Become a True Theologian

Among the various Orthodox website and media channels, many present themselves as theologians. Quoting the Fathers and Holy Canons of the Church out of context, these ‘OrthoBros’ as they are sometimes known, are a long way from being theologians.

Today is the Feast of the Falling Asleep of Saint John the Evangelist and Theologian. His message of love and devotion to God is a witness to his communion with God. He was the lone disciple who stayed with Jesus until the very end on the Cross, and he lived a long holy life.

He suffered for Christ but was blessed to die a natural death as an old man. He wrote much of what we read in his elderly years from the island of Patmos. He preached the love and truth of God because he knew the love and truth of God. Here are a few of his words.

No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us.

1^st John 4.12-19

Many of the ‘OrthoBros’ want us to be afraid of God and the Church. If we don’t follow every rule ‘to the letter’ we risk being shut out of the kingdom. Sound familiar? It should. This is how the Pharisees preached. “There is no fear in love.” We don’t have to fear God. We have to love him.

Being a true theologian is learning to love God, not fear Him. Being a true theologian means we don’t look with judgment at each other, but with love and mercy. Being a true theologian is understanding that we live united to God and therefore to each other.

Let me be clear about ‘the rules’ of the Church. Yes, there are rules that we are expected to follow, but these rules are for our salvation, not for the oppression of others. The rules are to shape our lives to be more like Christ, not to be ammunition against others.

It is also important to understand the rules of the Church are not ‘ours’ to enforce, but for the bishops. If your bishop hasn’t appointed you to a specific role of ‘rule enforcer’ in the Church, you would better off searching the mirror rather than looking in your neighbor’s window.

Ironically, like the Pharisees, the ‘OrthoBros’ rarely enforce every rule. The ‘pick and choose’ which Canon to quote and which to ignore. I don’t blame them for their behavior. We all like to ‘pick and choose’ which rules we want to follow.

The ‘rules’ didn’t save the Pharisees, not because the rules were bad but because they made the rules the goal instead of loving God. Instead of worshiping the rules, worship God. Instead of loving the rules, love God. Instead of being a Pharisee, become a true theologian.