Today is the feast of St. Gregory the Theologian (Nazianzen) in the Orthodox Church. A short thread on one of my favorite Church Fathers.

Perhaps, the reason that I appreciate Gregory so much is because there are so many aspects of his life and work that remain relevant for contemporary society.

1. He pioneered the reformulation of the criteria for spiritual leadership in the wake of the legalization of Christianity, strongly criticizing those who attempted to teach others when they lacked advanced education and/or ascetic detachment.

1a. Today, far too many people in the Orthodox Church seem to think that advanced education and the ascetic/spiritual life are mutually exclusive pursuits. Gregory insisted that authentic, productive leadership combined the two.

2. Gregory is probably best known for the fact that he, more anyone before him, advanced the dogmatic claim that God is Trinity.

2a. More than just the insight, this is important (and relevant) because it demonstrates the need for theological reasoning. A “literalist” reading of Scripture does not lead to belief that God is Trinity. Gregory excoriated those who insisted upon literalist reading.

3. We also have much to learn from the pastoral way that Gregory responded to his theological opponents when they were defeated.

3a. Following the Second Ecumenical Council, some Orthodox leaders wanted to punish those who had previously rejected the teaching that Christ is fully God by insisted that they be rebaptized.

3b. Even though the Arians had not been baptized in the name of the Trinity, Gregory argued that it was pastorally appropriate that they should be re-admitted through a public confession of faith or chrismation. There was no need to humiliate them by requiring rebaptism.

4. Gregory’s affection for and defense of (non-Christian) classical learning is also relevant in our contemporary society.

4a. It is well known that Gregory’s theological defense of the dogmatic claim that God is Trinity relies heavily on an appropriation and application of Aristotelian terms. Gregory’s ethical writings similarly draw on non-Christian material.

4b. Even though a return of imperial persecution against Christianity was a real threat, Gregory insisted that Christians engage in the public square, teach in public settings, and make use of the resources of secular discourse.

4c. Gregory knew that there was no escaping one's cultural context and he derided Christians who lacked sufficient conviction of faith to engage the world around them.