Academic theology is, in many
respects, very different to pastoral theology, to the theology taught and
believed within the Orthodox Church. The first is a discipline, which searches
for facts, the latter basis its beliefs on faith. In a previous post I had
argued how dogmatic theology is polemic[1],
which is the case of academic theology too, especially when describing the
relations between Orthodoxy and the other churches or religions. Archimandrite Sophrony
Sakharov gives his views on this issue, stating that:
‘Academic theology is not enough
for salvation. Read especially the ascetic Fathers. From them you will learn
true theology, the right attitude of the mind and heart where God is concerned.
Pure prayer is not given to those who study a lot. In that sense, the path of
academic theology is hardly effective, and can rarely lead to pure prayer. . .
God can touch the spirit of man
and give him, directly and immediately, knowledge of Himself. There is a great
difference between this knowledge and that which is acquired in theological
schools. It can be very dangerous to do theology without having an existential
experience of life in the spirit of Christ. One risks, in fact, turning the
study of theology, especially in its apophatic forms, into a subject like
philosophy or poetry. One risks adopting a false attitude, thinking oneself
superior, and that is enough for perdition. In our life in Christ, it is
another kind of inspiration that we must seek.
Theological science, which is
taught in academic institutions and has become an intellectual specialisation
open to all, does not give knowledge of God. Knowledge of God comes from life
in God, which is born in the deepest place of the heart. One can be a great
scholar, with academic qualifications, and yet remain completely ignorant about
the path of salvation.’[2]
[2]
Sakharov, Archimandrite Sophrony, Words
of Life, (Essex, Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist, 2010), pp.
40-42.
No comments:
Post a Comment