From time to time, a prophet would arise in Israel, decrying the sins of the people. Many of those sins, indeed, most of them, had social dimensions. The prophets gave stark warnings of what would come if the people did not repent. For, as with every action there is a reaction, the consequences of great social sin are dire. Sin causes harm to those who sin as the ramifications for sin are experienced. God, in his grace, held back those… Read more
November 22, 2019
Beware the False Prophets Concerning Climate Change
November 22, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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November 21, 2019
Entering the Temple
November 21, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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Today is the prelude of God’s goodwill and the prophecy of the salvation of men. The Virgin appears openly in the Temple of God and foretells Christ to all. So let us cry to her with loud voices: Rejoice, thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator’s providence (Troparian of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple) Mary the Theotokos’ entrance into the Temple should be remembered especially for all the symbols which can be contemplated based upon the… Read more
November 19, 2019
The World-Soul, Natura and Mother Earth
November 19, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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When not dealing with dogmatic issues, the Christian faith allows for a great diversity of thought. This is why there are a variety of theological schools of thought, each which promote the basics of the faith, but otherwise differ radically from each other in various different ways.[1] Christians can differ with each other on many of the characteristics which they predicate to creation as a whole, as well as to each particular object within creation. What might seem to be… Read more
November 18, 2019
Jesus and the Beasts
November 18, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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Sometimes people say that because God became man, and not some other animal like a dog or a cat, that God cares only for the salvation of humanity. There are many things which can be said about this. First and foremost, this argument presumes that there are no other incarnations, that God only became man. Theologically, it is possible to consider whether or not God could and would have incarnated himself by assuming other natures. Nonetheless, it is not necessary… Read more
November 15, 2019
What is Preeminent?
November 15, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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Contrary to the way many people react, abortion is not one of the deadly sins. This does not make issues surrounding abortion unimportant, but it does mean we should recognize there are fundamental concerns which lead to abortion, concerns which transcend the issue of abortion itself. We must recognize the dignity of life, of all life, and not just one kind of life; we must likewise recognize and respect the whole moral teaching of the church, taking into consideration what… Read more
November 14, 2019
Church of the Poor
November 14, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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In the ante-Nicene era, Christians and pagans both took notice of the words of Jesus concerning the rich and the poor. In Luke, we find his message summarized in two statements: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Lk. 6:20v RSV). “But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Lk. 6:24 RSV). For many pagans, it was words like these which they believe explained why many of the underclass became Christian…. Read more
November 12, 2019
We Should Be Careful And Not Presume That Only Humanity Is Religious
November 12, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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“How do you expect to communicate with the ocean, when you can’t even understand one another?”[1] Science-fiction writer Stanislaw Lem was skeptical that humanity would be able to communicate with alien lifeforms. He thought it likely that humanity would find itself dealing with something which is so completely other, something which thinks and acts and has potentials so vastly different from itself, that humans probably would not recognize an alien intelligence if it were right in front of them. Even… Read more
November 11, 2019
Theodore the Studite On Christian Images: Overcoming Temptations To Iconoclasm
November 11, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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Christians, even in the ante-Nicene era (as can be seen in the catacombs), created and used images in their places of worship. The human spirit wants to express itself in and through images, through symbols and works of art which present those symbols, for we realize that through them, we have a way to access and experience the kingdom of God. Historically, Christians first act out their beliefs in worship, so that through their prayers, they demonstrate what they believe…. Read more
November 7, 2019
The World Must Face the Reality Of Climate Change
November 7, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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In May of 2015, Pope Francis released what could be the central encyclical of his papacy, Laudato si’. In it, he explained the great need for humanity to come together and deal with the environmental crisis which is before us today. “The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.”[1] Everyone needs to be involved, because everyone… Read more
November 6, 2019
The Amazon Synod, Pletho and the Council of Florence
November 6, 2019 By Henry Karlson
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The Amazon Synod has caused many to complain about the influence of pagan thought and practices on the Christian faith. They reject inculturation because they believe nothing with a pagan pedigree should be accepted by Christians. Likewise, many think the Western tradition can be and should be reduced to one kind of practice, one cultural norm, and any engagement of inculturation undermines the norm which they want to establish. Thus, they fight long and hard, with rhetorical flourish, against any… Read more
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