tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17052672.post970747309387474329..comments2024-02-05T16:38:28.448+00:00Comments on Orthodox Monk: Some Questions about Orthodox AnthropologyOrthodox Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07240761033816443587noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17052672.post-20289942146950406752012-01-24T07:13:22.310+00:002012-01-24T07:13:22.310+00:00Dear Orthodox Monk, a very clear and balanced expo...Dear Orthodox Monk, a very clear and balanced exposition.<br />The only confusion I had was wrt "What he must do is keep his vows while living as a layman." <br /><br />Can you resolve for me what seems an apparant contradiction. The radical vows of monastacism don't really seem to make much sense outside of attatchment to a monastic community ... especially wrt a vow of obedience? (Maybe if one became a hermit might makle sense but "living as a layman" doesn't usually mean that).<br /><br />I understand that one solution is to "privatise" the vows (e.g. to "God") as a layman but this seems to get us into further difficulties...<br />Can the vow of radical poverty be lived outside of a community? If one truly lived on the free gifts of others ... possibly. I think that might be more difficult alone than with the community just exited.<br />Celibacy? That is also possible, but again probably more difficult.<br />But obedience? If I am the sole judge of whether or not I am radically obedient to God in my lay state... what a relief, no difficult superiors to bring me down to earth (or even unjustly restrict me). <br /><br />A little hyperbole above, admittedly, to help communicate the conundrum. I may well be missing or misunderstanding something and would appreciate your further views.<br /><br />With thanks,<br />Blue.Blue Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08055203258203047121noreply@blogger.com