Perfectly Clear

Another quote from Hieromonk Seraphim (Aldea) of Mull Monastery.

He is reflecting on the theology of Elder Sophrony of Essex:

"The great thing about having this theology is that then it must be reflected in your practical life. And if you look at humanity the way Father Sophrony looked at humanity, very hot contemporary issues are instantly solved.

Questions  concerning immigration, questions  concerning war, or how to behave in times of war, questions concerning the use of guns and the right to kill other people in any context: all these extremely controversial issues suddenly become perfectly boring because it's so clear, everything is so clear. Once you have his mind, his theology all these issues are perfectly clear.   

You cannot be a Christian in his sense and allow for war or use of guns against other human beings at the same time. That can only mean two things. Either you have a wrong theology and that is reflected in your practical life, or you have a correct theology but you don't allow that to affect your practical life.

...He used to say that somebody who has correct theology but that correct theology is not reflected in his life is like a bird with one wing. Forever looking up and thinking it will get there not knowing he is already condemned to forever be on Earth. If you don't allow your theology to inform your life, your values, your choices, then you've missed the point and you'll never fly."

Taken from this video. The quote above begins at the 34:04 mark.