#mystagogy

[servus-immaculatae]

Wrisberg epitaph in Hildesheim Cathedral, showing distribution of the divine graces by means of the church and the sacraments, or mysteries. by Johannes Hopffe 1585 A. D.

[apptowonder]

Pedagogy, Mystagogy and Orthodoxy in the Modern Era: A Brief Hot Take

Note: This is adapted from an introduction I wrote to my practicum project, which is a Lenten teaching curriculum for Orthodox Christian adult laity in a “Sunday school” or devotional context.

In the present time, there is a need for more in-depth educational resources for adult lay learners to deepen their understanding of Orthodox Christian faith and praxis. I say this not as an alarmist. I am not concerned about “encroachment” from ecumenical dialogue, nor am I worried about congregations being “led astray” by priests who in pursuing the creative spirit of Orthodoxy sometimes forgo the “letter of the law” that an overly rigid interpretation of the canons demands.

I notice this need rather as a convert to the Orthodox Church who often feels that our pedagogy is lacking in two areas. First, there is a lack of interest or familiarity with the practical theology of our tradition. As a convert, I was invested in understanding what makes Orthodoxy unique, how it coheres as an entire thought system and way of life, and how it can offer unique contributions to the entire Body of Christ. I felt compelled to understand my newfound faith, and the ways it could be life-giving. I want other people to be able to experience this joy I have found, and to be able to apply the riches of our tradition to their own lives.  I try to make my writings and work accessible, but I believe that laity are capable and in need of a deeper understanding of these currents of our faith.

 Second, I feel that there is often a lack of willingness in Orthodox pedagogy to engage with modernity. There is some understandable cause for skittishness. As Orthodox Christians, we place a high value on Holy Tradition, and the preserving of the good things that have been handed down to us from the undivided Church and from our later Eastern Christian heritage. In the midst of certain modern Christian distortions of a vibrant Christian faith (prosperity gospel teachings, fundamentalism, white supremacist “Christian” movements of all stripes), there is certainly value in holding on to what is good. But good teachings can only serve God’s good purposes if they are able to meet the challenges modernity brings. And no set of ideas can meet a challenge it is not made to face. We are told to trust that our faith and tradition is able to stand the test of time. It is my hope that Orthodox teaching in the present can be made to engage creatively with modernity, in hopes that the wisdom of God’s saints will be able to offer enlightenment and perspective on the matter. This includes engaging ecumenically with non-Orthodox theologies and resources, and at times applying what is useful within them to the already rich system of Orthodoxy. In all things, an attempt should be made to take an irenic tone that is “seasoned with salt,” while also making no peace with the systems of sin and death (both individual and collective) which pervade human society.

[servus-immaculatae]

Christ, the Great Hierophant, Icon by Br. Nicholas (17th c. A. D.).

[catholicjourneyhome-blog]

Class Excitement ~ NOOTTT

Class Excitement ~ NOOTTT

The class is great somewhat but no offense but really was kinda disappointed tho cause i thought it would be more gain towards the giftings and what they really mean and a deeper view of them and like i said in the last post how to apply them within the church but i guess i was wrong tho. I didn’t what to do my homework like a good Catholic Grl i am lol after just reading the assignments i wasn’t…

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[catholicjourneyhome-blog]

RCIA Mystagogy / 1st Class - HomeWork

RCIA Mystagogy / 1st Class – HomeWork

My first thoughts about the Mystagogy was the mystery of figuring out ology . But I was at a bad time in my life when i got an email from Charles letting us know that the class was going to start soon and i was thinking ok well i got some time to figure out if im going or not well then later on or well a week or 2 later i get another email now asking us to email back if we are ya or na for the…

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[azspot]

Mystagogy means, in the words of C. S. Lewis, “further up and further in.” We have received the good news, we’ve learned the ropes, we’ve been initiated into the new life. But our formation is never complete, not on this side of eternity. So the journey of ever-more-deeply giving ourselves to Christ continues. However, whereas Catechesis involved learning new ideas, new insights, new ways of seeing and thinking in response to the love of God, Mystagogy invites us to embrace the mystery of God — so it is more “heart” than “head,” more embodied, more experiential (in the humblest sense of the word), more reliant on allowing the indwelling Spirit to take the lead in our lives, encouraging and empowering us to love as Christ loves, to be Christ, to be Love, to be one with God (I Corinthians 6:17, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:27, II Peter 1:4).

Carl McColman

[carlmccolman]

Mystagogy: the Heart of Spiritual Formation

Mystagogy: the Heart of Spiritual Formation

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — the Catholic process by which adults enter the Church — suggests that there are four stages or steps in the process of Christian initiation. These steps — evangelization, catechesis, initiation, and mystagogy — not only define the journey of general formation in the life of Christ (in other words, “becoming a Christian”) but they also give us insight…

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[frcorysticha]

Podcast Listening: My Stogie Mystagogy

Podcast Listening: My Stogie Mystagogy

(Podcasting has had kind of an interesting history. It’s been a part of the “new media” for at least 10 years, but seems to be going through a renewal in the past couple years. New podcasts are starting on a regular basis, older podcasts are being refreshed or transitioned into different formats, and more tools are making podcasting – both listening and producing – more readily accessible. I’ve…

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