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"Mere Christianity"Variation on a Theme by Fr Gregory
The Holy Fathers of Nicaea The great Anglican writer C.S. Lewis once wrote a book in defence of orthodox (small "o") Christianity called "Mere Christianity." Here was a man, an intellectual, an agnostic, whose conversion to Christ made a profound impact on his sceptical contemporaries. His continuing appeal to old and young alike, (remember the "Narnia" stories?) witnesses to the power of the authentic Christian gospel in all its fullness. "Mere" Christianity was, of course, a deeply ironic title. For Lewis, orthodox Christianity was simply, Christianity. In England we have a TV commercial for a well known brand of wholemeal bread which plays on northern sensibilities. This is bread, (so we are told), with "now't teken out." This was Lewis precisely and is perhaps true of many if not most converts. We want Christianity with "now't teken out." This is Orthodoxy; to use Lewis' words, "mere Christianity." We must confess, though, that this is not how many other Christians perceive Orthodoxy. If get they can get through its cultural opacity, (mercifully less opaque now in the West), the first reaction of some is "gosh ... how can you do all that?!" For a generation, (generations more like), brought up on instant this and instant that, Orthodoxy must see a very long hill to climb. Sometimes the clericalism of the West prompts some to "blame" Orthodox clergy. A Baptist relation of one of our parishioners referred to my "heavy shepherding." He was of course referring to his mother's highly committed Orthodox Christian lifestyle; too strong seemingly even for Baptist tastes! It seems beyond belief that Orthodox Christians could actually want to fast, confess their sins, worship beyond the "allotted hour," and yes, even sacrifice their lives for Christ. A sort of profound respect is engendered, but repulsion as well. The cost is just too great to contemplate. Probably the strongest impact on those encountering Orthodoxy for the first time, (after the worship), is the veneration of martyrdom. "Martyr", of course, is Greek for witness. We witness through sacrifice. This sacrifice may involve our physical death or perhaps the martrydom of the monastic calling. Equally, such sacrifice may require a self-denying witness to the gospel life in the midst of the world and its daily concerns. Whatever the form or expression of martyrdom, it is the paradigm of mere Christianity, of Orthodoxy. The litmus test of our repentance is whether we are prepared to step out in faith and give all to the Kingdom. If this seems too strong for some weak stomachs; if "now't teken out" means too much left in then we can only mourn the dissipation of much so-called Christianity in our time. The faith of our fathers and mothers, the Orthodox faith of the Church is not some dry recitation of a creed; it is a living out in the flesh of that creed in all its fulness requiring nothing less than the total surrender of our lives. That many Orthodox Christians are still prepared joyfully to do this, is probably the greatest hymn of praise to Christ that can ever be offered. Their "mere Christianity" will change the world. Their "mere Christianity" is the death-destroying resurrection life of Christ; Christianity with "now't teken out.!" |
