The pendulum swings left and right... the modern politic seems designed to mesmerize and distract us from imminent Eternity. It's almost as though each side works primarily to piss off the other side until it will accept ANYTHING besides what we have now. Perhaps the transition from Biden to Trump is how the enemy tacks from transgenderism to transhumanism.
I'm reminded of the atheist who visited St. Paisios on the Holy Mountain... he said, "I don't believe in your God, but I'm on your side, because I'm right wing."
The elder replied, "What good is the right hand if it doesn't make the sign of the Cross?"
A wise note of caution. But maybe let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. For now it may be premature even to declare victory, let alone to dwell on the problems of “too much victory”.
It's worth noting that Christ Himself exemplifies the paradox of the king and the ascetic in Christianity. He is both the King of Glory and Lord of the Powers, and the One Who was crucified for our sake and endured temptation by the Devil while fasting in the desert. It is a profound and inexplicable mystery.
The use of power seems to fit with the divine right of Kings/Emperors. The monarch is meant to be the first peasant and the last aristocrat, and act as the embodiment of the people. The Just and Godly ones seem to appear the greats, even the pre Christian monarchs. Using their power for the empowerment of the nation.
At least in Christendom medieval monarchies were limited monarchies: the King had only certain powers. He was not an absolute ruler. This is what the Magna Carta in England was all about: King John transgressed the powers allotted to him (by tradition) and his nobles defeated him and forced him to sign a formal document outlining things he could not do and rights he had to respect. And while Russia is often portrayed as some sort of unalloyed tyranny, yet in Novgorod even St. Alexander Nevsky was exiled for a time when he went too far.
We should also recognize that in Scripture God allowed Israel a king only reluctantly. The first king, Saul, was no kind of success and even David and Solomon were problematic. The general attitude toward kings in Scripture, from the Pharaoh of Exodus down to Herod was not a positive one.
The left-wing waves we couldn't even ride on, the Trump waves even if not perfect, we can right on and subvert. Guys like William Wolfe in the oval office, Andrew Isker on Tucker Carlson (Dispensationalism spells being broken), the Shroud of Turin videos with millions of views on Rogan and Dr. Campbell with people turning to Christ in the comments. The Wesley Huff debate against Billy Carson dismantling the whole Ancient Aliens scene.
I see God at work everywhere. The political landscape is secondary; like with Paul, we can be content whatever happens, but I'm thankful Trump won and still pushing rightward politically. May God use guys like Pete Quinones and Martyrmade to help dismantle historical lies so we can live without the postwar consensus keeping the church and our nations in this mental prison in the West, then we can figure out where to go from there.
“Pray to God for gladness. Be glad as children, as the birds of heaven. And let not the sin of men confound you in your doings. Fear not that it will wear away your work and hinder its being accomplished. Do not say, 'Sin is mighty, wickedness is mighty, evil environment is mighty, and we are lonely and helpless, and evil environment is wearing us away and hindering our good work from being done.' Fly from that dejection, children!”
I loved this essay and I for one am far more comfortable with the current rulers over the last 4 years. One quibble; we are to love our neighbours as ourselves not more than ourselves.
To be "not of this world" doesn't mean we can't engage with the world and try to make positive changes - away from the ridiculous and psychotic wokery of the last few years. Of course we can try, and so we should. But I take Jesus's words to mean that we shouldn't place all our hopes on changing what is wrong, because ultimately we must rely on Him and on others who agree with us to bring about the necessary changes. And as Satan is the prince of this world, even Jesus won't step in and completely obliterate his work. When He comes to reign in power, that's when all the good results will happen and Satan will be banished. Until then, I take it that we must fight the good fight but not get completely dejected when we seem to be losing. We know the story will end well.
And I also believe we must not be "of this world" regarding financial and social success. These things may come to us, and they may be good, but we do not need them and should not make them the chief object of our strivings, certainly not if they cause us to neglect our families and to forget the need for the Lord's help in everything.
In every swing of the pendulum there is a point in the middle where the best change can happen. I pray that we can recognize that moment when it comes, and build on it to make a better future for our children and grandchildren.
Re: I regularly see non-anonymous writers and influencers calling the adoption of children by gay couples what it is- legalized child trafficking.
"Trafficking" usually involves slavery or worse, sex slavery, Calling plain old adoption "trafficking" is noxious and a slander. For shame on those using the term. Slander (diabolē) is the very name of the Devil.
Re: The return of political leaders enthusiastically wielding their powers is a good thing for the world in general.
Put me down as deeply skeptical. Power is a necessary thing, but but for sinful Men it needs to be limited with various checks and balance, as far as is feasible with maintaining social order and enacting a modicum of justice (perfect justice belongs only to the Lord). The lust for power (which, in St Ephraim's prayer we ask to be delivered from) is one of the lanes in the broad highway that leads to Hell.
If you are defending gay adoption than its you who should be ashamed of themselves as an Orthodox Christian. And if you really can't make the connection yourself- yes, gay adoption is absolutely sex slavery.
I have no more problem with gays adopting than I do with the rest of imperfect, sinful humanity adopting- Muslims, atheists, divorced and remarried people, etc etc. And I have never understood Orthodoxy as recommending the Pharisee's prayer- "Thank you Lord for not making me like those sinners."
In no way are gay people some category of super-sinners the rest of us can freely deride and preen our own virtues next to.
Then you are naive. Gays adopt children to abuse them. Pretending that "oh we're all sinners anyone who adopts will be imperfect" is not the virtuous stance that you want it to be.
I'm sorry but I find that assertion (which comes with not a scintilla of evidence) to be slanderous against people whom you do not even know.
One thing I will add:
I am deeply suspicious, morally, of surrogacy (the "rent-a-womb" sort) and that's so whether those using it are gay or straight. It is a good and unselfish thing to take up the care of a parentless child not your own-- nor is it "unnatural" as even many animals will nurture orphaned offspring. And certainly anyone opposed to abortion should be foot-stomping in favor of adoption for unwanted babies (or babies whose parents are in no wise able to care for them). But producing offspring as some sort of market commodity does not qualify as a virtuous practice.
2) Homosexual “parents” necessarily promote this lifestyle to their children as they actively engage in the sin.
3) promoting and surrounding an innocent child with sexual sin such as homosexuality is sexual abuse. No different than showing a child pornography.
4)therefore gay adoption is necessarily sexual abuse of children. And so homosexual parents purchasing a child via adoption is a form of sex trafficking.
Maybe, but Mormon promote promote the heresy of the LDS, Muslim parents promote the false religion of Islam, atheists deny God to their children and some more exotic religions teach idolatry and polytheism. All of which qualifies as "spiritual abuse" does it not?
Should all such people be forbidden from adoption?
There are no "inevitable results". That's every bit as much an evil calumny as the claim by medieval antisemites that Jews kidnapped and murdered Christian children to use their blood in Passover rituals. Nor does any of this slander-mongering have anything to do with Orthodoxy. The Church teaches one thing on the subject of homosexuality: That same sex coitus is sinful. And as a matter of praxis of course we do not perform the sacrament of matrimony for same sex couples.
I agree, I still would prefer to live in a world full of “right winged” tyrants than the current bureaucratic maggots, the current regime is almost unbearable in every way EXCEPT materially which is why it’s so hard to dislodge this current regime of imposed decay and degeneracy, if one was to look at the Holy Scriptures for reference it becomes clear that Sodom and Gomorrah had to be reduced to sand covered in salt, fire and brimstone while every tyrannical king and regime would pass, it is easier in my view to deal with an extremist right regime rather than a extreme left one, after all right wingers in general have a sense of honor and history has shown that genuine fascist leaders care enough for that to never refuse a fencing bout, meanwhile our current oligarchic bureaucracy is completely occupied by cowards who have zero scruples about anything.
Most of the Biblical teachings about the Holy Ghost come from 1 John & Jesus' remarks at the Last Supper in John's Gospel.
I have been reading & re reading these because what they say are so incredible..
He will lead us into all truth...
What does that even mean?
or
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
WHAT!?
I keep staring at it because it reminds me that I know nothing & that I am easily satisfied with things of such little value.
I hope this new pendulum swing will lead us to a better place. But I'm very suspicious of pendulums.
Also, you had me fooled. The sutton-hoo helmet had me thinking you were one of the few remaining orthodox Anglicans. But then you said "St. Constantine." So just Orthodox it would seem ;).
St Malachy the Bishop of Armagh (think Armagheddeon) was the highest churchman in Ireland in the 12th century. that's like 900 years ago. it could be a forgery from 1590, but still, its been around for a while. its not like y2k or other end of the world prophecies that just surfaced recently... some of the ancient arts and sciences of paganism were still alive back then, and Malachy had prophecy as a gift. he made a very long list of future popes, kind of Nostradamus style, and he said after this current pope we have today right now, comes the end of the world. presents us with an interesting cultural question. I come from the hardcore hippy psychedelic reggae environmental activist culture, and I believe we are entering the age of Aquarius Leo Jerry G & Bob M from the Age of Pisces Virgo Jesus & Mary.
if for some reason God or the great spirit, or Goddess or Godus or whatever it is doesn't actually step in and do it, I think the banking dynasty family folks who run the world will happily give us a FALSE FLAG ARMAGEDDON, and they will be extra happy about the death and destruction they can cause, because they will have excellent PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY. they will have the plausibility of god. they don't want to be blamed. because of St Malachy's Prophecy, they can easily convince us it was an act of god. but they definitely do have the technology, and they have indeed told us in no uncertain terms that they'd like to see at least several billion less of us useless eaters on their planet. so watch out for Pope francis's death. they may already be keeping him "alive" just long enough to get all their ducks in a row, but certainly they've seen this coming and have made preparations with HAARP & etc. good luck out there! https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/st-malachy-prophecy-pope-francis
The pendulum swings left and right... the modern politic seems designed to mesmerize and distract us from imminent Eternity. It's almost as though each side works primarily to piss off the other side until it will accept ANYTHING besides what we have now. Perhaps the transition from Biden to Trump is how the enemy tacks from transgenderism to transhumanism.
I'm reminded of the atheist who visited St. Paisios on the Holy Mountain... he said, "I don't believe in your God, but I'm on your side, because I'm right wing."
The elder replied, "What good is the right hand if it doesn't make the sign of the Cross?"
A wise note of caution. But maybe let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. For now it may be premature even to declare victory, let alone to dwell on the problems of “too much victory”.
I agree. In the previous essay I essentially say that. I will take good where it can be found.
It's worth noting that Christ Himself exemplifies the paradox of the king and the ascetic in Christianity. He is both the King of Glory and Lord of the Powers, and the One Who was crucified for our sake and endured temptation by the Devil while fasting in the desert. It is a profound and inexplicable mystery.
The use of power seems to fit with the divine right of Kings/Emperors. The monarch is meant to be the first peasant and the last aristocrat, and act as the embodiment of the people. The Just and Godly ones seem to appear the greats, even the pre Christian monarchs. Using their power for the empowerment of the nation.
"The Divine Right of Kings" is an excuse cooked up in the early modern era to justify royal tyranny.
What in the Reddit is that opinion
At least in Christendom medieval monarchies were limited monarchies: the King had only certain powers. He was not an absolute ruler. This is what the Magna Carta in England was all about: King John transgressed the powers allotted to him (by tradition) and his nobles defeated him and forced him to sign a formal document outlining things he could not do and rights he had to respect. And while Russia is often portrayed as some sort of unalloyed tyranny, yet in Novgorod even St. Alexander Nevsky was exiled for a time when he went too far.
We should also recognize that in Scripture God allowed Israel a king only reluctantly. The first king, Saul, was no kind of success and even David and Solomon were problematic. The general attitude toward kings in Scripture, from the Pharaoh of Exodus down to Herod was not a positive one.
The left-wing waves we couldn't even ride on, the Trump waves even if not perfect, we can right on and subvert. Guys like William Wolfe in the oval office, Andrew Isker on Tucker Carlson (Dispensationalism spells being broken), the Shroud of Turin videos with millions of views on Rogan and Dr. Campbell with people turning to Christ in the comments. The Wesley Huff debate against Billy Carson dismantling the whole Ancient Aliens scene.
I see God at work everywhere. The political landscape is secondary; like with Paul, we can be content whatever happens, but I'm thankful Trump won and still pushing rightward politically. May God use guys like Pete Quinones and Martyrmade to help dismantle historical lies so we can live without the postwar consensus keeping the church and our nations in this mental prison in the West, then we can figure out where to go from there.
“Pray to God for gladness. Be glad as children, as the birds of heaven. And let not the sin of men confound you in your doings. Fear not that it will wear away your work and hinder its being accomplished. Do not say, 'Sin is mighty, wickedness is mighty, evil environment is mighty, and we are lonely and helpless, and evil environment is wearing us away and hindering our good work from being done.' Fly from that dejection, children!”
– Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
I loved this essay and I for one am far more comfortable with the current rulers over the last 4 years. One quibble; we are to love our neighbours as ourselves not more than ourselves.
To be "not of this world" doesn't mean we can't engage with the world and try to make positive changes - away from the ridiculous and psychotic wokery of the last few years. Of course we can try, and so we should. But I take Jesus's words to mean that we shouldn't place all our hopes on changing what is wrong, because ultimately we must rely on Him and on others who agree with us to bring about the necessary changes. And as Satan is the prince of this world, even Jesus won't step in and completely obliterate his work. When He comes to reign in power, that's when all the good results will happen and Satan will be banished. Until then, I take it that we must fight the good fight but not get completely dejected when we seem to be losing. We know the story will end well.
And I also believe we must not be "of this world" regarding financial and social success. These things may come to us, and they may be good, but we do not need them and should not make them the chief object of our strivings, certainly not if they cause us to neglect our families and to forget the need for the Lord's help in everything.
In every swing of the pendulum there is a point in the middle where the best change can happen. I pray that we can recognize that moment when it comes, and build on it to make a better future for our children and grandchildren.
Re: I regularly see non-anonymous writers and influencers calling the adoption of children by gay couples what it is- legalized child trafficking.
"Trafficking" usually involves slavery or worse, sex slavery, Calling plain old adoption "trafficking" is noxious and a slander. For shame on those using the term. Slander (diabolē) is the very name of the Devil.
Re: The return of political leaders enthusiastically wielding their powers is a good thing for the world in general.
Put me down as deeply skeptical. Power is a necessary thing, but but for sinful Men it needs to be limited with various checks and balance, as far as is feasible with maintaining social order and enacting a modicum of justice (perfect justice belongs only to the Lord). The lust for power (which, in St Ephraim's prayer we ask to be delivered from) is one of the lanes in the broad highway that leads to Hell.
If you are defending gay adoption than its you who should be ashamed of themselves as an Orthodox Christian. And if you really can't make the connection yourself- yes, gay adoption is absolutely sex slavery.
Keep hammering.
I have no more problem with gays adopting than I do with the rest of imperfect, sinful humanity adopting- Muslims, atheists, divorced and remarried people, etc etc. And I have never understood Orthodoxy as recommending the Pharisee's prayer- "Thank you Lord for not making me like those sinners."
In no way are gay people some category of super-sinners the rest of us can freely deride and preen our own virtues next to.
Then you are naive. Gays adopt children to abuse them. Pretending that "oh we're all sinners anyone who adopts will be imperfect" is not the virtuous stance that you want it to be.
Re: . Gays adopt children to abuse them.
I'm sorry but I find that assertion (which comes with not a scintilla of evidence) to be slanderous against people whom you do not even know.
One thing I will add:
I am deeply suspicious, morally, of surrogacy (the "rent-a-womb" sort) and that's so whether those using it are gay or straight. It is a good and unselfish thing to take up the care of a parentless child not your own-- nor is it "unnatural" as even many animals will nurture orphaned offspring. And certainly anyone opposed to abortion should be foot-stomping in favor of adoption for unwanted babies (or babies whose parents are in no wise able to care for them). But producing offspring as some sort of market commodity does not qualify as a virtuous practice.
1) Homosexuality is sexual sin
2) Homosexual “parents” necessarily promote this lifestyle to their children as they actively engage in the sin.
3) promoting and surrounding an innocent child with sexual sin such as homosexuality is sexual abuse. No different than showing a child pornography.
4)therefore gay adoption is necessarily sexual abuse of children. And so homosexual parents purchasing a child via adoption is a form of sex trafficking.
Maybe, but Mormon promote promote the heresy of the LDS, Muslim parents promote the false religion of Islam, atheists deny God to their children and some more exotic religions teach idolatry and polytheism. All of which qualifies as "spiritual abuse" does it not?
Should all such people be forbidden from adoption?
Defending legalized pedophilia is insane Jon. Lord have mercy on you and your ignorance
Now you are slandering me! No where have I ever defended pedophilia! Shame on you for blatantly misrepresenting what I have said here.
You owe an apology dude.
You just support gays “adopting” children and diligently look the other way when the inevitable results.
There are no "inevitable results". That's every bit as much an evil calumny as the claim by medieval antisemites that Jews kidnapped and murdered Christian children to use their blood in Passover rituals. Nor does any of this slander-mongering have anything to do with Orthodoxy. The Church teaches one thing on the subject of homosexuality: That same sex coitus is sinful. And as a matter of praxis of course we do not perform the sacrament of matrimony for same sex couples.
I agree, I still would prefer to live in a world full of “right winged” tyrants than the current bureaucratic maggots, the current regime is almost unbearable in every way EXCEPT materially which is why it’s so hard to dislodge this current regime of imposed decay and degeneracy, if one was to look at the Holy Scriptures for reference it becomes clear that Sodom and Gomorrah had to be reduced to sand covered in salt, fire and brimstone while every tyrannical king and regime would pass, it is easier in my view to deal with an extremist right regime rather than a extreme left one, after all right wingers in general have a sense of honor and history has shown that genuine fascist leaders care enough for that to never refuse a fencing bout, meanwhile our current oligarchic bureaucracy is completely occupied by cowards who have zero scruples about anything.
Most of the Biblical teachings about the Holy Ghost come from 1 John & Jesus' remarks at the Last Supper in John's Gospel.
I have been reading & re reading these because what they say are so incredible..
He will lead us into all truth...
What does that even mean?
or
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
WHAT!?
I keep staring at it because it reminds me that I know nothing & that I am easily satisfied with things of such little value.
I hope this new pendulum swing will lead us to a better place. But I'm very suspicious of pendulums.
Also, you had me fooled. The sutton-hoo helmet had me thinking you were one of the few remaining orthodox Anglicans. But then you said "St. Constantine." So just Orthodox it would seem ;).
Rad. We need more of ya'll here in the west.
I hope you're right. I work in a very left wing organization and it's very blackpilling
St Malachy the Bishop of Armagh (think Armagheddeon) was the highest churchman in Ireland in the 12th century. that's like 900 years ago. it could be a forgery from 1590, but still, its been around for a while. its not like y2k or other end of the world prophecies that just surfaced recently... some of the ancient arts and sciences of paganism were still alive back then, and Malachy had prophecy as a gift. he made a very long list of future popes, kind of Nostradamus style, and he said after this current pope we have today right now, comes the end of the world. presents us with an interesting cultural question. I come from the hardcore hippy psychedelic reggae environmental activist culture, and I believe we are entering the age of Aquarius Leo Jerry G & Bob M from the Age of Pisces Virgo Jesus & Mary.
if for some reason God or the great spirit, or Goddess or Godus or whatever it is doesn't actually step in and do it, I think the banking dynasty family folks who run the world will happily give us a FALSE FLAG ARMAGEDDON, and they will be extra happy about the death and destruction they can cause, because they will have excellent PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY. they will have the plausibility of god. they don't want to be blamed. because of St Malachy's Prophecy, they can easily convince us it was an act of god. but they definitely do have the technology, and they have indeed told us in no uncertain terms that they'd like to see at least several billion less of us useless eaters on their planet. so watch out for Pope francis's death. they may already be keeping him "alive" just long enough to get all their ducks in a row, but certainly they've seen this coming and have made preparations with HAARP & etc. good luck out there! https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/st-malachy-prophecy-pope-francis