Walking the Talk

July 13, 2014

or·tho·dox

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc.

2. of, pertaining to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved.

3. customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.

4. sound or correct in opinion or doctrine, especially theological or religious doctrine.

5. conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early church.

We call our church the Orthodox Church or the Greek Orthodox Church. The words orthodox as defined above is based on the Greek words “ortho,” meaning upright or correct and “doxa,” meaning glory. In essence the word refers to “correct belief” and can be used in secular as well as religious terms. To me, to be an Orthodox Christian is to be a mainstream Christian, holding onto the beliefs as passed on through the generations since the beginning of Christianity. We believe that it is important to hold onto correct, traditional beliefs.

There is another term used in our faith community, called “orthopraxia.” Used in a religious sense, it means “correct practice” or “correct action.” Orthopraxia goes in tandem with orthodoxy (in Greek, “orthodoxia”). We might say that orthodoxia is the blueprint, while orthopraxia is the implementation of of this blueprint. If the blueprint is flawed then the building is flawed, because bad design leads to structural weakness or poor aesthetics. When orthodoxia is lacking, then problems ensue. But at the same time, there has be be correct implementation of the design. Creating a building is more than wishful thinking. There is much work to be done to make the plans into a reality.

One of the classic theological disputes centers on the question of faith versus works. Are we saved by faith alone or by works, the good deeds that we do? When we overemphasize the role of works, then we lean toward an entitlement mentality: i.e. I earned my way into heaven. When, on the other hand, we overemphasize the role of faith- “I believe and accept the Lord and therefore I am saved”- then we are disregarding all the moral teaching in the Bible, all of the calls to care for the poor, to abstain from sin, to preach the gospel, etc.

Orthodox Christianity holds that the two are interrelated. You cannot separate faith from works; orthodoxia and orthopraxia are inseparable. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,” writes St. James (1:22). In another place he says,

“Someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:22ff).

Ultimately we believe that we must at all times and places put our faith into action, but nothing, nothing, nothing that we do compares to what God has done for us: we are saved by God’s grace and not our actions. One of the saints used to say, “Work as if everything depends on you; pray as if everything depends on God.”

With this in mind we view the message of both scripture readings today, which emphasize the need for us to do good things in life for the glory of God. St. Paul’s instructions to Titus, his protege. include these: “Insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds…And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.”

The Lord in his preaching taught, “You are the light of the world…. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven… he who does them [the commandments] and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

St. Paul in his words to St. Titus appears to be leaning toward good works and away from correct doctrine. He tells Titus, “Avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.” One criticism of churches and church leadership is that sometimes we get too involved in the minutia of doctrine and lose sight of the bigger picture, the gospel of love.

“You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Our theology tells us that our bodies are living temples of God’s Spirit. The theology is beautiful, but only if we truly embody this belief. We as Orthodox Christians may have theological differences with the Catholic Church, but few people have energized Christianity in that way that Pope Francis has. Has he done this by papal proclamation? By some great revival movement? By some profound theological treatise? No, he has done it be being genuine, by “walking the talk,” by living in concert with the ideals that we preach. St Nektarios of Aegina, a 20th century saint, was a walking, breathing example of faith and humility in the face of evil. Yes, he wrote books, but he transformed people by his way of life.

“You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” You and I are called to fulfill this command each and every day.

Fr. Stephen J. Callos

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Texts:

St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3

TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

The Gospel of Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."