|
Forums26
Topics35,511
Posts417,518
Members6,161
| |
Most Online3,380
Dec 29th, 2019
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528
Grateful Member
|
|
Grateful Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 140
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 140 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,686 Likes: 8
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,686 Likes: 8 |
That blurb at the bottom about the Coptic Church is completely wrong. Cyril of Alexandria's works were the basis of the stance of miaphysitism. He spoke of the "one (mia) nature of the Word of God incarnate" (μία φύσις τοῦ θεοῦ λόγου σεσαρκωμένη mia physis tou theou logou sesarkōmenē) and a "union according to hypostasis" (ἕνωσις καθ' ὑπόστασιν henōsis kath' hypostasin), or hypostatic union. The distinction of this stance was that the incarnate Christ has one nature, but that nature is of the two natures, divine and human, and retains all the characteristics of both. However, opponents of those who took this stance regarded it as nothing more than monophysitism. The alternative response, which eventually became Byzantine dogma, was dyophysitism. This states that Christ has two natures, but emphasizes that they are not separated: Christ is fully one person (ὑπόστασις hypostasis). The miaphysites regarded this as verging on Nestorianism.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,775
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,775 |
Remarkable quotation.
What baffles me is the fact that Christians (as do the Jews) approach God as "incomprehensible", i.e., not-definable. The term is even in our Liturgy.
Yet some theologians have taken Aristotelian and Platonic philosophical paradigms and attempted to "define" the nature of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, in terms of their philosophical parameters.
To be honest, I guess I'm more Jewish: God is God. Prostrate yourself before The Divinity who is revealed.
We humans can't even begin to comprehend a speck of the reality of "I am Who am". To get pissy about it seems to be its own unique type of human arrogance. To actually begin to pray, and spend years doing it, I mean really contemplative prayer, one realizes that before God, there are no words, just silent jaw-dropping awe and adoration.
This is the message of all the mature mystics and hermit saints and why monasteries and hermitages are so invaluable to the Church. The monks, nuns and hermits remind us to shut up and just "BE" in the Presence of God. Great mystics like St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila speak of the 'dark night of the soul' when "BEing in the presence of God" oftentimes brings nothing. But when God chooses to reveal the Divine Presence to His servant, there is NOTHING else that comes even close.
The Gospel says to go into your chamber and talk to the Father in secret. Most everyone ignores these words of the Lord, since we're too busy yapping to each other and God. The silent prayer of the contemplative should be our ideal.
I guess this is a bit afield of the topic of Ethiopian Christians and the Millenium, but the references to the theology pushed a few spiritual buttons!!
May the Lord truly bless His Ethiopian servants and bring them to both peace in their country and to prosperity for them and their children.
Just a thought!
Dr John
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528
Grateful Member
|
|
Grateful Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528 |
God is God. Prostrate yourself before The Divinity who is revealed.
We humans can't even begin to comprehend a speck of the reality of "I am Who am". Dr. John, Here is some language from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom that is along those lines. I have always found it particularly moving and accurate. -- John It is right and just to sing to You, to bless You, to praise You, to thank You, to worship You everywhere in Your dominion.
For You are God :
ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, always existing and ever the same,
You and Your only Son and Your Holy Spirit.
You brought us up from nothingness into being,
and, after we fell, You raised us up again.
You did not cease doing everything
until You had led us to heaven
and granted us Your future Kingdom.
For all this we give thanks to You,
to Your only begotten Son, and
to Your Holy Spirit:
for all that we know and all that we do not know,
for the benefits bestowed on us both hidden and manifest.
Last edited by harmon3110; 09/15/07 06:03 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
