Coptic Culture
Christian Teachings and Thought, Part X
by Ed Rizkalla
“God is light and in him is no darkness at all” 1John 1.5
“je V] ououwini pe ouoh `mmon `hli `n,aki `nqytf”
“إن اللة نور وليس فية ظلمة البتة”
One of the great assets which an individual, an organization, a society or a nation could possess is the ability to solve problems. The first step for solving a problem however is recognizing it for what it really is. After one would recognize, face, and owns up the problem, then a solution(s) or correction(s) could be devised to solve it or correct the wrongs committed. Most individuals, organizations, societies, or nations tend to have this ability in varying degrees, however those who excel in problem solving are usually those who have the moral courage to face rather than deny or escape from problems, mistakes, errors and or wrongs committed.
Ancient Egypt was among the first nations to have developed a great civilization with a humane face. It was a civilization where “Maat” or cosmic justice for all was observed and held in the highest esteem. The ancient Egyptians exhibited many virtues as noted by Lichtheim (1) which included “honesty and truthfulness; justice, kindness, and generosity; temperance and patience; thoughtfulness, diligence, and competence; loyalty and reliability.” Clearly these virtues speak volumes about their just and humane approach to life. However, Lictheheim also notes that the ancient Egyptian virtues were mostly utilitarian and that “there was no term (in the Egyptian language) that equals our notion of “sin”; and the Egyptian certainly did not think himself as a sinful being.”
In a sharp contrast to ancient Egyptian notions, Judeo-Christian beliefs recognize that all men have sinned and need God’s salvation. The Bible teaches “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1.5-10.
The ancient Egyptians were pragmatic people who did not escape from problems but faced them. On both material and humane levels, they attempted solve problems, correct errors or mistakes, and redress wrongs which have been committed. One of the exquisite ancient Egyptian literary creations illustrating their esteem for “Maat” is the tale of the “Eloquent Peasant”, in which a poor peasant was wronged and robbed by an employee of the state, but who was ultimately vindicated and the wrongs committed against him redressed. However ancient Egyptian beliefs were not based on Divine revelation, but on human introspection and speculation, and they did not come to recognize man’s fall, sin, and his need for God’s salvation. Christian teachings and thought admonished the ancient Egyptian converts to Christianity to reflect on and examine their behavior and deeds and face their sins. They further admonished the believers to confess their sins and repent. In other words, Christian beliefs and thought added a new spiritual level to the material and humane levels. They added truth and depth to the pragmatic and utilitarian approach to life espoused by the ancient Egyptians. Examples of such Christian teachings and thought can be found in many writings and homilies. An example for Christian teachings and thought, admonishing self-examination, reflection on and repentance from sin, is provided by the following homily by Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite (348-466 AD) (2):
“Brethren, if we want to escape God’s punishment and find mercy in his eyes, let us sit every evening alone by ourselves and search our souls for what we presented to our guardian angel to offer to the Lord.
Again, as the night goes by and a new day dawns and the light prevails, let us search ourselves to know what we presented to our companion angel to offer to the Lord. Let it be beyond doubt that everyone of us-male or female, young or old- who was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit has been assigned and designated an angel until the day of his death to report to him every day what his assigned individual has done by day or by night. Not that God is unaware of what we have done. Heavens forbid. He is more knowledgeable about it. As is written, the eyes of the Lord are watching all the time everywhere on those who commit evil and those who do good. Rather the angels are servants installed by the creator of the universe for those who will inherit the salvation.”
The above excerpts illustrate several points worth noting. First is the recognition of “sin” in contrast to the ancient Egyptians’ notions belying a sense of self-righteousness. Christian teachings and thought were instrumental in changing the ancient Egyptians’ lack of recognition for “sin”. Second Saint Shenouda’s homily encourages and admonishes self-examination and soul searching. Saint Shenouda is not well known outside Egypt. He is mostly known as a patriotic Egyptian who wrote and promoted writing in the Egyptian language, as compared with the lingua franca of the time Greek. However, the theme of self-examination and repentance is a core Christian theme, and has been proclaimed by Christian writers, clergy, and preachers all over the world. Thus self-examination on a deep or spiritual level became a part of the psyche of Christian societies. The influence of this Christian teaching manifests itself at a humane level as soul searching, reflection and self-criticism. In the writer’s view it has been instrumental for enhancing searching for the truth. The search for the truth has been and continues to be the corner stone for scientific enquiry, which flourished first among the Christian nations of Europe and later on among the Americans and others. Third one notices Saint Shenouda’s mention of guardian angels and the all-knowing God of heaven, earth and all therein. This is certainly a source of both comfort and assurance, and it also encourages vigilance.
The peace of the Lord be with you all. Irene Passe.
References:
(1) Ancient Egyptian Literature: History and Forms, edited by Antonio Loprieno, E.J. Brill Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands, 1996.
(2) The Holy Pascha, Being the Liturgies of the Holy Week of Pascha, According to the Current Usage in the Church of Alexandria, sixth edition, The Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Los Angeles, CA, 2005.
Acknowledgement: The writer would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, for their assistance with research for background material for this article.
Ed Rizkalla is a management consultant and freelance writer. He is the founder of Pharos on the Potomac Group (POPG), a non-profit organization at Annandale, VA.