"Liter and half-liter, that's all we serve"
The English pint, a rare preserve.
A toast to history, our struggle and steely nerve
One final comeuppance to our patriotic verve
To King and country, a final cheer
Raise your bloody quaffs I say, and with a hearty hear, hear!
Where then this "message from a hundred years
If we could but read it right?"
From the very beginning, at dawns early light!
The foundations of freedom forged long ago
Those smiths, they labored day and night
On pages that burned with wisdom learned
The pages they turned, those hoary pages right
By fingers worn through sheer delight.
The thoughts they grasped gave pause, yet strength
To fight the mighty monster deep
Yet the time has come again once more
For men to rise to settle the score
Who then will stand among the graves
Of freedoms' fallen, hero's all
To stem the tide of tyranny's call?
As liberty chants the hour is late
The drumbeats roll, heralding fate
As confusion mounts upon "the hill"
The flag unfurls, but not until
The stalwart storm down below
Casting doubt upon the status quo
The weak beyond caring
The timid beyond daring
But this ancient dame
Has neither a place for the halt, nor the lame
In this land of the free
And home of the brave
No place for the darling, the damsel, the knave
Who profit for nothing, awaiting the grave
What price then freedom, the warriors resolve
Except strength of conviction, virtue and will
The cast of our conscience, cunning and skill
With courage beyond caring
For liberty's call
We rise to Old Glory
That banner yet waves
For fame's bright fortune
Made brighter still, by the flame of our burning
But not until
The God of our fathers
For one, and for all
Quill (c)(2020)
“Rally Round the Flag, Boys!”
“While promising them liberty, they themselves are servants of corruption; for that which a person serves, the same is he brought into bondage to.” (2 Peter 2:19)
Regardless of the fact that true faith in the Western World has been on the decline for years, in America and Europe we see it beginning to stir once again, yet not without certain nationalist tendencies. In the U.S., while the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the American Constitution was put in place to prevent the government from giving any particular religion priority or favoring one faith over another, the potential exists once again for a preferential religious predilection which is political in its orientation and influence. Yet, while true that the U.S., and the UK. in particular, have been in need of a serious spiritual reformation for years, if and when it comes it must necessarily be a bottoms-up proposition, drive by a faith that demands spiritual reformation, not religious conformity. Were to happen, the population could then become fit for God’s purpose, not just in reestablishing a social order based upon justice and mercy, but one derived from a spirit of moral conviction not conformance to the dictates of the law. The challenge then would be how to flesh-out such an enterprise without falling victim to the polarizing political influence that now exists. The fact is that Christians have been rendered impotent by their own self-interest and warped sense of spiritually accountability, which only adds to the moral characterization of the West as being nothing but a collection of decaying and irresolute social enterprises ripe for the picking.
Notwithstanding the fact, it does add a certain weight to the Kremlin’s own rationale for opposing the West, even as it serves as an impetus for Russia’s religious and revanchist tendencies. Yet contrary to its own opinion of being the vaunted Katheon or “restrainer” as described in the biblical passage (2 Thes. 2:6,7) that must first be removed in order for “the man of sin” to appear, he may in fact already be here. Evidenced by the increasing chaos and random violence we see in the world today, the world is ripe for a leader that can solve its problems. If so, the foundation for the antichrist kingdom is already being built in preparation for the soon to emerge false pretender to the throne of glory. And yet, whether the construct is the work of the West that Russia deplores and mistrusts, or Russia itself, the point is rather moot, as both in their own way appear to lack the visionary capacity even while sharing similar characteristics, such as an innate spirit of militarism, religiosity and hubris.
And quite interestingly, both are confronted with a similar dilemma. Neither has the power or wherewithal to emerge victorious in a conflict that could come at the cost of their own existence and perhaps civilization itself. And that, not through war itself per se, but by virtue of the fact that both have made such unique contributions to the advance of civilization, to the extent that the demise of either is beyond any calculation. And in that regard, Russia is perhaps of singular interest, as it has been a crossroads between the Far East and Europe from its earliest advent. In turn, expressing the fact through its rather archaic notion of being the rightful heir and guarantor of the Classic European World, as can be seen by its adoption of French Renaissance architecture in the government space. Yet the effort, while admirable, is somewhat like trying to rebuild the glory of the Czarist past atop the colorless debris of a failed Stalinist futurism. Yet, for the sake of comparison, America isn’t fairing much better, as its educational institutions have been left to molder in the fading light of intellectual curiosity, becoming but a reflection of the nation itself, passively indifferent to its founding ideals, even as the populace seems to be hell-bent on erasing any memory of the struggle it took to get there. A heart-felt repentance for past wrongs is one thing, but to “Cancel” the memory of a nation’s achievements, while rendering impotent the legacy of its ethos, begs the question. – “Where’s the devil now?”
That said, we can’t ignore the obvious, – Neither the unipolar West nor a multi-polar East can ultimately prevail without some sort of supernatural assistance. And from whence that comes remains a matter that only the people themselves can sort out, if not, it will unfortunately be decided for them. They are then left with little choice; either repent before God, and rise as lions in defense of lambs, or bow the knee as willing minions of the pit. And, while that may read something like Tolkien, the reality is far more fundamental. Choose today whom you will serve, either in voluntary obedience to God in Heaven, or the magistrate of evil on earth below. Lift up your heads you weary and pray, becoming that voice of conviction which stirs others to lasting works. As R.C. Sproul said: “The only way the Kingdom of God will ever be made manifest on earth is if believers reflect that kingdom reality within themselves, not only spiritually, but essentially, in the way in which they live, think and act as citizens of heaven.”
God Save the King
“Now can your see, by the dawn’s early light,” our English brethren engaging the fight!
“The shot heard round the world” may now only be but a dim reminder of the cost paid for freedom, yet it’s a burden not easily shouldered that passes from generation to generation. Our brothers and sisters of the Isles have countenanced that fact and now taken the initiative, exposing the hypocrisy of the existing government. Expressing themselves as free and independent Christian people, English citizens have risen to the occasion, demonstrating their unwillingness to overlook the fact, while flying the national flag – the Cross of St. George, regardless of legal restraint. Good on and waves across the water from us, even as we contemplate whether we’ll have the courage as to be so bold. And while the English and their Irish compatriots have now broken ground, pray their example is contagious, to the extent that all the Christian world rises in protest. Glory be to God and a pox on Parliament!
While immigration run amuck may best be described as multiculturalism gone awry, the reality signals sometime far worse – mob-rule by government consent. And yet, while confusion benefits neither the common-good nor the security of the country, ideas of social restraint begin to percolate long before the pot begins to boil. It should come as no surprise then to find limits having been placed on human organization by virtue of the Creator himself; ideas which have been embedded within religious narratives for millennia are once again being defended. Although inspirational, yet cautionary in their telling, these biblical stories reveal much about the rise and fall of civilizations, and the fact that there seems to be a direct correlation between what happens on this celestial orb and the dictates of heaven. And while some may ask, if true, where is God in all of this, it has been said, and rightly so, that “In Him we live and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Along that line, it may be of interest to note that it has always been the voice of the oppressed that moved God to intercede on their behalf. Not surprisingly then, one could say that true religion is a justice movement just waiting to happen. One whose primary ideology is configured to either reform or upend any system that runs contrary to the will of God, while His intercession through the acts of normal people still bears witness to His very existence.
That there is this innate quality within humanity which seeks justice and mercy, or fair play, above all else, is plainly evident, as can be seen in the most recent course of events transpiring in the British Isles. A large and growing segment of the native population is beginning to argue for what they know is right, and it is not simply a matter of personal opinion, as scripture agrees. And regardless of how their actions might put them at odds with government, their in it for the long run. Retreat at this stage of the game is no longer an option. From a religious perspective, the current manifestation of standing for what’s right, by making yourself heard, many indeed be tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. If so, the Neo-cons have ample reason to be concerned, for if God is in it, no power on earth can prevent it. In that token, it could be said that America itself is ripe for divine intervention itself; not through ANTIFA, Black Lives Matter, or any other WOKE nonsense, but an honest to God spiritually regenerative revolution, comprised of ordinary people who’ve reached their limit when it comes to the widening disparity between the government and the consent of the governed.
“Out of the Many – One!”
As the timeline of my vision continues to play out, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next episode was just around the corner – the emergence of the police-state, and restrictions on interstate travel. If that were to happen, the effect would be much greater than most people realize. Practical considerations aside, American as a nation developed around the concept of open-space and room for everybody; freedom to go where you wanted, when you wanted, with no one to tell you otherwise And in that sense, there has never been a place quite like it. Yet, this is more than simply a phenomenon coincidental with the development of the motorized vehicle and its consequent untold miles of freeways and secondary roads, it extends well back to this continent’s prehistory as well. The archeological record is clear that at one time their were earlier civilizations, themselves part of a vast, interconnected trading empire, which spanned the width and breadth of the Americas. This ancient panorama, although already in decline, was only later given new life through the introduction and domestication of the horse. This in itself says something about the people who lived here before, the country’s vast expanses and its ability to stir the imagination of its inhabitants, who were themselves driven by curiosity to cross the next river or ridge, simply to see what was on the other side.
Explorers, entrepreneurs all, even today, an ebb-and-flow of human enterprise, which if thwart would be like trying to stem the tide. If we would but recall we should admit to some familiarity with that, as we were all held hostage during the COVID crack-down. Some people became neurotic, many still are! The quarantine did more than simply serve to quell disease transmission, it induced a kind of psychosis which has had lasting consequence. Consider then, if the roads were devoid on cars. It wouldn’t take long for weeds to sprout in the pavement. A semaphore for seed from the distant past, which has lain dormant in the soil for generations, it would sprout in due course, and like the proverbial mustard tree, grow to provide shelter and nourishment for… “Indians,” Red or White, who would “…make the road by walking,” (Klein 2019). For this purpose they were created, and for this purpose they have been called – “…from the west to the east, from the Arctic to Tierra de Fuego; one Native nation, walking in a sacred way, flying but one flag: a people who will speak on My behalf – with a voice like Thunder!” (Chalkyitsik, Alaska 1998)
Although it’s no secret to many that the ship-of-state has slipped its moorings and sailed, wisdom would dictate that we return to port and refit. Yet we’d be remiss in doing so if our First Nation’s people weren’t by our side, even as they were in the very beginning, helping us form The Constitution. And, modeled as it was after the “Haudenosaunee” or Iroquois “Great Law of Peace,” it became the inviolable standard, not only for the newly-formed nation, but American Indians alike. One which they were quick to defend, with word or weapon. A posture that didn’t go unnoticed, as General Washington became not only the first to acknowledge the fact, but honor it, by formally inducting the American Indian into the rank and file of The Continental Army. Not only did his action serve as the means whereby the “warriors code” of Indian America was embedded within the US Military, but it set a very high-bar. America was to become not only representative of our diversity, but our combined strength, through unity of purpose and combined will.
“Risky Business”
To engage in war for all the wrong reasons is not only counterproductive, but can have negative consequences for all those involved. This raises the question, as retired UK Forces General, Lord Dannitt put it: “Is it right to fight, and are they fighting right?” From his perspective, one could then argue that war could be likened to a game of moral jeopardy, wherein players expose themselves to ethical compromise and the very real possibility of being used as tools in the greater game at play; a game whose objectives are often obscure and its methodology questionable. Conversely, engaging in war as a matter of self-defense, in defense of others, or to right the wrong of injustice, is not only permissible, but often praiseworthy. In the same token the same can also be said for personal responsibility, as Japanese author Noburu Yamaguchi noted: “In Japan, people do not respect a person who will not assume responsibility for their own protection.”
This then is of some importance, as US Security of Defense, Pete Hegseth recently observed: “Japan and America share a warrior ethos that defines our two forces.” While true, they also have more in common, in that both countries share similar principles of religious conviction and personal accountability. Yet, while one could argue that the evolution of those perspectives was quite different, the emphasis both placed on moral integrity and martial duty, was not only parcel to their beliefs, but intrinsic to their common development and identity. An identity so fundamental and characteristic of both cultures that if neglected or thwarted by some means, would not only lead to moral atrophy, but lawlessness and the eventual criminalization of their societies as well.
To Be or Not To Be
When it comes to so-called adversarial “Gray-zone” tactics utilized to destabilize a nation’s populace, none has proven more effective than compromising a nation’s religious convictions before supplanting them with another ethic. Not surprisingly, subversive ideologies have been circulating in the West for years, not only undermining “the social contract” between the governed and the state, but a people’s cultural identity as a nation and a people. Yet if that s the case, which it seems to be, why no sense of moral outrage? The primary reason is that the pot has been slow to boil, as can be seen now in both The United Kingdom and the United States. But resistance is mounting. When the British Parliament can no longer make the distinction between common decency and moral decay, as we can see in the trash accumulation and rat infestation in predominantly Muslim Birmingham, you’ve not only got a bloody problem, but a Parliament that lacks the will to call it what it is – a national disgrace. There’s no longer any excuse when it’s become painfully clear that national unity cannot be derived through multiplicity, but only from a populace with a clear identity and a “shared pattern of values, behaviors, beliefs and attitudes that were created, transmitted, maintained, and transformed over time.” (U.S. Air Force Culture and Language Center [AFCLC]). And regarding that identity, as a predominately Christian nation, the Church of England, as well as The Book of Common Prayer remain not only representative of England’s history, but the population’s common faith as followers of Christ and subjects of the English monarchy.
And in that sense, while the Book of Common Prayer and Kings James Bible may be seen by some as anachronisms, both have a relevancy when it comes to Christian conservatism and the populist left; they provide a historical perspective. Although earlier publications of the Prayer Book serve as a reminder of what once was and what might have been if we had but stayed the course, the more liberal element within the Church has taken upon itself the task of altering the Prayer Book and Bible in such a way as to serve their own interests – that is to wheedle their way out of moral accountability. That said, we can identify certain methodologies that are being used to hasten the process. One is through an increasingly liberal and obtuse translation of the text. The other being by way of interpretation. And this is of particular relevance when it comes to The Church of England, as The King James Bible and The Book of Common Prayer were particle to England’s historical development. And while much has been made about recent discoveries of ancient Greek manuscripts and additional translations of The Dead Sea Scrolls, the perceived benefit, although it may leave one wanting, brings up a point. While the current trend is toward an ever-greater selection of Greek texts, thereby offering greater uniformity, or conformity as it were, to the current ethic. Unfortunately, the overall result evidences a general trend toward a more universal and therefore less confrontational presentation of the Holy Scriptures – as truth.
Derived from Tyndale’s earlier translation of the Bible, derived primarily from the Greek and Hebrew texts, in conjunction with the Vulgate, The King James Version was not only a uniquely English translation, but could be said to have been “cutting edge” for that time and place. As such, it not only served as the foundational corpus for The Book of Common Prayer, but The Church of England. Yet, when comparing certain passages in the historical KJV to that of the ubiquitous New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), it’s a bit like trying to compare apples to oranges. While it can be said that both are edible fruits, theologically speaking, their appearance and taste are arguably quite different. That difference being precisely the point, as in reading the KJV and much earlier publications of The Prayer Book something becomes readily apparent. We are not just reading theology; were reading the ecclesiastical history and formative christology of England itself, and that from some of the most brilliant minds of the time, who were not only blessed to have been educated in “The Classical Tradition,” but were themselves particle to The Reformation itself. A little closer to the flame I would say!
And while it can be said that the NRSV is more readable, therefore providing greater accessibility to the modern audience. Yet it hasn’t come without a cost. Parallels can then be made between the ubiquity of modern English today, its literary devolution, and the atrophy of intellectual curiosity and grammatical acuity we find lacking in our universities today. And while it could be said that we have greater freedom of expression, the question arises – to what end? The point being that earlier translations of the Bible, such as the KJV, while arguably less readable for the vast majority of the public today, remain unique in their ability to express The Word of God in a way that is not only concise, but expositorially illuminating. In short, one could say that it’s compositors demonstrated not only a rare command of the English language, but they did so by saying more with fewer words. An ability notably lacking today. For that reason, earlier editions of The King James Bible and The Book of Common Prayer remain of particular significance, as they not only have codified the genesis of Western Christianity, but the genius of European thought. And this I might add is especially true when it comes to The Book of Common Prayer, as in reading the current version today, through the lens of its various revisions and updates, is a bit like following “Alice through the looking glass,” only to find that everything on the other side of the mirror has become somewhat topsy-turvy.
Consequently, the tea of truth no longer carries the force of conviction it once had, not disimiliar to “bracing up,” which itself can no longer be found in the English vernacular. But to say that the cup is tepid would be a misnomer, as the setting itself has been changed, and with it, something uniquely British and of a peculiar beauty is being lost. The page has turned as they say, and with it, the Prayer Book’s previous theological elicitations. A danger, in that popular opinion has been quick to fill the void, even though that opinion has become increasingly trivialized and in the process made irrelevant. Worse, the progressives have now become the majority opinion, at odds with the salvific alchemy of the page itself. Unfortunately, the same can be said for the priestly office, as that which was once saintly is now only sanctimonious, with the pulpit little more than a causation for cessation. In turn, the spiritual guardrails that once guided us on our merry way have somehow gone missing; leading to any number of moral off-ramps, the result of which is now plain to see. A purge is in order, a “penitential rite” I say, not simply for the sake of sanctity, but for the honor of the Crown itself.
Whiggish or Woke?
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy or vain deceit, after the traditions of men, the rudiments of this world, and not Christ.” (Col. 2:8 KJV)
Tory nonsense aside, the ecclesiastical roost in the UK MoD is beginning to stink to high heaven, as this recent misstep by the Royal Army Chaplains Department seems to indicate – “Any religious symbol will henceforth be removed from the cap-badge of all members of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department. And, so as to make our department more diverse and multicultural, any Maltese Cross or Star of David, found at the badge’s center, will be shorn.” (msn.com, 3/10/25)
While multiculturalism and proliferation of religious expression across Britain is understandable due in large part to globalism and the unintended consequences of mass-migration, there are attendant factors such as cultural drift and neoliberalism. Even so, religious accommodation within the UK Forces, while appropriate in most cases, should neither come at the expense of Britain’s Christian heritage, nor that of that of its Christian and Jewish chaplains who are themselves representative of that heritage. If the MoD wishes to bring greater attention to itself, it could do better than this current initiative, which singles out the religious symbolism found on the cap badges of the Jewish and Christian clergy. Unfortunately, the intention is not only transparent, but incongruent with established norms of religious expression in the Western World. Worse, it is indefensible on the face of it, as in trying to make religion a one-size-fits-all proposition it has openly demonstrated what we already know to be true. – They are selling us out!
Badging aside, a similar case could also be made for The Church of England, which remains not only the national church, but representative of this country’s earliest faith traditions. Accordingly, it might then do well to acknowledge the fact in thought, word and deed. In doing so, it would not only serve to reaffirm our common faith and historical heritage, but The Church of England itself, as the standard bearer of our conservative Christian tradition throughout the Commonwealth. Sadly, the current effort within the MoD is not only vacuous in it’s attendant implications, but indicative of the Church’s inherent waywardness.
The Warrior Within
“This is the world, the evil we live with, and yet the hero’s are here. That’s why they come, these warrior-monks, not just to protect the people, but mothers, for the sake of their children and future generations, who will one day have to face the world as warriors themselves. If not, the generations to follow will have to face far worse.” (Krish Thapa (Gurkha and former SAS Officer)
In direct illustration of the foregoing we need look no farther than the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014 and Ukraine in 2022, not to mention the Hamas massacre and kidnapping of Israeli civilians and foreign tourists on Jewish Passover, October 7, 2023. The fact is that not only does violence exist in the world today, but it continues to increase due to a lack of vision and political resolve in doing what’s right when everything is going wrong. Unfortunately, the environment in which war germinates is not only due to conflicted interests, but a world vision that everyone would willingly get on board with. Yet, the prospect of unity is far removed when the public can’t even recognize the threat that exists. Whether due to political expediency, popular opinion, or as willing participants in some grand master plan at play, the diffidence of the political sphere speaks more of self-interest that it does of “the social contract”.
If religion and government is no longer the answer, then, what is? The measure of a man! Faith made incarnate in the image of a conqueror, not a victim of a fallen world. Yet, one must realize the warrior within before he can engage the war without! Incarnate in a world subordinate to spiritual bondage, the warrior emerges like a moth from a cocoon, drawn by the flame and transformed in the fire into the likeness of the once and future king to come. As Christian theologian R.C. Sproul (1929-2017) put it: “The only way the Kingdom of Heaven will ever be made manifest on earth is if believers reflect that heavenly reality within themselves, not just spiritually, but virtually, by the way in which they live, think and act!“
A World of Difference
“What the Western World lacks, our adversaries have in abundance — a clear ideology.”
Regardless of the fact that America’s adversaries are universally autocratic, all are unified in one important aspect, their opposition to US hegemony; not because of our ethical composure per se, but because the US still remains the only single nation in the world that can unilaterly frustrate their ambitions. In spite of our dominance, America has become afflicted by what British historian Niall Ferguson referred to as our “weak-willed aspirations;” constantly vacillating between two perspectives – neoliberalism or conservatism, and two identities, either as the leader of the Free World or the willing victim of our own capitalist indulgences.
The primary problem, as retired US Army General Wesley Clark noted, that “Without a national defense strategy there there can be no way forward, and although we have a condominium of interests, we fall short on ideology.” And, as socially subdivided as America is now, it’s only a matter of time before our enemies make fish-bait out of a population that has never learned how to swim. Yet were not alone in that, as many of our European allies are facing a similar problem – the fracturing of the public space over deeply entrenched ideologies, political or religious. And that is the primary reason why the U.S. seems to wax increasingly incoherent when it comes to articulating a unified defense posture or a clear rationale for its geopolitical gymnastics. As a result, the problem has now become a question of trust. Although a open topic when it comes to the Rules-based Order, the West, ”as architect of that order, has begun to take liberties even with its historical definition of that order. While the lingering influence of The Enlightenment and the hard-won lessons of history have sufficed to this point, in spite of the challenges presented, it raises the question – have its inheritors now become so delusional in their thinking – “…seeing the world as we imagined it to be, and not as it is.” (Ferguson) that we can no longer defend what we profess to believe?
Consequently, one of the biggest challenges facing the West today is the collective instability of our democracies, each laboring under its own illusions, while competing with one another rather than cooperating for the good of the whole. As a result, many of those same nations have also become subject to “false narratives,” populated through the digital information space. As a result, we now see the reemergence of secular nationalism within Europe, and Germany of all places. The most recent evidence being the emergence of the German Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), far-right party, which just secured its first political victory since World War ll. In order to mitigate this tendency toward secular nationalism it then becomes doubly important for the U.S. to demonstrate the preferable option; not only by having a clear, predictable and principled ideology, but the political cache and military capability to defend those principles when challenged.
It follows then that any prospect of Ukraine’s future membership in NATO is a non-starter without a corresponding response from NATO members to subordinate their own interests to that of the collective when it comes to defense. Yet, the stark reality of the EU’s often paralyzing lack of will has historical parallels, as military strategist Carl Von Clausewitz, observed: “An absence of will to react can be seen as a weakness by a nation’s adversaries.” An opinion seconded by Oleksandar Lytvyenko (Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council), who recently warned: “What started out as a local conflict in Ukraine, has now become a war with global implications.”
To be clear, although its been over eighty years since the end of WW ll, the EU is still diddling around when it comes to defense appropriation, even while the table is being set for the main-course – conflict on the continent. Say what you will, but President Trump, in calling the E.U. out for their reticence when it comes to defense spending, has had a positive effect, particularly among the Baltic and Nordic nations. Yet, the creep of social liberalism in Europe may be its ultimate undoing, as the-rot-at-the-top is now beginning to realize – the streets are on fire. Put simply, the government’s petty interests have becomes its primary interest – “And these dogs are greedy, never having enough. Shepard’s they may seem, but only to their own advantage. Architects for gain, they lean on their own understanding, at the expense of knowledge, leading many astray” (Isaiah 56:10,11)
“The Circle Game”
They say that everything has a beginning and an end; while that may be true in the natural, the road we walk still has a supernatural dimension. The same can also be said for nations, whose progress or diminishment is determined by similar criteria. Perhaps the best example would be that of Israel. Although a nation chosen by God to bring Torah to the nations, they railed at their deliverance from Egyptian bondage because it not only required personal sacrifice, but faith in God’s ultimate purpose. Consequently, they turned aside time and again, but as to why not only remains central to the question, but the reason for discipleship itself – to establish a personal relationship with God, in order to find your spiritual calling and the fortitude to walk it out. And from a Native American point of view, the teaching of the Sacred Hoop seeks to address this very question – the why and wherefore of our existence and purpose. First, the hoop has neither a beginning nor an end, with its circumference encompassing the creation as we know it. Suspended in both time and space, this circle is oriented to the Six Directions or powers (Creator and Earth Mother, east, west, north and south), and like the spokes of a celestial wheel, turn through a series of seasonal processes, galactic cycles or rounds,
Because this is where we find ourselves, we can say then that our journey is not linear, but cyclic in nature, and much like a spiral turning upward, we either progress or if downward, eventually disintegrate, spiritually speaking.Yet concerning this present cycle, we not only need to understand its intended purpose, but that of our own as well. This in turn speaks to the importance of what we call “the vision quest,” whose essential purpose is to help us discover, or rediscover, our intended purpose. If we were to do this, it may be of some interest to note that a human being is actually a composite of two separate identities, one spiritual and potentially eternal, the other natural and by its very essence, perishable. Although each has its own innate and motivations, the process of discovering the nature and potential compliment between these two can ultimately determine whether we succeed or fail in our quest. For that reason, we might then turn to a Jewish teaching that helps to explain the differences and apparent contradictions between the two. The one referred to as the nefesh or “evil inclination,” is governed by an ego-centric identity which is preoccupied with the world. Conversely, the neshama or soul, is primarily concerned with the things of the spirit and of God. “For part of God is his people.” (Deut. 32:9). But, quite unlike the nefesh, whose preoccupation with self can be all-consuming, the neshama seeks to remain apart from the world, even while expressly engaged the world, in order to repair the world (“Tikkun olam”).
Yet, it’s not difficult to see the conundrum in such an arrangement, as it requires the neshama to enlist the cooperation of the nefesh in order to realize its elevated goal. If successful, both will in turn benefit, the nefesh in the here-and-now, and the neshama in the hereafter. Yet ideally, under the influence of the neshama, the nefesh will eventually come to realize that life consists of more than just the mundane, and so join in collaboration with the neshama in expressing not only the best of the here-and-now, but the “ever present reality” in the world as well. In doing so, cooperation between the two can become symbiotic to a point where their identities begin to converge. Interestingly, this process is often accelerated during times of stress, which can threaten the ability of the nefesh to resolve, yet while the same time allowing for the recognition of the neshama‘s superior reasoning ability. As a result, the nefesh may increasingly identify with the neshama, which can ultimately lead to a who’s who equation, particularly during conflict, when issues of life and limb often overwhelm the ego’s reasoning ability, which if not countered through the pragmatic influence of the neshama, can lead to any number of mental-health consequences.
For further insight we might even turn to the Bhagavad Gita, that literary epic of India, which can serve to better illustrate the ethical complexities involved in determining a course of action. In doing so, we may not only discover certain determinants, but contrasting approaches taken by the nefesh or neshama in determining a course of action. Well recognized in the annals of modern warfare, basic determinants do in fact exist. For instance, underpinning the concept of “just war” are the associated terms of jus ad bellum (moral considerations), and jus an bello, which deals with ethical regulations moderating the conduct of parties engaged in warfare. Accordingly, while both justice and mercy are foremost in the “neshama’s” approach, the nefesh is more concerned with his own skin, reputation and power. Yet, it is in those critical situations where the neshama is at its best, reasoning not from the limited perspective of the intellect, but from an innate wisdom that the neshama possesses. As for those engaged in geopolitics or military affairs should realize, problem solving in relation to conflict is complicated,while having potential ramifications far beyond the outcome of a single event. Battles can be won, yet wars lost, while even victory cannot ensure a lasting peace. Wisdom would then dictate that to prioritize reason over any other dictate could be counterintuitive. That is the very reason why historical warrior societies, such as those of Native America or Japan, placed such an emphasis on spiritual disciplines. – To bring balance the oppositional characteristics of yin and yang, as expresses through the dynamic of the nefesh and neshama.
Gates of Fire
“History itself teaches us about the unteachability of mankind.” (Winston Churchill)
Although Churchill grew up within the privileged intellectual climate of pre-war Britain, he was at the same time nourished to a great degree by a certain English religious conservatism. A conservatism whose roots reached back to the bedrock of Britain’s ancient past, a past which argues for a much earlier arrival of Christianity to the British Isles than many might imagine. At a time when the Dover tin trade was still flourishing, the Bronze Age of the Roman Empire was beginning to corrode. Yet, it was that very empire which had made it possible for the tin-trade to flourish, one through which many a Mediterranean entrepreneur, like Joseph of Airmathea, had made their fortunes. Considering the fact, it would not be unreasonable to imagine that the Christian gospel might have reached the shores of Merry Old England on board a tin merchants ship. And, as a nation whose peculiarities led it to entertain such notions, it was none other than the English poet, William Blake (1757-1827) who first popularized the idea in 1804, with his preface to Milton, writing: “And did those feet in ancient time walk upon England’s mountains green.” Yet, if we would but stop for a minute to consider the poem’s epic panorama of a destined Britain, it wouldn’t be surprising if Churchill himself might have taken note, and strength from the following refrain — “I will not cease from mental fight, nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, until we have built Jerusalem again in England’s green and pleasant land.” In consideration of the possibility it follows that Churchill might then have taken aim at the public’s evidential lack of Christian conviction when it came to standing firm in the face of — Nazism. A possible consideration, particularly when accompanied by the din of the populist mantra — “never again in our time.” Unfortunately, time had run out for England, which was precisely the point of Churchill’s clamoring.
What then can we say about our own times, here, across the pond, when the general population would rather be out shopping than register any sign of concern, much less a jot of spiritual conviction or martial vigor. As the current trajectory toward factionalism and socialist solution abound, one would be hard-pressed to imagine the hereditary stock of today being cast in the light of Churchill’s England, even in a marginally Christian sense, as the Brits once were. Yet, given the natural inclination of the American population today toward severalty rather than unity, in addition to the ascendancy of public opinion over that of plain truth, the question arises, has allegiance to a higher cause become so unpalatable to the many that their remain few with a taste for it?
In a proper English sense then, it could be said that we now find ourselves in somewhat of a pickle! Caught between the lines of a story as old as civilization itself, the world turns, and with it we find ourselves written into the script once more. The question remains – will we be found wanting? As R.C. Sproul pointed out: “While there are many who profess faith, there are few who possess it!” In a biblical sense, crossing-over becomes something more than a simple metaphor for transformational change, as the obstacle that lies before us is as much a barrier as the Jordan was for Israel. The question is, will we choose to become conquerors, or remain content in a Goshen of self-denial? Yet, if history teaches us anything it is that true conviction, if and when it arises, is rarely dissuaded. Considering the fact, and the parallels that can be drawn between our time and that of Churchill’s, it may be worth noting that we still have a choice. To either gird-up and get on with it, or dismiss the obvious. — The weather is changing! “When you see a cloud rise out of the west, you say: here comes a shower, and so it is.” “And when you see the south wind blow, you say, there will be heat, and it comes to pass.” (Lk. 12:54,55) The question is, “…If you can discern the face of the earth and sky, how is it then that you cannot discern the present time?” (Luke 12:56)
CoupStick Chaplain 