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Tag Archives: alternative orthodoxy

The Seven Themes

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

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