Art, Decadence, and Decline in the West: My Conversation with Fr. John Strickland

[@MexAm120902]

A really, really interesting conversation. Thank you Joseph for doing it. I've been to Rome and seen many of the artworks mentioned and at the time I felt uncomfortable with them but didn't quite put my finger on why. But now, after hearing this conversation I understand. This is the fourth of your videos that I've listened to and they've all been interesting in that they've caused me to look at the RCA in new ways and also Western culture in general. Also, you've suggested so many books that I really want to read. Thanks again for your work.

[@cozzwozzle]

Currently reading ‘The age of Utopia’ - can’t recommend Fr Strickland’s books enough. God bless.

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

Your comments on the differences in the moral lives of eastern iconographers vs western artists was very interesting!

[@orthodoxboomergrandma3561]

The Ancient of Days, that can be mistaken for a depiction of God the Father, is actually the Second Person of the Holy Trinity but looking old, and can be depicted in Orthodox iconography. Fr Peter Heers mentioned this in a recent podcast, if I recall correctly.

[@hawthorne1504]

It’s just that Jesus said that He established his church, one church, and the gates of hell will not prevail… so that’s the assurance that the his church will not be destroyed, so you have to stay with it, if you want to stay with his church.

[@adolphCat]

Who is questioning what you say here? No-one is even suggesting starting a Church in opposition to the Church founded by Christ and the Apostels!

[@TranslatedAssumption]

Jesus Christ is the church as the church is the Body of Christ. The gates of hell did not withstand Christ as it is He who conquered hell and destroyed its gates. Too many people presume to think that the church is some semblance of an earthly institution and I submit to you that they would be incorrect, it is the spirit of ecumenism that advances such notions.

[@tyh3120]

The times of the Gentiles (Rome) are over right before our eyes. This Pope is the last one. Rome will fall like Constantinople (1453), like Jerusalem (638). Who can come after the Christ, but the Antichrist ? It’s Islam. The Antichrist Calife Islamique will sit on the throne of St. Peter.

[@hawthorne1504]

Food for thought here, but must point out that the depiction of God the Father as a human father is understood to be symbolic. The RC church holds that God the Father is Spirit.

[@traceyedson9652]

But icons are meant to be substantial with symbols surrounding. In other words, icons present reality but couched in symbol. So, the reality is, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Symbol would be the type, color and decoration on the garments worn by Christ and His blessed Mother. To mistake symbol for reality is dangerous. That’s how I understand it.

[@adolphCat]

I would say the very opposite of you God the Father is reality and human fatherhood of the the State i.e. the king or the Father of a father of the family is a symbol or icon of God the Father! Yet, the Roman Catholic Church has a habit of Worshiping the Creation instead of the Creator, and so it would be natural for them to see the Father as symbolic and human fatherhood as Reality.

[@emilbrusic6032]

Praying daily Orthodox prayers, morning & evening, I can not imagine how Orthodoxy is not 'stavroscentric', or how we Orthodox are not pessimistic about our sinfulness or our incapacity to overcome sin and lust without God's grace-energy. I think this antagonism to st.Augustine is very recent and influenced by some new theologians such as Romanides.

[@emilbrusic6032]

New anthonite saint Siluan had moto - put your mind in the Hell, and don't despair. Is it optimistic or pessimistic? Or is it Orthodox view? So, don't throw baby with 'west' water.

[@mariorizkallah5383]

I think youre over thinking and over-reacting, you can read Fr Seraphim's book on Saint Augustine

[@rustybeltway2373]

"Stavro-logia is Theo-logia" -Fr Thomas Hopko

[@grahamcombs4752]

Apparently there was a "transhuman" event recently at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York ...

[@7crabwalk11]

The Latin Church is condemned itself to History. The western church is a boat. The eastern church is a lighthouse. Perhaps the Filioque explains the difference between a Lamborghini & and a Lada.

[@hawthorne1504]

Do the Orthodox believe in original sin?

[@TranslatedAssumption]

Are you referring to the augustinian belief or ancestral sin?

[@cozzwozzle]

We call it original sin but the understanding is different. We inherit the sin of Adam, but we are not born guilty, we are born innocent. As a result of the original sin of Adam, the eye of our soul became clouded and we tend towards sin. So it regards to the Mother of God, Mary, she inherited the sin of Adam like the rest of us, but she did not partake in sin like the rest of us - partly because she was raised in the temple, but mostly because she’s awesome - and remained pure enough to conceive God.

[@hawthorne1504]

@@cozzwozzle thank you for your explanation

[@alexandervb8860]

!!!