For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the […]
A small excerpt from a history of child-raising
After the Talmud posting on child-rearing, I was doing some research into child-raising. I found the following quote. I should warn those who are easily shocked that it is a tough quote. Infant abandonment was also a fairly common phenomenon in early modern Europe. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the typical foundling (enfant trouvé, […]
Is there a place for tough love?
I must admit that the Geico advert above has been my favorite one so far. I thought of it today when I was talking with a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. This person has been part of AA for over two decades, and has not “slipped” for years. As we were talking, s/he commented that s/he […]
The Talmud on the raising of children
Due to a blog post on another site, I did some research on what the Talmud said on the raising of children. Why did I do that? Because too many people today will quote Scriptures like, “spare the rod and spoil the child,” and will insist that this means that the godly thing to do […]
Jesus’ childhood
The Gospels are silent about Jesus’ childhood. I agree with those who say that the emphasis by the Gospel writers was on the Incarnation, the Ministry, and the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. With the exception of the Lukan story of a 12 year old Jesus at the Temple, no stories […]
Isn’t reality wonderful?
I got quite a laugh when I looked at the cartoon above. It reminded me of being a college student. For any of you who are old enough, this is the time to start humming Those Were the Days My Friends to yourself. Once upon a time there was a tavern Where we used to […]
Let’s get some perspective!
So often we lack any sense of historical perspective in America. We love to use the saying about he who does not know history is doomed to repeat it. Then we promptly go out and make a mistake that could have been avoided with just a little knowledge of history. You see, the typical American […]
Orthodox blessing outline
OK, it has been a long day and a good celebration of July 4. I am tired, so let me put up a short lesson from Pithless Thoughts. Above you can see how an Orthodox priest’s hand is positioned when he makes the sign of the cross and why he holds his hand in that […]
On naming babies
The Orthodox are supposed to name their child after a saint or a godly concept (Sophia, Agapos, etc.). That saint can be an Old Testament or a New Testament saint. Obviously a New Testament saint means anyone in Church history from any culture. It may include reasonable derivations of the saint’s name into another language. […]
Christian kitsch and false spirituality
One of the saddest things that happened to much of Christianity in the USA has been the way in which spirituality has been replaced by the purchasing of Christian kitsch. We buy our thin volumes which promise us easy ways to become spiritual and easy ways to witness to others. We purchase our cheap “Jesus […]
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