Open Theism Discussion Board

Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > General Chat > East vs/and West -- book I'm reading, by IVP

Forum Quick Jump

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

PotOnWheel
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890

Posted 6/11/2008 10:51 AM (GMT -6)

I'm reading...

http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2594

Light from the Christian East

An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition

By James R. Payton Jr

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Prologue

1. Historical Perspectives
2. Western Reactions
3. Orthodoxy's Approach to Doctrine
4. Talking about God
5. The Creator and the Creation
6. Humanity as Created and Fallen
7. The Accomplishment of Salvation
8. The Application of Salvation
9. What is Grace?
10. Going to Church
11. Icons
12. Tradition and Scripture
13. Prayer

Epilogue
For Further Reading
Name Index
Subject Index
Scripture Index

Book Excerpts
Prologue »
1. Historical Perspectives »
Scripture Index (corrected) »

about the Book »

Reviews & Endorsements »

Features & Benefits »

(o)

One Love
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888

Posted 6/11/2008 4:12 PM (GMT -6)

Judging by this review...it's looking pretty good...

www.theocentric.com/theology/gospel/light_from_the_christian_east.html

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

One Love
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888

Posted 6/11/2008 4:19 PM (GMT -6)

Nice quote from the book...

For some within Western Christianity, all talk about tradition is suspicious. They supposedly live by the guidance of Scripture alone, under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. There is an undeniable naivete about this approach, though. Tradition is inescapable in any human society, ecclesiastical or otherwise. Whether we call it custom or habit or whatever, tradition marks human existence. Everyone operates in this world by tradition, to one degree or another. At its barest, one can recognize tradition if one has a predictable bedtime or mealtime or some morning routines. While many churches within Western Christendom claim not to follow tradition, as soon as one tries to change the order of the morning worship service, one will find out just how firmly committed to tradition even such a church is. (204-205)

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

might-be-don
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 830

Posted 6/12/2008 8:14 AM (GMT -6)

"While many churches within Western Christendom claim not to follow tradition, as soon as one tries to change the order of the morning worship service, one will find out just how firmly committed to tradition even such a church is."

This is soooo true. Even the those that INSIST they are guided by the Spirit fall into routines that betray the reality of a structure that permeates their every move. Thirty years of pentecostal "worship" three times a week gives me some perspective on the matter.

peace, don

^{The world's perfect, wouldn't change a thing.}

Sahid
Megistered Rember

Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 2013

Posted 6/12/2008 11:38 AM (GMT -6)

"They supposedly live by the guidance of Scripture alone, under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. There is an undeniable naivete about this approach, though. Tradition is inescapable in any human society, ecclesiastical or otherwise."

sigh...

This is not the point. Sure tradition is everywhere. Everyone has tradition. Turns out everyone believes this (even sola scriptura people). It's not that Luther disbelieved in the existence of tradition in his life. The issue is "What should be normative/authoritative?"

Watch me fly. Freedom like wings and I will use them. Freedom like wings and I will spread them wide. - Stavesacre

PotOnWheel
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890

Posted 6/12/2008 2:40 PM (GMT -6)

Sure,

Authoritative is the Spirit in the Church -- scripture calls this "the pillar and the ground of truth."

And normative (the norm that we are to conform to) is scripture, which says the above Bible quote.

But as for the author, his ethos at work and church and his kids Christian schools speak loudly of a "Reformed tradition" of interpreting scripture. Not recognizing one's own (versus the fundamentalist new-earthers that some of the teachers at my kid's school are) line-of-passing-down is always a problem if you don't do it, and part of the solution if you do.

(o)

Post Edited (PotOnWheel) : 6/12/2008 2:49:28 PM (GMT-5)

PotOnWheel
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890

Posted 6/17/2008 4:18 PM (GMT -6)

Dwayne, tell me when you get the book. You too, Zack.

(o)

Forum Information

Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 10:57 AM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads

Need Support? | Forum Help Manual