Topics of Discussion with the Heterodox

[jas3]

Following on to this thread:

"I will not speak of Thy mysteries to Thine enemies"

My priest didn't elaborate on this during my catechumenate, so I'll confess that this particular line of the pre-Communion prayer remains a little tricky for me. I understood it to mean that we don't discuss the Eucharist with non-Orthodox, but I wonder if I'm understanding that correctly and/or...

www.christianforums.com

I've wondered about the meaning of that line in the pre-communion prayer as well. I've been reading St. Cyril of Jerusalem's Catechetical Homilies and have noticed that things like the meaning of Baptism and the Eucharist were treated with secrecy; not even candidates for baptism had these things explained to them before being baptized, and they were told not to ask church members about them, nor to pass on the homilies they received during Lent to the catechumens who weren't candidates. Clearly, though, the situation has changed significantly from the fourth century, and it's not hard to find Orthodox people, including clergy, having detailed debates and discussions about these topics with non-Orthodox people online, or publishing websites and books for a general audience to read.

If the "I will not speak to Thine enemies" line refers to discussions with those hostile to the Orthodox faith, what sorts of discussions should be avoided?

 

[zippy2006]

If the "I will not speak to Thy enemies" line refers to discussions with those hostile to the Orthodox faith, what sorts of discussions should be avoided?

And additionally, it may be worth asking about the rationale behind that line in the pre-communion prayer.

 

[prodromos]

It would be along the lines of casting pearls before swine.

 

[ArmyMatt]

If the "I will not speak to Thine enemies" line refers to discussions with those hostile to the Orthodox faith, what sorts of discussions should be avoided?

depends on where their hostility is.

 

[Lukaris]

I believe if a layperson knows their Orthodox faith and keeps the Lord’s commandments in awareness, it is possible to know where to agree, maintain respectful silence, and disagree when necessary with other Christians.

I find a letter in the early 20th century from St. Raphael ( Hawaweeny) as helpful in this:

Bishop Raphael Hawaweeny on the Anglicans and Orthodox Baptism

I also find examples of general, good Christian faith useful as guidance like Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. Another example is an analysis of the deception found in the so called “Gospel of Thomas” by Protestant theologians Robert M Grant and Noel Freedman ( the packaging is rather different than the content).

Amazon.com

I wanted to post more but I have bad reception on my phone where I am.

 

[jas3]

depends on where their hostility is.

I would think in this context that the prayer implies that the enemies are hostile at least to the Mysteries, if not Orthodoxy altogether. To give a specific example, if someone is disparaging the Eucharist and promoting memorialism, should you oppose him or avoid engaging at all?

It would be along the lines of casting pearls before swine.

This is the way I decide whether it's worthwhile to engage with someone at all in theological discussions, but I was wondering if this prayer meant that there should be an additional guardrail specifically for discussions involving Sacraments.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I would think in this context that the prayer implies that the enemies are hostile at least to the Mysteries, if not Orthodoxy altogether. To give a specific example, if someone is disparaging the Eucharist and promoting memorialism, should you oppose him or avoid engaging at all?

it depends. if there is some truth seeking behind the memorialism, then I would engage. if this person is just being that way for its own sake, I would not engage.