I had heard, mostly from the grandmas at church, of the great wisdom and gift for teaching of Metropolitan Jonah. However, I didn’t really understand why they all made such a fuss until I heard this, a talk given on the subjects of dispassion, ego, and theosis. It’s rather long, but it’s worth it. Enjoy: Read more
There is perhaps nothing which is more painful, and obnoxious, than someone believing that they understand why you believe something that you do. For anyone who believes anything, this is an understandable problem. If you believe in God (or god, or spirits, or even just an afterlife) you’re used to the annoying commentary from the proverbial peanut-gallery remarking on how foolish your fear and superstition is. However, it doesn’t just stop there. Even someone who simply believes that they and... Read more
In the wake of all the controversy revolving around Fr. Baron’s remarks about von Balthasar, I thought it would be appropriate to try to add an Eastern voice to all this commotion. All this aggression and name calling with regards to von Balthasar’s universalist hope raises an interesting question, why are we so bothered by the idea of hell being empty? Most arguments against this manner of thinking about the unfortunate part of the here-after makes a claim that von... Read more
Personally, I think that the great wisdom of the Romanian Elders isn’t common enough. Thus, to rectify this, I present Elder Arsenie Papacioc on temptation. Read more
It’s almost certainly not gone unnoticed that I haven’t written anything recently. This is due in part to the fact that I have been preparing for reception into the Orthodox Church. This has been a long and adventurous journey, and perhaps I will write about it at some point. For now though, I feel obliged (and excited) to tell you that I have been formally received into the Eastern Orthodox Church. As for this events effects on my blog, that... Read more
“Nihilism stands at the door: whence comes this uncanniest of all guests?” -Nietzsche (The Will to Power) This puzzling and frightening question which marks the onset of the last of Nietzsche’s works requires an answer, and this answer explains much about ontotheology. As such it would appear that there are two different conceptions of nihilism at work in this quote, however, they are not completely unrelated. Nihilism as History (or, The “god” of Ontotheology is Dead) It is often overlooked... Read more
Once upon a time a heavily biased scholar published a work on the (scandalous) existence of a rite for same-sex union within the Christian tradition. And he was right. Allow me to imagine your responses… “D:< !!! WHAT THE HELL!” It’s not a new topic, in fact, it’s quite old news… but apparently Huffington Post doesn’t think so, so I feel it might be time to address the whole thing again. (My first reaction to the story: “Huffpost wut r... Read more
I have written before on the typical Protestant concept of “Life Boat” salvation. However, upon more in depth consideration of this erroneous notion of “once and then you’re good” salvation there appears to be a much more flawed ideal at the base of it all. The Bleak Background of a Well Meaning Notion: Those who espouse the notion of “life boat” salvation do so out of a sincere kindness. Their concern for the salvation of those around them is nothing... Read more
Being raised in a Protestant home, the Scriptures were (and in many ways still are) the end-all-be-all of the faith for me. However, there is a reason I am no longer a Protestant. This reason has many branches but all points back to one thing, context. Given the necessity of context, I find the whole idea of “Scripture Alone” horrifying. What it is: Sola Scriptura is the idea that Christianity ought to be based off of “Scripture Alone” (which is... Read more
We’re all aware of the commandment to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Most of us know that this is why we’re expected to be at the Liturgy (Mass, service, etc.) each week, and on Holy days. And in our snarky, self-amused manner we stand boldly (those of us who do go when we’re “supposed to”) and proclaim, “Look how good I am, having upheld the command of the Lord.” But is it enough? Is that hour (or... Read more
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