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I fear he is right. What remains to be discerned is how we are to respond. Do we reject the covering of our identity now, or reject the new identity when it is presented to us later? This could be a good opportunity to revisit the Benedict Option.
Rod Dreher presented this idea in a book of the same name a couple years back. He looks at Benedict's monastic community as inspiration for modern Christians to shelter themselves from the world in some areas. Not a complete retreat, more of a society within society.Could you provide a summary of what the Benedict Option entails?
Not only that, when the Islamic Caliphate is formed again by Turkey, and gains power, the old laws and the veils will be instituted, no if, and, or buts.
"Masks as a form of a breakdown of identity."
Rod Dreher presented this idea in a book of the same name a couple years back. He looks at Benedict's monastic community as inspiration for modern Christians to shelter themselves from the world in some areas. Not a complete retreat, more of a society within society.
If what Pageau says is true, something like BenOp communities might prove a valuable defense for Christians unwilling to assume the next new cultural identity.
I know this question might well be about as well-received as a Snickers bar in a swimming pool, but why should I listen to Jonathan Pageau? What are his Orthodox credentials? He likes looking at symbolism. That’s nice, but I don’t know enough about this guy to see his interpretations as meaning much.
Where does one canonically obtain "Orthodox Credentials"?
He's an iconographer and part of the faculty of Hexaemeron Ecclesial Arts Schools.
The course he runs in icon carving is accepted as a graduate level course.
I'm glad I gave you amusement. I think you know full well what I mean. Is this man a priest? Has he been to seminary? Is he well-established in Orthodox authorship or anything else? Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can get on YouTube and start chucking around their opinions about masks and it doesn't mean his interpretation is necessarily Orthodox.
Laugh all you like, but I am very careful not to listen to every know-it-all self-professed guru on YouTube and the internet. I tend to listen to clergy and those who have a legitimacy. Private opinions are like belly buttons---everybody has one.
Being an Orthodox priest doesn’t necessitate a deep knowledge of symbolism, either. Carving icons and symbolism is kind of this guy’s “thing,” but neither of these things traditionally fall under what you described as “Orthodox credentials.” Your question was asked with clericalism in mind: “Is this guy an Orthodox cleric/monk?” in which case the answer would be “He has no Orthodox credentials” in that regard. That’s why I laughed.
I simply wanted to know why I should jump on board with this guy’s interpretations and agree, that’s all. Not everyone is wise or insightful by virtue of being chrismated.
It's funny you bring up the case of Orthodox authors since "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees!" is what we've been reading since Dormition.
I suppose J. Pageau would be an Orthodox author/scribe since he does write icons into wood if that helps bolster his credentials.