I assume there are still people around who inveigh that there should be no “victimless crimes” — no legal threat if you’re “only having a little fun” or “only hurting yourself.” Well, maybe. But there are no victimless sins. Continue reading “Victimless sin?”
Category: Faith & Ideology
Whaddya mean, “sin”?
In conversation with others, I have adopted the reflex of avoiding the word “sin” because of how it is (mis)understood in the Christian West Continue reading “Whaddya mean, “sin”?”
TJ’s Excellent 15 Minutes of Fame
Michael Gerson at the Washington Post has an Op-Ed on — how best to put it? — the insanity of “Pastor” Terry Jones getting his 15 minutes of fame so cheaply.
Gerson is, if I recall correctly, an Evangelical Protestant — perhaps even a Wheaton College Evangelical — so it was interesting to see his spin on why Muslims go postal at a threatened Koran-burning while Christians (a far more equivocal term than you might think, but serviceable in this context) remain pretty mellow about sacrilege Continue reading “TJ’s Excellent 15 Minutes of Fame”
Lowering the ante
It bother me that sanctimonious jerks can so easily make me sympathize with certified, publicity-seeking creepy-crawlies. Continue reading “Lowering the ante”
Playing Chicken
I once watched a chicken on top of a blackboard running around inside a circle that had been drawn on it with white chalk. I watched him for a long time as he ran to and fro and hesitated to jump over the white line, which he probably perceived to be a living creature or a high wall. Continue reading “Playing Chicken”
Fruitfulness from Barrenness
I was tired and harried when I saw Father Stephen’s lastest blog post. For instance, “God brings forth fruitfulness from barrenness – it is a theme of His work of salvation.”
Yeah, yeah, Father; that’s nice. But why did you have to drag it out so long?
I’m glad I went back fresh this morning, Continue reading “Fruitfulness from Barrenness”
Misery loves company
A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy’s will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
Ephraim the Syrian, A Spiritual Psalter, Third Stasis.
How He loves mankind
“God is gracious and loves mankind.” This is a deeply-rooted dogma of Orthodox Christianity, repeated in prayers and benedictions constantly.
How (not how much) does he love mankind? John 3:16 comes to mind. He “so loves the world that He gave his only-beggoten son.”
Is His love limited — to semites, or to those in the western realm called Christendom? Continue reading “How He loves mankind”
American Civil Religion Redux
James Allen, a radio talk-show host and second- or third-tier columnist at Townhall.com, praises Glenn Beck as a “great leader” who has a “belief in a transcendent being called God.” I dissent and accuse Allen of suborning violations of the 1st Commandment. Continue reading “American Civil Religion Redux”
Historic or eschatological?
Sometimes Father Stephen says something that shocks me:
I would suggest that it is a mistake to describe Christianity as a “historical” religion, Continue reading “Historic or eschatological?”
