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LISTENING TO EASTERN CHRISTIANITY THROUGH THE 'MELODY OF FAITH'
posted by Dylan Pahman
Acton Institute
http://blog.acton.org/archives/24552-listening-to-eastern-christianity-through-the-melody-of-faith.html
July 15 2011
Armenian Orthodox theologian Vigen Guroian's The Melody of Faith
(2010) seeks to provide an introduction to the basic dogmas of Eastern
Christianity, harmonizing various Eastern Christian traditions (and
making significant mention of a few Western ones) through continual
reference to their writings, to their icons, and especially to
their hymnody. The book, however, makes no claim to "constitute a
systematic account of the Christian faith in the Germanic style of
rational academic theology" (xi). Instead, Guroian muses,
It may be that theology is nearer in origin and character to music than
to architecture, despite modern assumptions to the contrary.... In
primitive culture, music is inherently religious, expressing basic
beliefs about beginnings and endings as it is employed in worship
of deity. Music originates at the well-spring of human emotions and
expresses an experience of the numinous. (xii)
Ironically, as an American of German descent I cannot help but point
out that the category of the "numinous" was first articulated by the
German theologian and scholar Rudolf Otto. It may be that Guroian is so
naturally ecumenical he has even unintentionally found something true
and beautiful in that "Germanic style" he seeks to avoid. And, I must
admit, his insight and approach are both imaginative and refreshing.
Indeed, despite the fact that four of the six chapters are revisions
of articles previously appearing in scholarly publications, The Melody
of Faith reads with a natural fluidity, at times more reminiscent
of a devotional memoir than an introduction to theology. Yet, it
maintains a clear focus, each chapter addressing a specific theme,
moving from creation in the first chapter, to eschatology in the
next, to salvation, to Mariology, to the Crucifixion, and finally
to the Resurrection. The resulting whole is a sacramentally- and
synergistically-oriented symphony of vibrant Christian faith and
living tradition.
This sacramental and synergistic emphasis addresses several of
the Acton Institute's core principles, especially human dignity,
human freedom, and human sin. With regards to sin, Guroian writes,
"Sinning is an offense to God, but the state of sin is an illness that
morally weakens the patient" (55). Consistent with traditional, Eastern
Christianity, he emphasizes that sin is more than legal offense,
humanity's problem more than juridical guilt, but rather spiritual
and physical sickness or corruption which leads to death. The cure
is "divine therapy" or healing. According to Guroian, "Christ is the
surgeon who removes the sting of death (1 Cor. 15:15) with the sharp
instrument of the cross. And his body and blood are the medicine
of our immortality" (55). Christ is the physician who operates;
we are the patients who must willingly take our medicine, which we
find primarily in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Indeed, "God has
created [humankind] in his own image as a personal and free being"
(16). Just as Christ was not conceived and all humanity was not saved
apart from the consent of the Virgin Mary, we as individuals are not
healed and deified by his gracious presence apart from our active
participation either. Anything less would denigrate our dignity as
bearers of the imago Dei.
The Melody of Faith does not seek to be comprehensive, but its success
lies in its accessibility and ecumenical sensitivity. To the outsider
looking in, Eastern liturgy and theology can appear confusing, even
dissonant, but to many such concerns The Melody of Faith provides a
fitting and elegant resolve.
posted by Dylan Pahman
Acton Institute
http://blog.acton.org/archives/24552-listening-to-eastern-christianity-through-the-melody-of-faith.html
July 15 2011
Armenian Orthodox theologian Vigen Guroian's The Melody of Faith
(2010) seeks to provide an introduction to the basic dogmas of Eastern
Christianity, harmonizing various Eastern Christian traditions (and
making significant mention of a few Western ones) through continual
reference to their writings, to their icons, and especially to
their hymnody. The book, however, makes no claim to "constitute a
systematic account of the Christian faith in the Germanic style of
rational academic theology" (xi). Instead, Guroian muses,
It may be that theology is nearer in origin and character to music than
to architecture, despite modern assumptions to the contrary.... In
primitive culture, music is inherently religious, expressing basic
beliefs about beginnings and endings as it is employed in worship
of deity. Music originates at the well-spring of human emotions and
expresses an experience of the numinous. (xii)
Ironically, as an American of German descent I cannot help but point
out that the category of the "numinous" was first articulated by the
German theologian and scholar Rudolf Otto. It may be that Guroian is so
naturally ecumenical he has even unintentionally found something true
and beautiful in that "Germanic style" he seeks to avoid. And, I must
admit, his insight and approach are both imaginative and refreshing.
Indeed, despite the fact that four of the six chapters are revisions
of articles previously appearing in scholarly publications, The Melody
of Faith reads with a natural fluidity, at times more reminiscent
of a devotional memoir than an introduction to theology. Yet, it
maintains a clear focus, each chapter addressing a specific theme,
moving from creation in the first chapter, to eschatology in the
next, to salvation, to Mariology, to the Crucifixion, and finally
to the Resurrection. The resulting whole is a sacramentally- and
synergistically-oriented symphony of vibrant Christian faith and
living tradition.
This sacramental and synergistic emphasis addresses several of
the Acton Institute's core principles, especially human dignity,
human freedom, and human sin. With regards to sin, Guroian writes,
"Sinning is an offense to God, but the state of sin is an illness that
morally weakens the patient" (55). Consistent with traditional, Eastern
Christianity, he emphasizes that sin is more than legal offense,
humanity's problem more than juridical guilt, but rather spiritual
and physical sickness or corruption which leads to death. The cure
is "divine therapy" or healing. According to Guroian, "Christ is the
surgeon who removes the sting of death (1 Cor. 15:15) with the sharp
instrument of the cross. And his body and blood are the medicine
of our immortality" (55). Christ is the physician who operates;
we are the patients who must willingly take our medicine, which we
find primarily in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Indeed, "God has
created [humankind] in his own image as a personal and free being"
(16). Just as Christ was not conceived and all humanity was not saved
apart from the consent of the Virgin Mary, we as individuals are not
healed and deified by his gracious presence apart from our active
participation either. Anything less would denigrate our dignity as
bearers of the imago Dei.
The Melody of Faith does not seek to be comprehensive, but its success
lies in its accessibility and ecumenical sensitivity. To the outsider
looking in, Eastern liturgy and theology can appear confusing, even
dissonant, but to many such concerns The Melody of Faith provides a
fitting and elegant resolve.