The futile search for a “happiness” that is found only in the material world leads in the long run to unhappiness. Even at current the frenzied rush to purportedly “keep people safe and healthy” reveals the tragedy of fallen existence. All we have, all of humanity's “well-being” and “happiness” is found in that which is …
Continue reading It is Better to be Outside of Heaven with God than to be in Heaven without Him
“Why do the nations rage, and the people meditate on vain things? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, “Let us break their bands, and cast away their yoke from us” (Ps. 2:1-3). There is indeed a conspiracy, planned by the “nations,” …
An update from the Council for Religious Unity, Fraternity, and Serenity in Social Affairs. Regarding religious imagery. The Coronavirus crisis presents a unique opportunity to evolve in our understanding of God. Our former ignorance maybe shed as we progress to a more humane understanding of God. We are confronted with a chance to reshape and …
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5). The Scriptures are replete with the call to self-examination. For the believer, this includes the examination of “whether ye be in the faith.” That is are we striving to hold fast to sound doctrine and teaching? St. Paul even gives …
A very pertinent teaching by St. Hilarion (Troitsky). He lived in the days of the rise of socialism and its taking of power in Russia under the form of Soviet Socialism. St. Hilarion ended his life as a martyr, tasting first hand the ruthless fruit of socialism against which he warned. The discerning reader will …
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). True faith is both in word - theology, faith – and in deed - work, practice, application. Thus, there is no right faith devoid of right practice. St. Paul also echos this spiritual reality when he teaches “Not …
Continue reading Right Theology Without Right Praxis is Dead
“... his blood, I shall require at the watchman's hand” (Eze. 33:6). Fearful words are revealed to the Prophet Ezekiel. The Lord commands Ezekiel to speak to the “sons of your people” (Eze. 33:1), which means all of Israel of old and for us today it may be understood as those within the Church. The …
“From what place comes wars and fights among you? They are from this place, from your desires after pleasure which war in your members, are they not?” (James 4:1). Modern ideological systems have convinced humanity that the “problems” of the world are located “outside” of a person: a political system, an economic system, racism, poverty, …
Continue reading Government, Social Justice, and the Hearts of Men
“In the beginning was the Logos ...” (Jn 1:1). An aspect of the nuanced meaning of logos is reason. Ultimately, Christ is the governing principle, the source, the reason, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, of all meaning and purpose. Thus, humanity is created a rational, reasoning being. We have been given logoi. …
Continue reading Mankind: God-Created Being of Reason or Biological Computer?
“Let this mind be in you ...” (Phil. 2:5). Mind, in the above instance in the Greek, phroneo. When applied to the Christian life it means, basically, to have understanding, to be wise. To think as to think soberly. It is in some sense a governing principle. One's phroneo will indicate one's state. Phroneo can …
Continue reading A Man Above Harm, Freedom that Enslaves, and the Power of Phroneo
