Biboboy
posted on Nov 21, 2007 - 09:52 PM
Agape,
I listened to the interview with Fr. Peter Gillquest, and looked at the sample pages.
I'm not sure if I should share all my opinions about this now...... but........ let's just say I'm quite disappointed.
While Remenkimi mentioned that the studies limited the sources to post-Chalcedonian thought, I'm concerned about the "Evangelical Fundamentalism" that is implicit in the whole work, even though the sources used are "Orthodox." I know most people like Fr. Peter Gillquest and admire his story of conversion - along with the other thousands of evangelicals who converted with him - but I feel that he's an Evangelical in Orthodox clothing. 
How do I know? Well, three things:
1- The use of the KJV (or NKJV.. makes no difference).
2- The desire dig-up and to go back to the "early church" and do everything as they used to do it. Since the Septuagint was used by the "early church," they think they can emmend the KJV (which they can't leave behind as evangelicals) and correct it with the Septuagint. This whole concept of being like the "early church" is Evangelical, and not Orthodox. Orthodoxy, on the other hand, believes that we live with the developments and theological clarifications that were done in accordance with a living Tradition and with the Spirit's guidance.
3- First page of the sample, and I already find a mistake. It says that "regarding questions about the scientific accuracy of the Genesis account of creation and various viewpoints concerning evolution, the Orthodox Church has not dogmatized any particular view...." This contradicts the next sentence in the same paragraph: "The Church Fathers also consistently affirm that each species of the animate creation came into existence instantaneously, at the command of God, with its seed within itself."
First, the Church Fathers weren't really consistent about instantaneous creation. That's a very generalized statement. And even those who mention instantaneous creation and the seeds (like St. Augustine), they weren't usually speaking of material creation, but spiritual forms in the mind of God (a Neo-Platonist theory).
Second, if the Church Fathers, as they mentioned, believed in instantaneous creation, then it follows that the Orthodox Church already has a view on evolution - and that is, against evolution. That's what I see as a contradiction in that paragraph. And, of course, I don't agree with them.
Third, the use of terms like "instantaneous creation" and "Supreme Intelligence" (in the next paragraph) rings with the Intelligent Design movement chimes. That's evidence of a hidden Evangelical Fundamentalism in the book.
_________________
"Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You, Lord" (St. Augustine, Confessions, I, 1).
"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.
In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member
+ To Protect and Preserve +
HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!
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Joined: Sep 28, 2004 | Posts: 720
