“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
“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
There is indeed a battle for the mind. From the Christian perspective this may be summed up in “acquire the mind of Christ” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5). Humanity may have various “minds.” The importance of the mind and its function in human life have even been acknowledged by the secular world. Thus, there …
“How can human behavior be controlled?” This question was posed by Vladimir Lenin to Ivan Pavlov in 1919. I've spent numerous years reading and studying Soviet tactics and methodologies in Russia leading up to and following the 1917 Revolution. My interest focuses on the anti-religious methods and propaganda used by the Soviets. Over time, I …
Continue reading Mind Control, Standardized Masses, and Conditioned Reflexes
The Reconstruction. Перестройка. Gray high-rise apartment buildings loomed in the gray overcast sky. Through the dust-covered window of the charter van, I watched as we passed an overcrowded electric trolley bus which was leaning heavily to one side. I wondered how the trolley was even driving … at the time it seemed more like a …
Continue reading Uniformity of Behavior, Reconstruction, and Such Musings
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments,” John 14:15. A true Christian is one who is striving to abide in the commandments of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. For the one tasting of the goodness of God, even just a little bit, the commandments become “good and light” (cf. Matt. 11:30). …
The Christian life must be one that is lived in Truth. By dwelling in Truth we are set free, as Christ said, “if you abide in my words you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:31). This experience of truth is not simply that …
“Little children, it is the last time” (1Jn. 2:18). True Christianity is a pronouncement of the end, the last of time; not an end unto death but an end unto never-ending Life. What is this end? The definitive end of the corrupt system of sin and death that is proliferated and energized through human rebellion against …
The Inkless Pen 