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Christianity Today, May, 2008 |

CHRISTIAN VISION PROJECT

The Poverty of Love

The desert fathers and mothers would know instantly why our gospel is too small.

Bradley Nassif | posted 4/30/2008 08:33AM

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St. Anthony's Spiritual Advice

The greatest of these monks wielded enormous power in the ancient world. Because of their reputation for humility and holiness, crowds would flock to see them. Emperors, generals, politicians, as well as the poor, would travel long distances by foot or donkey just to sit at their feet. In Syria, St. Simeon preached atop a 40-foot column, in the process converting Bedouin Arab tribes to Christ. In Egypt, John the Dwarf had an entire town "hanging from his little finger because of his humility." Some monks' characters were so transfigured by the Holy Spirit that their sheer presence was enough to effect a transformation in others.

Yet whether a beginner or a seasoned monk, everyone needed advice from a spiritual elder from time to time. The custom in the desert was to ask an elder, "Abba, give me a word that I may live!" This request was for a personal word of wisdom that would open their heart like a key to a locked door.

What if I asked Anthony the Great the same question the Christian Vision Project has asked me? If I could get on a donkey and travel to the remote deserts of Egypt to ask, "Abba, give me a word that I may live. Why is our gospel so small today?" I imagine he might answer, with characteristic simplicity: "The poverty of your love."

Bradley Nassif is professor of biblical and theological studies at North Park University and host of the Internet podcast Simply Orthodox on Ancient Faith Radio (ancientfaith.com).

Related Elsewhere:

Previous Christian Vision Project themes were culture in 2006 and mission in 2007. 2008 articles include:

An Open-Handed Gospel | We have to decide whether we have a stingy or a generous God. (April 3, 2008)

The 8 Marks of a Robust Gospel | Reviving forgotten chapters in the story of redemption. (February 29, 2008)

Singing in the Chains | To be saved means more than we might think. (January 31, 2008)

The Lima Bean Gospel | The Good News is so much bigger than we make it out to be. (January 8, 2008)

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May 2008, Vol. 52, No. 5

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Pro	Posted: May 09, 2008 11:46 PM

Truly never before has the cross of each person who wants to be a true Christian been as heavy as in this time of the triumph of falsehood which we are experiencing. Never before on this earth has there been such a huge number of people who freely and easily, without any shame, without any pangs of conscience "call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20). - Archbishop Averky of Syracuse

Kon	Posted: May 09, 2008 6:50 AM

Mr Nassif says 'The desert was the front line of spiritual warfare—as in the Bible, a place of testing and death. It was where the heart was purified, the passions conquered, sin destroyed, and humanity renewed.' Funny that, I thought that happened on the cross where our Lord died. Mr Nassif, you not only do not have a small gospel, you and your church do not have a gospel at all! The only true gospel is one that saves. I also write as one who knows the Orthodox church quite well. I grew up in it, left it, returned to it as a believer, so much wanting it to be right, but then left it for good.

Agyei-Manu Elvis

Posted: May 08, 2008 1:54 PM


I just need to be respected as a christian, teach me to attain this desire. Please, consider this my request very ,very, important.

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