Father Seraphim (Rose) And The Modern West

[Julianna]

....A P
E ....... P
S ....... L
....U A

Round of applause?

[Seraphim Reeves]

One of the funny things about St.Augustine's detractors is that they tend to focus on "flaws" of his which are not in fact "flaws", but are common to all of the Fathers. For example, much is made of his supposedly "negative" views on human sexuality, including that which is in the context of marriage. However, what I have noted is that his views on that subject are found elsewhere. The real problem, is his views on this (and other) subjects clash with the secular view on this subject (which many of St.Augustine's Orthodox critics seem to have fully embibed, and try passing off as genuine "Orthodox" teaching.)

Seraphim

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

The single biggest problem with St. Augustine are his views on Original Sin.

Since he is the first father to write extensively in Latin, he was widely embraced in the West, while his works were not translated into Greek until the 14th century, so he had very little influence in the East.

[Julianna]

I think he's guilty of 8 major problems that'd become sources of heresy.

1. The Filoque
2. Original Sin
3. Redefining Baptism
4. Predestination and Irresistable Grace
5. Disavowal of Free-Will
6. Confusion in Understanding the Differences between Essence and Hypostases and the Energies of the Holy Trinity
7. Theophanies and Created Energies
8. Validation of Heretical Baptism

[Justin Kissel]

Seraphim,

For example, much is made of his supposedly "negative" views on human sexuality, including that which is in the context of marriage. However, what I have noted is that his views on that subject are found elsewhere.

I know you have quite a bit to say on this subject, though I'm not sure how much we agree or disagree. I just posted a thread (somewhat my own thoughts, somewhat a critique of John Noonan's book on Contraception) on this subject in another part of the forum, and I'd like to invite you to comment on it (preferrably critical comments) if you would be willing to do so.

[Gregory2]

Thanks for this edifying article

[rebecca]

I'm especially interested in studies on those who used western terminology, such as Saint John of Kronstadt, Saint Theophan the Recluse, etc. )

I've read some of their works, and I didn't notice anything different or specifically "western" about their terminology. (Unlike some modern Orthodox American writings, which can have a distinct protestant flavor.) I probably don't know enough "eastern" terminology to see the difference between eastern and western. Could someone give me an example of a "westernism" from one of the above authors?