Thank you for this beautiful reflection Aria. I was also raised in Reformed Protestantism (baptist not Presbyterianism) and I also struggled greatly with doctrines like predestination. I left the church in my 20s, but in my case the Blessed Mother was very instrumental in drawing me back to Christ. I’ve written about it a little in my recent articles:) I feel a lot of sorrow for the way I ignored and disregarded Our Lady for so many years, but I have experienced so much grace and mercy through her intercession.
What a lovely reflection on honestly wrestling with new and/or confusing aspects of our faith. All Christians have questions, and it's always encouraging to see how God faithfully meets us in them. To see how God invited you to journey deeper into his gift of womanhood in your life through his sanctification of womanhood for all -- Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Aria.
As a reformed woman who did not grow up in a Christian family, experienced many of my first Christian experiences in a very charismatic non-denominational church, and dove head first into reformed theology- this post was both encouraging and thought provoking.
I marvel at the beautiful worship, and buildings, of those in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches. I have found great wisdom in the likes of all 3. cringe at my fellow reformed brothers and sisters who disparage those of the Catholic faith. I cringe at my fellows brothers and sisters who disparage anyone who does not fall into the reformed theology beliefs. I am one who believes doctrine divides, and rightly so, but that does not give excuse for prideful boasting and judgement. So thank you, again!
I do have one question. How do you mean we are edified though Christ’s eating and drinking just as we eat and drink? Perhaps I’m misunderstanding you, and I’ve been a Christian for less than 10 years, but I’ve never heard that before.
Hi Kalle! I think you are referring to when I said our eating and drinking is sanctified by Christ's eating and drinking. I may not have phrased it well. So I am talking about how Christ has sanctified "normal" things that we all do (like eating and drinking) because he did those same things when he came in the flesh. In other words, he raises those things up and makes them holy and acceptable to God. We don't have to despise our bodies or our bodily needs (food, water, etc.) because Christ sanctified them. Earlier in the piece I talk more about it:
"To understand what I mean, we need to talk about the Incarnation for a second. Christ, through becoming fully Man while remaining fully God, sanctifies all our bodily human experiences. My wise, beloved aunt and I have talked about this idea on several occasions. She once asked me, was Jesus brought low by having to eat and drink and even go to the bathroom while He was here on earth? No, of course not! Rather, He redeemed those things, common to every human experience, and sanctifies them because He was also fully God. So we do not need to be ashamed of our human bodies and their needs; they have been sanctified, all of them! We are not Gnostics. Christ is not embarrassed by the human body."
I hope I have explained that well. I am not a theologian in any sense of the word (I only took one or two theology classes when I was in Christian college, and while they were very formative for me I doubt I have retained everything I learned!) so please take everything in this piece with a grain of salt! It is more of my musings and trying to feel my way towards some ideas I have been wrestling with. :)
Hi Aria! My husband and I converted to Orthodoxy a decade or so ago. Oh so slowly I have come to understand the beauty of the Theotokos from my heart. May your journey be blessed!
Also, how wonderful to run a bookstore! Some day I hope to have a mobile bookstore/coffee shop: my own Parnassus on Wheels.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection Aria. I was also raised in Reformed Protestantism (baptist not Presbyterianism) and I also struggled greatly with doctrines like predestination. I left the church in my 20s, but in my case the Blessed Mother was very instrumental in drawing me back to Christ. I’ve written about it a little in my recent articles:) I feel a lot of sorrow for the way I ignored and disregarded Our Lady for so many years, but I have experienced so much grace and mercy through her intercession.
What a lovely reflection on honestly wrestling with new and/or confusing aspects of our faith. All Christians have questions, and it's always encouraging to see how God faithfully meets us in them. To see how God invited you to journey deeper into his gift of womanhood in your life through his sanctification of womanhood for all -- Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Aria.
As a reformed woman who did not grow up in a Christian family, experienced many of my first Christian experiences in a very charismatic non-denominational church, and dove head first into reformed theology- this post was both encouraging and thought provoking.
I marvel at the beautiful worship, and buildings, of those in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches. I have found great wisdom in the likes of all 3. cringe at my fellow reformed brothers and sisters who disparage those of the Catholic faith. I cringe at my fellows brothers and sisters who disparage anyone who does not fall into the reformed theology beliefs. I am one who believes doctrine divides, and rightly so, but that does not give excuse for prideful boasting and judgement. So thank you, again!
I do have one question. How do you mean we are edified though Christ’s eating and drinking just as we eat and drink? Perhaps I’m misunderstanding you, and I’ve been a Christian for less than 10 years, but I’ve never heard that before.
Hi Kalle! I think you are referring to when I said our eating and drinking is sanctified by Christ's eating and drinking. I may not have phrased it well. So I am talking about how Christ has sanctified "normal" things that we all do (like eating and drinking) because he did those same things when he came in the flesh. In other words, he raises those things up and makes them holy and acceptable to God. We don't have to despise our bodies or our bodily needs (food, water, etc.) because Christ sanctified them. Earlier in the piece I talk more about it:
"To understand what I mean, we need to talk about the Incarnation for a second. Christ, through becoming fully Man while remaining fully God, sanctifies all our bodily human experiences. My wise, beloved aunt and I have talked about this idea on several occasions. She once asked me, was Jesus brought low by having to eat and drink and even go to the bathroom while He was here on earth? No, of course not! Rather, He redeemed those things, common to every human experience, and sanctifies them because He was also fully God. So we do not need to be ashamed of our human bodies and their needs; they have been sanctified, all of them! We are not Gnostics. Christ is not embarrassed by the human body."
I hope I have explained that well. I am not a theologian in any sense of the word (I only took one or two theology classes when I was in Christian college, and while they were very formative for me I doubt I have retained everything I learned!) so please take everything in this piece with a grain of salt! It is more of my musings and trying to feel my way towards some ideas I have been wrestling with. :)
Oh my apologies! Yes! That makes perfect sense. I’m not sure where I got edified from. So very sorry. I agree completely! Thank you for clarifying :)
Don’t apologize! Thank you for taking the time to write a comment ^_^
Hi Aria! My husband and I converted to Orthodoxy a decade or so ago. Oh so slowly I have come to understand the beauty of the Theotokos from my heart. May your journey be blessed!
Also, how wonderful to run a bookstore! Some day I hope to have a mobile bookstore/coffee shop: my own Parnassus on Wheels.