I know human government always goes either too far or too lenient. Ours today is way too lenient. Only God can set proper boundaries for civil law, not man. That's the dilemma of human government and civil law. And there would of course be lots of discussion and debate about it's applications as your writings have shown about doctrinal things -- much less civil law. Concepts like -- the punishment should equal the crime, full restitution to the point of reconciliation, foreigners should follow the Law of the Land, justice is a community thing for all to help enforce. God's Law was the basis of natural law as you well know and defend. It will never happen in our lifetime, but what you have done and are doing is a great start. So I understand your hesitancy. Sometimes I don't read something because I don't even want to go there. Thank you for your deep work.
Bionic, Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I first started appreciating your search for the source of true liberty. If folks haven't read all of your former blog -- it is rich and deep showing that true liberty can only be created and sustained in a truly Christian culture. I agree with you about more recent "protestants" over negative emphasis on "works".
I believe "good works" that God seeks from humanity are keeping His commandments -- which boil down to Love your neighbor as yourself -- but that only comes from truly Loving God with all our being. Romans 13:8-10. Love does no harm -- but does active good for others. Our "works" are always flawed, but necessary to our salvation. Faith, repentance, baptism require human effort -- just as Loving others does. Sermon on the Mount is key to seeing this and Lloyd-Jones masterpiece is profound. I would also recommend as I have before to you the foundational book, The Institutes of Biblical Law (Vol 1 especially) by R. J. Rushdoony. It applies God's Law (10 Commandments to all of life, including civil law).
I agree with you that we are to judge true Christians by their fruit. There is no perfect church -- only a perfect pattern in the Word of God, but who really fully understands and applies the Word perfectly? Jesus only. We need an family environment of grace and love to grow and produce genuine fruit. Christ must be at the core of everything.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us Bionic. It's a never ending earthly journey. If we can say like Paul: I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the race. Earth life has a way wearing us down if we are not diligent. Keep going!
Thank you, Alan. Your comments have been helpful throughout.
I don't know if I will get to Rushdoony's book - recommended by you and others. I am not really settled on the premise - as you see in this post, I am concerned about what is and isn't fair game for civil law. Once the door is opened for civil law beyond theft and aggression, it is opened for anything the prevailing culture (and government) wishes, it seems to me.
But that might be my libertarianism not wanting to let go!
We are in the same stadium having come from different directions. I am the best Roman Catholic among my friends when it comes to core beliefs but am the worst in the world when it comes to the fringe. There are souls on the path to theosis in every Christian sect. Largely because of you, I’ve come to respect the OO—for crying out loud, they were part of the one church until 451! An essential part of the foundation.
What I have found helpful in your posts is more the atmosphere or attitude that any specific point you make. Your wish to connect as God wants us to connect and undergo the change He wants even in this life, your charity toward those who don't agree with you, your humility: these are good for me. I have learned that I need to avoid thinking too much, and feeling much more in relation to the Father and Son, but that's my failing elsewhere. So I sometimes skip the tough intellectual work you take on, e.g. the centuries long fight about His two natures. For you it seems enriching, nourishing. For me it would be backsliding, at least for now. This is no criticism of you.
I bring these things up in part to say that you are probably helping regular readers in ways you wouldn't expect. So keep going! And thank you.
And yes: if we aren't at least driven to try to have good works, how sincere are we about Christ? Sometimes, when I feel a little superior to or irritated with one of my patients (ouch...wish I were different), I think: wait a sec, I'm supposed to love you. And I try to do that. It often changes how they act, and they are probably more comfortable.
I also like your comment in this post about not guilty vs. healing. I'm a Southern evangelical, but I lean more toward the latter. And I appreciate your saying that so clearly. It was helpful.
Brian, thank you for this. There is much here; I will comment on a couple of things:
I am currently working with someone who is entering the Christian world for the first time (or maybe re-entering after many years of absence). He asks me "which is the right church?" I respond (after being clear about the hallway requirements of Lewis and a few other basics): the one where you feel comfortable worshiping God, learning how to live, and finding a community of loving, caring people.
As for the first few centuries of theological disputes, a couple of thoughts: first, your example provides a good reason why I have used this once a week format for each book / topic. If I stick to one book continuously, I could lose people like you. This way, during the course of the week, there will be something meaningful for different interests in the group.
Second thought: I used to be scared to dive into difficult topics. Creation was one. If I look into this, and I can't prove XX about the creation narrative, I will lose my faith. Well, I looked into it, and didn't lose my faith. So, I thought the same about Christ and the Trinity. This on top of, I have a close friend who is a JW. So I wanted to solidify myself in the face of his arguments.
It is a pleasure, and an honor, to be on the journey with you. Rare it is to find folks I somewhat agree with, but your website goes beyond partial agreement regarding what I find valuable: orthodox Christianity and political libertarianism. I am curious: what Oriental Orthodox community are you attending? As for what you say about history, our Eastern European friends have a a saying: "Do not believe a rumor until it has been officially denounced three times." Many years!
Bionic, I read your posts because there really hasn’t been anyone else on the blogosphere who so thoroughly expresses so many of my inner convictions in “working out my salvation with fear and trembling”. God is giving you a voice to speak for many. To help us work out and process inner yearnings and regain the ancient traction in this crazy world. And importantly you back it up with receipts from the saints and the historic faith. Thank you for sharing your journey. As Lewis expressed, we must all select “a room” but the hallway indeed has other doors where we can knock and find communion even if the earthly church resists and struggles to sign off on such. After spending time in several rooms over my lifetime, I am now in the Anglican “room” but I’d characterize myself as Anglo-Ortho-Catholic. Thankfully, I have found within the Anglican tradition (my branch anyway) the grace and space to move about and breathe and explore which it sounds like you have found in Eastern Orthodoxy. Peace!
Thanks, Chris. Christians who believe the Nicene Creed, whether they actually say it or not) inherently agree on 90% or more of the important stuff. Yet, so many see those in other rooms as outside the Church. There is so much we can learn from each other, without getting worked up about winning one for "my" team.
Christ is the head of the Church. There is only one team. I am glad that He has given us different ways that work for different people to practice worship. I just don't like the fighting by those in one room against others in different rooms.
I remain blessed that the OO church where I attend will offer communion to any baptized Christian. As my priest says, who are we to judge. This is so right to my ear.
I know human government always goes either too far or too lenient. Ours today is way too lenient. Only God can set proper boundaries for civil law, not man. That's the dilemma of human government and civil law. And there would of course be lots of discussion and debate about it's applications as your writings have shown about doctrinal things -- much less civil law. Concepts like -- the punishment should equal the crime, full restitution to the point of reconciliation, foreigners should follow the Law of the Land, justice is a community thing for all to help enforce. God's Law was the basis of natural law as you well know and defend. It will never happen in our lifetime, but what you have done and are doing is a great start. So I understand your hesitancy. Sometimes I don't read something because I don't even want to go there. Thank you for your deep work.
Bionic, Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I first started appreciating your search for the source of true liberty. If folks haven't read all of your former blog -- it is rich and deep showing that true liberty can only be created and sustained in a truly Christian culture. I agree with you about more recent "protestants" over negative emphasis on "works".
I believe "good works" that God seeks from humanity are keeping His commandments -- which boil down to Love your neighbor as yourself -- but that only comes from truly Loving God with all our being. Romans 13:8-10. Love does no harm -- but does active good for others. Our "works" are always flawed, but necessary to our salvation. Faith, repentance, baptism require human effort -- just as Loving others does. Sermon on the Mount is key to seeing this and Lloyd-Jones masterpiece is profound. I would also recommend as I have before to you the foundational book, The Institutes of Biblical Law (Vol 1 especially) by R. J. Rushdoony. It applies God's Law (10 Commandments to all of life, including civil law).
I agree with you that we are to judge true Christians by their fruit. There is no perfect church -- only a perfect pattern in the Word of God, but who really fully understands and applies the Word perfectly? Jesus only. We need an family environment of grace and love to grow and produce genuine fruit. Christ must be at the core of everything.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us Bionic. It's a never ending earthly journey. If we can say like Paul: I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the race. Earth life has a way wearing us down if we are not diligent. Keep going!
Thank you, Alan. Your comments have been helpful throughout.
I don't know if I will get to Rushdoony's book - recommended by you and others. I am not really settled on the premise - as you see in this post, I am concerned about what is and isn't fair game for civil law. Once the door is opened for civil law beyond theft and aggression, it is opened for anything the prevailing culture (and government) wishes, it seems to me.
But that might be my libertarianism not wanting to let go!
We are in the same stadium having come from different directions. I am the best Roman Catholic among my friends when it comes to core beliefs but am the worst in the world when it comes to the fringe. There are souls on the path to theosis in every Christian sect. Largely because of you, I’ve come to respect the OO—for crying out loud, they were part of the one church until 451! An essential part of the foundation.
What I have found helpful in your posts is more the atmosphere or attitude that any specific point you make. Your wish to connect as God wants us to connect and undergo the change He wants even in this life, your charity toward those who don't agree with you, your humility: these are good for me. I have learned that I need to avoid thinking too much, and feeling much more in relation to the Father and Son, but that's my failing elsewhere. So I sometimes skip the tough intellectual work you take on, e.g. the centuries long fight about His two natures. For you it seems enriching, nourishing. For me it would be backsliding, at least for now. This is no criticism of you.
I bring these things up in part to say that you are probably helping regular readers in ways you wouldn't expect. So keep going! And thank you.
And yes: if we aren't at least driven to try to have good works, how sincere are we about Christ? Sometimes, when I feel a little superior to or irritated with one of my patients (ouch...wish I were different), I think: wait a sec, I'm supposed to love you. And I try to do that. It often changes how they act, and they are probably more comfortable.
I also like your comment in this post about not guilty vs. healing. I'm a Southern evangelical, but I lean more toward the latter. And I appreciate your saying that so clearly. It was helpful.
Brian, thank you for this. There is much here; I will comment on a couple of things:
I am currently working with someone who is entering the Christian world for the first time (or maybe re-entering after many years of absence). He asks me "which is the right church?" I respond (after being clear about the hallway requirements of Lewis and a few other basics): the one where you feel comfortable worshiping God, learning how to live, and finding a community of loving, caring people.
As for the first few centuries of theological disputes, a couple of thoughts: first, your example provides a good reason why I have used this once a week format for each book / topic. If I stick to one book continuously, I could lose people like you. This way, during the course of the week, there will be something meaningful for different interests in the group.
Second thought: I used to be scared to dive into difficult topics. Creation was one. If I look into this, and I can't prove XX about the creation narrative, I will lose my faith. Well, I looked into it, and didn't lose my faith. So, I thought the same about Christ and the Trinity. This on top of, I have a close friend who is a JW. So I wanted to solidify myself in the face of his arguments.
Again, thank you for your feedback.
It is a pleasure, and an honor, to be on the journey with you. Rare it is to find folks I somewhat agree with, but your website goes beyond partial agreement regarding what I find valuable: orthodox Christianity and political libertarianism. I am curious: what Oriental Orthodox community are you attending? As for what you say about history, our Eastern European friends have a a saying: "Do not believe a rumor until it has been officially denounced three times." Many years!
Thank you, William.
As for my OO community...that may come out at some point, but I am not ready to do that yet!
:-)
Bionic, I read your posts because there really hasn’t been anyone else on the blogosphere who so thoroughly expresses so many of my inner convictions in “working out my salvation with fear and trembling”. God is giving you a voice to speak for many. To help us work out and process inner yearnings and regain the ancient traction in this crazy world. And importantly you back it up with receipts from the saints and the historic faith. Thank you for sharing your journey. As Lewis expressed, we must all select “a room” but the hallway indeed has other doors where we can knock and find communion even if the earthly church resists and struggles to sign off on such. After spending time in several rooms over my lifetime, I am now in the Anglican “room” but I’d characterize myself as Anglo-Ortho-Catholic. Thankfully, I have found within the Anglican tradition (my branch anyway) the grace and space to move about and breathe and explore which it sounds like you have found in Eastern Orthodoxy. Peace!
Thanks, Chris. Christians who believe the Nicene Creed, whether they actually say it or not) inherently agree on 90% or more of the important stuff. Yet, so many see those in other rooms as outside the Church. There is so much we can learn from each other, without getting worked up about winning one for "my" team.
Christ is the head of the Church. There is only one team. I am glad that He has given us different ways that work for different people to practice worship. I just don't like the fighting by those in one room against others in different rooms.
I remain blessed that the OO church where I attend will offer communion to any baptized Christian. As my priest says, who are we to judge. This is so right to my ear.