My son is in an unenviable position, working in a control room of a local TV newscast, surrounded by (surprise, surprise) flaming liberals who fill his ears with the most vile spewing of vitriol to anyone to the right of Fidel Castro. He finds it very hard, and has been looking for another position. Our town is relatively small, and larger markets are difficult to break into. The continuous din is extremely wearing, and the management is reluctant to do much to quell it, even with an appeal to professionalism.
I mention this because these are the circumstances in which finding the God in one’s neighbor is really, really hard. My son questions whether he is doing any good, and the toll is telling on him. I remind him that each time he does not match insult with insult, and each time he shows even a small kindness, he is finding and helping his neighbor, if only by example.
I am reminded of Henry Van Dyke’s “The Fourth Magi”. A short story well worth looking up, in which a fourth King becomes separated from the others, and wanders the world in search of finding the King of Kings, to bestow his gift. I will not spoil the ending, and recommend you look it up, but his lifelong quest mirrors many of our journeys, like my son’s, who questions what his life’s journey should be, not finding what he thought his great quest was, but by helping one in distress that he could help, fulfills his true life’s journey.
My only quibble with Klavan the Younger’s formulation is that each man does have the spark of the almighty within him, but salvation without the Way, Truth and Light, the journey is bound to fail. We may not recognize Him as such, but any man who cares for another, who feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, knows Him, and as Matthew promises, will be welcomed into the Kingdom. I believe that is what he meant when he stated that “every person is (a path to God)”. Not perhaps for himself, but for those who help him on his journey. The rest of the paragraph makes this clearer on rereading.
As for our “social justice” Pontiff, perhaps he should follow his immediate predecessor and recognize that it is time to retire into a life of contemplation, reflection, prayer and silence.
Indeed, patience in abundance. I’ve always believed that the first thing the devil takes from us is patience. Couple that with Pride and we become unraveled. It seems to me that all our bad decisions arrive to us thru impatience.
I cannot highlight a quote and provide comment; it'd be the whole letter. I'm so frozen in place re-reading that my screensaver interrupted 3 times! Privileged to be a part of your "select gathering"
Loving others (certain ones, especially) can be so hard...but I confess, I never thought about loving them by seeing in them the image of God. Now it seems obvious.
I believe as the Creator and Savior of all humanity, God Himself is the Original universalist.
Because if we truly believe God is the Origin of Good, that He IS Goodness Itself, then He also is Love Itself, Mercy Itself. Which makes it nonsensical to imagine the Origin of love and mercy allows billions of His created children to be born into religions that cannot save them, that eternal damnation awaits all except those who have the good fortune to find and follow Christ.
My understanding has always been that God, in His Providence, accepts into heaven EVERY person who has walked the path of spiritual reformation, who has humbly believed in God as they understand Him and faithfully tried to live in truth as they understand it. In other words, He leads all who are willing to be led, and saves all who have done the work of learning to love others above themselves, to shun the hatred and selfishness in their hearts that separates their soul from God. It is the quality of our love, the goodness in it, that forms our souls for heaven and connects us to God, and every human is created with that potential and opportunity, even if Christian teachings do not provide their path.
Jesus, as the Logos, the WORD made flesh, most clearly and directly provides us with God's Truth. He most brilliantly lights our path, which is why Christianity is such a powerful and significant force for good in this world. But each individual created soul, sincerely humbled to even an imperfect understanding of a Higher Power, if they are earnestly willing to love others more than themself, can be received into heaven without first becoming Christian. I do believe in the next life, though, every saved person comes to sees the Oneness of the Lord, God, Jesus Christ, and our perception of His truth is perfected accordingly.
In my 80 years I have tried many paths (religions) from the Orient to the Scientologist and I humbly submit they did not lead to God. Why? Because the Holy Spirit did not testify to me that they were the Way toGod. There is One True God and His one true doctrine designed to bring us home. When you find that pearl of great price treasure it with all your heart and you will know joy in any circumstance.
"Here’s something else true. Although not every religion is a path to God, every person is. This is actually better news than the wishful niceties of universalism. Being made in his image, each soul alive and yet to be born is a unique conduit to the heart of the Divinity."
Love this so much! And now I have a question to ask for the live event. I’m usually an upbeat positive person, but haven’t slept in weeks. I can handle the world and its corruption, we know whose domain it is, but seeing the corruption in the church, I’m don’t know how y’all stay grounded. Just finished Shepherds for Sale, heart breaking. And then our former denomination just posted a “non partisan” voter guideline that includes euphemisms for murdering babies. I know Jesus is coming and I know heaven is real and all will be well, but watching so much of the church crumble and lead their flock astray has not been easy. It has eternal consequences. Thank you for your writings!
Focus on the plan of salvation. Focus on Jesus Christ. Focus on the still small voice. Focus on the promises. Focus on daily repentance. Keep your feet on the ground and your eyes toward heaven. And hold tight, it may get bumpy.
Spoken from many years of wisdom. I’m going to remember your words. As I pass my mid 50’s, I seem to acquire patience bit by bit. And not get mad or emotional about this world. It’s hard but I see heat that in your words and it gives me hope.
Yes and amen! I did finally sleep well last night. And I know we have had heretics from day 1 who have led the flock astray. And although I feel so blessed to have grown up in a Christian “world”, I can see that the young believers today are more committed to their faith than I was at their age. I did take it for granted, it was comfortable. But now it is urgent, and that is probably a good things, the apostles definitely went out with urgency.
My son is in an unenviable position, working in a control room of a local TV newscast, surrounded by (surprise, surprise) flaming liberals who fill his ears with the most vile spewing of vitriol to anyone to the right of Fidel Castro. He finds it very hard, and has been looking for another position. Our town is relatively small, and larger markets are difficult to break into. The continuous din is extremely wearing, and the management is reluctant to do much to quell it, even with an appeal to professionalism.
I mention this because these are the circumstances in which finding the God in one’s neighbor is really, really hard. My son questions whether he is doing any good, and the toll is telling on him. I remind him that each time he does not match insult with insult, and each time he shows even a small kindness, he is finding and helping his neighbor, if only by example.
I am reminded of Henry Van Dyke’s “The Fourth Magi”. A short story well worth looking up, in which a fourth King becomes separated from the others, and wanders the world in search of finding the King of Kings, to bestow his gift. I will not spoil the ending, and recommend you look it up, but his lifelong quest mirrors many of our journeys, like my son’s, who questions what his life’s journey should be, not finding what he thought his great quest was, but by helping one in distress that he could help, fulfills his true life’s journey.
My only quibble with Klavan the Younger’s formulation is that each man does have the spark of the almighty within him, but salvation without the Way, Truth and Light, the journey is bound to fail. We may not recognize Him as such, but any man who cares for another, who feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, knows Him, and as Matthew promises, will be welcomed into the Kingdom. I believe that is what he meant when he stated that “every person is (a path to God)”. Not perhaps for himself, but for those who help him on his journey. The rest of the paragraph makes this clearer on rereading.
As for our “social justice” Pontiff, perhaps he should follow his immediate predecessor and recognize that it is time to retire into a life of contemplation, reflection, prayer and silence.
Praying for patience in abundance for your son! Poor guy.
Indeed, patience in abundance. I’ve always believed that the first thing the devil takes from us is patience. Couple that with Pride and we become unraveled. It seems to me that all our bad decisions arrive to us thru impatience.
What a wonderful comment. Thank you.
I cannot highlight a quote and provide comment; it'd be the whole letter. I'm so frozen in place re-reading that my screensaver interrupted 3 times! Privileged to be a part of your "select gathering"
Honored by you, and by your screensaver!
“You shall love your crooked neighbor with your crooked heart.”
Love it.
Loving others (certain ones, especially) can be so hard...but I confess, I never thought about loving them by seeing in them the image of God. Now it seems obvious.
The second is like unto it! <3
Stunning. Thank you, Spencer. I can’t help wondering if Pater Pontifex is thinking “D*mn, I wish I’d said that! 🤨”
Hahaha I don't think the Pope reads my work. Or at least I hope not!
I believe as the Creator and Savior of all humanity, God Himself is the Original universalist.
Because if we truly believe God is the Origin of Good, that He IS Goodness Itself, then He also is Love Itself, Mercy Itself. Which makes it nonsensical to imagine the Origin of love and mercy allows billions of His created children to be born into religions that cannot save them, that eternal damnation awaits all except those who have the good fortune to find and follow Christ.
My understanding has always been that God, in His Providence, accepts into heaven EVERY person who has walked the path of spiritual reformation, who has humbly believed in God as they understand Him and faithfully tried to live in truth as they understand it. In other words, He leads all who are willing to be led, and saves all who have done the work of learning to love others above themselves, to shun the hatred and selfishness in their hearts that separates their soul from God. It is the quality of our love, the goodness in it, that forms our souls for heaven and connects us to God, and every human is created with that potential and opportunity, even if Christian teachings do not provide their path.
Jesus, as the Logos, the WORD made flesh, most clearly and directly provides us with God's Truth. He most brilliantly lights our path, which is why Christianity is such a powerful and significant force for good in this world. But each individual created soul, sincerely humbled to even an imperfect understanding of a Higher Power, if they are earnestly willing to love others more than themself, can be received into heaven without first becoming Christian. I do believe in the next life, though, every saved person comes to sees the Oneness of the Lord, God, Jesus Christ, and our perception of His truth is perfected accordingly.
Sounds like dad's next letter might interest you...thanks for sharing!
I am loving these letters so much. Very thought provoking. I wish I had found it sooner!
So delighted to hear that. Thank you, Victoria! Glad you're here now.
Ugh...PF... <face palm> *Le sigh*
Rather.
In my 80 years I have tried many paths (religions) from the Orient to the Scientologist and I humbly submit they did not lead to God. Why? Because the Holy Spirit did not testify to me that they were the Way toGod. There is One True God and His one true doctrine designed to bring us home. When you find that pearl of great price treasure it with all your heart and you will know joy in any circumstance.
Yes to this.
"Here’s something else true. Although not every religion is a path to God, every person is. This is actually better news than the wishful niceties of universalism. Being made in his image, each soul alive and yet to be born is a unique conduit to the heart of the Divinity."
Love this so much! And now I have a question to ask for the live event. I’m usually an upbeat positive person, but haven’t slept in weeks. I can handle the world and its corruption, we know whose domain it is, but seeing the corruption in the church, I’m don’t know how y’all stay grounded. Just finished Shepherds for Sale, heart breaking. And then our former denomination just posted a “non partisan” voter guideline that includes euphemisms for murdering babies. I know Jesus is coming and I know heaven is real and all will be well, but watching so much of the church crumble and lead their flock astray has not been easy. It has eternal consequences. Thank you for your writings!
Focus on the plan of salvation. Focus on Jesus Christ. Focus on the still small voice. Focus on the promises. Focus on daily repentance. Keep your feet on the ground and your eyes toward heaven. And hold tight, it may get bumpy.
Spoken from many years of wisdom. I’m going to remember your words. As I pass my mid 50’s, I seem to acquire patience bit by bit. And not get mad or emotional about this world. It’s hard but I see heat that in your words and it gives me hope.
Yes and amen! I did finally sleep well last night. And I know we have had heretics from day 1 who have led the flock astray. And although I feel so blessed to have grown up in a Christian “world”, I can see that the young believers today are more committed to their faith than I was at their age. I did take it for granted, it was comfortable. But now it is urgent, and that is probably a good things, the apostles definitely went out with urgency.
Yes I do not understand the role so many churches are taking. It’s as if cultural and
Moral relativism have taken over . The left is working hard to “capture” them as they have most of our cultural institutions.
Since I understand you guys are committed to observing cultural trends, I will tell you I respectfully disagree.
Well, as I say in the letter, most people do! Though not always so respectfully.