What the Bible Says About

Worshiping With Non-Orthodox

Used with Permission of DYNAMIS!*

 
Scriptural Reference: 1 Cor. 10:12-22

16. Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

17. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

18. Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. 

19. I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. 

20. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

21. Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

22. Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 

23. What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 

24. No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 

25. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 

26. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Commentary

Earlier in First Corinthians, in a discussion of the issues related to eating meat sacrificed to idols (1 Cor. 8:8-9:2), St. Paul warned about behavior that sends wrong messages to fellow-Christians or even to those outside the Church. Now, again, in today’s reading, the Apostle focuses on a similar danger: participating in pagan ceremonies and festivities. While it would appear that we do not live in a culture where the overt worship of idols seems to compete with Christian Faith, his teaching definitely remains pertinent. 

The truth about our situation is that, like our forefathers of the first century, we live in a highly pluralistic religious and spiritual environment. Like our predecessors in faith, we face choices and opportunities in which St. Paul’s admonition definitely applies, “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (verse 12). Unquestionably God remains just as faithful as ever and “will not allow [us] to be tempted beyond what [we] are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that [we] may be able to bear it” (verse 13). But let us not be deluded into thinking we are “stronger than He” (verse 22) nor that we are not subject to dangerous spiritual error. 

Yes, for the Orthodox believer today, blatant pagan practices and ceremonies are not the great danger. Threats to our spiritual life come much more frequently from those who are officially known as “schismatics and heretics.” These are designations officially applicable to Catholics and Protestants, to a few so-called “non-canonical” Orthodox, and to some well-known militant sects. In the United States, cultural bias runs strongly against any expression of “intolerance” or “separatism,” and so we are constantly being invited to participate in the functions held by those of other beliefs. The canons of the Church, to protect us against error, especially subtle errors that we may not recognize, forbid us to “frequent the meetings of heretics and schismatics.” 

What does this mean? If a neighbor’s or a colleague’s daughter is getting married, what is wrong with our attending that service in their church? Probably nothing. In fact, not attending might well violate the commandment to love all men. However, if an acquaintance invites us to attend a Bible study at his church, a group that undoubtedly will meet on a regular basis, then we are most apt to be “frequenting” meetings where error will eventually be presented. The same would be true of evangelistic crusades, inquirers’ classes and obvious “outreach” presentations, despite their being one-time events. Problems for the Orthodox Christian who participates in other “Christian” teaching events can occur subliminally. For example, one may unconsciously accept the unspoken assumptions on which a non-Orthodox teacher bases his teaching. A given presentation may sound right, but carry with it serious flaws, heresy that one assimilates without realizing what is happening. Later these errors may trigger questions about the Orthodox Faith and practice and even lead to rebellion or painful spiritual struggles. The demons have their ways. 

There are other avenues by which the present pluralistic culture assaults Orthodox Christians. Consider all the literature, television programs, and educational experiences one encounters so freely available in the present “information age.” So much of it is laced with the poisons of secularism, humanism, hedonism, and teachings spiritually foreign to Orthodoxy. Each of us needs to consider the time we invest in growing in the true Faith versus the time we allow ourselves to be immersed in this substantially non-Christian material so hostile to true Light. 

Prayer: O Lord, cleanse my soul. Sanctify my mind. Enlighten my five senses. Establish me wholly in fear of Thee. Ever cover and guard me from every word and deed that mars the soul.

* Used with permission of DYNAMIS!, a publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS. DYNAMIS! is an Orthodox Christian ministry providing meditations on the daily Bible readings of the Holy Orthodox Church's Lectionary. It is published by the Education Committee of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral. Its purpose is to encourage the faithful in daily reading and reflection on the Holy Scriptures, and in spreading the illumination and joy of daily Orthodox Bible reading. This service is offered free of charge via e-mail subscription.