Many participated in reform movements and failed, because they did not follow a sound spiritual path in reform. Among these are:

The Idealists

The idealists speak about reform in a theoretical manner that does not stand at all before practical implementation. They resemble someone who stands on the shore of the great sea giving lectures about swimming, while he cannot swim at all and has no experience with the water or the waves.

The idealists draw images of reform without realizing at all how they could be implemented. Because they have no experience in execution, they do not know what the practical obstacles are, nor what the hindrances may be.

Therefore the idealists failed, because their suggestions were not practical… as though they would be implemented in an ideal world where there is no opposition, no wicked people resisting, and no obstacles here and there.

If the matter were this easy, we would not have seen the apostles and prophets living lives full of bitterness and toil, and some of their missions they were not able to accomplish.

The disciples of Christ were not idealists; rather, in their first council they saw that they should not burden those returning to God from among the Gentiles, and that it is sufficient for them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, sexual immorality, what is strangled, and blood (Acts 15:19–20).

And the Lord Christ Himself said to His disciples: “I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”

The idealists’ words have no power, because they come from a practical emptiness. They need experience so that their suggestions may be acceptable.

And often these idealists withdraw from their suggestions and judgments whenever they encounter the reality of the matter, and how it is completely far from the sphere of their thoughts.

Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Kiraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Eight), 25-2-1977.

For better translation support, please contact the center.