Posted on 08/20/2009 12:30:40 PM PDT by IbJensen
I thought you might find this interesting. I don’t know if you’re much of a “Pope-watcher,” but looky here:
http://ncronline.org/news/ecology/pope-cites-teilhardian-vision-cosmos-living-host
The liberal Catholics are all aflutter about BXVI revealing his “inner Teilhard” during a recent Vespers speech. I think it relevant to _Caritas_ because of the encyclical’s notion of a progressive evolution of peoples into a global family and, later on, a universal fraternity. And, finally, into some sort of universal community or Unity.
What we haven’t been touching on in this thread is the signal importance given to “integral human DEVELOPMENT” in _Caritas_. One has to ask “development towards WHAT”? Here I can only suggest that Teilhard’s work might be key to understanding what’s going on here by giving some content to what that WHAT might be.
If you want it, here’s the 24 July Vespers speech on pdf. file (see pp.3-4):
www.stthomasmoreusc.org/bulletin/bulletin_20090802.pdf
Yep. We disagree on that one. 8~)
My own theory is that when the Adversary rebelled, he did so having deluded himself that the Holy One was just some sort of super-angel who could eventually be superceded. That's why evolution and the idea of the overthrow of the elder god(s) are both such important elements in so many pagan belief systems: They're a reflection of the Adversary's desire to be "like the Most High."
His strategy all hinges on the hope that he can somehow outmaneuver God and prevent even one of His promises from coming to pass. If he could, that would prove that God is not truly Eternal (that is, outside of Time) and therefore not truly the Creator of Space and Time. Furthermore, in Genesis 15, the Holy One entered into a one-sided covenant with Abraham, and did so according to an ancient form that said by its symbolism: "If I break My word, then let me be torn apart like these animals." Satan is so focused on destroying the Jewish people because if he could do so, God would either have to destroy Himself or would be shown to have broken His promise to do so in front of the whole universe.
Of course, since the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the Eternal One, the Adversary doesn't have a chance--but after some six thousand years of rebellion, lies, and death, Satan a) probably has deceived himself into believing his own lies, and b) doesn't really have a choice but to push through and to hope against hope that he can find some strategem that will work. He stands condemned either way, with no hope of redemption, so why stop now? Why not at the very least steal away some of the Father's joy by destroying many of His children?
The Chevlei Mashiach, the Birth-Pangs of the Messiah, are not judgments by God per se. Rather, the increasing tempo of chaos, of false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, disease, and signs in the heavens result from the Adversary's increasing desperation as his every attempt to block the completion of the Great Commission, destroy Israel, prevent the reconciliation of Israel's children, stop construction of the Third Temple, etc. are defeated. This will culminate in his final expulsion from the heavenlies at the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth Week: "But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time" (Rev. 12:12).
Therefore, this is not a time to fear or become complacent. It is a time to rejoice even as we roll up our sleves "as you look forward to the Day of God and speed its coming" (2Pt. 3:12).
Shalom.
He has reportedly convinced the globalist oligarchy that with the fallen angels’ technology and human something—that part’s not clear—some say—invitation—that Almighty God is merely just another “ET’s” and will be defeated at Armageddon.
Satan knows better. But imagine what a heady bunch of arrogant buttons got pushed with the human global leaders on that fantasy!
And what a way to sucker more idiots into hell.
God bless you, dear Petr.
Thanks, Dr. E. When I talk about this, Catholics will say he was poorly catechized. That’s all they CAN say, I guess, LOL.
LOL. Keep up the good work, hosepipe. It’s fun to read your replies.
Same here, back atcha.....................
Amen!
The "good" that he wants "in" is for people to live in Christ, to answer His Call in their souls, hearts, and minds. The "bad" he wants "out" (described at section 14) is "the technocratic ideology so prevalent today."
The "technocratic ideology" is what people today mindlessly call "values-neutral." It is unconcerned with ethical or moral criteria, it is radically anti-human, and brings degradation wherever it goes. In a system of capitalism where this ideology reigns, profit becomes an end in itself, instead of the by-product of something else: the creation of new economic value in satisfaction of real human needs and wants. Rank speculation is of equal worth to human creative effort in such a system. This is what the Pope objects to, and I object to it also. Arguably, this ideology was a major culprit in bringing on the current global economic meltdown.
Still in Caritas in Veritate, the Pope has not advanced any program for correcting this situation, no plan to "limit profit." In the first place, such a thing is entirely beyond the scope of his competence and authority. In the second place, in this encyclical his purpose is to evoke a major cultural renewal based on the Word of God, in charity and in truth. In his last encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, he wrote of God's love.... He is informing the world at large of these things; this is what is called Christian evangelization. He bids us all to do likewise, and then the "profit thing" will just naturally smoothe itself out in time, God willing. Profit should be based on the creation of new value, not on "pushing paper around." (My term.)
I've been very puzzled by the responses of many of you to Benedict's encyclical on charity in truth. I just don't understand them, probably because I don't see something that you see. I've been wondering what that could possibly be. Then I had a strange thought. Is it possible that there is an undisclosed assumption behind your testimonies? And that assumption is the belief that the Pope is an evil man, perhaps the Anti-Christ — maybe Satan himself???
If that is your belief, then your conclusions become understandable to me.
But I would question that assumption.
Please forgive me for not having written sooner. I've been having computer problems.... ARRGGGHHHHH! (I hope they're nipped in the bud now; we'll see.)
Thank you so much for wrriting, Poe White Trash!
I would probably drop the "arguably."
No, I see just a mortal man, albeit a world elite, with an agenda, however you view him as something more and like people with Obama, are willing to project your own feelings on to him. Just like Obama screams "racist", any attempt to look at him objectively without all the accompanying accoutrements of the Vatican, is met with "that's hatred".
No "undisclosed assumption." Just reading the man's words and disagreeing with what he's saying about the need for a global authority "with teeth" to dictate America's economic, judicial, social and political future.
And it is likewise "puzzling" that some conservatives don't see this.
If he thinks the world should be ordered according to Christian principles, let him say that clearly and then work to transform those institutions through the force of debate and logic and faith, not coersion as despots prefer.
LOL dear r9etb!
Consider it done!
Maybe because it's not there???
Don't you get it?
If you don't share their delusions, it's YOUR failure...you're not a Christian OR a conservative unless you agree with their own personal interpretation of Scripture...and everything else.
But now you are attributing motives to me of which you cannot possible know anything! Plus you are also suggesting that I am "brain-dead," such as your standard, garden-variety Obamanoid.
Thanks a lot! :^)
I "view him" on the state of my knowledge, according to reason.
Marvelous, marvelous insights, Buggman!
What a beautiful essay/post! Thank you oh so very much!
And what fascinating insights you have brought to the discussion. It's a great example of why I look forward to reading your posts!
Your explanation of Satan's focus on Israel is particularly interesting. But no matter what he tries, no matter how many he influences, God will not cast off the seed of Israel for what they've done.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, [and] the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts [is] his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, [then] the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. - Jer 31:33-37
Instead, we see God's mercy and judgment writ large - Satan has enough rope to hang himself, personally - and so do we, personally.
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