Scholasticism in Orthodoxy

[Nick Moser]

Recently, I had an encounter with Mormon missionaries, and I felt compelled to engage in a conversation with them. After exchanging contact information, I took it upon myself to delve into the works of Peter Mogila and Philaret Drozdov in preparation for our next interaction. It intrigued me to discover that these notable figures in Eastern Orthodox Christianity were often accused of having been influenced by Western thought. While I may not possess a theological or intellectual background to pinpoint the exact presence of scholasticism in their catechisms, it is evident to some that such influences played a significant role in their teachings.

The Orthodox Confession of St Peter Mogila (1638–1642)

Prefatory Letter of Patriarch Nectarius of Jerusalem. NECTARIUS, By the mercy of God, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and of all Palestine, to all Orthodox readers, by beloved brethren, and…

maksimologija.org

Commemorated on November 19/December 2. Saint Philaret (Drozdov), Metropolitan of Moscow

Knowledge has for its object things visible and comprehensible; faith, things which are invisible, and even incomprehensible. Knowledge is founded on experience, on examination of its object; but faith on belief of testimony to truth. Knowledge belongs properly to the intellect, although it may...

orthochristian.com

 

[ArmyMatt]

yes, you just gotta know HOW to apply what’s good in Western thought. turn their lines of reasoning upside down.

 

[Nick Moser]

I was hoping to do the same with the Mormons (Anglo-Saxon Muslims) and hopefully inspire them to look into Christianity more deeply. I particularly struggled with debating whether there are prophets in the modern epoch.

yes, you just gotta know HOW to apply what’s good in Western thought. turn their lines of reasoning upside down.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I was hoping to do the same with the Mormons (Anglo-Saxon Muslims) and hopefully inspire them to look into Christianity more deeply. I particularly struggled with debating whether there are prophets in the modern epoch.

I have a family of LDS catechumens and it’s what I have been doing.

 

[Nick Moser]

I have a family of LDS catechumens and it’s what I have been doing.

any success?

 

[ArmyMatt]

any success?

so far yes, thank God

 

[Nick Moser]

so far yes, thank God

That is good. What did you do and what approach should I take to the Mormon missionaries and my evangelical pentacostal therapist?

 

[ArmyMatt]

That is good. What did you do and what approach should I take to the Mormon missionaries and my evangelical pentacostal therapist?

listen to them, note their arguments and how they define things, then redefine those things in an Orthodox way. also, with Orthodoxy, history is your friend. try to quote or reference the Bible more than the LDS or evangelical.

 

[Nick Moser]

Well, I do not know much about orthodoxy or religion. for some reason, I have been unable to retain any information since I was 17

 

[ArmyMatt]

Well, I do not know much about orthodoxy or religion. for some reason, I have been unable to retain any information since I was 17

just know for both groups that their assumptions and Church history are two of our best apologetic tools.

 

[Nick Moser]

just know for both groups that their assumptions and Church history are two of our best apologetic tools.

I was thinking of talking about how there's a precedence within the Bible and that with regards to prophecies that there's witnesses. For example Moses had witnesses he did not get any revelations from a dream unlike Joseph Smith and his Arab counterpart Muhammad. And with precedence is that there's always references to each passage in different books. Like there is references towards Jesus in the Old Testament and also how one passage would refer to another passage

 

[ArmyMatt]

I was thinking of talking about how there's a precedence within the Bible and that with regards to prophecies that there's witnesses. For example Moses had witnesses he did not get any revelations from a dream unlike Joseph Smith and his Arab counterpart Muhammad. And with precedence is that there's always references to each passage in different books. Like there is references towards Jesus in the Old Testament and also how one passage would refer to another passage

correct, and prophecy always falls in line with what has already been revealed.