“But “the first act of the Christian life,” says Schmemann, “is a renunciation, a challenge.” In baptism, the Christian stands naked and unashamed before all these demons – all these impulses and temptations, sins and failures, empty sales pitches and screwy labels – and says, “I am a beloved child of God and I renounce anything or anyone who says otherwise.”12.”

“But “the first act of the Christian life,” says Schmemann, “is a renunciation, a challenge.” In baptism, the Christian stands naked and unashamed before all these demons – all these impulses and temptations, sins and failures, empty sales pitches and screwy labels – and says, “I am a beloved child of God and I renounce anything or anyone who says otherwise.”12.”

— Rachel Held Evans