Holy Scripture

About Orthodox Christianity

How do the Orthodox view Scripture?

From the earliest times of the church, Christians have been encouraged to read Scripture. St. John Chrysostom (300s AD) wrote in “On Wealth and Poverty”, “I also always entreat you, and do not cease entreating you, not only to pay attention here to what I say, but also when you are at home, to persevere continually in reading the divine Scriptures.”

Orthodox Christians are encouraged to read Scripture daily as part of a daily discipline along with prayers.

Perhaps more importantly, Othodox worship is almost entirely composed of Scripture. Scripture isn’t merely to be read and then analyzed, but to bring us into union with God through worship and contemplation of Him.

In fact, it is in Orthodox Church services that we not only learn the Scripture and worship God with them, we also learn from the daily hymns the interpretation and understanding of Scripture. The theology of the church is sung.

Scripture then is incredibly important to an Orthodox life of faith and is embedded in the worship, life and theology of the church.

But, Scripture doesn’t stand apart from the church. It was never something independent of the Orthdox church or to be interpreted totally independent of the teaching of the Christian faith as taught by the Apostles themselves. The New Testament was written within the life of the church itself. 

Keep reading:

Which Came First: The Church or the New Testament?
Scripture and Tradition

As to interpretation of Scripture, the Orthodox recognize that it is the Word of God, Jesus Christ, who is central to understanding the Scriptures. The Old Testament then is filled with shadows and types that are only revealed in the light of Christ Himself. As is said in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, “ But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.“

Jesus Himself taught His disciples to understand the Old Testament in this way. “Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”, Luke 24:25-27

This same understanding of Scripture is found in early church writings.