You can latch onto theological ideas that are, in fact, not accurate, and refuse to let them go. I think we've seen this a few times in church history. Frederica Mathewes-Green accuratechurchfact Change image and share on social
Of the seven deadly sins, anger has long been the one with the best box of costumes. When the guy in the next car rages at you, he's dangerous. When you rage at him, you're just. We can usually recognize the results of anger, especially in others, as destructive and evil. Frederica Mathewes-Green angerboxcar share on social
The devil's main purpose is not to scare us, in a horror-movie way; when we're scared of him, we're alert to him, and that might undermine his plans. Instead, he wants to quietly, subtly lure us into stepping away from God. Frederica Mathewes-Green alertdevilgod share on social
Temptation coaxes us toward sin, and sin leads to sickness and death, and ultimately confinement in the realm of the evil one. Frederica Mathewes-Green coaxconfinementdeath Change image and share on social
The New Testament Scriptures are full of references to the malice of the devil, but we generally overlook them. I think this is because our idea of salvation is that Christ died on the cross to pay His Father the debt for our sins. Frederica Mathewes-Green christcrossdebt share on social
God's presence is not just Light, and Life, but Love. And Love invites, but does not compel. Frederica Mathewes-Green compelgodinvite Change image and share on social
What's wrong with us isn't a rap sheet of bad deeds, but a damaged heart, a soul-sickness, that plunges us into fearful self-protection, alienation from God and others. Frederica Mathewes-Green alienationbaddamage Change image and share on social
The Christmas story has such power and such appeal every year. There are other stories we get tired of. You think of your favorite movie; you don't want to watch it 15 times. Frederica Mathewes-Green appealchristmasfavorite Change image and share on social
The Church's teaching isn't an official statement, but the cumulative understanding of all the people who have loved and experienced Jesus through time. Frederica Mathewes-Green churchcumulativeexperience Change image and share on social
The Orthodox hierarchy doesn't have the kind of power that high-ranking clergy do in other churches. There isn't even a worldwide governing board to hold all the various Orthodox bodies together. Frederica Mathewes-Green boardbodychurch Change image and share on social