11.30.2005
Good Conversation Is a Good Thing
I had some nice conversations with family members over the Thanksgiving Holiday. One such conversation was with an Uncle and involved two differing topics.
The first was regarding agrarianism, without using the term. This uncle know of our family's plans to relocate and wanted to know more. He asked great questions and was very supportive of our goals. I acknowledged that it is going to be a great shock for us to make such a significant change in our lives, but that we were taking steps to prepare ourselves. This uncle, not being the type to let comments like that just slide, asked me exactly what that meant, what were we doing.
I thought about it a minute and then outlined some ideas, and practical steps that I see as preparation for our change. They may be a bit naive, but they are honestly held beliefs. I first told him that we are trying to be more deliberate in our thinking. That means for us that we try to become producers instead of consumers. Before we buy something we should ask ourselves "Is this something I can make myself?" I explained to him that while this is not the most efficient or cheap alternative, it suits our long term goals by training our children how to produce items over and over again, instead of throwing away our money. I told him that we are doing simple things, like using cloth diapers, trying to incorporate solar energy, and starting a garden. These are small steps, but I think changing your mindset has to be the first step. We want to reduce our dependence on man-made systems and increase our reliance on God and the natural things that he has provided for us.
Another interesting conversation I had with this uncle, who has recently become Orthodox, was regarding the use of icons. I tend to a pretty strict interpretation of the second commandment, so I obviously disapprove of the use of icons. It was interesting to hear his side of the conversation though, and it was done in pleasant tones (which is always nice). The way I understood him, was that he believes that there is a heavenly realm and an earthly realm (me too so far). He believes that the icons of saints are representatives of the saints that are present in heaven and are there to remind us that we are not individuals but rather a body (which I am also all about, but not the icon part). His very reasons for using icons are my very reasons for rejecting them. I believe that God forbids representations of heavenly things to be made by earthly human hands. He used the idea of Christ being an icon as a defense of the use of icons, but I thought it only bolstered my argument. Christ is not a man-made object. I know where this thinking takes me, and I'm not sure I want to go there just yet (no pictures, movies, etc). I am young and don't have any answers.
I have been loosely following a similar discussion regarding idols, icons, portraits and worship over at BaylyBlog. I am glad to see others struggling through this issue, especially during the holiday season, when so much image worship usually takes place.
So...good times over Thanksgiving, lots more to tell, but I probably won't.
I had some nice conversations with family members over the Thanksgiving Holiday. One such conversation was with an Uncle and involved two differing topics.
The first was regarding agrarianism, without using the term. This uncle know of our family's plans to relocate and wanted to know more. He asked great questions and was very supportive of our goals. I acknowledged that it is going to be a great shock for us to make such a significant change in our lives, but that we were taking steps to prepare ourselves. This uncle, not being the type to let comments like that just slide, asked me exactly what that meant, what were we doing.
I thought about it a minute and then outlined some ideas, and practical steps that I see as preparation for our change. They may be a bit naive, but they are honestly held beliefs. I first told him that we are trying to be more deliberate in our thinking. That means for us that we try to become producers instead of consumers. Before we buy something we should ask ourselves "Is this something I can make myself?" I explained to him that while this is not the most efficient or cheap alternative, it suits our long term goals by training our children how to produce items over and over again, instead of throwing away our money. I told him that we are doing simple things, like using cloth diapers, trying to incorporate solar energy, and starting a garden. These are small steps, but I think changing your mindset has to be the first step. We want to reduce our dependence on man-made systems and increase our reliance on God and the natural things that he has provided for us.
Another interesting conversation I had with this uncle, who has recently become Orthodox, was regarding the use of icons. I tend to a pretty strict interpretation of the second commandment, so I obviously disapprove of the use of icons. It was interesting to hear his side of the conversation though, and it was done in pleasant tones (which is always nice). The way I understood him, was that he believes that there is a heavenly realm and an earthly realm (me too so far). He believes that the icons of saints are representatives of the saints that are present in heaven and are there to remind us that we are not individuals but rather a body (which I am also all about, but not the icon part). His very reasons for using icons are my very reasons for rejecting them. I believe that God forbids representations of heavenly things to be made by earthly human hands. He used the idea of Christ being an icon as a defense of the use of icons, but I thought it only bolstered my argument. Christ is not a man-made object. I know where this thinking takes me, and I'm not sure I want to go there just yet (no pictures, movies, etc). I am young and don't have any answers.
I have been loosely following a similar discussion regarding idols, icons, portraits and worship over at BaylyBlog. I am glad to see others struggling through this issue, especially during the holiday season, when so much image worship usually takes place.
So...good times over Thanksgiving, lots more to tell, but I probably won't.
