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I think there is truth to what Saint Silouan is saying - the problem is we aren't monks. We are armchair "theologians" (I think theologians would even be blasphemous to say in terms of what we are) who live in a world that isn't Orthodox - sometimes even very openly mirroring the society in which the Satan's Throne in Pergamum was erected. And considering that these questions are far more of a struggle to us, it seems to be the case that the Fathers haven't really helped us in understanding the question with great precision considering they express the Truth in a multitude of different ways.
I will say that it's definitely not true - at least in writing - to say that the Church Fathers never make mistakes. Saint Augustine and Saint Ambrose immediately come to mind as Church Fathers who made mistakes.
If Saint Augustine never made mistakes, he would have never had to write a Treatise on his retractions.
You could argue that Saint Augustine isn't a Church Father, but then you have the Fathers of the 5th Ecumenical Council who will all unanimously judge you for saying such a thing.
But perhaps it behooves you to admit that, gasp, perhaps my view is a legitimate Orthodox opinion. It seems many, including those you should listen to, hold it.
Forgive me, I dont' ever really read anybody else's posts. But my point is that you push too hard on this and I hope to remind you again.
They say a lot of things.
Evolution isn't true because there is no example of an organism changing into another organism, likewise the Earth is more then 6,000 years old because there has been record of life on Earth for billions of years.It can only be proven to people who are already convinced of the idea of evolution and the infallibility of modern science. It cannot be proven to those who challenge the philosophy on which the modern idea is built. The defenders of evolution are always citing the infallible proofs of evolution, but when you nail the philosophical assumptions and the contradictions with established Orthodox theology, those defenders fall silent or fall back on mere denials; the "Vader Defense": "There IS no conflict"...
The Orthodox Church doesn't function like the Catholic Church. There is no one universal manual showing every single belief of Orthodoxy like the Roman catechism.
Which page is evolution on?
Of course. If a bishop has definitively gone wrong, it behooves us, with the greatest respect, to say so. And you are saying what? That bishops should never, ever be corrected? That they are infallible?Would you say that to my bishop? Or dare correct him?
Of course. If a bishop has definitively gone wrong, it behooves us, with the greatest respect, to say so. And you are saying what? That bishops should never, ever be corrected? That they are infallible?
Falling back on your bishop does nothing to solve a controversy or help anyone else come to a conclusion on the matter, considering that bishops disagree. Obviously everyone pointing to their own bishop is not an answer.
I certainly agree, but we aren't going to solve the controversy as it's an open issue with legitimate disagreement. Referring people to a set of articles - which I do repeatedly - on both sides is helpful.Falling back on your bishop does nothing to solve a controversy or help anyone else come to a conclusion on the matter, considering that bishops disagree. Obviously everyone pointing to their own bishop is not an answer.
I certainly agree, but we aren't going to solve the controversy as it's an open issue with legitimate disagreement. Referring people to a set of articles - which I do repeatedly - on both sides is helpful.
Hope that helps. Have a nice day.
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