Stengths of American Orthodoxy?

[vanshan]

I know often we discuss the confusion of multiple juridisdictions operating in the U.S. or our concerns about modernism affecting the Church, but do any of you see some strengths that American Orthodoxy has offered Orthodoxy worldwide?


One hypothesis I would like to offer is that it seems that Orthodoxy in America is becoming much less ethnocentric. I have read some books from traditionally Orthodox countries which seems to indicate many Greeks, Russians, etc. take great pride in their individual branches of Orthodoxy, almost to the point of being critical of the spirituality of the other national churches. This viewpoint if quite foreign to Americans, who have no clear sense of ethnicity, although we are predominantly caucasian. I think this offers a blending of the best of what each national jurisdication has to offer.

Basil

[Philip]

I will suggest two quintesential American traits. Both have their advantages and temptations. I will stick to the positive aspects.

Freedom: Much of Orthodoxy, especially over the 20th Century, exists under oppresion. In America, we are free to be Orthodox.

Money: Orthodoxy in America is able to provide a significant amount of support to Orthodox missions around the world.

[vanshan]

I agree freedom may be good, although a healthy dose of struggle can be good too. I think freedom brings a new set of challenges to Orthodoxy, such as the need for greater discipline to not become lazy or careless in our faith.

$$$ -- I would like to know more about what American dollars are doing for Orthodoxy.

[Rilian]

I have read some books from traditionally Orthodox countries which seems to indicate many Greeks, Russians, etc. take great pride in their individual branches of Orthodoxy, almost to the point of being critical of the spirituality of the other national churches.

Phyletism has certainly been a problem for Orthodoxy, there’s not doubt about that. I think the real problem is not so much that it has led individual groups to be suspect of the spirituality of other Orthodox groups, I think the real problem has been the melding of national and religious consciousness in some instances. I think once you stop viewing ethnicity as an aspect of religion, but as coequal with it, you lose the missionary impulse and you become insular. I think we’ve all seen places where this has happened.

I would like to know more about what American dollars are doing for Orthodoxy.

It’s keeping the Patriarchate of Constaninople afloat.

Also take a look at the OCMC (http://ocmc.org/). They are doing good and critical work.

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Overall I think American Orthodoxy can contribute a few important things to the wider world of the church.

- A church with evangelism and outreach at it’s heart. I’m not talking about a style of worship, I’m just talking about the willingness to spread the word with the same dedication and tenacity that the first Christians did.

- For better or worse, America is the most powerful country in the world. I think as small as we are we can serve as an important witness in this country to the continued survival of the church of the apostles. We can also make aware the concerns of Christian minority groups outside of America who normally don’t get a lot of attention.

- Hopefully a complete English translation of sacred scripture as accepted by the church.