I'm not sure anyone here is saying that non-orthodox belief is necessarily going to damage someone's physical health - in the way that a poor diet, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise or over-indulgence, a physical condition or lack of particular vitamins might.
If we use the analogy of the Church as a hospital for sin-sick souls, a common Big O Orthodox trope, then it follows that the 'medication' on offer should be both efficacious and provided in the right dosages. Too much medicine can be harmful.
It could be argued from both Big O and small o orthodox perspectives that non-orthodox beliefs can damage a person's spiritual health, however much the person 'suffering' from those beliefs might enjoy or value them.
People who smoke or drink to excess may well enjoy doing so, but the effect on their health can be highly detrimental.
We can get 'spiritual addictions' as well as physical ones.
I'm treading carefully here but the Apostle Paul did seem to draw a link between 'unworthy' or ill-considered participation in the Eucharist / Lord's Supper / communion and untimely death. Yikes! It's a wonder any of us are still here ...
1 Corinthians 11:30 'For this reason many are weak and sick among you and some have died.'
However we understand that, it does raise issues as to 'how far' from any received norm we have to go before we suffer the consequences. And no, I'm not suggesting that anyone who deviates slightly from received creedal orthodoxy is bound for everlasting torment, nor that those who deviate widely from it are going to do so either. But neither do I think they are doing themselves or anyone else any favours by entertaining these out-of-kilter beliefs.
Looking back on my charismatic evangelical days, I can think of emphases and mindsets there which I feel did cause me spiritual harm - as well as others that were neutral, helpful, excellent and praiseworthy and all stations in between.
Whether something 'feels good' or 'feels right' doesn't necessarily make it so.
That isn't to say that Mormons, say, or JWs, for instance, can't be happy within their particuar belief systems. It's not about being 'happy' it's about what is True - 'the Truth as it is in Jesus.'
It may be unfashionable to make truth claims but if we believe in the Incarnation then we are bound to do so.
To borrow and adapt a quotation from another Christian tradition, 'Here we stand. We can do no other.'
To quote the liturgical texts in relation to St Alban, proto-martyr of Britain who was celebrated earlier this week, 'My name is Alban and I am a servant of the True and Living God.'
That got him the chop.
It's not always about 'being happy'. It's about being True.
Would these people really repeal women's right to vote?
Don't answer that question. I think I need to go and lie down ...
Says the guy who not too long ago joined a church that doesn't ordain women. Give me a break. You're an active contributor to the sexism that is still deeply ingrained in our societies.
Doug Wilson does not think housewives should have the vote. He thinks each household should have one vote and that should depend on the husband. The wife should agree with the husband. He recognizes single women, widows mostly can vote if they are the head of the house. However, if the woman is still living with her father, the father votes for the household, or if the woman lives with her brother, the brother votes as head of the household. If the widow is living with the son...I think you get the picture.
In other words, it is the household that gets one vote, and that would likely be the male head of the house. Authority flows through male leadership unless no male head exists.
Would these people really repeal women's right to vote?
Don't answer that question. I think I need to go and lie down ...
Says the guy who not too long ago joined a church that doesn't ordain women. Give me a break. You're an active contributor to the sexism that is still deeply ingrained in our societies.
Hostly beret on
@Ruth this is a personal attack. Take it to hell or desist.
In other news about good ol' Pete, General Christopher Donahue, the commander of Land forces under NATO and the US commander overseeing American forces in Africa has resigned. The Guardian reports:
An army official who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to talk about sensitive discussions told the Associated Press that Donahue’s departure comes as the army is discussing downgrading US Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command.
This move would come amid ongoing criticism from Hegseth about European allies.
Last week, Hegseth told Nato allies he would be conducting a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe that is “designed to ensure that Nato is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe”.
The problem from the American standpoint with moving the European Command down to a three-star position would put the American commander below many European commanders with an 0-9 rating. From my own view, I think it would serve Europe better if a European four-star level officer takes the over Donahue's position anyway.
For those who remember, Donahue was the last American soldier to officially leave Afghanistan when the American supported government collapsed. Hegseth never liked that development even now, even though the withdrawal was first initiated by his Commander in Chief, during his first administration.
Doug Wilson is very nasty indeed - there has been a lot written about how his church has attempted to take over a place in Idaho called Moscow (Idaho unfortunately attracts a LOT of religious cranks of the more dangerous type including the FLDS). I would recommend reading the Wikipedia page on his church and this Guardian article for starters.
Doug Wilson is very nasty indeed - there has been a lot written about how his church has attempted to take over a place in Idaho called Moscow (Idaho unfortunately attracts a LOT of religious cranks of the more dangerous type including the FLDS). I would recommend reading the Wikipedia page on his church and this Guardian article for starters.
I live just eight miles from Moscow. It is the home of the University of Idaho. The U of I has no official connection to Doug Wilson, but his people like to rent U of I auditoriums for special events. I think it gives him an air of respectability. By Idaho law, the U of I cannot deny anyone from using their facilities.
Comments
Historically they very much thought of themselves as the doctor. I might mention the Inquisition; I might make reference to Servetus.
I'd like to say we know better now but far too often when I say that I get accused of chronological snobbery.
If we use the analogy of the Church as a hospital for sin-sick souls, a common Big O Orthodox trope, then it follows that the 'medication' on offer should be both efficacious and provided in the right dosages. Too much medicine can be harmful.
It could be argued from both Big O and small o orthodox perspectives that non-orthodox beliefs can damage a person's spiritual health, however much the person 'suffering' from those beliefs might enjoy or value them.
People who smoke or drink to excess may well enjoy doing so, but the effect on their health can be highly detrimental.
We can get 'spiritual addictions' as well as physical ones.
I'm treading carefully here but the Apostle Paul did seem to draw a link between 'unworthy' or ill-considered participation in the Eucharist / Lord's Supper / communion and untimely death. Yikes! It's a wonder any of us are still here ...
1 Corinthians 11:30 'For this reason many are weak and sick among you and some have died.'
https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/11-30.htm
However we understand that, it does raise issues as to 'how far' from any received norm we have to go before we suffer the consequences. And no, I'm not suggesting that anyone who deviates slightly from received creedal orthodoxy is bound for everlasting torment, nor that those who deviate widely from it are going to do so either. But neither do I think they are doing themselves or anyone else any favours by entertaining these out-of-kilter beliefs.
Looking back on my charismatic evangelical days, I can think of emphases and mindsets there which I feel did cause me spiritual harm - as well as others that were neutral, helpful, excellent and praiseworthy and all stations in between.
Whether something 'feels good' or 'feels right' doesn't necessarily make it so.
That isn't to say that Mormons, say, or JWs, for instance, can't be happy within their particuar belief systems. It's not about being 'happy' it's about what is True - 'the Truth as it is in Jesus.'
It may be unfashionable to make truth claims but if we believe in the Incarnation then we are bound to do so.
To borrow and adapt a quotation from another Christian tradition, 'Here we stand. We can do no other.'
To quote the liturgical texts in relation to St Alban, proto-martyr of Britain who was celebrated earlier this week, 'My name is Alban and I am a servant of the True and Living God.'
That got him the chop.
It's not always about 'being happy'. It's about being True.
Says the guy who not too long ago joined a church that doesn't ordain women. Give me a break. You're an active contributor to the sexism that is still deeply ingrained in our societies.
In other words, it is the household that gets one vote, and that would likely be the male head of the house. Authority flows through male leadership unless no male head exists.
The American Constitution gives women the right to vote in the 19th amendment.
Wilson would like to see that amendment repealed, but he is not actively campaigning for the repeal at this time.
Hostly beret on
@Ruth this is a personal attack. Take it to hell or desist.
Hostly beret off
la vie en rouge, Purgatory host
The problem from the American standpoint with moving the European Command down to a three-star position would put the American commander below many European commanders with an 0-9 rating. From my own view, I think it would serve Europe better if a European four-star level officer takes the over Donahue's position anyway.
For those who remember, Donahue was the last American soldier to officially leave Afghanistan when the American supported government collapsed. Hegseth never liked that development even now, even though the withdrawal was first initiated by his Commander in Chief, during his first administration.
I live just eight miles from Moscow. It is the home of the University of Idaho. The U of I has no official connection to Doug Wilson, but his people like to rent U of I auditoriums for special events. I think it gives him an air of respectability. By Idaho law, the U of I cannot deny anyone from using their facilities.