FALL ADULT CLASS 2024

This year we will be reading and discussing How To Be A Sinner, by Peter Bouteneff

Six Monday Evenings, at 7:30pm, beginning November 4

Concluding December 9

In-Person and Online

Links to order: SVS Press  |  Amazon

From St Vladimir's Seminary Press:

We call ourselves “sinners” in much of our church life. Yet the sinner identity—when done right—brings peace of mind, a clear conscience, and love for others. Addressing topics like guilt, shame, and self-care, this compassionate guide will help you reflect on your life in surrender to God’s mercy. Written by an internationally recognized professor of Orthodox theology, this book will speak to you wherever you find yourself.

About the Author: 

Peter C. Bouteneff (DPhil, University of Oxford) is associate professor of theology at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, New York.

Reviews:

By FR STEPHEN FREEMAN, author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe:

Straightforward and extremely helpful:  Sin is not guilt nor a mental condition. It is a deep wound in our very being. Peter Bouteneff offers some very straightforward and extremely helpful explanations that will take the reader into a place of self-awareness and honesty—making possible the beginning of repentance.

By SR VASSA LARIN, host of “Coffee with Sister Vassa”:

Accessible and Sincere:  Written accessibly and sincerely, Peter Bouteneff’s little book offers the (post-) modern-day reader many helpful insights on—and practical nudges towards—embracing the Church’s oft-misunderstood language of “sin” and “repentance.”

Scroll down for Class Notes and Questions, posted each week, most recent at top...

Dear Parish Faithful,

We are having our sixth and Final Session of this year's Fall Adult Education Class tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. As this will be an exclusively zoom meeting, the Vespers that was scheduled on the December calendar is cancelled.

Here is the link for the class:

Password: 002695
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81949613293?pwd=AaGeyH0pOGCADv3GSVXZZXDB33S6x7.1 

We will read and discuss Ch. 7 of How to Be a Sinner, "Mercy, Forgiveness and Divine Judgment." I have not prepared a long list of questions for this session, but am counting on a lively discussion that will emerge as we go through the chapter. 

Though, one section of the chapter that I would like to discuss is "Asking for God's Mercy." What do you think of Dr. Bouteneff's analysis of this theme?

Actually, I am hoping that many of you will make some final comments, or ask final questions about the book on the whole. Please keep that in mind when you go over Ch. 7 in preparation for the class.

In anticipation of our discussion, I would like to share one particular quotation from St. John of Kronstadt that really captures the Orthodox approach to the reality of sin, and which I believe is a theme strongly stressed throughout the book, regardless of how the focus was on our propensity to sin and our need to acknowledge that:

"Never confuse the person, formed in the image of God, with the evil that is in him, because evil is but a chance of misfortune illness's devilish reverie. But the very essence of the person is the image of God, and this remains in him despite every disfigurement." (From My Life in Christ, part II)

In Christ,
Fr. Steven
 

Dear Parish Faithful,

Here are discussion points and questions for Session V of our class, meeting on Monday, December 2.  I rather doubt that we will cover all of this, but I combined two chapters worth of material, in that we have three remaining chapters but only two sessions left:

Ch. 5 - Self-Esteem, Self-Denial, Self-Love

+ These are terms that are difficult to assess holistically, meaning we may embrace the "positive" side of these terms and reject their more "negative" aspects. Perhaps we can spend some time trying to define them before proceeding with Dr. Bouteneff's analysis.

+ This strikes me as a good balance: "So the message we hear, exhorting us to build up our self-esteem, are correct, but they go astray when they tell us to do so through an unbridled self-pampering, especially through unchecked consumerism." (p. 95)

Self-Acceptance

+ Let's take a look at what Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh says on p. 97. (C.S. Lewis said something similar about being a statue that needs chiseling.
Self-Esteem

+ An important paragraph on p. 98 about kenodoxia.
Self-Care

+ Mother Syncletica on p. 100.

+ I like this thought: "Don't overdramatize either your sins or your virtues. Frankly, chances are good that neither are spectacular." (p. 102)

+ A good summary of this section in the last paragraph on p. 103

A Right Configuration

+ St. Augustine on sins as "disordered loves." What does this mean? And the follow-through paragraph on p. 104)

+ Perhaps discuss this definition of humility: "Humility is effectively a genuine, proportionate sense of oneself before God and others."

+ And the penultimate paragraph closing the chapter on p. 105)

Ch. 6 The Sweetness of Compunction

Guilt and Shame

+ How do we distinguish between guilt and shame. 

+ How and why does Dr. Bouteneff challenge the "text book" distinction between guilt as "doing" and shame as "being?" In other words, when can shame be both "apt and healthy?" (p. 110)

+ The last three sentences on p. 111 are helpful.

+ Let's examine the practical steps on p. 113-114.

+ What is the conscience? What is the effect of a "guilty conscience?"

Compunction

+ What is compunction/contrition? We certainly do not hear those terms in our secular culture - why is that? But is there a secular form of compunction under a different name?

+ A really key Pauline text is from II Cor. about "godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death." Could this apply to the contrast between Judas and the Apostle Peter?

+ To me, here is an arresting image from Rowan Williams about self-justification amounting to the ego's perennial trench-digging. Does that ring true in your own self-justification?

Penitential Prayer as Sweetness

+ I would like to spend time discussing the observations on the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (p. 124-127)
Bright Sadness

+ Then, there is that profoundly suggestive phrase from St. John of the Ladder.

Dear Parish Faithful,

Our class will meet for Session IV on Monday evening, November 25. Here are some questions and "talking points" that can enliven our discussion:

Chapter 4 - "Reflections on the Self"

Self-Knowledge

1. Do we accept the idea and reality of the self in our theological Tradition?

2. Why have the Church Fathers embraced and expanded on the ancient Greek inscription, "Know thyself?"

3. How do we react to this statement: "Virtually nobody with a healthy psyche can truthfully say, on reflection, 'I have always done well by God and by neighbor'?"

The Power of Naming

1. How do the various names that we give to ourselves and each other shape our identity? 

2. Perhaps we can discuss this passage further: "Name the sin: claim it. Now work on it: confess it. Repent. Surrender it to God on your own as well as in community with other transgressors." Is this effective? Is it your experience?

3. Knowing that I am surrounded by fellow-sinners in the Church seems to be profoundly helpful. Perhaps something to discuss. The recovering addict who surrenders to a Higher Power, "gets it, much better than many of us righteous church folk." A bit of a challenging statement!

4 "It is a consolation and a relief to know that sin has been defeated and will ultimately be forgiven by the merciful God." An important text to "ponder."

Identifying Myself - or Selves

1. We need to discuss the famous passage in Rom. 7, found on p. 81-83.

2. How do you respond to the words of St. Silouan of Athos: "Keep your mind in hell, and despair not?"

3. Key texts from St. John of Kronstadt and St. Nikolai Velimirovich on p. 84. And an important conclusion to this section on p. 85: "So it is ... " Also, the paragraph beginning at the top of p. 87: "Who am I the... ?"

Epilogue

1. A good summary to this chapter: "The key, really, is radical but realistic honesty with ourselves."

I have included a link to a meditation about the self that I would invite you to also read for Monday's class:

Reflections on 'National Selfie Day'

Dear Parish Faithful,

As announced, for Session III this evening of our Fall Adult Education Class, the author of this year's book, How to Be a Sinner, will join us for one hour, from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Peter Bouteneff, D.Phil.Professor of Systematic Theology
Kulik Professor of Sacred ArtsDirector, 
Institute of Sacred Arts
St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

He will begin by explaining why he chose to write a book on the subject of sin, and then answer questions that anyone may have. Perhaps you will think of a question or two before the class this evening. 

Looking forward to this evening's session. Please join us!

- Fr. Steven

Password: 698414

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86255326901?pwd=OQVGy7S5uh0bP0z7Q3WcNaGEoe7VtE.1

Dear Parish Faithful,

Between "in person" and zoom, we had about 40 participants in Session I of the Fall Adult Education Class last Monday. Great turnout? I hope we can match that and even go beyond that in the upcoming weeks. 

Here are the questions and points for discussion for next Monday's class. Please prepare any questions of your own that you may have.

- Fr. Steven

* * *

Chapter 2

Let’s discuss the opening text of St. Dorotheus of Gaza. Is that anyone’s life-experience?

+ How is Dr. Bouteneff employing the theme of “divine light” in the opening pages of Ch. 2?

+ The last two sentences on the bottom of p. 42, prompts the following question: Do you ever pray to have your sins revealed to you by God? What would prevent us from such prayer, since it is recommended by the saints?

Perception of Reality

+ “We cannot see things as they are if we don’t see ourselves as we are.” A sentence to discuss (p. 43).

+ Perhaps we can unpack this sentence from the book: “To propose that I am completely sinless is essentially a guaranteed falsehood, a denial of reality, even in a relativistic and “post-factual” culture.” (p. 44)

Freedom

+ Have we ever had the experience of “digging down deep” and finding a sin from our distant past that we confessed”? Was that liberating?

+ Here is a paradox of the “spiritual life” that we can examine and discuss: “The freest, least self-conscious people are usually those who know full well that they are broken, that they are sinners and that they depend on a higher power for their very life.” (p. 46)

Assurance

+ The desert fathers and mothers on p. 46

+ To what extent do we feel assured of the love of God so that the following is a real part of our experience: “Whether people treat me like gold or like dirt, I will always recall that I am known and loved, and that my life is taken up in the living God. I can walk sure-footedly, confident, fully alive. In God.” (p. 49)

Non-judgment

+ Here is a very challenging balancing act: “When someone does evil, it may be entirely appropriate to hold them responsible. But we are not to judge the person, or worse, condemn the person – only the actions.” (p. 50)

+ The desert fathers and ascetics on p. 51, discussing seeing our own sins and not those of another.

Compassion

+ What does compassion look like in the paragraph under this heading on p. 52?

+ Do we actually wish “God’s abundant grace, blessing, and love” on others?

Dear Parish Faithful,

Questions & Comments for Reflection 

Session I of How to be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff

Introduction

Reinhold Neibuhr famously remarked: “Original sin is the only empirically verifiable doctrine of the Christian faith.”

+ Does this ring true to you? If so, can we elaborate a bit more on this statement?
+ Does it prove to be very difficult for you to self-identify as a sinner?
+ Let’s take a look at Bouteneff’s “thesis” of the book on p. 14, and the character sketches of certain “types” that could identify ourselves or others around us.
+ Let’s take a look at how to “successfully” identify ourselves as sinners – p. 18-19
+ How do we react to this statement at the end of the Introduction: “A central premise of this book is that we human beings are innately good. But from the very beginning we distort this goodness and must recover it.” (p. 20)

Appendix I

We need to take a careful look at the discussion/analysis of Gen. 1-3, on p. 158-162.

+ What stands out the most to you in Dr. Bouteneff’s discussion? Have you learned anything nes in this analysis? Does anything surprise you in what he writes?
+ What is the meaning of “unilateral initiative” and “bilateral measures” on p. 164?
+ What does Dr. Bouteneff mean by claiming: “To Err Isn’t Human?”
+ In the face of the depth and ubiquity of human sin, how can we claim that humanity remains “good” by nature?

Appendix II

+ How should we define sin?
+ What does Dr. Bouteneff mean by saying: “ …you can spend your life avoiding murder, lying, and adultery and still be a selfish and uncharitable: a bitter, heartless legalist.” P. 182
+ What is meant by “sin is a condition” and “sin is a force?” Give some examples.

Dear Parish Faithful,

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (I Jn. 1:8)

Our Fall Adult Education Class will begin next Monday, November 4. The class will have six consecutive sessions on Monday evening, thus lasting until December 9. The evening will begin with Vespers at 7:00 p.m. followed by the class at around 7:45 p.m. We hope to finish by 9:00 p.m. The class will be "in person" at the church, and on zoom.

Hopefully, everyone joining us for the class will have already acquired a copy of our book of choice: How to Be a Sinner by Peter Bouteneff. Five more copies have been ordered for reservation, and perhaps a few of them are still available. The book is also readily available on Amazon.

It may sound a bit odd, but I have decided that we will begin with the two Theological Appendices (following a brief look at the Preface and Introduction): "The Bible on Human Nature: Is it Human to Sin;" and "What is Sin." In these chapters, Dr. Bouteneff will outline the Orthodox definition and understanding of sin, in a way that will assist us to further assimilate the insightful material in the body of the book. For those of you who are coming from a Christian, but non-Orthodox background, I would think that the Orthodox Church offers a whole new and different perspective on human sin.

In other words, here is one subject for certain that you must first do some "unlearning," before fully assimilating and absorbing the Orthodox "take" on human sin. For those of us who are already members of the Church, these appendices will prove to be excellent resources for reminding us of the full range of sin and how we should approach it.

So, for Session I, please read The Preface and Introduction, then the two Theological Appendices, and then go back to the beginning with Ch. 1 - " "Discovering Myself as a Sinner," hopefully with a better understanding of sin from the Orthodox perspective.

This class is designed for inquirers, catechumens, neophytes and established Orthodox Christians. In other words, for anyone who admits to being a sinner!

In another day or two, I will provide some questions and topics for discussion. Looking forward to your presence and a good reading and discussion experience!