As Greek
Orthodox Christians, one thing we are severely lacking in America is the study
of the Holy Scriptures. Many of us have grown up thinking, “Bible study is for
Protestants,” but nothing can be further from the truth. In the 8th
Century Saint John of Damascus wrote, “For like a tree which is planted near
the running waters, so does the souls watered by sacred Scripture also grow fat
and bear fruit in due season, which is the Orthodox Faith.”
So let us knock at the very
beautiful paradise of the Scriptures, the fragrant, most sweet and lovely
paradise which fills our ears with the varied songs of inspired spiritual
birds, which touches our heart, comforting it when grieving, calming it when
angry, and filling it with everlasting joy, and which lifts our mind onto the
back of the sacred dove, gleaming with gold and most brilliant, who bears us
with his most bright wings to the only-begotten Son and heir of the Husbandman
of the spiritual vineyard and through Him on to the Father of lights. Let us
not knock casually, but with eagerness and persistence, and let us not lose
heart while knocking, for so it will be opened to us. Should we read once and
then a second time and still not understand what we are reading, let us not be
discouraged. Rather, let us persist, let us meditate and inquire, for it is
written, “Ask thy father, and he will declare to you; thy elders and they will
tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32.7) For not all have knowledge. From the fountain of
paradise let us draw ever flowing and most pure waters springing up into life
everlasting. Let us revel in them, let us revel greedily in them to satiety,
for they contain the grace which cannot be exhausted. (Orthodox Faith, Book 4, Chapter 17)
The
reading of the Holy Scriptures should be both an inspiration for our daily
struggles and a roadmap to encounter God and understanding His Gospel, His
Saving Plan, for us. But in a world of more than 25,000 denominations of
Christianity, there exists a plethora of interpretations of the same Holy
Scriptures. If you think all Christians think the same thing about God, just
ask one!
This is
why St John invoked the Jewish Law when he said, “For not all have knowledge.” Since
the reading of Holy Scripture is supposed to lead us to God, Saint John knew
how dangerous it would be if the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures was left
to free thinkers rather than the Holy Tradition of the One Holy Catholic and
Apostolic Church. Put in a contemporary context, there is One Gospel; how can
there be 25,000 different answers to understanding God’s single message?
Putting is simply; it’s impossible.
This is
not a new challenge for the Church. When St Philip questioned the Ethiopian Eunuch
if he understood the Holy Scriptures, the Eunuch said, “How can I, unless someone
guides me.” (Acts 8.31) Since ancient times, it was understood that we were not
free to interpret the Holy Scriptures, since they were created from within the
Church, and they should be interpreted from within the Church.
So this
is why, especially in America where our Holy Orthodox Faith is not taught in
schools, the Church offers Bible study programs. The programs are not so we
Orthodox look more appealing to Protestants, but so that we Orthodox can
properly understand the Truth about God and His Holy Gospel as, “once and for
all delivered to the Saints.” (Jude 1.3)
Bible
study meets each week on Wednesdays at 7pm and Thursdays at 10am. Consider the
importance of properly understanding God’s plan for your eternal future and “set
time aside” for proper Orthodox Bible study. Your soul “will grow fat and bear
fruit in due season,” but only if it is planted deeply in Holy Scripture.
