Does Evil Exist? What is "Evil?"

What is Evil? Why does Christ command us to pray, "Deliver us from the Evil-One," and not "from evil?"

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• empathy
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[TheCoemgenus]

@allsaintsmonastery Indeed, Augustine's heretical speculation has led to much lament. However, while I am not attempting to be his apologist, unlike Arius, Augustine (regrettably) was never met with resistance for his teachings. Being ignorant of the Eastern Fathers, his errors can't be compared with Arianism et alia. Had he shown signs of obstinance, I would be less charitable. Thus, I find Fr. Seraphim Rose's position more in line with Orthodoxy than Fr. Romanides.

[allsaintsmonastery]

@TheCoemgenus Augustine's heresies have been especially destructive. Such doctrines as double predestination, original sin (i.e., genetic guilt), marriage as a venial sin, purgatory, created grace, species of grace, analogia entis, etc. have all been condemned by the Orthodox Christian Church.

[TheCoemgenus]

@allsaintsmonastery: I truly enjoy your channel, Your Grace, but I would ask that you clarify your issue with Augustine's sanctity. There are many saints (viz. some Irish saints) that lacked documentation or veneration in the East, but nonetheless, were declared saints and venerated in the West long before the Schism. Are we to disregard or look suspiciously at these saints as well because they weren't Eastern in origin or recognized in Eastern Churches?

[cedonullidude]

Why do you have your eyes shut for so long while you are talking?

[AelfredCyning]

@allsaintsmonastery Thanks for the clarification. One more question: if certain teachings that essentially originated with him have been condemned as heresy (have they?), does that not automatically make him a heretic? How could he then be "blessed"? Or is heresy in Orthodoxy not quite as harsh as it is in Rome?

[allsaintsmonastery]

@AelfredCyning Augustine has never been considered a Saint in the Orthodox Catholic world. The idea that he was a saint was introduce by ecumenists only in the latter part of the 20th century. Prior to that, no-where in the East was he considered a Saint. There had never been a feastday for him, nor a troparion of kondakion for him. At the best, some referred to his as "blessed," but he has never been considered a Church father or Saint.

[allsaintsmonastery]

@djs259 Augustine's heretical teachings are at the root of the Great Schism. It not just that he introduced Gnostic and pagan ideas into Western Chritstianty, but reshaped theology into a neo-Platonism. Some of his doctrines are at the base of neuroses which have haunted the Western religius mind for centuries. Overcoming the influence of Augustine will be the key to re-unification of Christianity.

[AelfredCyning]

@allsaintsmonastery But yet, is Augustine not considered a saint by the Eastern Church? I find the idea that even saints can teach heresies very interesting.

[leihkedda]

Your eminence, thank you for this explanation of evil as being lack of empathy. Yes, as human beings, we have a choice to sink into evil or elavate ourselves. The simplicity with which you explain such matters is truly inspired and inspiring.You have been my 'father' since I became a Christian. I haven't found any orthodox father to teach me and guide me yet. I tried in my small city but no one got back to me and so allow me to thank you for all your help. God bless you.

[allsaintsmonastery]

@djs259 We all make mistakes, and Western Christianity is still paying a price for Augustine's. There is no stretch by which you could call such gross heresies as Original Sin, double predestination, purgatory, Limbo, the filioque, created grace and the "total depravity of mankind" mere "mistakes." Moreover,Augustine's christology and trinitarian writings often diametrically oppose the teachings of the holy Fathers. No writer in ancient times ever diverged so greatly from the holy fathers.