Pastoral Thought--April 26

This weekend I spent some time re-reading the work of Gregory of Nazianzus. I was first introduced to Gregory’s work as part of my M.Div studies at Pittsburgh Seminary. My theological professor often referred to Gregory and spoke glowingly about his teachings. As I read his work the first time in class I was amazed at how clearly Gregory spoke to issues and needs of the 20th century—issues that he could not have anticipated or understood.   

Gregory was sainted in both the Western and Eastern Christian Church being one of only 3 individuals in church history to be given the title “theologian” as an epithet. Gregory’s impact on the church is undeniable. He was a 4th century bishop of Constantinople, and as a theologian, he wrote a number of significant works that shaped some of the Trinitarian Theology that we cherish. The piece of his writing that I was reading related to how we recognize and understand our sin. 

In his text, Orations, Gregory wrote these words:

For we either hide away our sin, cloaking it over in the depth of our soul, like some festering and malignant disease, as if by escaping the notice of men we could escape the mighty eye of God and justice. Or else we allege excuses in our sins, by devising pleas in defense of our falls, or tightly closing our ears, like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ears, we are obstinate in refusing to hear the voice of the charmer, and be treated with the medicines of wisdom, by which spiritual sickness is healed. Or, lastly, those of us who are more daring and self-willed shamelessly brazen out our sin before those who would heal it, marching with bared heads, as the saying is, into all kinds of transgressions. . .  

While the grammar and diction of this paragraph can be challenging, the impact of them should not be lost. Gregory wrote these words, because from his position in church leadership, the church was risking a lot by “hiding away” our sins from each other—and especially from God. At no point in this work does Gregory wish that we flaunt our sin, or justify them with excuses, but instead, he poses a question. . .  

Gregory wonders what will happen to the church, and its ministry, and it members, and its leaders, when we dare confront our sin and live together. What happens when we stop saying things like, “well this is just how I am?” Or “this is just what I deal with?” Or “I am only human what do you expect?” These are excuses, and while they are true, at their core they deny the fact that in the person of Jesus we find healing from God. 

And so I leave you with the essential question from Gregory: what will happen to the church, and its ministry, when the church’s members bring their sin before God and allow God the space and emotional room to heal us? 

Blessings

Rev. Derek