www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Dr. John and Revealing Mysteries

Everyone should glance at Dr. John's response to Zeus regarding the criticism of orthodoxy. It is the best response to a post like that I've ever seen and gives a partial answer the question I ask here. I pray that you not add anything to his comment on that board. It would spoil it.

Here's my question: Humility is one of the attractive features about the Byzantine Catholic Church. It is one of the things that the Holy Spirit has used to draw me here. (I'm just beginning the conversion process after 27 years in the United Methodist Ministry) However, I think I detect sometimes a kind of false humility or even a sense of an inferiority complex. After liturgy last Sunday a member assured me that his church did not "go out and pull people off of the street."

Yet, isn't that what Jesus expressly commanded us to do?

Here is my question: What are some positive means of evangelism regularly employed in the Byzantine Rite Catholic Church? Additionally, what other possible means could be employed or what ideas might one explore?

Dan Lauffer

Dan,

I think that you bring up an excellent point, and one well worth discussing.

A pressing issue, however, is to define our terms (two important ones come to mind):

1. The Gospel
2. Evangelization

With the first term, I think the average BC (and RC, for that matter) think about "the Gospel" only as the second or third reading at Sunday Liturgy!

It would be very interesting to get the opinions of others as to how they would define Christianity as "Good News"!

In other words, WHAT is the essential kerygma (proclamation) that is the spiritual seed which needs to be planted in the fertile soil of people's hearts around the world?

Protestants, by and large, narrow the message into 4 spiritual laws:

1. God's creation of man to be in relationship with Him.
2. Man's fall and (ugh!) total depravity before God!
3. God sending His Son to be the "bridge" between heaven and earth to heal "the great schism" between man and God. Jesus' death on the cross is the reason we can now be forgiven of our sins which offend God.
4. Man's need to receive the gift of faith in Jesus to enter eternal life by confessing our sinfulness before God and believing in His Son.

For all that it neglects or distorts, there is much within this model to commend it! (It would be great to see something like that for BC's! Although knowing how legalities can often offend Easterners :-), perhaps the word "precepts" would be more acceptable!)

Forum:
Any thoughts on how we define the "Catholic Gospel"...in a Byzantine context?
Also, what about Byzantine Catholic evangelization?

Having spent my teenage years in a Protestant Fundamentalist milieu, words like "evangelism" and "evangelization" represent activities to share the "Good News" which would, for the most part, be unnacceptable to most Catholic - and especially Eastern Catholic - sensibilities! (I believe Thomas Howard provides an interesting account of an evangelical approach to evangelism on an airplane in his book, "Evangelical is Not Enough!")At the same time, it's undeniable that BC's and RC's could be a bit bolder and more passionate with the message of Jesus - much in the same way that evangelicals are today.

One essential difference to highlight between the Protestant approach to evangelization and the Catholic approach is the liturgical component. Since most people decide to become Orthodox or Catholic (BC or RC) based on their experience of worship (which is, after all, the purpose for our entire lives!), can we not speak of a type of "liturgical evangelism"...without excluding or neglecting the other forms?

In many ways, including the area of "liturgical evangelism", the Byzantine Catholic Church is in a PRIME position to meet the fundamental aspirations of the hearts and minds of contemporary people in North America (and elsewhere)...people who search for churches who have a heart for the Gospel, and yet do not neglect the need to be incarnational in it's expression...people who desire to embrace the "ancient faith of the apostles and martyrs", without neglecting the living Tradition that is the gift of the Holy Spirit to respond to the needs and questions of every generation...people who seek to enter the glory of heaven on earth each Sunday by worshipping the Holy Trinity in spirit and truth!

The ideal is a Church which contains within itself all of the virtues and emphases of other Christian non-Catholic churches, fully integrated and empowered by the Spirit given to the Church at Pentecost. Such a Church, would thus be...

Evangelical in heart,
Catholic in mind,
and Orthodox in spirit!

I personally believe that the Byzantine Catholic Church is that Church!

So, assuming that that is the ideal, how do we do it???

Just some rambling thoughts on a beautiful sunny afternoon!

Peace,
Gordo, sfo


[This message has been edited by Dozier (edited 04-05-2000).]

You raise an interesting and legitimate question.

Historically, Eastern Christians have been dogged with the reputation of being poor evangelists because, among other things, of the relative isolation of the Christian East during the Ottoman period, and the strong ethnic connections of many parishes in the west. Nowadays, that is starting to change somewhat � but, for the most part, on the Orthodox side more than on ours. They have added many ex-protestants in the past two decades who have brought a great deal of evangelical zeal and, importantly, know-how regarding how to evangelize in this country.

As far as I can tell, the results have been more successful among the places where they came from (e.g., evangelical churches or mainline protestant churches) than with the man on the street.

I agree with gordo to a certain degree � we are a liturgical church and therefore the idea of liturgical evangelism is an attractive one. To me, the real challenge seems to get people to the point of coming to the liturgy, on the one hand, and preparing them, on the other hand, for the liturgy they will experience. I don�t know which is harder. For while many of us really love the Divine Liturgy, I have personally had the experience of bringing westerners to liturgy with me only to have them really DISlike it � and through that I learned that it is not for everyone

Brendan

Gordo and Brenden,

I think this may be a good start. From personal experience it was the Liturgy that drew us. But it wasn't just the liturgy. I agree with Gordo that the Four Spiritual Laws approach won't really cut it. It is rationalistic and individualistic and points people toward a separated act of will.

There needs to be some ways to help people understand 1. That worship is the central act of life. 2. That before we worship the heavenly beings are already at worship. We simply join them. Moreover, those who already are in love with God and those with whom we have been called to share have found each other not because of our ingenuity. It is because the Holy Spirit has made the appointment and we both kept it.

With those things in mind are there bridges that could be considered?

1. Certainly ethnic parishes should continue the ethnic events that draw people to the events. Greek, Russian, Ukranian Festivals should continue. But are there no stories to tell once people come? E.g., since our brothers and sisters have suffered persecution can we not tell a story of faithfulness within persecution. Perhaps tell a Bible story through drama. Moreover, can't we engage people in the message. I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated to learn of other cultures. Would we not be lying if we did not have our faith as part to those stories?

2. The offerings certainly do not have to be centered around ethnic differences, though there's nothing wrong with that. Is it not possible to have some Christ centered songs perhaps even some gospel songs at a song fest. I believe God is delighted at the high level of participation among the worshipers at Divine Liturgy. My wife commented that it is rare that male voices drown out the female voices. Yet this happens at the Byzantine Church where we worship. Can't we use some carefully chosen "Gospel" songs or some of the wonderful Catholic Spiritual songs for a Saturday evening time of enjoyment. Invite friends. Feed them with some food that has meaning, and invite them to join us at Divine Liturgy.

3. I sense that there is some confusion about just what Divine Liturgy is. I suspect I don't know very much about it myself. Perhaps evangelism must begin with a clear understanding of the Liturgy. Should we not combine a study of Revelation, the pattern for the liturgy, along with Isaiah 6, and the Song of Solomon? This kind of discussion might not include those not yet of the faith until people of the faith became more conversant. Then we could have open meetings in which this were explained.

4. We could invite, as the Orthodox do, some enthusiatic person with the gift of Evangelism to come and speak. A local Orthodox congregation recently had Peter Gilquist speak in conjunction with an event at a local Community College. Heavens! I teach comparative religions at a Joliet Junior College. I have speakers come talk to my class. Why couldn't a local congregation sponsor a widely publicized event in conjunction with a Junior or Community College?

Lest you think these proposals too forward, remember the principal of Spirit leadership. Would we even be discussing these matters if the Holy Spirit had not led us to do so?

Dan Lauffer

Dan,

You've raised good points. However, I do know what the member meant by "not pulling people off the street..."

You see, there's a BIG difference between EVANGELIZING and PROSELYTING.

The RC is very successful in reaching out every corner of this world. In fact, the word "Mass" means in Latin: missa (mission). When the priests dismiss people after mass he says: "Mass is ended go in peace and serve the Lord" (I forgot the Latin words for it). Interesting?

But as for Eastern Christians both Catholic and Orthodox, it really baffles me as to why it didn't come out as big as the RC. But I guess other factors have contributed, like for instance, the fact Christopher Columbus is RC and discovered North and South America and most of Western Europe took over large portion of these two continents. As well as large portion of English and Spanish settlements in other places such as Africa, Austrailia and Eastern Asia.

But it is a good question, Dan, regarding to Eastern Christians. But I would think they are doing a lot better now, that communism fell in most of Eastern countries as well as number of immigrants moved here in America.

But we all should never cease to evangelize, even evangelizing WITHIN the Church (re-evangelizing Catholics).

Good day.

spdundas

Dan, Light and Life Publishing sells copies of the Divine Liturgy with scriptural references. I have seen it under "Liturgy Books for the Pew." It is the second listing under that section, and is entitled "Divine Liturgy According to St. John Chrysostom with Scripture references and commentary by Fr. Theodore Bobosh." It is only $5.95.

Part of the description provided reads:

www.light-n-life.com [light-n-life.com]

I pray this helps.

Thanks for this lead. I've ordered the book. It would seem that a book like this would be a wonderful gift to those who are searching for faith in God.

Are there other such titles? Remember, I'm new to the Byzantine Church. I'm as innocent as a new born babe...and feel like one as well.

Dan Lauffer

A Walk through the Divine Liturgy: www.byzantines.net/liturgy/Liturgy%20Explanation.htm [byzantines.net]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I strongly agree with those who opined that our Byzantine liturgy is also a powerful "tool" for evangelization. Great reverence for God is expressed, as well great beauty in contrast to an often ugly society.

First the Latin, then the Byzantine liturgy "caught" me in the evangelistic dragnet (I hope I don't get thrown back into the drink!). Come to think of it, even in my days as a protestant, the quality & structure of the service had tremendous potential to either attract or repel me.

That said, I do think we Catholics in general (Byzantines in particular) could and should be bolder in our public witness. My previous parish priest conveniently excused himself and the parish from "outreach" by saying that we needed to "get our own act together" first, before trying to bring in others. Well, we might still be waiting at the turn of the next millennium....

My greatest "success" at evangelism has simply been inviting people to attend liturgy with me. The "work of the people" does its own thing, and the Holy Spirit does his. Many friends and family have had such positive responses that I wonder why I am so shy about it sometimes.

Can anyone relate?

CAPTL
sinner