The Danger of Prideful Self-Assurance
There is a minefield many do not notice, one that masquerades as the spiritual life. Academic theology, although it can be used in service to the Church, has also been the spiritual destruction of many. True theology comes from the mastery of prayer, and is not associated with academic pursuits. When theology becomes our philosophy we are no different than the pagans, and we give birth to pride, and self-assurance can become the minefield that brings about the destruction of our soul.
The true theologian is one who, through mastery of prayer, and the cultivation of humility, finds God noeticly, in the heart. “The devil does not hunt after those who are lost; he hunts after those who are aware, those who are close to God. He takes from them trust in God and begins to afflict them with self-assurance, logic, thinking, criticism. Therefore we should not trust our logical minds. Never believe your thoughts (Elder Paisios of Mount Athos).”
Like the academic theologian, a monk who thinks himself an authority on monastic life, but who has not lived in obedience to an elder, knows nothing of monasticism. For it can not be studied from afar, but must be lived out in community, under obedience.
The acquisition of a humble and contrite heart are both at the heart of Orthodox monasticism and theology, without which one can know nothing. Saint John Chrysostom said in warning to those who would seek out the things of God without humility, “The path to hell is paved with the skulls of priests.” No one, perhaps especially the clergy, are immune to the temptation to think they know the things of God, when in fact they know only the pride that has taken root in the academic pursuit of God. We must all guard our hearts, ripping away all traces of pride, for only then will we become true theologians. Theology without God, is but philosophy. Monasticism without ascetic struggle and obedience, is nothing but an alternative lifestyle.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: A cargo ship sails north of Vashon Island.
Thursday May 11, 2023 / April 28, 2023
Fourth Week of Pascha. Tone three.
Apostles Jason and Sosipater of the Seventy, and their companions: Martyrs Saturninus, Jakischolus (Inischolus), Faustianus, Januarius, Marsalius, Euphrasius, Mammius, the Virgin Cercyra, and Christodolus the Ethiopian, at Corfu (1st. c.).
Martyrs Dada, Maximus, and Quintilian at Dorostolum (286).
Virgin-martyr Anna (1940).
St. Cyril, bishop of Turov (1183).
Martyrs Zeno, Eusebius, Neon, and Vitalis, who were converted by Apostles Jason and Sosipater.
Venerable Auxibius, bishop of Soli in Cyprus (102).
Venerable Cyriacus, abbot of Kargopol (Vologda) (1462).
Venerable Cronan, abbot of Roscrea, Ireland (7th c.) (Celtic & British).
Martyr John of Romania (Greek).
Nine Martyrs of Cyzicus. (Greek).
Miracle at Carthage (Greek).
Martyr Tibald of Pannonia (304).
The Scripture Readings
Acts 10:34-43
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
John 8:12-20
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Jesus Defends His Self-Witness
13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not [a]true.”
14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”
19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”
20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.