Tag Archives: alternative orthodoxy
Alternative Orthodoxy: Weekly Summary
Alternative Orthodoxy Sunday, February 2–Friday, February 7, 2020 Franciscan alternative orthodoxy has never bothered fighting popes, bishops, Scriptures, or dogmas. It just quietly but firmly pays attention to different things—like simplicity, humility, non-violence, contemplation, solitude and silence, earth care, nature and other creatures, and the “least of the brothers and sisters.” (Sunday) As part of our emphasis on orthopraxy over… Continue Reading Alternative Orthodoxy: Weekly Summary
Mysticism and Eco-Spirituality
Alternative Orthodoxy Mysticism and Eco-Spirituality Friday, February 7, 2020 When the bow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature—every mortal being that is on the earth. —Genesis 9:16 Franciscan alternative orthodoxy emphasized mysticism over morality. Moralism is the task of low-level religion, concerned with creating an… Continue Reading Mysticism and Eco-Spirituality
The Universal Christ
Alternative Orthodoxy The Universal Christ Thursday, February 6, 2020 Grace had already been granted to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, and now it has been revealed to us in the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. —2 Timothy 1:9-10 It seems we only give attention to that which we are told to give attention. The Franciscan alternative orthodoxy has… Continue Reading The Universal Christ
At-one-ment, Not Atonement
Alternative Orthodoxy At-one-ment, Not Atonement Wednesday, February 5, 2020 The Franciscan view of atonement theory is a prime example of our alternative orthodoxy. The Franciscan School was dissatisfied with the popular theological idea that Jesus came to Earth as a necessary sacrifice to appease an angry God. As human consciousness advances, more and more people cannot believe that God would demand Jesus’ blood as payment for our sins. It seems to be inevitable that our old… Continue Reading At-one-ment, Not Atonement
A Minority Position
Alternative Orthodoxy A Minority Position Tuesday, February 4, 2020 The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better. Oppositional energy only creates more of the same. One of the Center for Action & Contemplation’s Eight Core Principles [1] Throughout history, the Franciscan School has typically been a minority position inside of the Roman Catholic… Continue Reading A Minority Position
Dancing Standing Still
Alternative Orthodoxy Dancing Standing Still Monday, February 3, 2020 The Franciscans found a way to be both very traditional and very revolutionary at the same time. By emphasizing practice over theory, or orthopraxy over orthodoxy, the Franciscan tradition taught that love and action are more important than intellect or speculative truth. Love is the highest category for… Continue Reading Dancing Standing Still
Simply Living the Gospel
Alternative Orthodoxy Simply Living the Gospel Sunday, February 2, 2020 The Rule and the life of the Friars Minor is to simply live the Gospel. —St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) [1] One of the things I most appreciate about my Franciscan heritage is its alternative orthodoxy. The Franciscan tradition has applied this phrase to itself and its emphasis on “orthopraxy”; we believe that lifestyle and practice are much more important than mere verbal orthodoxy. While orthodoxy is about correct… Continue Reading Simply Living the Gospel
At Home in the World
Alternative Orthodoxy At Home in the World Friday, June 2, 2017 Franciscan alternative orthodoxy emphasized the cosmos instead of churchiness. For the first few centuries, Franciscans’ work was not about the building of churches and the running of services in the churches. We were not intended to be parish priests. Francis himself refused priesthood, and… Continue Reading At Home in the World
Incarnation instead of Atonement
Alternative Orthodoxy Incarnation instead of Atonement Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Franciscan alternative orthodoxy emphasizes incarnation instead of redemption. For the Franciscans, Christmas is more significant than Easter. Christmas is already Easter! Since God became a human being, then it’s good to be human, and we’re already “saved.” Franciscans never believed in the sacrificial atonement theory… Continue Reading Incarnation instead of Atonement