home, based on the dis-connect of the age. Actually, Calvin was like the Fathers in that he looked at scripture and said, "This means that"; but Calvin was separated by a vast gap of time and culture, and the Fathers still knew the apostles through personal connection. So I prefer the ancient readings to the modern. Not entirely, of course: I'm in the modern age. But my point is that the modern, subjective, fundamentalist "me and my Bible" readings (e.g., WN and WL) are extremely inferior to readings informed by the ancients. It reminds me of a young athletic man, extremely strong, virile, fast, partly logical, but lacking experience, discretion, humility, and wisdom.
Now, as a Protestant and son of Protestants, I may seek out Protestant fellowship in my visit to London. But I'm always open to fellowship with the EO brethren, anytime anywhere. Because I've found some of them to be extremely profitable to my Christian journey. Some of the best stuff I've ever read was from an EO scholar.
In sum, I don't feel constrained by some "church". I accept the paths of history, what's happened. When I meet with the EO brethren, I don't argue church, but together we seek Christ. And He meets with us. "Were not our hearts burning, as He opened the scriptures before us?" That is the bread from heaven. They know my great love for them. and accept me as I am. I don't get hung up on localism, or the eucharist. Paul said, "Don't let your freedom become a stumbling for others". Others see things differently than I, have different cultures, practices, histories. I don't force conformity. If I did, what freedom is that? "In Christ you have been set free; stand fast therefore and don't once again be entangled in the yoke of slavery."