The English language has been flattened over time and we no longer have words to describe the various colors. We once had the word hubris to describe the sin of overweening pride and could clearly understand the distinctions. We are called to rightly judge ourselves and others. The right motivation of greatness is service to God and to our fellow; not ourselves.
I work as a tutor. This week, I was going through a reading comprehension passage with a student. The first sentence read --
Astronomers sometimes describe the shape of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, as a thin-crust pizza with a plum stuck in the middle.
The student asked what a plum was. Everyone loves to point out our how mathematical standards are declining (and they are!), but language is in a far worse state.
Luk 22:25 So Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
Luk 22:26 Not so with you; instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves.
Luk 22:27 For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
I love Ex Cathedra’s work with Catholic music and I often listen to music about Louis when I struggle to fall asleep. Always works wonders.
Happy that whenever there appears some sort of contradiction between what is called Christian and what feels right is merely created due to the obfuscation of the enemy.
Indeed. I'm sure I first heard him on the radio, but it was probably actually yourclassical.org that I was hearing. They just played some Pärt on their Extra Eclectic program, which was good.
As a Christian, I take pride in what I do, how I act, and how I represent God. I am proud of my family, my friends, and my community. The pride I had in my government has turned to a bad odor, because they no longer represent the truth.
The sin of pride was in excessive pride. You can be proud of yourself, but it is the height of hubris to blow your own trumpet.
The early Christians were proud to be followers of Christ, but they had to watch over their shoulders lest they be killed.
I think the biggest problem is that Christianity is no longer a *self-evidently* masculine religion. When you need to comb theological texts to justify common sense, something has gone very wrong. When you can only reference past glories, you look tired and weak. Changing this image would require augmenting the Church to facilitate masculine outlets that men have lost from greater society: men's groups, competition, preparedness, et cetera, on top of emphasizing the theology like you mentioned in the article. But with all of the current institutional momentum and requisite theory-celing, it's no wonder many men want to cut the knot and start fresh via the BAP-o-sphere.
Until Christendom asserts these pro-excellence, pro-masculinity, pro-nationalist aspects of itself, through example and not historical apologia, its reputation will continue to suffer.
Dec 18, 2023·edited Dec 18, 2023Liked by Johann Kurtz
Thank you! Thank you! thank you so much for writing this! This is something I have been struggling with also as well, to the point of having doubts about God's Justice on my worse days. Modern priests fed inordinate amounts of therapy classes have made navigating this territory difficult. It seems modern Christian writings both east and west really double down on this "being small." It's the best way I can articulate what I'm experiencing and reading about. I'll read some really great things from past Christian saints, east and west... and then what I hear from clergy in modern times almost makes the faith... gross. Literally making feelings of disgust manifest in me.
I remain unconvinced. However beautiful catholic cerimonies are, it appears to me as a cult of weakness that brought down the Roman Empire. Evola said it best when he says the Knights of the middle ages followed their own version of christianity rooted in pagan concepts of virtue and martial prowess.
Since Martin Luther and Henry the VIII the christian church has suffered all manner of schisms and division, and not without cause.
Martial prowess and Wealth and completely at odds with being a good catholic. No wonder the Nobles of the 1500s and 1600s tried to bankroll their own denominations of the faith.
For me it is a tool to keep social cohesion. Noble spirits must rise above peasant dogma. The Templars paid a heavy price for doing so.
I very much enjoy your content, and i will keep reading your posts and other christian minded posts, but to me catholicism is nothing more than beautiful tradition. It is not worthless mind you, sometimes i sneak into a mass just to feel the glory of my ancestors and the traditional spirit. But in terms of how can the commandaments benefit my life, or even justify themselves, i'm truly at a loss.
Truly wish i can be in the wrong here and my mind can be changed. I got the perpetual subscription discount and wish you good luck.
The English language has been flattened over time and we no longer have words to describe the various colors. We once had the word hubris to describe the sin of overweening pride and could clearly understand the distinctions. We are called to rightly judge ourselves and others. The right motivation of greatness is service to God and to our fellow; not ourselves.
Yes!
I work as a tutor. This week, I was going through a reading comprehension passage with a student. The first sentence read --
Astronomers sometimes describe the shape of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, as a thin-crust pizza with a plum stuck in the middle.
The student asked what a plum was. Everyone loves to point out our how mathematical standards are declining (and they are!), but language is in a far worse state.
Language, not math, is the key to intellectual, and moral, comprehension.
Luk 22:25 So Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
Luk 22:26 Not so with you; instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves.
Luk 22:27 For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Good to know we have the same taste Johann!!
I love Ex Cathedra’s work with Catholic music and I often listen to music about Louis when I struggle to fall asleep. Always works wonders.
Happy that whenever there appears some sort of contradiction between what is called Christian and what feels right is merely created due to the obfuscation of the enemy.
Your dreams when you fall asleep to this stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRHB7iTiOS4
Great article. The quotes by St. Thomas on magnificence were particularly inspiring.
Appreciate it - and very glad to see you're still reading my stuff. Thanks!
Wonderful article, thank you for your clarity of thought in explaining this complex topic.
Thank you for reading
You might enjoy the work of Arvo Pärt, a deeply-religious contemporary composer.
https://www.arvopart.ee/en/arvo-part/
Will listen!
Let me know what you think of him, if you will.
Beautiful.
Thank you for posting his work, it's beautiful...
Indeed. I'm sure I first heard him on the radio, but it was probably actually yourclassical.org that I was hearing. They just played some Pärt on their Extra Eclectic program, which was good.
I love his work!
As a Christian, I take pride in what I do, how I act, and how I represent God. I am proud of my family, my friends, and my community. The pride I had in my government has turned to a bad odor, because they no longer represent the truth.
The sin of pride was in excessive pride. You can be proud of yourself, but it is the height of hubris to blow your own trumpet.
The early Christians were proud to be followers of Christ, but they had to watch over their shoulders lest they be killed.
I think the biggest problem is that Christianity is no longer a *self-evidently* masculine religion. When you need to comb theological texts to justify common sense, something has gone very wrong. When you can only reference past glories, you look tired and weak. Changing this image would require augmenting the Church to facilitate masculine outlets that men have lost from greater society: men's groups, competition, preparedness, et cetera, on top of emphasizing the theology like you mentioned in the article. But with all of the current institutional momentum and requisite theory-celing, it's no wonder many men want to cut the knot and start fresh via the BAP-o-sphere.
Until Christendom asserts these pro-excellence, pro-masculinity, pro-nationalist aspects of itself, through example and not historical apologia, its reputation will continue to suffer.
I agree. A personal commitment of mine is to build a real world outlet of the kind you describe within the next few years.
Raised Lutheran and then evangelical, I appreciate this piece. A good reminder about humility.
The achievements of man ought to be summed up in one verse.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Great discourse on great Catholic thought. Praise Jesus.
Thank you! Thank you! thank you so much for writing this! This is something I have been struggling with also as well, to the point of having doubts about God's Justice on my worse days. Modern priests fed inordinate amounts of therapy classes have made navigating this territory difficult. It seems modern Christian writings both east and west really double down on this "being small." It's the best way I can articulate what I'm experiencing and reading about. I'll read some really great things from past Christian saints, east and west... and then what I hear from clergy in modern times almost makes the faith... gross. Literally making feelings of disgust manifest in me.
Glad you took something from it!
The medieval Crusades are a lot of fun to study. I think you'll like my own article, written about Saint Louis and his two Crusades: https://open.substack.com/pub/hothistory/p/king-louis-ix-the-french-crusader?r=2o7hq7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Reading now
This is a banger
🫡
I remain unconvinced. However beautiful catholic cerimonies are, it appears to me as a cult of weakness that brought down the Roman Empire. Evola said it best when he says the Knights of the middle ages followed their own version of christianity rooted in pagan concepts of virtue and martial prowess.
Since Martin Luther and Henry the VIII the christian church has suffered all manner of schisms and division, and not without cause.
Martial prowess and Wealth and completely at odds with being a good catholic. No wonder the Nobles of the 1500s and 1600s tried to bankroll their own denominations of the faith.
For me it is a tool to keep social cohesion. Noble spirits must rise above peasant dogma. The Templars paid a heavy price for doing so.
I very much enjoy your content, and i will keep reading your posts and other christian minded posts, but to me catholicism is nothing more than beautiful tradition. It is not worthless mind you, sometimes i sneak into a mass just to feel the glory of my ancestors and the traditional spirit. But in terms of how can the commandaments benefit my life, or even justify themselves, i'm truly at a loss.
Truly wish i can be in the wrong here and my mind can be changed. I got the perpetual subscription discount and wish you good luck.
Appreciate the support, and the fact that you continue to read even if you disagree with some of my central perspectives.
I think the Evolian view of the Crusades would be an interesting topic for a future essay!
Hi Johann -- Is it possible for me to buy a one year subscription to your posts for someone else on Substack, but who is not a writer here, etc.?
It is! https://becomingnoble.substack.com/gift
YAY!