Orthodox Christian priests delve into the origins of death, the devil's rebellion, angelic beings hierarchy, almsgiving significance, and the symbolism of garments of skin in the story of Adam and Eve, exploring themes of spiritual death and the human journey post-expulsion from paradise.
Humanity's expulsion from paradise serves as a protective measure against eternal damnation and immortality turned wicked.
St. John of Damascus' distinction between physical and spiritual death reveals the consequences of sin and separation from God.
The soul, a gift from God, forms the vital connection between life and the body, emphasizing separation from God's presence.
A profound metaphor depicts God as the life force of the soul and the soul as the life force of the body, showcasing spiritual death through separation from God.
Death, viewed as a gift by the Orthodox Church, offers opportunities for repentance, self-mastery, and purification, leading to hope and transformation.
Deep dives
The Expulsion from Paradise
Humanity is expelled from paradise as it becomes dangerous for them to remain due to their newfound knowledge of evil, which makes their continued presence in the presence of God hazardous, necessitating exile to prevent them from persisting in evil forever.
Death as Exile
Death is portrayed as expulsion from immortality by removing access to the tree of life, causing mortality. Humanity's expulsion from paradise is a preventive measure to ensure they do not experience eternal damnation and suffer the fate of immortals turned wicked.
Separation of Soul from God
St. John of Damascus' distinction between physical death (soul leaving the body) and spiritual death (soul separated from God) reveals a broader theological truth about the consequence of sin, stressing the separation and loss of closeness to God.
Connection of God to Life
The soul, the life force given by God, connects life to the body. This divine connection establishes the essential nature of life and the presence of God within humanity, illustrating the profound impact of being separated from God.
Metaphor for Sin and Death
A graphic metaphor is presented where God is the life force of the soul and the soul is the life force of the body. The separation from God results in spiritual death, displaying the intricate connection between the divine, the soul, and the physical body.
Death as a Gift and a Tool
Death is often viewed as a punishment in cultural theology, but the Orthodox Church sees it as a gift. It offers mutability, a tool for repentance and self-mastery, and a means to be purified. The understanding that mortality makes repentance possible is seen as profoundly hopeful.
Aiming Towards Christ
The ultimate goal is to aim towards Christ, not earthly pursuits. Placing all desire in Christ allows other pursuits to fall into place. The focus on Christ and the journey towards theosis brings light to the world.
Unique Purpose in Christ
While other philosophies and religions offer insights into human behavior and success in this world, they cannot move humans toward their destiny in Christ or reveal God's love and peace. Only in Christ can humanity reach its full potential and become fully human.
Aim High, Beyond Earthly Pursuits
Setting sights beyond daily temptations and towards encountering and becoming more like Christ is essential. Emphasizing the true goal of humanity in Christ and setting higher aspirations than mere survival leads to true fulfillment and purpose.
In Genesis, we see that the fall of humanity consists of three problems that Christ comes to to solve – death, sin, and slavery to demons. In the first of this three-part series, Fr. Stephen De Young and Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick examine the first of these three human afflictions to arise – death – and how God deals with it.
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