-
Self-Emptying and Self-Fulfillment
Read more: Self-Emptying and Self-FulfillmentThere are many ways to imagine or describe human existence. Perhaps the darkest of all can be seen in the writings of the English philosopher, Thomas Hobbes. He essentially described human beings as living in a constant state of competition. Our “natural state” is one of self-interest. He famously wrote of the state of nature: […]
-
The Tree Heals the Tree
Read more: The Tree Heals the TreeReaders of the New Testament are familiar with St. Paul’s description of Christ as the “Second Adam.” It is an example of the frequent Apostolic use of an allegoric reading of the Old Testament (I am using “allegory” in its broadest sense – including typology and other forms). Christ Himself had stated that He […]
-
The Whole Adam
Read more: The Whole AdamMt. Athos, in popular treatments, is often described as a “male enclave,” a place where no woman has set foot in a thousand years (this is not actually true). The exclusion of women from the Holy Mountain is deeply offensive to some (cf. European Union) and is imagined as a bastion of machismo in a […]
-
God and the Box
Read more: God and the BoxIt is a commonplace that you “cannot put God in a box.” It is an affirmation of the transcendence of God and of the limits of human understanding. It is also a common rhetorical ploy to shut down a theological discussion. But, let’s think a little more about the box. I am deeply averse to […]
-
Into the Heart
Read more: Into the HeartMet. Kallistos Ware famously shared the story of his conversion (at least its initiation) as he ducked into a Russian Orthodox Cathedral one afternoon only to encounter the service of Vespers in progress. His account contained no detailed analysis of what he saw. Rather, it was the story of a heart – a heart confronting […]
-
The Communion of Tradition
Read more: The Communion of TraditionThat which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life–the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and […]
-
Why Everything Is Important (but not the stuff you might imagine)
Read more: Why Everything Is Important (but not the stuff you might imagine)My Dad was an auto-mechanic, and a good one. He worked in the pre-computerized engine days. The way cars and trucks operated was pretty much the same as the airplane engines he worked on in World War II. I never learned more than a fraction of what he knew, but I learned a few […]
-
The Tangled Web
Read more: The Tangled WebSir Walter Scott (1808) famously wrote: “O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” A modern pundit has rephrased it: “Always tell the truth…it’s easier to remember.” Lies inevitably create a web of false narratives. In many ways, it’s a metaphor for sin itself. Sin begets sin that begets sin […]
Subscribe to blog via email
Support the work
Your generous support for Glory to God for All Things will help maintain and expand the work of Fr. Stephen. This ministry continues to grow and your help is important. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!
Latest Comments
Matthew, I cannot render into words what the Cross is in reality (it would just be another intellectual explanation). We…
Simon: Is this an oversimplification? Atman (self) Maya (physical things) Problem: Attachment to Atman as well as to Maya without…
Simon, I will surely pray for you, fwiw. Thanks for reading my rambling posts. This is another reason that I…
Simon and Owen: After having read your posts about Buddhism over the past day or so I have come to…
Read my books
Listen to my podcast
Please Read
Categories
Archives
Owen, since you ask if self-determination were *absolute,* “how would God work all things for good?” I must first answer…