Christian philosophy

Contents Chapter 1. Man and the world in God-given beauty and harmony. Human nature; the beauty of the soul and body of man Chapter 2. Fallen man I. The historical fact of the fall of man II. The essence of the fall as perversion through the sin of human nature III. Consequences of the Fall: disasters, illness and death Chapter 3. Restoration of fallen man by God I. The goodness of God in the restoration of fallen man (Lord Redeemer and Savior) II. The wisdom of God in the restoration of fallen man (Lord the Creator and Provider) III. Longsuffering and the truth of God in the restoration of fallen man (the Lord is the Judge and the Rewarder) IV. The omnipotence of God in the restoration of fallen man (the Lord is the King and the Victor) Chapter 4. The Church is the treasury of salvation I. The concept of the Church. The Church as the educator of Christian souls, possessing all the means for the salvation of man. Grace II. Life in an indispensable union with the Church. The need to belong to the Orthodox Church, the only true III. Church earthly and heavenly, their living, uninterrupted communion IV. Sacraments V. The hierarchy of the Orthodox Church: bishop, priest and deacon. The height of the priestly ministry Chapter 5. Participation of man himself in the dispensation of salvation, perfected by Christ for all, but not achieved by everyone I. The fight against sin through: 1) Self-observation (contemplation), attention to one’s inner world, vigilance over oneself and impartiality to everything in life 2) Temperance (struggle with oneself): internal struggle in man, crucifying the multi-passionate flesh II. Purification of the soul through a repentant mood, preparatory to the sacrament (of repentance) and accompanying it. Revealing sinful ulcers III. Nurturing good spiritual impulses and aspirations. Development of good skills: love, compassion, forbearance, chastity, etc. IV. Christian (ethical) worldview: the highest good is in God; renunciation of the world; the purpose of life is to fulfill the commandments of God; good and evil; moral sense; righteous and sinners