Product Overview
By David Tillman
Without apology, Orthodoxy proclaims itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost. So how do Orthodox Christians look upon those outside the visible expression of the faith? Are all Christians united invisibly and mystically in heaven, thus making the question of church membership irrelevant and superfluous?
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5 A tool to navigate pluralism
Posted by Nikos Eleftheriadis on Oct 13th 2023
It is indeed understandable that the topic is vast and ripe with difficulties. Therefore, the author could never cover the various aspects in a booklet. However, the answer that he proposes is reasonable and biblical. We cannot judge not only because it is forbidden to us by the Lord but because we wrong ourselves in the process. So, we have to withhold our opinion and focus on what is right and commendable in others (the author refers to St. Paul). As an Orthodox who lives in Greece I cannot even imagine the diversity and pluralism that manifests in the West. Of course, we know of it and hear about it and talk about it but in my city (Thessaloniki as is well known from the Acts and the Epistles) there is a church almost in every block. That means that modern Greeks are almost all baptised Orthodox and you can attend a liturgy anywhere and almost anytime. So, this kind of diversity is rather foreign to me. Even non practicing Orthodox, even away from church, they do keep a respectful approach. But and this is a big "but" this does not mean that living in an orthodox environment makes you a "better" Orthodox. I think that our sisters and brothers in the USA and elsewhere may be taking Orthodoxy more seriously. What I mean to say, is that living in a diverse and pluralistic environment may stregthen you christian commitment. It was a worthwhile read.
