This week's Orthodox podcast Between Two Worlds: Dr. George Parsenios will continue looking at 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and discuss the similarities and differences between 1 Corinthians and 1 Thessolonians and the struggle of these communities to incorporate a new way of life into society. While the communities were similiar in composition, being mostly gentiles rather than converted Jews, their attitudes towards their respective communities were very different. The root of these differences was in their different views of Eschatology or the End Times. How close one feels to the Return of Jesus Christ has a profound impact on relating to the world at large. Click below to listen to the podcast:
Real hope written by Ioannis -- Miami, FL.,
January 13, 2010
Dr. Parsenios highlights more than differences about what the eschaton meant to the Churches at Corinth and Thessalonika. He, also, explores how differences in meaning affected decisions that Christians made on a daily basis. While contrasts abound in texts, Dr. Parsenios encourages us to reflect on similar content that had been revealed to them and us concerning the eschaton. His reference to a prayer by St. Theophan the Recluse is part of this revelation. I wondered how first-century Thessalonians and Corinthians might have perceived Theophan's words (Prayer 65 from The Spiritual Psalter entitled "On What is our Hope of Vindication at the Judgment Founded?"): ...But thy life-creating body is intimately united with mine. I am clothed in the garment of the Holy Spirit." No doubt, they would have recognized genuine hope about the eschaton in St. Theophan's prayer.
Thank you! This is real hope.
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Thank you! This is real hope.