We get so caught up in our hopes and fears that we forget what’s really important. If we keep our eyes on eternity, says St. Augustine, nothing we’re afraid of and nothing we want can seduce us away from the right path. Remember that Christ has promised us eternal life. “And this,” says John, “is what he has promised us, eternal life. I write this to you about those who would deceive you.” Don’t let anyone seduce you to death.... Read more
All the sins we secretly serve are idols we worship in our hearts, says St. Ephrem the Syrian. Cast out those sins, and the Enemy retreats. Narrow is the way of life, and broad the way of torment; prayer is able to bring a man to the house of the Kingdom. This is the perfect work: prayer that is pure from iniquity. Human righteousness counts for nothing. Our labor is altogether vanity. From you, O Lord, from your grace it... Read more
This week Joseph Pearce returns as a guest on Off the Shelf. We discuss why the beloved Narnia series by C.S. Lewis is a worthy read for adults as well as children. This episode serves as a Narnia primer of sorts as Joseph and I discuss each book in the seven book series. Learn the Christian theology in the pages of Narnia which Joseph Pearce covers in his book Further Up & Further In: Understanding Narnia. Listen to Off the... Read more
The devil would love it if you despaired of repentance, says St. John Chrysostom. But don’t give him the satisfaction. Always be ready for the day of the Lord. I’ve said all these things, not to exempt the devil from blame, but to free you from slothfulness. For he really wants us to attribute all our sins to him, so that, nourished by these hopes, and going ahead with all kinds of evil, we may increase our own punishment, and... Read more
If we have proper fear of the Lord, the visionary Hermas is told, we have no reason to fear Satan. The devil has no real power when we do the will of God. Fear the Lord and keep his commandments. For if you keep God’s commandments, you will be powerful in everything you do, and everything you do will be marvelous. Fearing the Lord, you will do all things well. This is the fear you ought to have, so that... Read more
Satan fights against the strong and proud, says Aphrahat, but he has no power against the children of light. They defeat him by their acts of humility. Dear friends, our adversary is skillful. He who contends against us is crafty. Against the brave and the renowned he prepares himself, so that they may be weakened. For the feeble are his own, nor does he fight with the captives that are made captive to him. He who has wings flees from... Read more
St. Ephrem the Syrian imagines a conversation between Satan and the “sinful woman” of Luke 7:37-50. She throws off the yoke of Satan—and leaves the devil in tears! Satan said to the sinful woman, “I tell you, woman, that I am the first of your lovers. I am not such as you, and I place my hands on you. I will give you much more gold than before.” The sinful woman answered, “I am wearied of you, sir, and you... Read more
St. John Cassian remembers the words of the wise Abbot Theodore in the Egyptian desert. No one can make you sin, says Theodore—not even the devil. Only you have the power to consent to sin, or to reject it. Let us now carefully consider whether God ever allows evil to be forced on his saints either by himself or by some one else. And you will certainly find that this never happens. For another can never possibly force the evil... Read more
Some say that the demons control affairs on earth. Not so, says St. John Chrysostom. You’re lucky God doesn’t really let the demons take over. The sun is not more obvious than the providence of God. Nevertheless, some people dare to say that demons control our affairs. What can I say? You have a loving Master. He chooses to be blasphemed by these words, rather than to hand your affairs over to the demons, and show you by real experience... Read more
This week on Off The Shelf Trent Horn returns to talk about his latest book What the Saints Never Said: Pious Misquotes and the Subtle Heresies They Teach You. Think Saint Francis actually said “Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words”? That never happened. Or how about Mother Teresa saying ” The fruit of abortion is nuclear.”? That one lacks credibility as well. Join Trent and I as we tackle these and many quotes and determine whether they are... Read more
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