On the Church: The Five Marks of Mission

As the Rector of a growing Episcopal church, I've found myself increasingly troubled by the state of Christianity in America as realized in church participation. I've witnessed firsthand the decline in church attendance and the closure of many congregations within the denomination that I grew up in. For the last 15 years in ministry, I find I am having the same conversations that range in topic from who is involved, whose job is whose as it relates to nurture of children, scarcity, various business model questions and so forth.

What is the Church?Justin YawnSeptember 11, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal Churchearly church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Intellect's Quest for God

Maximus the Confessor explains that as the intellect is established in God, it longs to discover the principles of His essence. However, God’s inmost nature is beyond our capacity to investigate. We can, however, understand the qualities of His nature: eternity, infinity, indeterminateness, goodness, wisdom, and power.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 23, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

Contemplation of Invisible Things

Maximus the Confessor teaches that when the intellect contemplates invisible things, it seeks their natural principles, the cause of their generation, and their providential order and judgment.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 21, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

Contemplation of Visible Things

When the intellect contemplates visible things, it searches for their natural principles, the spiritual principles they reflect, or their original cause, according to Maximus the Confessor.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 19, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Occupation of the Pure Intellect

Maximus the Confessor explains that the pure intellect engages with passion-free conceptual images of human affairs, natural contemplation of visible or invisible things, or the light of the Holy Trinity.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 16, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

Knowing God Through Creation

Maximus the Confessor teaches that we cannot know God’s essence directly. Instead, we know Him through the grandeur of His creation and His providential care for all creatures. These serve as mirrors reflecting His infinite goodness, wisdom, and power.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 14, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Rising Sun of Righteousness

Maximus the Confessor likens the revelation of divine truth to the rising sun. Just as the sun illuminates the world, revealing itself and everything it touches, the Sun of righteousness reveals Himself and the inner principles of all creation when He rises in the pure intellect.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 12, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Journey of the Intellect: From Commandments to Divine Knowledge

Maximus the Confessor outlines a transformative journey for the intellect, guiding it from the ensnaring passions of the world to the sublime knowledge of the Holy Trinity. This journey involves a series of progressive steps: fulfilling the commandments, engaging in spiritual contemplation of visible things, gaining knowledge of invisible things, and ultimately, achieving direct knowledge of the Holy Trinity.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 9, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The State of Dispassion

Maximus the Confessor describes the highest state of dispassion as one where the conceptual images in the heart remain free from passion, whether the body is awake or asleep. This state is achieved through fulfilling commandments, contemplating visible things, and ultimately knowing the Holy Trinity.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 7, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Clarity of Virtue and Knowledge

Maximus the Confessor teaches that those who have attained virtues and spiritual knowledge see things clearly in their true nature. Such individuals act and speak appropriately in all circumstances, never falling into delusion. How we use things—rightly or wrongly—determines our moral character.

centuries on loveJustin YawnAugust 5, 2024St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

© st. francis in-the-Field

Sign up for our E-Newsletter