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Hermit76

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I am greatly apprehensive about this ecumenical podcast tonight on AFR.
Am I being too difficult?
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nutroll

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Not to sound like a horrible ecumenist, but my wife and I read that book when we were first married and it helped us to navigate those early years in a way that set us up well for the future. I wouldn't put it on the level of the writings of the Holy Fathers obviously, and while I think the basic premise is helpful I don't necessarily agree with much beyond that. But I think we can be open to the idea that someone can have insight that is helpful, that they can speak a genuine truth in an understandable way even while not being part of the Church. I don't know that I would have given Dr. Chapman a platform like that, but I also would reserve judgment until I know what he ends up saying.
 
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Hermit76

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Not to sound like a horrible ecumenist, but my wife and I read that book when we were first married and it helped us to navigate those early years in a way that set us up well for the future. I wouldn't put it on the level of the writings of the Holy Fathers obviously, and while I think the basic premise is helpful I don't necessarily agree with much beyond that. But I think we can be open to the idea that someone can have insight that is helpful, that they can speak a genuine truth in an understandable way even while not being part of the Church. I don't know that I would have given Dr. Chapman a platform like that, but I also would reserve judgment until I know what he ends up saying.
My son is moving from Evangelicalism towards Orthodoxy. I fear the effect that ecumenicism has on people who see their heresy. He shuddered at this podcast.
I also read the book but found it to be a psychological askew teaching. On the surface there was a lot of good. However, I'm not sure it was buried in an appropriate worldview. I grew to be resistant, albeit it not vocal, about the book even before I knew about Orthodoxy.

That being said, I really appreciate your response and respect your input. I don't think you a horrible ecumenicist.
 
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Hermit76

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Hermit76,

I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Gary Chapman speak on two occasions. In both instances the messages were edifying. I’ve read most of his books and heard an interesting tidbit at the event.

Mr. Chapman is devoted to developing future generations of spiritual leaders. He supports his alma mater by publishing his books through their publishing company and earmarks a portion of the proceeds to the institution.

In case you’re not aware, Moody covers the educational expenses for all full-time students. This is possible through a combination of grants and alumni donations. It enables many to attend without financial encumbrance. Mr. Chapman maintains his connection for that purpose. He indicated he could go elsewhere, but the fruit of his labor was worth it.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
Thank you for your response. However, you are in the Orthodox Forum. Some of us left the Evangelical world due to our belief that it is heretical. I say this with respect to allow you to understand the context of my objection.
 
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bèlla

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Thank you for your response. However, you are in the Orthodox Forum. Some of us left the Evangelical world due to our belief that it is heretical. I say this with respect to allow you to understand the context of my objection.

Hermit76,

Thank you for your courtesy. I was not addressing theology. Character was the primary aim. I’ll remove it.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
 
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Pavel Mosko

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I am greatly apprehensive about this ecumenical podcast tonight on AFR.
Am I being too difficult?

I had to go to You-tube to get the gist of this. Yeah I think you might be too squeamish. I've seen lots of general Christian marriage counseling that sort of unofficially or indirectly does what this book is about. It is understandable to want most things to be from an Orthodox mind set. But there can occasionally be reason to cover other things that might be useful for the Faithful. Also their is the issue of things like time and maturity. I can see a lot of converts, especially people becoming EO for marriage could really need this. Happy people are enthusiastic and want to do the right things, for the right reasons.


Besides all that there is the example from the Gospels that Jesus shows us that that a leader is someone who is a servant. We also are to be stewards of the things and people God entrusts us with. I think the notion of the love languages fits that. IF you are entrusted with the care of someone then it helps to try to effectively communicate that love to them in ways they will appreciate.
 
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Xenophon

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I also read the book but found it to be a psychological askew teaching.

A female friend of mine pointed out that it seems the man always finds the 'physical' to be his love language - readily used for excusing wrong behavior.

I do not think that is the author's intent, but there is something a bit sideways with it all.
 
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rusmeister

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For me the question is not whether a speaker is formally Orthodox or not - it's whether what he or she says aligns with the teachings of the Church throughout history. But even dialoging troubles me, as there is a huge tendency toward ecumenism as such among intellectuals in particular in the Church - the class most likely to fall for heresy. I agree with nutroll, but think we have to be very careful and discerning in our listening. I'm especially tired of the justifications for divorce between churched Orthodox Christians.
 
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Hermit76

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A female friend of mine pointed out that it seems the man always finds the 'physical' to be his love language - readily used for excusing wrong behavior.

I do not think that is the author's intent, but there is something a bit sideways with it all.

Well, not to get too sideways but that was one of the issues I had...
 
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gzt

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While I would not be interested in this episode and not terribly happy with it for a lot of the reasons stated by the OP, I would also just say that they have 365 days of content per year, they have a lot of stuff coming out, and occasionally going into more "pop" material occasionally, even from outside of Orthodoxy, as long as it's not actively horrible and is counterbalanced by the rest, isn't such a huge problem. It's not a horrid, anti-Orthodox message, it's at worst banal and at best has some insights that can be rescued.
 
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