THEME OF THE MONTH: Suggestions for future themes

[M.C. Steenberg]

As our first 'Patristic Theme of the Month', on Joy (http://www.monachos.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4989), is currently being explored from the heritage of the fathers, this new thread is being opened to receive suggestions for themes for future months' discussions. Obviously, themes on any relevant topic can be discussed in open threads at any time -- one doesn't have to wait for the theme of the month to be on an issue to address it; but there may be specific themes / topics you feel could be beneficial for this particular focus of discussion.

Please simply make your recommendations in this thread. They will be considered for future months' instalments.

Themes already received by PM have been:


Renewal in the Holy Spirit
Humility
The suffering of Christ and the suffering of the Father
Remembrance of death

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Effie Ganatsios]

I would like to discuss "fear of God".

Effie

[Rick H.]

I would like to discuss and know what is meant when the expression "patristic mind" is used.

In Christ,
Rick

[Deanna Leonti]

I would like to know & understand more about the Beatitudes.

ex. poor in spirit, not the same as poor as in poverty.

Deanna

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear all,

I'm delighted to see how well this month's Theme of the Month, Joy, has progressed. A number of good ideas for future themes have been submitted in this thread, from which I've selected four as potentials for next month (the others have not been rejected; they remain in the 'pool' for future consideration). These I've now placed in a poll, which you can find at the top of this thread (scroll up). Please take a moment to vote for the theme you'd like to see the forum considering next month.

Please also continue to contribute further ideas in this thread, for consideration for future months.

XB, Dcn Matthew

[Mary]

Too hard! May I vote for 2 things?

Mary.

[Peter S.]

I think "renewal in the Holy Spirit" is fitting for the month of june because of Pentecost that is in June, as "joy" is fitting for the month of Pascha/May this year. Just a thought.

Peter

[Effie Ganatsios]

Another suggestion for future months is an analysis of Christ's words "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me". These words have always troubled me, as have those He spoke when He was in the Garden of Gethsame.

Effie

[M.C. Steenberg]

Another suggestion for future months is an analysis of Christ's words "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me". These words have always troubled me, as have those He spoke when He was in the Garden of Gethsame.

I agree that this would make for an interesting theme to explore in the fathers, especially given that Christ's cry from the cross -- a theological fulfilment of the prophetic words of the psalmist in Psalm 22 -- are so often misunderstood and misinterpreted in contemporary, modern-day writings.

However, I wonder if we might consider how the subject could be modified / crafted somewhat, to allow for some wider patristic sources than just those fathers that comment on this passage in particular. Perhaps something along the lines of 'The Son's human relationship to the Father'? 'The Son's 'forsakeness''? Etc.?

We have some time to ponder refinements here in this thread, as the theme for next month (June) will be one of the four in the current poll, so this is 'research for the future'!

XB, Dcn Matthew