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Where is the Church? (Part 3)by Fr. Gregory So far in the previous two articles I have contended that the Church is "somewhere" (rather than everywhere or nowhere). I have claimed that Protestantism, by being largely unconcerned with this question, disqualifies itself. Catholicism on the other hand disenfranchises itself by over extension, largely through a centralised monarchical papacy and the concomitant distortions in Christian doctrine. Now, I am not saying that Protestants and Roman Catholics are not Christians or that they merely belong to "religious organisations" rather than churches. In his graciousness, God has nurtured and sustained great and living witnesses to orthodoxy (small "o") in these traditions. These gems are scattered across the whole Christian field and we are to thank God for them. Nor am I claiming that just because Orthodoxy is the only one left that she must be the Church or that Orthodoxy especially commends itself by its outstanding qualities for such a claim. So what is Orthodoxy claiming and how does she justify her position? The Orthodox Church claims, (but does not preach herself to be), the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. She most certainly does not think of herself as Eastern Orthodox for that would compromise her claim to unity and catholicity. So, for example, the Orthodox Church of America or the Orthodox Church in Japan are just as much part of world Orthodoxy as the Russian or Greek Churches. Furthermore, the Orthodox Church teaches that in the First Millennium, before Rome fell away, the whole (known) world fell under the sway of the Orthodox Church, North, South, East and West. This is the Church of St. Chad, of St. Leo the Great, of St. Irenaeus, of St. David, of St. Genevieve. This much is not contentious, (except perhaps our judgement on Rome!); it is a matter for historical verification and it is plain enough for all to see. There is a basis for Orthodoxy's claim to fullness of faith as the One True Church of Christ upon which she invites scrutiny and debate; for if her claim is true on this ground her nature is fully vindicated. (Interestingly Anglicans used to pride themselves on the self same criterion. Perhaps only the evidence remains to judge between us!) This basis is ... we have kept the fellowship, we have kept the Faith. Unlike Protestants we have not excised anything disapproved of by a founder or narrowly excluded by confessional biblical literalism. Unlike Roman Catholics we have not added to the deposit of faith to bolster the effectiveness of our own institutions or to court the world. Orthodoxy, has, obstinately and stained rich by the blood of the martyrs, held to the faith once revealed to the saints. This does not mean that we merely repeat continuously long established and hallowed formulae. It does not mean that we are sterile or ossified in our conservatism. But it does mean that we cherish what has been handed down to us as a way of life, as a way of faith, so that we can face a Third Millennium with a vibrant hope AND a firm mooring. Yes, we may criticise the "West" for its theological shortcomings, (its institutionalism, the "filioque, the papacy, its "dry" and over-rationalised approach to personal faith, its marginalisation of the resurrection and the Trinity), but these problems are soluble if the "West" begins again to live the temper, ethos and content of Orthodox life. We are not claiming that we live it to the full but we are claiming, from where we stand, that we do know what IT is! Similarly we may not say where the Church is NOT; but we may say where the Church IS! This third and final article leaves a lot unsaid and unexplained; particularly those questions clustering around the challenge:- "How do you justify saying that Orthodoxy is Christianity with "now't taken out?" This is deliberate. How, reader, would you take up the challenge to prove or disprove our claim if everything was handed to you on a plate? The plate would be too big for one thing! Far more important is your own search which may now begin, (or already have begun ... but not yet completed, even if you are Orthodox). Good hunting! .... and may God go with you. Fr Gregory |
