Having faith is a new thing for me. I'm still trying to figure it out. I feel the need to define it, to try to understand it and thus make the most out of it. I need to answer some questions to feel like I've systematically explored all aspects of this issue. Does that seem wrong? Shouldn't faith just BE, without the need for exploration? Does that insult God? Does it insult other people of faith? Perhaps it's just my nature... I always approach problems in a systematic way in order to solve them efficiently. The problem isn't having faith, but how my life is changing/will change because of it.

Here are the questions I've come up with that I think I need to answer:

1. Why have faith now?
2. What does God mean to me?
3. Why Christianity?
4. Why Byzantine Catholicism?
5. Why do I feel anxiety?
6. What is the plan to explore my faith?
7. How do I utilize faith to improve my life and the lives of others?

I started a blog to explore my new-found faith, if any of you are interested in reading and commenting. Your input is greatly appreciated!

I've been attending my boyfriend's church with him on Sundays: St. Stephen's Byzantine Catholic Church

I've been reading these books: Holy Bible, Study Bible, The Eastern Catholic Churches: An Introduction to Their Worship and Spirituality,The Byzantine Rite: A Short History, 101 Questions and Answers on Eastern Catholic Churches, Prayer of the Heart: The Contemplative Tradition of the Christian East

This forum, of course, has been immensely informative! You are all so kind and helpful.

Anything to add? Anything I missed? Am I going about this all wrong?

Christ is Risen!!

1. If not now, when?
2. This is the question Jesus posed to St. Peter: "Who do you say that I am?" I pose another to others and to myself when I ponder this one: "What do I mean to you?" Not your boyfriend; not your parents; not your neighbor or roommate--but YOU, deep in there where you live and where you can hide all kinds of stuff but that the Good Lord can see.

Step back and start with the idea that this is a journey. Go to the thread entitled "Torn between East and West." None of this faith journey is solved in a short time. It begins now and continues throughout eternity. It is never finished; it is never finalized; it is never "solved." Too many try to "solve" it by neat answers to questions. That doesn't work.

A faith journey is a love affair. And if you're solving your love affairs with a set of questions that you want neat answers to it won't last or thrive. Prepare for the Lord to surprise you and let Him. Take it slowly. Don't overload on the list of books you've listed. Some people become overwhelmed and give up the effort when it seems to be too big a burden. The biggest revelation that I ever had was that it wasn't necessary for me to know everything--that's what God gives us other people for and to keep us humble.

Faith is not a "problem" BTW. Faith is a gift from God that you have to be ready for at a given time and that you must ask for at the time you are ready. All of this is part of God working with you and in your life.

And be careful of internet blogs. Often the most spiritually damaging material comes from them. Unfortunately the wired generation takes everything on the internet uncritically as if it were gospel. It isn't. That's why you need to form a relationship with your boyfriend's priest now so you don't get off track.

Bob

Thanks for your thoughts, Theophan.

I don't mean to say "problem" like unemployment is problem, rather a "problem" like the Riemann hypothesis is a problem.

The blog that I started is mostly for me to sort out my thoughts. I like the online venue because of the interaction it offers, the chance to connect with others of similar belief. I wish to form a real-life relationship with others of faith, but it's a tough transition for me, as I've always been a solitary practitioner (Buddhism).

I understand that it's easy to become overwhelmed, but what I mean to convey is that I am EXCITED! Studying faith is actually a beautiful and timely compliment to what I am studying at school.

Word on the street is that my boyfriend's parish will soon be getting a new priest, so I am hesitant to form an attachment to him just yet. What's the protocol for such a situation?

Don't hestitate. Start with the man who is there today. Change when it's necessary. The transfer might not happen and you waste valuable time and opportunity in the meantime.

Bob

Soozey,

Just a couple comments. While I've never been to St Stephen's, Father James posts here occasionally (most recently when he was seeking some advice and comments on his new parish webpage - which I just looked at - and see he has done a terrific job with it). Although I've never met him personally, I am a definite admirer of the effort he has clearly placed into pastoring St Stephen's and St Mary's patishes.

As to your reading selection - some excellent choices! '101 Q&A' is by Deacon Ed Faulk, a member and Admin here and a good friend - it's an excellent intro to the Eastern Churches.

Mitred Archimandrite Robert Taft, SJ, is one of the foremost scholars of the Eastern Churches, Catholic and Orthodox, renowned internationally. Father George Maloney, of blessed memory, a Jesuit who translated to Orthodoxy late in life, was highly regarded in both Catholic and Orthodox circles. Sister Joan Roccasalvo, is likewise a highly regarded student of the East.

Many years,

Neil

Thanks, Bob! I'm planning to give him a call soon.

Hi Neil,

Interestingly, Father James mentioned something to me about this at church today! I was surprised and extremely honoured that he took the time to make me feel so welcome. He was very kind. That sealed the deal for me. I don't care if I have to drive 30 minutes to get to St. Stephen's... It's my "Galilee," as Father described last week.

Thank you for your kindness!

-Soozey

Christ is risen!

Trying to describe faith is like trying to describe God. In spite of this impossibility, let me say a few words about faith.

Being a believer in God and a disciple of Christ is having the peace of mind and soul, even when things don't go your way. A Christian can be content while being poor. He can be satisfied even without glory. He thinks of the Creator when walking outside, feeling the sunshine and breeze and seeing green grass and trees. His family is a gift from God, even if they have warts on their noses. A meal is appreciated, even if its hamburger helper. And the thought of death is overcome by the belief that there is life after death. Suffering is not a reason to be angry, but an occasion to review life's blessings and to offer up suffering in reparation for offenses against our Loving God.

I don't know how non-believers can cope with life without faith.

Soozey:

My own first memory of my faith journey was a sermone preached when I was about 5 years old. The priest said that "faith is a gift, a gift you must ask for, and continue to ask for." May I suggest you do what I did for the next year or so. "Lord, give me faith" was my short prayer day in and day out. Finally it seemed to "kick in." It's been a really interesting ride ever since.

Bob

Naturally, I am very partial to the description of faith as found in the preface to Luther's commentary on Romans:

Faith is not that human illusion and dream that some people think it is. When they hear and talk a lot about faith and yet see that no moral improvement and no good works result from it, they fall into error and say, "Faith is not enough. You must do works if you want to be virtuous and get to heaven." The result is that, when they hear the Gospel, they stumble and make for themselves with their own powers a concept in their hearts which says, "I believe." This concept they hold to be true faith. But since it is a human fabrication and thought and not an experience of the heart, it accomplishes nothing, and there follows no improvement.

Faith is a work of God in us, which changes us and brings us to birth anew from God (cf. John 1). It kills the old Adam, makes us completely different people in heart, mind, senses, and all our powers, and brings the Holy Spirit with it. What a living, creative, active powerful thing is faith! It is impossible that faith ever stop doing good. Faith doesn't ask whether good works are to be done, but, before it is asked, it has done them. It is always active. Whoever doesn't do such works is without faith; he gropes and searches about him for faith and good works but doesn't know what faith or good works are. Even so, he chatters on with a great many words about faith and good works.

Faith is a living, unshakeable confidence in God's grace; it is so certain, that someone would die a thousand times for it. This kind of trust in and knowledge of God's grace makes a person joyful, confident, and happy with regard to God and all creatures. This is what the Holy Spirit does by faith. Through faith, a person will do good to everyone without coercion, willingly and happily; he will serve everyone, suffer everything for the love and praise of God, who has shown him such grace. It is as impossible to separate works from faith as burning and shining from fire.

It is worth noting that hearing these paragraphs read at the London meetinghouse on Aldersgate street was the cause of Anglican Fr. John Wesley's experience of feeling his "heart strangely warmed"--the genesis of the Methodist movement. (May 24, 1738)

Also noteworthy that this evening meeting occurred on the eve of Holy Pentecost.

The liturgical date and the Luther quote are seldom mentioned in contemporary Methodism.

I don't think anyone can argue with the essence of your quote from Luther. The only 'clarifications' I would make are the following (and please correct me if I am wrong on the Byzantine understanding [Apotheon or Stuart], or the Latin, or the Protestant):

I think Catholics/Orthodox would contend that 'you must do good works' because acts of Love *charity* and Faith are inseparable.

This seems like how Grace (as the Latin's say) or the 'Divine Energy energizing us' is defined, does it not?Can't find a thing missing here! Luther states that Catholic and Orthodox teaching precisely!

This is the definition of Hope, is it not?

Amen!

Aye--and that is why it is essential to read through to the end of the quote for this very important line:



Luther is frequently misunderstood as being opposed to good works--nothing could be farther from the truth. He was opposed to anything--even belief itself--being used to earn God's grace. For Luther, good works are the sign of a living and active faith, the necessary response of a soul thankful for the unmerited grace received.

Welcome Soozey!

As a convert from Southern Baptist, my life in Christ became so 3D everything I had learned only gained/increased in knowledge and understanding. Love, graces, and God's mercy were multiplied in such amazing ways. Jesus, speaking to the Jews, said I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill/add to, what you have learned. My point here is you work in the. ER, your are studying to be a paramedic, it is clear you love people and adventure

So does Jesus! In the walk with Jesus, it becomes an ever increasingly amazing
adventure. Love increases by grace and mercy, some totally gifts from God, that never cease to be granted to us if we are willing to receive them.

The Lord says numerous times:

Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do
not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7


For he is our God, And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day, oh that ye would hear his voice, harden not your heart Ps. 95:7-8

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not not harden your hearts Hebrews 3:7-8

The Lord has a great adventure in store for you, so don't be afraid.

Take time to read and meditate on John's Gospel. It is God's love letter to us!