No Orthodoxy Without Orthopraxis

Last updated on: March 6, 2022 at 3:44 am By Henry Karlson

Apparent orthodoxy, right belief, without orthopraxis, right action, is not true orthodoxy. What we do demonstrates who we are and what we believe. The defeat of iconoclasm, the heresy which denied the veneration of images, led to the restoration of icons and their proper use. Orthodoxy is tied with orthopraxis, and indeed, explains and justifies orthopraxis even as heresy is tied to and justifies bad actions (as seen in the example of iconoclasm where the rejection of the veneration of... Read more

We Must Protect Our Wonderful World

Last updated on: March 3, 2022 at 5:43 am By Henry Karlson

What God made was good. “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day” (Gen. 1:31 RSV). It was, indeed, wonderful beauty to behold, as Louis Armstrong sung: I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world I see skies of blue And clouds of white The bright... Read more

The One And The Many In The Eucharist And The Church

Last updated on: March 2, 2022 at 3:47 am By Henry Karlson

The reality of the eucharist is Christ; no matter what accidents are associated with the reception of the eucharist, be it bread or wine, it is always Christ, always fully Christ, and not a part of Christ which is received. While we might understand and believe the truth, in the “age to come,” we will continue to receive the reality of the eucharist, and we do so without the need of physical accidents symbolizing the truth which is being received:... Read more

Fasting, And Other Spiritual Tools, Should Be Engaged With Prudence

Last updated on: February 28, 2022 at 3:47 am By Henry Karlson

Our spiritual struggle, our fight against our worst instincts and inclinations, cannot and will not be overcome by giving into them. Nor will they be overcome by mere appearances of holiness. We can try to look holy in front of others, doing various pious deeds, but for piety to be effective, it must be real and not done for show. Even then, we must not assume piety is enough. We need grace. We need to embrace the grace which is... Read more

Begin With Forgiveness

Last updated on: February 27, 2022 at 3:50 am By Henry Karlson

Forgiveness is central to the Christian faith. Not only are we its recipients, we are expected to follow the example given to us by God and forgive others. With God, who is love, justice is bound with mercy. Forgiveness is available to all, but if we are to receive it, we must make ourselves vessels of mercy, offering the mercy we receive to others. Forgiveness is so important that the service which begins the Great Fast, Lent, in the Byzantine... Read more

Putin’s Ukrainian War, A Defeat For Humanity

Last updated on: February 24, 2022 at 5:24 am By Henry Karlson

War is always an evil. No matter who wins, humanity loses. “And let us not forget that war and terrorism are always a great loss for all humanity. They are the great defeat of humanity!”[1] Even the most just war is an evil which we should pray we never have to face, but when war comes to us, not everyone is equally guilty for the evil which follows. Those who intend to take what is not theirs and make it... Read more

Baptism Is An Act Of Faith And Not An Act Of Magic

Last updated on: February 23, 2022 at 3:48 am By Henry Karlson

Baptism is important. Through it, we begin our Christian life, regenerated by grace. It is also how we are incorporated into Christ, becoming a part of the church, the body of Christ. While grace can be said to be bound to baptism so that a valid baptism will always bring us grace, God is not bound by the ritual. God can offer that grace by other means. However one receives it, one is born again, regenerated by grace, incorporated into... Read more

Wrestling With God

Last updated on: February 22, 2022 at 3:50 am By Henry Karlson

Scripture is full of examples of those who were promised great things by God and yet found their lives to be full of struggles. Their difficulties, or the struggles of those around them, often had them wrestling with God. Some, like Job, felt as if God had abandoned them and so they wrestled with God in order to try to make sense of their experiences. Others wrestled with God so as to find God’s mercy, if not for themselves, than... Read more

The Judgment Of Love

Last updated on: February 20, 2022 at 3:43 am By Henry Karlson

Christ teaches that we are going to have our lives judged; everything about us will be revealed, and through it, who and what we have made of ourselves will be made known to everyone, including, and especially ourselves. We will not be able to hide from the truth anymore. Everyone, including the best of us, have things which we are ashamed about, things which we wish we had not done, but there is no getting away from what we have... Read more

Reparation And Injustices: Society Is Accountable For Systematic Sin

Last updated on: February 17, 2022 at 3:48 am By Henry Karlson

All injustice requires satisfaction as a part of the process which reverses and heals the damage which it been done. This is true, not only on an individual basis, but communally as well Those who rightfully accuse society of wrongdoing, asking for and demanding reparations for injustices, have Jesus on their side, for Jesus was clear that all such debts must be paid in full: Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest... Read more

Which Christian denomination was founded by John and Charles Wesley?