#christianity — Public Fediverse posts

@MelissaBearTrix

Then, a crop of hatchlings spawned, to spread the queen's infection...

Snakes in The Garden of Innocence
=======================

After days of hiking, the missionaries came across a tribe living in isolation from civilization. The tribals were surprised to see outsiders, but were very welcoming and hospitable, showing the missionaries around the village, like children, excited to have guests, and eager to show them around their little world. They usually walked around nude, wearing nothing but flowers and smiles. They laughed a lot, the loud laughter of carefree people. In a few days, the missionaries had learned some of their mellifluous language. They told the tribals to receive the Word of God, and become Christians, which greatly confused the tribe. The missionaries pushed on, telling them that they had to be saved, which caused the tribe to guffaw, and roar with laughter. A silver haired matriarch spoke up and said they were fine, and didn't understand what they needed to be saved from. Frustrated, a missionary put a movie on his laptop to keep the tribe busy, while the missionaries held a meeting to discuss how to convert these heathen. While they were in the meeting, the tribe gathered around the laptop, and watched "The Passion of The Christ", transfixed. After watching the movie, the whole tribe made a beeline to be saved, with aghast expressions.

#Christianity #Christ #Jesus #Catholic #Catholicism #Church #Bible #Missionary #Colonialism #Religion #Missionaries
#CreativeWriting #ShortStory #MelGibson

@MelissaBearTrix

Then, a crop of hatchlings spawned, to spread the queen's infection...

Snakes in The Garden of Innocence
=======================

After days of hiking, the missionaries came across a tribe living in isolation from civilization. The tribals were surprised to see outsiders, but were very welcoming and hospitable, showing the missionaries around the village, like children, excited to have guests, and eager to show them around their little world. They usually walked around nude, wearing nothing but flowers and smiles. They laughed a lot, the loud laughter of carefree people. In a few days, the missionaries had learned some of their mellifluous language. They told the tribals to receive the Word of God, and become Christians, which greatly confused the tribe. The missionaries pushed on, telling them that they had to be saved, which caused the tribe to guffaw, and roar with laughter. A silver haired matriarch spoke up and said they were fine, and didn't understand what they needed to be saved from. Frustrated, a missionary put a movie on his laptop to keep the tribe busy, while the missionaries held a meeting to discuss how to convert these heathen. While they were in the meeting, the tribe gathered around the laptop, and watched "The Passion of The Christ", transfixed. After watching the movie, the whole tribe made a beeline to be saved, with aghast expressions.

#Christianity #Christ #Jesus #Catholic #Catholicism #Church #Bible #Missionary #Colonialism #Religion #Missionaries
#CreativeWriting #ShortStory #MelGibson

@MelissaBearTrix

Then, a crop of hatchlings spawned, to spread the queen's infection...

Snakes in The Garden of Innocence
=======================

After days of hiking, the missionaries came across a tribe living in isolation from civilization. The tribals were surprised to see outsiders, but were very welcoming and hospitable, showing the missionaries around the village, like children, excited to have guests, and eager to show them around their little world. They usually walked around nude, wearing nothing but flowers and smiles. They laughed a lot, the loud laughter of carefree people. In a few days, the missionaries had learned some of their mellifluous language. They told the tribals to receive the Word of God, and become Christians, which greatly confused the tribe. The missionaries pushed on, telling them that they had to be saved, which caused the tribe to guffaw, and roar with laughter. A silver haired matriarch spoke up and said they were fine, and didn't understand what they needed to be saved from. Frustrated, a missionary put a movie on his laptop to keep the tribe busy, while the missionaries held a meeting to discuss how to convert these heathen. While they were in the meeting, the tribe gathered around the laptop, and watched "The Passion of The Christ", transfixed. After watching the movie, the whole tribe made a beeline to be saved, with aghast expressions.

#Christianity #Christ #Jesus #Catholic #Catholicism #Church #Bible #Missionary #Colonialism #Religion #Missionaries
#CreativeWriting #ShortStory #MelGibson

@MelissaBearTrix

Then, a crop of hatchlings spawned, to spread the queen's infection...

Snakes in The Garden of Innocence
=======================

After days of hiking, the missionaries came across a tribe living in isolation from civilization. The tribals were surprised to see outsiders, but were very welcoming and hospitable, showing the missionaries around the village, like children, excited to have guests, and eager to show them around their little world. They usually walked around nude, wearing nothing but flowers and smiles. They laughed a lot, the loud laughter of carefree people. In a few days, the missionaries had learned some of their mellifluous language. They told the tribals to receive the Word of God, and become Christians, which greatly confused the tribe. The missionaries pushed on, telling them that they had to be saved, which caused the tribe to guffaw, and roar with laughter. A silver haired matriarch spoke up and said they were fine, and didn't understand what they needed to be saved from. Frustrated, a missionary put a movie on his laptop to keep the tribe busy, while the missionaries held a meeting to discuss how to convert these heathen. While they were in the meeting, the tribe gathered around the laptop, and watched "The Passion of The Christ", transfixed. After watching the movie, the whole tribe made a beeline to be saved, with aghast expressions.

#Christianity #Christ #Jesus #Catholic #Catholicism #Church #Bible #Missionary #Colonialism #Religion #Missionaries
#CreativeWriting #ShortStory #MelGibson

@MelissaBearTrix

Then, a crop of hatchlings spawned, to spread the queen's infection...

Snakes in The Garden of Innocence
=======================

After days of hiking, the missionaries came across a tribe living in isolation from civilization. The tribals were surprised to see outsiders, but were very welcoming and hospitable, showing the missionaries around the village, like children, excited to have guests, and eager to show them around their little world. They usually walked around nude, wearing nothing but flowers and smiles. They laughed a lot, the loud laughter of carefree people. In a few days, the missionaries had learned some of their mellifluous language. They told the tribals to receive the Word of God, and become Christians, which greatly confused the tribe. The missionaries pushed on, telling them that they had to be saved, which caused the tribe to guffaw, and roar with laughter. A silver haired matriarch spoke up and said they were fine, and didn't understand what they needed to be saved from. Frustrated, a missionary put a movie on his laptop to keep the tribe busy, while the missionaries held a meeting to discuss how to convert these heathen. While they were in the meeting, the tribe gathered around the laptop, and watched "The Passion of The Christ", transfixed. After watching the movie, the whole tribe made a beeline to be saved, with aghast expressions.

#Christianity #Christ #Jesus #Catholic #Catholicism #Church #Bible #Missionary #Colonialism #Religion #Missionaries
#CreativeWriting #ShortStory #MelGibson

Rams coach Sean McVay’s ’60 Minutes’ interview reveals why you shouldn’t find your identity in your job

Eagles ‘on shutout watch’ vs. Titans, Can the Giants upset the Rams on Parkins’ Week 2 Picks? |…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #NFL #Christianity #christianityreligion #interviews #LosAngelesRams #outkicksports #Religion #Sports #tombrady
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/854397/

Rams coach Sean McVay’s ’60 Minutes’ interview reveals why you shouldn’t find your identity in your job

Eagles ‘on shutout watch’ vs. Titans, Can the Giants upset the Rams on Parkins’ Week 2 Picks? |…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #NFL #Christianity #christianityreligion #interviews #LosAngelesRams #outkicksports #Religion #Sports #tombrady
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/854397/

The Last Roman City To Fall

“On May 29, 1453, the city of Constantinople disappeared.” So writes Anthony Kaldellis in 1453: The Conquest and…
#Italy #Europe #Europa #EU #Rome #BookReviews #Christianity #Constantinople #Islam #MilitaryHistory #Ottomans
https://www.europesays.com/italy/49412/

My name is Andrew Kim. I was named for a Catholic saint who was the first native-born Korean martyr — beheaded at twenty-five for smuggling Christianity across the Chinese border. Remarkable tradecraft for the nineteenth century. Something tells me he'd have found social media a far more efficient — and considerably less fatal — way to spread a message.

#religion #CatholicSaints #saints #catholic #catholics #catholicism #christianity

Eens kijken wat voor hulp ik hier krijg. Een week of twee geleden trok een boost van een youtube podcast van een vrouwelijke theoloog mijn aandacht. Ze betoogd obv historische feiten dat de christelijke religie een construct is van de #Romans en heeft niets te maken heeft met de leer van activist #Jezus. #Christianity is een constructie die jaren na de dood van Jezus door #Paul is gepropageerd. De podcast begint met een vergelijk met de vermoorde #MLK. Iemand die dit weet terug te vinden?

Eens kijken wat voor hulp ik hier krijg. Een week of twee geleden trok een boost van een youtube podcast van een vrouwelijke theoloog mijn aandacht. Ze betoogd obv historische feiten dat de christelijke religie een construct is van de #Romans en heeft niets te maken heeft met de leer van activist #Jezus. #Christianity is een constructie die jaren na de dood van Jezus door #Paul is gepropageerd. De podcast begint met een vergelijk met de vermoorde #MLK. Iemand die dit weet terug te vinden?

Eens kijken wat voor hulp ik hier krijg. Een week of twee geleden trok een boost van een youtube podcast van een vrouwelijke theoloog mijn aandacht. Ze betoogd obv historische feiten dat de christelijke religie een construct is van de #Romans en heeft niets te maken heeft met de leer van activist #Jezus. #Christianity is een constructie die jaren na de dood van Jezus door #Paul is gepropageerd. De podcast begint met een vergelijk met de vermoorde #MLK. Iemand die dit weet terug te vinden?

Eens kijken wat voor hulp ik hier krijg. Een week of twee geleden trok een boost van een youtube podcast van een vrouwelijke theoloog mijn aandacht. Ze betoogd obv historische feiten dat de christelijke religie een construct is van de #Romans en heeft niets te maken heeft met de leer van activist #Jezus. #Christianity is een constructie die jaren na de dood van Jezus door #Paul is gepropageerd. De podcast begint met een vergelijk met de vermoorde #MLK. Iemand die dit weet terug te vinden?

Lasagna mission meets a need in the community | Local https://www.diningandcooking.com/2821025/lasagna-mission-meets-a-need-in-the-community-local-2/ #BakedFoods #CasseroleDishes #Christianity #Cooking #cuisine #CuisineOfCampania #CuisineOfEmiliaRomagna #DairyDishes #eucharist #Foods #hibbing #Italia #Italian #ItalianCuisine #ItalianMeals #italiano #italy #Lasagna #meal #MediterraneanCuisine #MilkDishes #Minnesota #NeapolitanCuisine #Pasta #PastaDishes #PreparedFoods #SalvationArmy #SoupKitchen #volunteering #WidePasta

Lasagna mission meets a need in the community | Local https://www.diningandcooking.com/2821025/lasagna-mission-meets-a-need-in-the-community-local-2/ #BakedFoods #CasseroleDishes #Christianity #Cooking #cuisine #CuisineOfCampania #CuisineOfEmiliaRomagna #DairyDishes #eucharist #Foods #hibbing #Italia #Italian #ItalianCuisine #ItalianMeals #italiano #italy #Lasagna #meal #MediterraneanCuisine #MilkDishes #Minnesota #NeapolitanCuisine #Pasta #PastaDishes #PreparedFoods #SalvationArmy #SoupKitchen #volunteering #WidePasta

Lasagna mission meets a need in the community | Local https://www.diningandcooking.com/2821013/lasagna-mission-meets-a-need-in-the-community-local/ #BakedFoods #CasseroleDishes #Christianity #Cooking #cuisine #CuisineOfCampania #CuisineOfEmiliaRomagna #DairyDishes #eucharist #Foods #hibbing #Italia #Italian #ItalianCuisine #ItalianRegionalCuisine #italiano #italy #Lasagna #meal #MediterraneanCuisine #MilkDishes #Minnesota #NeapolitanCuisine #Pasta #PastaDishes #PreparedFoods #RegionalCuisine #SalvationArmy #SoupKitchen #volunteering #WidePasta

Lasagna mission meets a need in the community | Local https://www.diningandcooking.com/2821013/lasagna-mission-meets-a-need-in-the-community-local/ #BakedFoods #CasseroleDishes #Christianity #Cooking #cuisine #CuisineOfCampania #CuisineOfEmiliaRomagna #DairyDishes #eucharist #Foods #hibbing #Italia #Italian #ItalianCuisine #ItalianRegionalCuisine #italiano #italy #Lasagna #meal #MediterraneanCuisine #MilkDishes #Minnesota #NeapolitanCuisine #Pasta #PastaDishes #PreparedFoods #RegionalCuisine #SalvationArmy #SoupKitchen #volunteering #WidePasta

My name is Jan Januarius. I was named for a Catholic saint who was a bishop martyred under Diocletian — beheaded, after lions inexplicably refused to touch him. His dried blood, kept in a vial for seventeen centuries, liquefies several times a year on cue, and no one can quite explain it. Honestly, a relic that performs on schedule sounds like excellent content strategy.

#religion #CatholicSaints #saints #catholic #catholics #catholicism #christianity

Apologetics: Does God Cause Our Suffering?

One of the things I’ve been trying to do in my spare time to keep my sanity and prevent my brain from becoming mush is to continue learning through Hillsdale College. No, this is not an ad for Hillsdale, as much as I enjoy it. I just happen to still have an account with them from school, so I have access to their online courses, and the online course I’m taking right now is the one on The Odyssey (which is nice since I can read the book while taking the lessons.)

But wait. What does this have to do with the topic of this post?

Well, one of the things that was pointed out in the online course about The Odyssey is the fact that one of the biggest themes explored in the poem is the idea of suffering. Is our suffering caused by the gods (or, in a Christian worldview, God), or is our suffering caused by our bad choices? It’s a question that plagues any theist, Christian or not.

Homer takes the latter position. The Odyssey opens with Zeus complaining about humans blaming the gods for their suffering, and the rest of the book goes on to show Odysseus and his crew making poor decisions that lead to massive delays in returning to Ithaca. They escape Polyphemus’ island and instead of just taking the win, Odysseus feels the need to brag about besting the cyclops and reveals his name, allowing Polyphemus to pray specifically for Odysseus’ destruction, leading to Poseidon plaguing him for ten years. Odysseus’ crew open Aeolus’ bag of winds thinking its treasure and blow the ship away from Ithaca. The same crew is also told not to eat Helios’ cattle, yet they do it anyways and all die when Zeus blows up their ship with a thunderbolt. Almost every bad thing that happens to the characters of The Odyssey is caused by their poor choices and disobeying the gods.

From a Christian standpoint, while Greek mythology obviously isn’t true, there is a lesson in here that’s applicable to the Christian life. Homer’s conclusion that much our misfortune comes from our bad choices is something that we see in the Bible. For example, in 1 Samuel, Saul is chosen to be king, and the future looks bright for him until he tries to perform the duties of a priest and sacrifice to God because Samuel was a bit late. For that act of disobedience, he is told that his line won’t extend beyond him and God will replace him with someone else. From there, Saul continues to make a bunch of bad choices that lead to his life getting worse and worse.

Now, this isn’t to say that absolutely everything that goes wrong in your life is your fault. Some things can’t be avoided, like certain cancers or diseases. However, if you’re making poor decisions (i.e. drinking heavily, sleeping around, doing drugs, etc.) then don’t be surprised if you start experiencing issues.

At this point, though, you may be asking: “Well, if God is good, then how can He allow us to go through suffering? After all, doesn’t He love us?”

In the Bible, it’s clear that God allows us to experience the consequences of our sins, similar to how if your kid messes up something, you allow them to experience the consequence of that. A lot of the time, the consequences are there to serve as a kind of wake-up call. If you’re living in sin, often what it takes is for you to hit the bottom to realize what you’re doing is wrong. For example, if your life revolves around drinking and partying, then it may take you sustaining severe liver damage from drinking too much to make you realize your sin. If you’re someone dabbling in the occult, it may take you dealing with terrible spiritual experiences to finally light the fire under your butt to run to Jesus. If your sin is less obvious, and you’re just a random Joe-Shmoe living life, it might take you having a low moment to recognize your sin and need for forgiveness.

Until next time,

M.J.

Apologetics: Does God Cause Our Suffering?

One of the things I’ve been trying to do in my spare time to keep my sanity and prevent my brain from becoming mush is to continue learning through Hillsdale College. No, this is not an ad for Hillsdale, as much as I enjoy it. I just happen to still have an account with them from school, so I have access to their online courses, and the online course I’m taking right now is the one on The Odyssey (which is nice since I can read the book while taking the lessons.)

But wait. What does this have to do with the topic of this post?

Well, one of the things that was pointed out in the online course about The Odyssey is the fact that one of the biggest themes explored in the poem is the idea of suffering. Is our suffering caused by the gods (or, in a Christian worldview, God), or is our suffering caused by our bad choices? It’s a question that plagues any theist, Christian or not.

Homer takes the latter position. The Odyssey opens with Zeus complaining about humans blaming the gods for their suffering, and the rest of the book goes on to show Odysseus and his crew making poor decisions that lead to massive delays in returning to Ithaca. They escape Polyphemus’ island and instead of just taking the win, Odysseus feels the need to brag about besting the cyclops and reveals his name, allowing Polyphemus to pray specifically for Odysseus’ destruction, leading to Poseidon plaguing him for ten years. Odysseus’ crew open Aeolus’ bag of winds thinking its treasure and blow the ship away from Ithaca. The same crew is also told not to eat Helios’ cattle, yet they do it anyways and all die when Zeus blows up their ship with a thunderbolt. Almost every bad thing that happens to the characters of The Odyssey is caused by their poor choices and disobeying the gods.

From a Christian standpoint, while Greek mythology obviously isn’t true, there is a lesson in here that’s applicable to the Christian life. Homer’s conclusion that much our misfortune comes from our bad choices is something that we see in the Bible. For example, in 1 Samuel, Saul is chosen to be king, and the future looks bright for him until he tries to perform the duties of a priest and sacrifice to God because Samuel was a bit late. For that act of disobedience, he is told that his line won’t extend beyond him and God will replace him with someone else. From there, Saul continues to make a bunch of bad choices that lead to his life getting worse and worse.

Now, this isn’t to say that absolutely everything that goes wrong in your life is your fault. Some things can’t be avoided, like certain cancers or diseases. However, if you’re making poor decisions (i.e. drinking heavily, sleeping around, doing drugs, etc.) then don’t be surprised if you start experiencing issues.

At this point, though, you may be asking: “Well, if God is good, then how can He allow us to go through suffering? After all, doesn’t He love us?”

In the Bible, it’s clear that God allows us to experience the consequences of our sins, similar to how if your kid messes up something, you allow them to experience the consequence of that. A lot of the time, the consequences are there to serve as a kind of wake-up call. If you’re living in sin, often what it takes is for you to hit the bottom to realize what you’re doing is wrong. For example, if your life revolves around drinking and partying, then it may take you sustaining severe liver damage from drinking too much to make you realize your sin. If you’re someone dabbling in the occult, it may take you dealing with terrible spiritual experiences to finally light the fire under your butt to run to Jesus. If your sin is less obvious, and you’re just a random Joe-Shmoe living life, it might take you having a low moment to recognize your sin and need for forgiveness.

Until next time,

M.J.

Apologetics: Does God Cause Our Suffering?

One of the things I’ve been trying to do in my spare time to keep my sanity and prevent my brain from becoming mush is to continue learning through Hillsdale College. No, this is not an ad for Hillsdale, as much as I enjoy it. I just happen to still have an account with them from school, so I have access to their online courses, and the online course I’m taking right now is the one on The Odyssey (which is nice since I can read the book while taking the lessons.)

But wait. What does this have to do with the topic of this post?

Well, one of the things that was pointed out in the online course about The Odyssey is the fact that one of the biggest themes explored in the poem is the idea of suffering. Is our suffering caused by the gods (or, in a Christian worldview, God), or is our suffering caused by our bad choices? It’s a question that plagues any theist, Christian or not.

Homer takes the latter position. The Odyssey opens with Zeus complaining about humans blaming the gods for their suffering, and the rest of the book goes on to show Odysseus and his crew making poor decisions that lead to massive delays in returning to Ithaca. They escape Polyphemus’ island and instead of just taking the win, Odysseus feels the need to brag about besting the cyclops and reveals his name, allowing Polyphemus to pray specifically for Odysseus’ destruction, leading to Poseidon plaguing him for ten years. Odysseus’ crew open Aeolus’ bag of winds thinking its treasure and blow the ship away from Ithaca. The same crew is also told not to eat Helios’ cattle, yet they do it anyways and all die when Zeus blows up their ship with a thunderbolt. Almost every bad thing that happens to the characters of The Odyssey is caused by their poor choices and disobeying the gods.

From a Christian standpoint, while Greek mythology obviously isn’t true, there is a lesson in here that’s applicable to the Christian life. Homer’s conclusion that much our misfortune comes from our bad choices is something that we see in the Bible. For example, in 1 Samuel, Saul is chosen to be king, and the future looks bright for him until he tries to perform the duties of a priest and sacrifice to God because Samuel was a bit late. For that act of disobedience, he is told that his line won’t extend beyond him and God will replace him with someone else. From there, Saul continues to make a bunch of bad choices that lead to his life getting worse and worse.

Now, this isn’t to say that absolutely everything that goes wrong in your life is your fault. Some things can’t be avoided, like certain cancers or diseases. However, if you’re making poor decisions (i.e. drinking heavily, sleeping around, doing drugs, etc.) then don’t be surprised if you start experiencing issues.

At this point, though, you may be asking: “Well, if God is good, then how can He allow us to go through suffering? After all, doesn’t He love us?”

In the Bible, it’s clear that God allows us to experience the consequences of our sins, similar to how if your kid messes up something, you allow them to experience the consequence of that. A lot of the time, the consequences are there to serve as a kind of wake-up call. If you’re living in sin, often what it takes is for you to hit the bottom to realize what you’re doing is wrong. For example, if your life revolves around drinking and partying, then it may take you sustaining severe liver damage from drinking too much to make you realize your sin. If you’re someone dabbling in the occult, it may take you dealing with terrible spiritual experiences to finally light the fire under your butt to run to Jesus. If your sin is less obvious, and you’re just a random Joe-Shmoe living life, it might take you having a low moment to recognize your sin and need for forgiveness.

Until next time,

M.J.

Apologetics: Does God Cause Our Suffering?

One of the things I’ve been trying to do in my spare time to keep my sanity and prevent my brain from becoming mush is to continue learning through Hillsdale College. No, this is not an ad for Hillsdale, as much as I enjoy it. I just happen to still have an account with them from school, so I have access to their online courses, and the online course I’m taking right now is the one on The Odyssey (which is nice since I can read the book while taking the lessons.)

But wait. What does this have to do with the topic of this post?

Well, one of the things that was pointed out in the online course about The Odyssey is the fact that one of the biggest themes explored in the poem is the idea of suffering. Is our suffering caused by the gods (or, in a Christian worldview, God), or is our suffering caused by our bad choices? It’s a question that plagues any theist, Christian or not.

Homer takes the latter position. The Odyssey opens with Zeus complaining about humans blaming the gods for their suffering, and the rest of the book goes on to show Odysseus and his crew making poor decisions that lead to massive delays in returning to Ithaca. They escape Polyphemus’ island and instead of just taking the win, Odysseus feels the need to brag about besting the cyclops and reveals his name, allowing Polyphemus to pray specifically for Odysseus’ destruction, leading to Poseidon plaguing him for ten years. Odysseus’ crew open Aeolus’ bag of winds thinking its treasure and blow the ship away from Ithaca. The same crew is also told not to eat Helios’ cattle, yet they do it anyways and all die when Zeus blows up their ship with a thunderbolt. Almost every bad thing that happens to the characters of The Odyssey is caused by their poor choices and disobeying the gods.

From a Christian standpoint, while Greek mythology obviously isn’t true, there is a lesson in here that’s applicable to the Christian life. Homer’s conclusion that much our misfortune comes from our bad choices is something that we see in the Bible. For example, in 1 Samuel, Saul is chosen to be king, and the future looks bright for him until he tries to perform the duties of a priest and sacrifice to God because Samuel was a bit late. For that act of disobedience, he is told that his line won’t extend beyond him and God will replace him with someone else. From there, Saul continues to make a bunch of bad choices that lead to his life getting worse and worse.

Now, this isn’t to say that absolutely everything that goes wrong in your life is your fault. Some things can’t be avoided, like certain cancers or diseases. However, if you’re making poor decisions (i.e. drinking heavily, sleeping around, doing drugs, etc.) then don’t be surprised if you start experiencing issues.

At this point, though, you may be asking: “Well, if God is good, then how can He allow us to go through suffering? After all, doesn’t He love us?”

In the Bible, it’s clear that God allows us to experience the consequences of our sins, similar to how if your kid messes up something, you allow them to experience the consequence of that. A lot of the time, the consequences are there to serve as a kind of wake-up call. If you’re living in sin, often what it takes is for you to hit the bottom to realize what you’re doing is wrong. For example, if your life revolves around drinking and partying, then it may take you sustaining severe liver damage from drinking too much to make you realize your sin. If you’re someone dabbling in the occult, it may take you dealing with terrible spiritual experiences to finally light the fire under your butt to run to Jesus. If your sin is less obvious, and you’re just a random Joe-Shmoe living life, it might take you having a low moment to recognize your sin and need for forgiveness.

Until next time,

M.J.

A quotation from Orwell

The various codes which were presented to you at Crossgates — religious, moral, social, and intellectual — contradicted one another of you worked out their implications. The essential conflict was between the tradition of nineteenth-century asceticism and the actually existing luxury and snobbery of the pre-1914 age. On the one side were low-church Bible Christianity, sex puritanism, insistence on hard work, respect for academic distinction, disapproval of self-indulgence: on the other, contempt for “braininess” and worship of games, contempt for foreigners and the working class, an almost neurotic dread of poverty, and, above all, the assumption not only that money and privilege are the things that matter, but that it is better to inherit them than to have to work for them. Broadly, you were bidden to be at once a Christian and a social success, which is impossible.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1948-06), “‘Such, Such Were the Joys …’,” sec. 5, Partisan Review (1952-09)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/86130/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #orwell #georgeorwell #asceticism #Christianity #luxury #money #moralcode #privilege #school #snobbery #socialconventions #socialladder #society #success

A quotation from Orwell

The various codes which were presented to you at Crossgates — religious, moral, social, and intellectual — contradicted one another of you worked out their implications. The essential conflict was between the tradition of nineteenth-century asceticism and the actually existing luxury and snobbery of the pre-1914 age. On the one side were low-church Bible Christianity, sex puritanism, insistence on hard work, respect for academic distinction, disapproval of self-indulgence: on the other, contempt for “braininess” and worship of games, contempt for foreigners and the working class, an almost neurotic dread of poverty, and, above all, the assumption not only that money and privilege are the things that matter, but that it is better to inherit them than to have to work for them. Broadly, you were bidden to be at once a Christian and a social success, which is impossible.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1948-06), “‘Such, Such Were the Joys …’,” sec. 5, Partisan Review (1952-09)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/86130/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #orwell #georgeorwell #asceticism #Christianity #luxury #money #moralcode #privilege #school #snobbery #socialconventions #socialladder #society #success

A quotation from Orwell

The various codes which were presented to you at Crossgates — religious, moral, social, and intellectual — contradicted one another of you worked out their implications. The essential conflict was between the tradition of nineteenth-century asceticism and the actually existing luxury and snobbery of the pre-1914 age. On the one side were low-church Bible Christianity, sex puritanism, insistence on hard work, respect for academic distinction, disapproval of self-indulgence: on the other, contempt for “braininess” and worship of games, contempt for foreigners and the working class, an almost neurotic dread of poverty, and, above all, the assumption not only that money and privilege are the things that matter, but that it is better to inherit them than to have to work for them. Broadly, you were bidden to be at once a Christian and a social success, which is impossible.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1948-06), “‘Such, Such Were the Joys …’,” sec. 5, Partisan Review (1952-09)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/86130/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #orwell #georgeorwell #asceticism #Christianity #luxury #money #moralcode #privilege #school #snobbery #socialconventions #socialladder #society #success

A quotation from Orwell

The various codes which were presented to you at Crossgates — religious, moral, social, and intellectual — contradicted one another of you worked out their implications. The essential conflict was between the tradition of nineteenth-century asceticism and the actually existing luxury and snobbery of the pre-1914 age. On the one side were low-church Bible Christianity, sex puritanism, insistence on hard work, respect for academic distinction, disapproval of self-indulgence: on the other, contempt for “braininess” and worship of games, contempt for foreigners and the working class, an almost neurotic dread of poverty, and, above all, the assumption not only that money and privilege are the things that matter, but that it is better to inherit them than to have to work for them. Broadly, you were bidden to be at once a Christian and a social success, which is impossible.

George Orwell (1903–1950) English journalist, essayist, writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]
Essay (1948-06), “‘Such, Such Were the Joys …’,” sec. 5, Partisan Review (1952-09)

More about this quote: wist.info/orwell-george/86130/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #orwell #georgeorwell #asceticism #Christianity #luxury #money #moralcode #privilege #school #snobbery #socialconventions #socialladder #society #success

Alon Mizrahi, fled/emigrated anti-zionist Israeli Jew worte a genealogy of colonial Christianity on his substack. One very interesting quote is the following:

"Having a kind of Christianity around that is not colonial in nature - namely one that does not see itself as a continuation of the Jewish self-story,_ feels like an embarrassment_; the existence of such Christianity, which lives in harmony with its past (as its origins are not laced with murder and theft) and can engage with the political present (as it seeks to exist, not to violently expand) sheds a very unflattering light on colonial Christianity. _They want it eradicated so as to stay as the only true belief._

Source: https://alonmizrahi.substack.com/p/its-all-in-the-bible-and-the-fabricated

#Christianity #judaism #colonialism #zionism #AlonMizrahi

Alon Mizrahi, fled/emigrated anti-zionist Israeli Jew worte a genealogy of colonial Christianity on his substack. One very interesting quote is the following:

"Having a kind of Christianity around that is not colonial in nature - namely one that does not see itself as a continuation of the Jewish self-story,_ feels like an embarrassment_; the existence of such Christianity, which lives in harmony with its past (as its origins are not laced with murder and theft) and can engage with the political present (as it seeks to exist, not to violently expand) sheds a very unflattering light on colonial Christianity. _They want it eradicated so as to stay as the only true belief._

Source: https://alonmizrahi.substack.com/p/its-all-in-the-bible-and-the-fabricated

#Christianity #judaism #colonialism #zionism #AlonMizrahi

Alon Mizrahi, fled/emigrated anti-zionist Israeli Jew worte a genealogy of colonial Christianity on his substack. One very interesting quote is the following:

"Having a kind of Christianity around that is not colonial in nature - namely one that does not see itself as a continuation of the Jewish self-story,_ feels like an embarrassment_; the existence of such Christianity, which lives in harmony with its past (as its origins are not laced with murder and theft) and can engage with the political present (as it seeks to exist, not to violently expand) sheds a very unflattering light on colonial Christianity. _They want it eradicated so as to stay as the only true belief._

Source: https://alonmizrahi.substack.com/p/its-all-in-the-bible-and-the-fabricated

#Christianity #judaism #colonialism #zionism #AlonMizrahi

Alon Mizrahi, fled/emigrated anti-zionist Israeli Jew worte a genealogy of colonial Christianity on his substack. One very interesting quote is the following:

"Having a kind of Christianity around that is not colonial in nature - namely one that does not see itself as a continuation of the Jewish self-story,_ feels like an embarrassment_; the existence of such Christianity, which lives in harmony with its past (as its origins are not laced with murder and theft) and can engage with the political present (as it seeks to exist, not to violently expand) sheds a very unflattering light on colonial Christianity. _They want it eradicated so as to stay as the only true belief._

Source: https://alonmizrahi.substack.com/p/its-all-in-the-bible-and-the-fabricated

#Christianity #judaism #colonialism #zionism #AlonMizrahi

Alon Mizrahi, fled/emigrated anti-zionist Israeli Jew worte a genealogy of colonial Christianity on his substack. One very interesting quote is the following:

"Having a kind of Christianity around that is not colonial in nature - namely one that does not see itself as a continuation of the Jewish self-story,_ feels like an embarrassment_; the existence of such Christianity, which lives in harmony with its past (as its origins are not laced with murder and theft) and can engage with the political present (as it seeks to exist, not to violently expand) sheds a very unflattering light on colonial Christianity. _They want it eradicated so as to stay as the only true belief._

Source: https://alonmizrahi.substack.com/p/its-all-in-the-bible-and-the-fabricated

#Christianity #judaism #colonialism #zionism #AlonMizrahi

My name is Joseph Methodius. I was named for a Catholic saint who translated the entire Bible into a language his own church superiors thought was beneath scripture. He invented an alphabet to do it, got hauled to Rome to defend himself, and won. Funny how the establishment always fears a new script — until everyone's using it.

#religion #CatholicSaints #saints #catholic #catholics #catholicism #christianity

struggling faith

https://mylittlehawk.com/2026/09/18/struggling-faith/

struggling faith

https://mylittlehawk.com/2026/09/18/struggling-faith/

struggling faith

https://mylittlehawk.com/2026/09/18/struggling-faith/

struggling faith

https://mylittlehawk.com/2026/09/18/struggling-faith/

struggling faith

https://mylittlehawk.com/2026/09/18/struggling-faith/

True faith isn’t a performance for people—it’s a life lived before God. Discover why modern religion leaves men unprepared and what true, daily repentance really means. 🛠️🔥

#Christianity #Discipleship #Faith

https://bdking71.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/the-weight-of-the-standard/

True faith isn’t a performance for people—it’s a life lived before God. Discover why modern religion leaves men unprepared and what true, daily repentance really means. 🛠️🔥

#Christianity #Discipleship #Faith

https://bdking71.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/the-weight-of-the-standard/

True faith isn’t a performance for people—it’s a life lived before God. Discover why modern religion leaves men unprepared and what true, daily repentance really means. 🛠️🔥

#Christianity #Discipleship #Faith

https://bdking71.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/the-weight-of-the-standard/

True faith isn’t a performance for people—it’s a life lived before God. Discover why modern religion leaves men unprepared and what true, daily repentance really means. 🛠️🔥

#Christianity #Discipleship #Faith

https://bdking71.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/the-weight-of-the-standard/

True faith isn’t a performance for people—it’s a life lived before God. Discover why modern religion leaves men unprepared and what true, daily repentance really means. 🛠️🔥

#Christianity #Discipleship #Faith

https://bdking71.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/the-weight-of-the-standard/

https://www.europesays.com/africa/189257/ Pope walks in Augustine’s footsteps as Algeria trip draws to an end | News #AbrahamicReligions #afp #Algeria #annaba #AugustineOfHippo #Augustinians #CatholicChurch #catholicism #ChristianDenominationalFamilies #ChristianTheology #Christianity #Faith #HippoRegius #MassInTheCatholicChurch #pope #PopeLeoXIV #Religion #ReligionInAlgeria #saint #spirituality #vatican

https://www.europesays.com/africa/188502/ Pope walks in Augustine’s footsteps on Algeria trip marred by suicide attacks | National #AbrahamicReligions #afp #Algeria #annaba #AugustineOfHippo #Augustinians #CatholicChurch #catholicism #ChristianDenominationalFamilies #ChristianTheology #Christianity #pope #PopeLeoXIV #Religion

Archangel Michael

Also called Michael the Taxiarch. A taxiarch is used in the Greek language to mean “brigadier,” or a commander of a company. In Greek Orthodoxy, it refers to the Archangels Michael or Gabriel as leaders of the heavenly hosts.

Michael is an archangel & warrior of God in Christianity, Islam, & Judaism. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in the 2nd or 3rd centuries BC Jewish works, often but not always apocalyptic. In these works, he’s the chief of the angels & archangels. He’s the guardian prince of Israel & is responsible for the care of the people of Israel.

Christianity conserved nearly all of Jewish traditions concerning him. He’s mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan, & in the Epistle of Jude, where the archangel & the devil have an argument over the body of Moses.

The Book of Enoch lists Michael as 1 of 7 archangels. The remaining names are: Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, & Remiel. He’s mentioned again in the last chapters of the Book of Daniel, a Jewish apocalypse composed in the 2nd century BC, in which a man clothed in linen tells Daniel that he & “Michael, your prince” are engaged in a battle with the “prince of Persia,” after which, at the end-time, “Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.”

Enoch was instrumental in establishing the pre-eminent place of Michael among the angels & archangels. In later Jewish works, he’s said to be their chief, mediating the Torah, & standing at the right hand of the throne of God.

In the traditions of the Qumran community, he defends, or leads, the people of God in the end-time battle. In other writings, he’s responsible for the care of Israel & acts as commander of the heavenly armies. He’s Israel’s advocate, contesting Satan’s claim to the body of Moses.

He intercedes between God & humanity & serves as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. (So would this make him Aaron’s equal? We’re sincerely asking. Let us know your take in the comments.) He accompanies the souls of the righteous dead to Paradise.

The 7 archangels (or 4, as traditions differ, but always include Michael) were associated with the branches of the menorah, the sacred 7-branched lamp stand in the Temple, as the 7 spirits before the throne of God. This is reflected in the Book of Revelation 4:5. Michael is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan & casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has that exclusive access to God as accuser (his former role in the Old Testament).

Satan’s fall at the coming of Jesus marks the separation of the New Testament from Judaism. In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked God for permission to “sift” the disciples, the goal being to accuse them. But the accusation by Jesus, who thus takes on the role played by angels, & especially by Michael, in Judaism.

Michael is mentioned by anem for the 2nd time in the Epistle of Jude, which is an impassioned plea for the believers to engage in battle against the incursion of the error. In verses 9-10, the author denounces the heretics by contrasting them with the archangel Michael, who, in disputing with Satan over the body of Moses.

According to rabbinic tradition, Michael acted as the advocate of Israel. Sometimes he had to fight with the princes of other nations (Daniel 10:13), & particularly with the angel Samael, Israel’s accuser. Their hostility dates from the time Samael was thrown from heaven & tried to drag Michael down with him, requiring God’s intervention.

The rabbis declare that Michael came into his role as defender at the time of the biblical patriarchs. Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob said Michael rescued Abraham from the furnace into which he’d been thrown by Nimrod. Some say he was the “one that had escaped” (Genesis 14:13), who told Abraham that Lot had been taken captive & who protected Sarah from defilement by Abimelech.

Michael prevented Isaac’s being sacrificed by his dad by substituting a ram in his place. He saved Jacob, while still in his mom’s womb, from death at the hands of Samuel. Michael later prevented Laban from hurting Jacob. The midrash Exodus Rabbah holds that Michael exercised his function as an advocate of Israel at the time of the Exodus & destroyed Sennacherib’s army.

Epiphanius of Salamis (circa 310-circa 320-403), in his Coptic-Arabic Hexaemeron, referred to Michael as a replacement of Satan. Accordingly, after Satan fell, Michael was appointed to the function Satan served when he was still 1 of the noble angels.

A painting of Michael slaying a serpent became a major art piece at the Michaelion after Constantine defeated Licinius near there in 324. This contributed to the standard iconography that developed of Michael as a warrior saint slaying a dragon. The Michaelion was a magnificent church & in time became a model for hundreds of other churches in Eastern Christianity.

In the 4th century, St. Basil the Great’s homily, De Angelis, St. Michael over all the angels. He was called “Archangel” because he heralds other angels, the title archangelos applied to him in Jude 1:9. The angelology of Pseudo-Dionysius, which was widely read as of the 6th century, gave Michael a rank in the hierarchy of angels.

Later, in the 13th century, others such as Bonventure believed him to be Prince of the Seraphim, the 1st of the 9 angelic orders. According to Thomas Aquinas, Michael is the Prince of the last & lowest choir, the Angels.

Catholics often refer to Michael as “Holy Michael, the Archangel” or “St. Michael.” He’s generally referred to in Christian liturgies as “St. Michael,” as in the Litany of the Saints. In a shortened archangel, is mentioned by name, omitting Saints Gabriel & Raphael.

In Roman Catholic teachings, St. Michael has 4 main roles or offices. His 1st role is the leader of the Army of God & the leader of celestial forces in triumphing over the powers of Hell. He’s viewed as the angelic model for the virtues of the “spiritual warrior,” his conflict with evil taken as “the battle within.”

The 2nd & 3rd roles of Michael in Catholic teachings deal with death. In his 2nd role, he’s the angel of death, carrying the souls of Christians to Heaven. In his 3rd role, he weighs souls on his perfectly balanced scales. The scales are a common object he holds in art.

In his 4th role, St. Michael, the special patron of the Chosen People in the Old Testament, is also Guardian of the Church. St. Michael was revered by the military orders of knights during the Middle Ages. The names of villages around the Bay of Biscay reflect this history.

The Eastern Orthodox give Michael the title Archistrategos, or “Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts.” The Eastern Orthodox pray to their guardian angels & above all, to Michael & Gabriel. The Eastern Orthodox have always had a strong devotion to angels. In modern times, they’re referred to by the term “Bodiless Powers.” Several feasts dedicated to Archangel Michael are celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox throughout the year.

In Russia, many monasteries, cathedrals, courts, & merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael. Most Russian cities have a church or chapel dedicated to the archangel Michael. In Ukraine, the archangel Michael is the patron saint of Kyiv. He became popular from the time of Prince Vsevolod of Kyivan Rus’.

While in the Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Sava has a special role as the establisher of its autocephaly & largest Belgrade church devoted to him, the capital Belgrade’s Orthodox cathedral, the see church of the patriarch, is devoted to Michael.

The place of Michael in the Coptic Church of Alexandra is as a saintly intercessor. He’s the 1 who presents to God the prayers of the just, who accompanies the souls of the dead to Heaven, who defeats the devil. He’s celebrated liturgically on the 12th of each Coptic month.

In Alexandria, a church was dedicated to him in the early 4th century on the 12th of the month of Paoni. The 12th month of Hathor is the celebration of Michael’s appointment in Heaven, where Michael became the chief of the angels.

Seventh-Day Adventists believe that “Michael” is but 1 of many titles applied to the pre-existent Christ, or Son of God. According to Adventist theology, Michael was/is considered the “Eternal Word,” & the 1 by whom all things were created. The Word was then born, incarnated as Jesus.

They believe that the name “Michael” signifies “One Who Is Like God” & that, as the “Archangel” or “chief or head of the angels,” he led the angels; thus, the statement in Revelation 12:7-9 refers to Jesus as Michael.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Michael is another name for Jesus in Heaven, in His pre-human & post-resurrection existence. They say the definite article in Jude 9 identifies Michael as the only archangel. They consider Michael to be synonymous with Christ, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, & with the sound of the trumpet.”

They believe the prominent roles assigned to Michael in Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12:7, Revelation 16, & Revelation 19:14 are identical to Jesus’ roles, being the 1 chosen to lead God’s people & as the only 1 who “stands up,” identifying the 2 as the same spirit being.

Because they identify Michael with Jesus, he’s considered the 1st & greatest of all God’s heavenly “sons,” God’s chief messenger, who takes the lead in vindicating God’s sovereignty, sanctifying his name, fighting the wicked forces of Satan & protecting God’s covenant people on earth. Jehovah’s Witnesses also identify Michael with the “Angel of the Lord” who led & protected the Israelites in the wilderness.

Members of the Mormon Church believe that Michael is Adam (of Adam & Eve fame), the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7), a prince, & the patriarch of the human family. They also hold that Michael assisted Jehovah (the pre-mortal form of Jesus) in the creation of the world under the direction of God the Father (Elohim). Under the direction of the Father, Michael also cast Satan out of Heaven.

In Islam, Mika’il (Michael) is 1 of 4 archangels along with Jibril (Gabriel, whom he’s often paired with), Israfil (trumpeter angel) & ‘Azra’il (angel of death). In other Islamic literature, Michael is associated with mercy. He asks God for forgiveness for humans & is 1 of the 1st angels who obeyed God’s orders to bow before Adam.

From the tears of Michael, angels of mercy are created as his helpers. Like Gabriel, with whom he’s often mentioned together, Michael is also a messenger. While Gabriel delivers messages from Heaven to humans, Michael delivers messages to the angelic world.

As the angel to execute God’s providence, he’s also associated with natural phenomena & causes rain upon the lands. Unlike Christian traditions, Michael is rarely shown as a warrior-angel, with a few references to the Battle of Badr by Suyuti as an exception.

The Miraj literature on occasion mentions both Gabriel & Michael as 2 angels who showed Muhammad Paradise & Hell. He’s mentioned in Shia supplication (Dua), reportedly handed down by the 6th Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, in the prayers for blessings for the Bearers of the Throne.

The figures of Michael & Gabriel/Jibril serve as dual pillars of angelology. While they show up in the same texts, their “personalities” & mythological roles are distinct. Michael is the celestial soldier & protector. While Gabriel is the bridge between the divine mind & the human ear.

The name Michael (Mikha’el) translates from Hebrew as a rhetorical question: “Who is like God?” This name is actually a battle cry used during the primordial war in Heaven.

In the Book of Daniel, Michael is described as the “Great Prince” who stands guard over the people of Israel. Jewish Midrash expands on this. It suggests that Michael is the high priest of the Heavenly Temple. When other nations’ guardian angels argue against Israel, Michael acts as the defense in the celestial courtroom. Because after all, God is the judge of all.

Michael’s most iconic role comes from the Book of Revelation. Here, he leads an army of God against the Dragon (a.k.a. Satan). He’s almost always dressed in Roman/Medieval armor, standing over a defeated demon/dragon, holding a spear/sword.

In Catholic traditions, Michael has a secondary role as the Psychopomp. A Psychopomp is a conductor or a guide of souls. The 1 who “weighs” souls at the moment of death. This is why he’s sometimes shown with scales.

In Islamic tradition, Mikail (Michael) is 1 of 4 archangels. While Jibril feeds the soul (through revelation), Mikail is the Angel of Sustenance. He’s responsible for the forces of nature, specifically rain & lightning. Legends say he’s so moved by the majesty of God that he hasn’t smiled since the creation of Hell.

In the United States, Michael is the patron saint of paratroopers, police officers, & the military.

In the General Roman Calendar, the Anglican Calendar of Saints, & the Lutheran Calendar of Saints, Michael’s feast day is Michaelmas Day (September 29). The day is also the feast day of St. Gabriel & Raphael, in the General Roman Calendar & the Feast of St. Michael & All Angels in the Church of England.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Michael’s principal feast day is November 8. November 21, if they’re using the Gregorian calendar. Honoring him along with the rest of the “Bodiless Powers of Heaven” (angels) as their Supreme Commander, & the Miracle at Chonae is celebrated on September 6.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the main feast day is on 12 Hathor (between November 9 & December 9) & 12 Paoni (between June 8 & July 7). He is celebrated liturgically on the 12th of each Coptic month.

On April 7, the Oriental Orthodox Church commemorates the deliverance of the prophet Jeremiah from prison by Michael.

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Archangel Michael

Also called Michael the Taxiarch. A taxiarch is used in the Greek language to mean “brigadier,” or a commander of a company. In Greek Orthodoxy, it refers to the Archangels Michael or Gabriel as leaders of the heavenly hosts.

Michael is an archangel & warrior of God in Christianity, Islam, & Judaism. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in the 2nd or 3rd centuries BC Jewish works, often but not always apocalyptic. In these works, he’s the chief of the angels & archangels. He’s the guardian prince of Israel & is responsible for the care of the people of Israel.

Christianity conserved nearly all of Jewish traditions concerning him. He’s mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan, & in the Epistle of Jude, where the archangel & the devil have an argument over the body of Moses.

The Book of Enoch lists Michael as 1 of 7 archangels. The remaining names are: Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, & Remiel. He’s mentioned again in the last chapters of the Book of Daniel, a Jewish apocalypse composed in the 2nd century BC, in which a man clothed in linen tells Daniel that he & “Michael, your prince” are engaged in a battle with the “prince of Persia,” after which, at the end-time, “Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.”

Enoch was instrumental in establishing the pre-eminent place of Michael among the angels & archangels. In later Jewish works, he’s said to be their chief, mediating the Torah, & standing at the right hand of the throne of God.

In the traditions of the Qumran community, he defends, or leads, the people of God in the end-time battle. In other writings, he’s responsible for the care of Israel & acts as commander of the heavenly armies. He’s Israel’s advocate, contesting Satan’s claim to the body of Moses.

He intercedes between God & humanity & serves as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. (So would this make him Aaron’s equal? We’re sincerely asking. Let us know your take in the comments.) He accompanies the souls of the righteous dead to Paradise.

The 7 archangels (or 4, as traditions differ, but always include Michael) were associated with the branches of the menorah, the sacred 7-branched lamp stand in the Temple, as the 7 spirits before the throne of God. This is reflected in the Book of Revelation 4:5. Michael is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan & casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has that exclusive access to God as accuser (his former role in the Old Testament).

Satan’s fall at the coming of Jesus marks the separation of the New Testament from Judaism. In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked God for permission to “sift” the disciples, the goal being to accuse them. But the accusation by Jesus, who thus takes on the role played by angels, & especially by Michael, in Judaism.

Michael is mentioned by anem for the 2nd time in the Epistle of Jude, which is an impassioned plea for the believers to engage in battle against the incursion of the error. In verses 9-10, the author denounces the heretics by contrasting them with the archangel Michael, who, in disputing with Satan over the body of Moses.

According to rabbinic tradition, Michael acted as the advocate of Israel. Sometimes he had to fight with the princes of other nations (Daniel 10:13), & particularly with the angel Samael, Israel’s accuser. Their hostility dates from the time Samael was thrown from heaven & tried to drag Michael down with him, requiring God’s intervention.

The rabbis declare that Michael came into his role as defender at the time of the biblical patriarchs. Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob said Michael rescued Abraham from the furnace into which he’d been thrown by Nimrod. Some say he was the “one that had escaped” (Genesis 14:13), who told Abraham that Lot had been taken captive & who protected Sarah from defilement by Abimelech.

Michael prevented Isaac’s being sacrificed by his dad by substituting a ram in his place. He saved Jacob, while still in his mom’s womb, from death at the hands of Samuel. Michael later prevented Laban from hurting Jacob. The midrash Exodus Rabbah holds that Michael exercised his function as an advocate of Israel at the time of the Exodus & destroyed Sennacherib’s army.

Epiphanius of Salamis (circa 310-circa 320-403), in his Coptic-Arabic Hexaemeron, referred to Michael as a replacement of Satan. Accordingly, after Satan fell, Michael was appointed to the function Satan served when he was still 1 of the noble angels.

A painting of Michael slaying a serpent became a major art piece at the Michaelion after Constantine defeated Licinius near there in 324. This contributed to the standard iconography that developed of Michael as a warrior saint slaying a dragon. The Michaelion was a magnificent church & in time became a model for hundreds of other churches in Eastern Christianity.

In the 4th century, St. Basil the Great’s homily, De Angelis, St. Michael over all the angels. He was called “Archangel” because he heralds other angels, the title archangelos applied to him in Jude 1:9. The angelology of Pseudo-Dionysius, which was widely read as of the 6th century, gave Michael a rank in the hierarchy of angels.

Later, in the 13th century, others such as Bonventure believed him to be Prince of the Seraphim, the 1st of the 9 angelic orders. According to Thomas Aquinas, Michael is the Prince of the last & lowest choir, the Angels.

Catholics often refer to Michael as “Holy Michael, the Archangel” or “St. Michael.” He’s generally referred to in Christian liturgies as “St. Michael,” as in the Litany of the Saints. In a shortened archangel, is mentioned by name, omitting Saints Gabriel & Raphael.

In Roman Catholic teachings, St. Michael has 4 main roles or offices. His 1st role is the leader of the Army of God & the leader of celestial forces in triumphing over the powers of Hell. He’s viewed as the angelic model for the virtues of the “spiritual warrior,” his conflict with evil taken as “the battle within.”

The 2nd & 3rd roles of Michael in Catholic teachings deal with death. In his 2nd role, he’s the angel of death, carrying the souls of Christians to Heaven. In his 3rd role, he weighs souls on his perfectly balanced scales. The scales are a common object he holds in art.

In his 4th role, St. Michael, the special patron of the Chosen People in the Old Testament, is also Guardian of the Church. St. Michael was revered by the military orders of knights during the Middle Ages. The names of villages around the Bay of Biscay reflect this history.

The Eastern Orthodox give Michael the title Archistrategos, or “Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts.” The Eastern Orthodox pray to their guardian angels & above all, to Michael & Gabriel. The Eastern Orthodox have always had a strong devotion to angels. In modern times, they’re referred to by the term “Bodiless Powers.” Several feasts dedicated to Archangel Michael are celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox throughout the year.

In Russia, many monasteries, cathedrals, courts, & merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael. Most Russian cities have a church or chapel dedicated to the archangel Michael. In Ukraine, the archangel Michael is the patron saint of Kyiv. He became popular from the time of Prince Vsevolod of Kyivan Rus’.

While in the Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Sava has a special role as the establisher of its autocephaly & largest Belgrade church devoted to him, the capital Belgrade’s Orthodox cathedral, the see church of the patriarch, is devoted to Michael.

The place of Michael in the Coptic Church of Alexandra is as a saintly intercessor. He’s the 1 who presents to God the prayers of the just, who accompanies the souls of the dead to Heaven, who defeats the devil. He’s celebrated liturgically on the 12th of each Coptic month.

In Alexandria, a church was dedicated to him in the early 4th century on the 12th of the month of Paoni. The 12th month of Hathor is the celebration of Michael’s appointment in Heaven, where Michael became the chief of the angels.

Seventh-Day Adventists believe that “Michael” is but 1 of many titles applied to the pre-existent Christ, or Son of God. According to Adventist theology, Michael was/is considered the “Eternal Word,” & the 1 by whom all things were created. The Word was then born, incarnated as Jesus.

They believe that the name “Michael” signifies “One Who Is Like God” & that, as the “Archangel” or “chief or head of the angels,” he led the angels; thus, the statement in Revelation 12:7-9 refers to Jesus as Michael.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Michael is another name for Jesus in Heaven, in His pre-human & post-resurrection existence. They say the definite article in Jude 9 identifies Michael as the only archangel. They consider Michael to be synonymous with Christ, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, & with the sound of the trumpet.”

They believe the prominent roles assigned to Michael in Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12:7, Revelation 16, & Revelation 19:14 are identical to Jesus’ roles, being the 1 chosen to lead God’s people & as the only 1 who “stands up,” identifying the 2 as the same spirit being.

Because they identify Michael with Jesus, he’s considered the 1st & greatest of all God’s heavenly “sons,” God’s chief messenger, who takes the lead in vindicating God’s sovereignty, sanctifying his name, fighting the wicked forces of Satan & protecting God’s covenant people on earth. Jehovah’s Witnesses also identify Michael with the “Angel of the Lord” who led & protected the Israelites in the wilderness.

Members of the Mormon Church believe that Michael is Adam (of Adam & Eve fame), the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7), a prince, & the patriarch of the human family. They also hold that Michael assisted Jehovah (the pre-mortal form of Jesus) in the creation of the world under the direction of God the Father (Elohim). Under the direction of the Father, Michael also cast Satan out of Heaven.

In Islam, Mika’il (Michael) is 1 of 4 archangels along with Jibril (Gabriel, whom he’s often paired with), Israfil (trumpeter angel) & ‘Azra’il (angel of death). In other Islamic literature, Michael is associated with mercy. He asks God for forgiveness for humans & is 1 of the 1st angels who obeyed God’s orders to bow before Adam.

From the tears of Michael, angels of mercy are created as his helpers. Like Gabriel, with whom he’s often mentioned together, Michael is also a messenger. While Gabriel delivers messages from Heaven to humans, Michael delivers messages to the angelic world.

As the angel to execute God’s providence, he’s also associated with natural phenomena & causes rain upon the lands. Unlike Christian traditions, Michael is rarely shown as a warrior-angel, with a few references to the Battle of Badr by Suyuti as an exception.

The Miraj literature on occasion mentions both Gabriel & Michael as 2 angels who showed Muhammad Paradise & Hell. He’s mentioned in Shia supplication (Dua), reportedly handed down by the 6th Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, in the prayers for blessings for the Bearers of the Throne.

The figures of Michael & Gabriel/Jibril serve as dual pillars of angelology. While they show up in the same texts, their “personalities” & mythological roles are distinct. Michael is the celestial soldier & protector. While Gabriel is the bridge between the divine mind & the human ear.

The name Michael (Mikha’el) translates from Hebrew as a rhetorical question: “Who is like God?” This name is actually a battle cry used during the primordial war in Heaven.

In the Book of Daniel, Michael is described as the “Great Prince” who stands guard over the people of Israel. Jewish Midrash expands on this. It suggests that Michael is the high priest of the Heavenly Temple. When other nations’ guardian angels argue against Israel, Michael acts as the defense in the celestial courtroom. Because after all, God is the judge of all.

Michael’s most iconic role comes from the Book of Revelation. Here, he leads an army of God against the Dragon (a.k.a. Satan). He’s almost always dressed in Roman/Medieval armor, standing over a defeated demon/dragon, holding a spear/sword.

In Catholic traditions, Michael has a secondary role as the Psychopomp. A Psychopomp is a conductor or a guide of souls. The 1 who “weighs” souls at the moment of death. This is why he’s sometimes shown with scales.

In Islamic tradition, Mikail (Michael) is 1 of 4 archangels. While Jibril feeds the soul (through revelation), Mikail is the Angel of Sustenance. He’s responsible for the forces of nature, specifically rain & lightning. Legends say he’s so moved by the majesty of God that he hasn’t smiled since the creation of Hell.

In the United States, Michael is the patron saint of paratroopers, police officers, & the military.

In the General Roman Calendar, the Anglican Calendar of Saints, & the Lutheran Calendar of Saints, Michael’s feast day is Michaelmas Day (September 29). The day is also the feast day of St. Gabriel & Raphael, in the General Roman Calendar & the Feast of St. Michael & All Angels in the Church of England.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Michael’s principal feast day is November 8. November 21, if they’re using the Gregorian calendar. Honoring him along with the rest of the “Bodiless Powers of Heaven” (angels) as their Supreme Commander, & the Miracle at Chonae is celebrated on September 6.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the main feast day is on 12 Hathor (between November 9 & December 9) & 12 Paoni (between June 8 & July 7). He is celebrated liturgically on the 12th of each Coptic month.

On April 7, the Oriental Orthodox Church commemorates the deliverance of the prophet Jeremiah from prison by Michael.

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Evidence That Jesus and The Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians -- The Veg Passages Blog: https://santmatradhasoami.blogspot.com/2019/04/evidence-that-jesus-and-original.html

& @ Medium: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/evidence-that-jesus-and-the-original-aramaic-christians-were-vegetarians-b8784ac42506

#veg #vegan #vegetarian #christianity #essenes #ebionites #nazoreans #nasoraeans #yeshua

Evidence That Jesus and The Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians -- The Veg Passages Blog: https://santmatradhasoami.blogspot.com/2019/04/evidence-that-jesus-and-original.html

& @ Medium: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/evidence-that-jesus-and-the-original-aramaic-christians-were-vegetarians-b8784ac42506

#veg #vegan #vegetarian #christianity #essenes #ebionites #nazoreans #nasoraeans #yeshua

Evidence That Jesus and The Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians -- The Veg Passages Blog: https://santmatradhasoami.blogspot.com/2019/04/evidence-that-jesus-and-original.html

& @ Medium: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/evidence-that-jesus-and-the-original-aramaic-christians-were-vegetarians-b8784ac42506

#veg #vegan #vegetarian #christianity #essenes #ebionites #nazoreans #nasoraeans #yeshua

Evidence That Jesus and The Original Aramaic Christians Were Vegetarians -- The Veg Passages Blog: https://santmatradhasoami.blogspot.com/2019/04/evidence-that-jesus-and-original.html

& @ Medium: https://medium.com/sant-mat-meditation-and-spirituality/evidence-that-jesus-and-the-original-aramaic-christians-were-vegetarians-b8784ac42506

#veg #vegan #vegetarian #christianity #essenes #ebionites #nazoreans #nasoraeans #yeshua