Puritanism is really built into the American DNA, even today. Contemporary puritanism of the secular progressives is of the same kind as the religious. When a sinner (let's say someone like Charlie Kirk) is eliminated, boy howdy, do they rejoice with glee.
Richard, you may be interested in an ongoing series on The Symbolic World web site under "podcasts", the series being a take on the behind-the-scenes spiritual history of the US. Jonathan Pageau and Orthodox Deacon Richard Seraphim Rohlin have combined their knowledge in this fascinating, ongoing series. If you listen through the Symbolic World web site there aren't as many ads as on the YouTube channel.
True - People love the "we are special ones and they are not" kind of talk..and since we are already "in", we can look at the sinners who are not. Focus on that. Well I grew up with it, all the while being around some pretty unloving folks that had little concern about others, except to tell them they were not saved. This is another reason that I can't believe there is a heaven for some and a hell for others. You do the prayer.. or attend church, and you are in. Really regardless of the behavior. The others... even those in places with other religions are out. It is quite crazy. Of course there are some incredible spiritual people, those taking kingdom living seriously. I suppose, just living as close to Jesus' principles is evangelism. That is the kind I admire. It is so rare, and so different than what our capitalist, materialistic, shallow and individualist society encourages.
These observations are spot-on. When the saved get obsessed with the ultimate destiny of people not in the room, it feels much more like culture warriors looking for a way to assume moral superiority over the culture. This ties in nicely with your book about "Old Scratch", which was also excellent. Thank you, Richard!
Oh to be a fly on the wall to be able to eavesdrop on the conversations Jesus had with the Sinners he made friends with during his ministry. I am sure it would have been perfectly balanced between love and rebuke. And I am sure that he would never speak to them in an angry voice but in a concerned voice. Loving yet serious in a compassionate way. And this is the challenge for us as Christians. To be able to separate a person's Who from their Do and to do so with genuine care and concern. Or, as Carl Rogers would say, positive regard for others. But too often Christians seem to think that we are to motivate people into good behavior by guilting and shaming them over their bad behaviors. I find the hardest things in the Christian life are those that require an exquisite balance of two things that are seemingly at odds. All forms of ministry including and perhaps even chiefly evangelism requires this. That is why we need to trust and depend on God's grace to enable us.
Puritanism is really built into the American DNA, even today. Contemporary puritanism of the secular progressives is of the same kind as the religious. When a sinner (let's say someone like Charlie Kirk) is eliminated, boy howdy, do they rejoice with glee.
Richard, you may be interested in an ongoing series on The Symbolic World web site under "podcasts", the series being a take on the behind-the-scenes spiritual history of the US. Jonathan Pageau and Orthodox Deacon Richard Seraphim Rohlin have combined their knowledge in this fascinating, ongoing series. If you listen through the Symbolic World web site there aren't as many ads as on the YouTube channel.
The Spirits Beneath America - July 16 2025
American Folk Magic and Christianity - Oct 2 2025
The American Religion - Dec 4 2025
Making Way for Mormonism - Mar 2 2026
How Kabbalah Shaped America - Apr 18 2026
Dana
True - People love the "we are special ones and they are not" kind of talk..and since we are already "in", we can look at the sinners who are not. Focus on that. Well I grew up with it, all the while being around some pretty unloving folks that had little concern about others, except to tell them they were not saved. This is another reason that I can't believe there is a heaven for some and a hell for others. You do the prayer.. or attend church, and you are in. Really regardless of the behavior. The others... even those in places with other religions are out. It is quite crazy. Of course there are some incredible spiritual people, those taking kingdom living seriously. I suppose, just living as close to Jesus' principles is evangelism. That is the kind I admire. It is so rare, and so different than what our capitalist, materialistic, shallow and individualist society encourages.
These observations are spot-on. When the saved get obsessed with the ultimate destiny of people not in the room, it feels much more like culture warriors looking for a way to assume moral superiority over the culture. This ties in nicely with your book about "Old Scratch", which was also excellent. Thank you, Richard!
Oh to be a fly on the wall to be able to eavesdrop on the conversations Jesus had with the Sinners he made friends with during his ministry. I am sure it would have been perfectly balanced between love and rebuke. And I am sure that he would never speak to them in an angry voice but in a concerned voice. Loving yet serious in a compassionate way. And this is the challenge for us as Christians. To be able to separate a person's Who from their Do and to do so with genuine care and concern. Or, as Carl Rogers would say, positive regard for others. But too often Christians seem to think that we are to motivate people into good behavior by guilting and shaming them over their bad behaviors. I find the hardest things in the Christian life are those that require an exquisite balance of two things that are seemingly at odds. All forms of ministry including and perhaps even chiefly evangelism requires this. That is why we need to trust and depend on God's grace to enable us.