I would think Bruce Charlton would fit the criteria but either way the silence is deafening.
I generally don’t engage in these matters myself as I’ve found them spiritually damaging to focus on. That may be a personal matter or a personal weakness, but I find that the machine grows in power the longer we gaze at it.
I prefer not to remain silent, however, when these issues come up in my life. I started a new job and then they began implementing double standards for vaxxed and unvaxxed. I made it clear to the owner where I stood (never ever.) The policy was immediately changed to remove the distinction. The most minuscule act of courage may have stopped a rising tide. Imagine if everyone did the same. The world would be a paradise in comparison.
Evil has its way because only when we don’t push back or when we leave it to the few brave enough to do so.
I love David Bentley Hart's writings, especially his novel *Kenogaia* and his literary essays. But in his book on nature and supranature, there was a passage where he suddenly launched off into a tirade against the "orange goblin". Leaving aside the opinion itself, it was just jarring and totally out of place; one wonders why an editor didn't say cut it out, although maybe said editor was also deranged in a similar manner. And as another commenter here mentioned, DBH is a member of the DSA, as far as I know.
Point being, I'd wager that you probably wouldn't wanna hear his opinion on what you call the gene therapy.
On what points do you disagree with Tomberg in MotT? I agree with his sophiological view, his perennial scope of what it means to be Catholic, his Origenism and universalism. However, he often seems very "traddy" to me and maybe that's my own bias reading into it. Also, do you agree with his beliefs pertaining to the papacy? He seems to be echoing Solovyov in his vision of the universal church. I also admire Solovyov. Just curious about where you agree and disagree with him. Thanks.
I think they both idealize/romanticize the institution of the Church too much. I did too at one time. Of course, the institution was very different when they lived. I also think Tomberg was having second though after Vatican II, he alludes to this in 'Lazarus Come Forth.' But I’m sure some will disagree with me.
Yeah Bulgakov also tried to idealize the papacy and ecclesial authority early on, but ended up abandoning it. I believe more in what he and Olivier Clement called sobornost. The bottom up authority of the Holy Spirit in the Church, rather than this top down monarchy. Frankly, I don’t know what the historical papacy (especially at its most decadent) has to do with the Jewish fisherman and chief apostle, Peter. “May the greatest among you be a servant”
On a side note, this is indeed a spiritual battle, but I found that martial arts (BJJ in my case) are very helpful, even for not so young man (I started at 39 years old). It helps to clear the mind and see that we need also to act and not spend much time debating over trivialities. If the spiritual knighthood will be able to integrate the natural and the supernatural it has to to be able to fight in the world, otherwise is mostly larping.
Great article, and motivating. Having come to Christianity by way of more esoteric pursuits like Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Hermeticism, Alchemy etc., I still find many people in that space, particularly John Michael Greer, Mark Stavish, Gordon White among others to express some of the best articulated critiques of pandemic policy and the Great Reset. Some of these folks claim to be Christian or at least seem to show a respect towards traditional forms (except for Greer who seems to continue to be a staunch Druid). They may seem like strange bedfellows but I think there is more in common than not Then there’s Russell Brand and others who are coming to Christianity in part from their research and reporting on the machine.
I also have to point out that Robert F Kennedy Jr. is a devout Catholic.
Good one Michael. Now is not the time for silence. Paul Kingsnorth recently announced that he is soon beginning a series on the Theology of the Machine. So he will be joining the chivalric forces! And Matthias Desmet is coming out with a new book soon. Can’t wait for that one.
Bravo, Michael! I have often lamented the loss of chivalry--though being from the South, we still had touches of it when I was growing up. In modern America there is nothing to uplift the soul in the sense of a shared cultural community-- although there are, of course, ample opportunities for individual creativity. But we need a new vision of knighthood today-- if for no other reason than to save manhood! For feminism has just about destroyed American masculinity!
DBH is a card-carrying DSA Party member (unless he's disavowed it recently and I'm not aware), a very hard Left party, esp. on issues like abortion and LGBT that should be anathema to any Christian (it wouldn't surprise me if they were very pro-mRNA vax, face muzzle, etc. as well). I wasn't aware of this when he used to write for First Things (an odd match given his extreme Left politics and FT's neocon/ConInc bent).
Since his Universalism book in 2019, DBH seems to have grown even more insufferably arrogant and self-righteous, and as you note, dismissive of even the most mild conservatism politically (perhaps he kept that under wraps during his FT years) and theologically (he's associated with the liberal Fordham Orthodox Study Center - he co-signed a pernicious anti-Russia declaration they issued letter in 2022 - who have been very anti-Russia and supportive of the Kiev Regime's persecution and attempted destruction of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, instead promoting the schismatic, Banderite regime-approved OUC).
From interviews of DBH I've seen the last few years, it's not clear why he even remains a Christian - never mind Orthodox (generally more politically, socially, theologically, & liturgically conservative than, say, mainstream Western Protestantism, where it seems he'd be more at home) - which, in light of his Universalism and radically un-Orthodox/orthodox views on so many things, it seems he has little regard for these days.
I would think Bruce Charlton would fit the criteria but either way the silence is deafening.
I generally don’t engage in these matters myself as I’ve found them spiritually damaging to focus on. That may be a personal matter or a personal weakness, but I find that the machine grows in power the longer we gaze at it.
I prefer not to remain silent, however, when these issues come up in my life. I started a new job and then they began implementing double standards for vaxxed and unvaxxed. I made it clear to the owner where I stood (never ever.) The policy was immediately changed to remove the distinction. The most minuscule act of courage may have stopped a rising tide. Imagine if everyone did the same. The world would be a paradise in comparison.
Evil has its way because only when we don’t push back or when we leave it to the few brave enough to do so.
I applaud your courage. Inspiring!
FYI: Kingsnorth has been editing his Substack work on "The Machine" into a book for Penguin. So there's that.
I love David Bentley Hart's writings, especially his novel *Kenogaia* and his literary essays. But in his book on nature and supranature, there was a passage where he suddenly launched off into a tirade against the "orange goblin". Leaving aside the opinion itself, it was just jarring and totally out of place; one wonders why an editor didn't say cut it out, although maybe said editor was also deranged in a similar manner. And as another commenter here mentioned, DBH is a member of the DSA, as far as I know.
Point being, I'd wager that you probably wouldn't wanna hear his opinion on what you call the gene therapy.
These matters haunt me every now and then. Beautifully expressed, bravo!
Thanks
Michael,
On what points do you disagree with Tomberg in MotT? I agree with his sophiological view, his perennial scope of what it means to be Catholic, his Origenism and universalism. However, he often seems very "traddy" to me and maybe that's my own bias reading into it. Also, do you agree with his beliefs pertaining to the papacy? He seems to be echoing Solovyov in his vision of the universal church. I also admire Solovyov. Just curious about where you agree and disagree with him. Thanks.
I think they both idealize/romanticize the institution of the Church too much. I did too at one time. Of course, the institution was very different when they lived. I also think Tomberg was having second though after Vatican II, he alludes to this in 'Lazarus Come Forth.' But I’m sure some will disagree with me.
Yeah Bulgakov also tried to idealize the papacy and ecclesial authority early on, but ended up abandoning it. I believe more in what he and Olivier Clement called sobornost. The bottom up authority of the Holy Spirit in the Church, rather than this top down monarchy. Frankly, I don’t know what the historical papacy (especially at its most decadent) has to do with the Jewish fisherman and chief apostle, Peter. “May the greatest among you be a servant”
On a side note, this is indeed a spiritual battle, but I found that martial arts (BJJ in my case) are very helpful, even for not so young man (I started at 39 years old). It helps to clear the mind and see that we need also to act and not spend much time debating over trivialities. If the spiritual knighthood will be able to integrate the natural and the supernatural it has to to be able to fight in the world, otherwise is mostly larping.
ALEX JONES !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc_xGu-9Jyk
Dr. David R. Martin (another great Martin!) is also one to check out.
Great article, and motivating. Having come to Christianity by way of more esoteric pursuits like Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Hermeticism, Alchemy etc., I still find many people in that space, particularly John Michael Greer, Mark Stavish, Gordon White among others to express some of the best articulated critiques of pandemic policy and the Great Reset. Some of these folks claim to be Christian or at least seem to show a respect towards traditional forms (except for Greer who seems to continue to be a staunch Druid). They may seem like strange bedfellows but I think there is more in common than not Then there’s Russell Brand and others who are coming to Christianity in part from their research and reporting on the machine.
I also have to point out that Robert F Kennedy Jr. is a devout Catholic.
Anyways, it gives me some hope.
Thanks! Those you mention also give me hope--and so do you.
Good one Michael. Now is not the time for silence. Paul Kingsnorth recently announced that he is soon beginning a series on the Theology of the Machine. So he will be joining the chivalric forces! And Matthias Desmet is coming out with a new book soon. Can’t wait for that one.
Bravo, Michael! I have often lamented the loss of chivalry--though being from the South, we still had touches of it when I was growing up. In modern America there is nothing to uplift the soul in the sense of a shared cultural community-- although there are, of course, ample opportunities for individual creativity. But we need a new vision of knighthood today-- if for no other reason than to save manhood! For feminism has just about destroyed American masculinity!
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Fr. Anthony
Prepare for battle.
DBH is a card-carrying DSA Party member (unless he's disavowed it recently and I'm not aware), a very hard Left party, esp. on issues like abortion and LGBT that should be anathema to any Christian (it wouldn't surprise me if they were very pro-mRNA vax, face muzzle, etc. as well). I wasn't aware of this when he used to write for First Things (an odd match given his extreme Left politics and FT's neocon/ConInc bent).
Since his Universalism book in 2019, DBH seems to have grown even more insufferably arrogant and self-righteous, and as you note, dismissive of even the most mild conservatism politically (perhaps he kept that under wraps during his FT years) and theologically (he's associated with the liberal Fordham Orthodox Study Center - he co-signed a pernicious anti-Russia declaration they issued letter in 2022 - who have been very anti-Russia and supportive of the Kiev Regime's persecution and attempted destruction of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, instead promoting the schismatic, Banderite regime-approved OUC).
From interviews of DBH I've seen the last few years, it's not clear why he even remains a Christian - never mind Orthodox (generally more politically, socially, theologically, & liturgically conservative than, say, mainstream Western Protestantism, where it seems he'd be more at home) - which, in light of his Universalism and radically un-Orthodox/orthodox views on so many things, it seems he has little regard for these days.