QUESTION:
11/3/2009: I was wondering what the Orthodox position was on the far liberal side of Christianity. If indeed it could be called Christianity. Such as the antics and arguments of Episcopal (bishop) Shelby Spong, whom denies many of the traditional beliefs which have been associated with Christianity. Jesus dying on the cross, literalness of the Gospels and etc. Would the Orthodox Church consider individuals such as Spong a Christian or not? |
ANSWER:
From an Orthodox perspective, being a Christian means (1) being a disciple of the Master and following his teachings and (2) being incorporated in Christ in the Church, by means of the Holy Mysteries which unite us to Christ. Without passing judgment on the eternal destiny of anyone or attempting to label anyone, it seems difficult to apply these two criteria to individuals who consistently deny the fundamental teachings of the Lord as handed down to the Apostles - including Saint Paul - and to the churches since Pentecost. |
