Gerondism

If taken literally and not as hyperbole that excludes the fact that the only way to become an orthodox Christian is to be incporated in Christ, then how can this be not wrong? We are first grafted into Christ and His Life, and we learn from others and their experiences. How does this differ from what St. Justin Popovic said: "Christians today can become true Christians only if they're guided on adaily basis by God's saints"? Teachers, guides, mentors are important -- but can these mentors be found outside monastics?

“And there really is only one way to become Orthodox, one way to become a Christian, and that is to become disciples of the contemporary Elders, Saints, and spiritual fathers. To be grafted into their experience, to become one with that.” -@frpeterheers pic.twitter.com/ilJ3svUZRG

— Timothy Honeycutt (@AudioScribeOW) March 26, 2021