"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
Our 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 waves still
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 One 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, we are beginning to see faith and the reemergence of a Christian identity stir once again. Yet in some cases, not without attendant issues, for example. While the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the American Constitution was put in place to prevent the government from giving preference to one religion over that of another, the political climate now exist where it might be possible once again. While true that the U.S. and UK. in particular, have been in need of a spiritual reformation for years, if that were to happen it would necessarily be a bottoms-up proposition, as no amount of conformist religiousity could ever solve the problem.
If that were to happen, the population could in effect become fit for action in fulfilling God’s purpose of establishing a higher order, not simply in compliance to the dictates of the law, but one derived from a sincere moral conviction that resulted in ethical transformation. The inherent challenge at this stage of the game would be how to flesh-out such an enterprise without falling victim once again to polarizing influences. Christianity today serving by way of a convenient example, the Gospel message has been rendered seemingly impotent by a sense of entitlement that parallelizes the will. Which in turn has led to a general characterization of the West as being not a coalition of the willing, but a collection of decaying and irresolute religious and social enterprises ripe for the picking.
From that perspective, it does in fact then add a certain weight to the Kremlin’s religious rationale for opposing the West, in that it’s morally destitute. Yet contrary to Russia’s own depiction of it being the vaunted Katheon or “restrainer” that has helped to maintain the spiritual balance in the world, and which must first be removed before “the man of sin” can appear (2 Thes. 2:6,7), the opportunity may have already been lost, with both Russia and the US. apparently conceding the fact.
The increasing chaos, random violence and heavens in turmoil that is so explicit from a prophetic perspective, may in fact be happening at this very time. If so, what we are witnessing may only be the prelude to “the final solution.” – The emergence of a world leader that will promise a resolution, at any cost. If so, the foundation is already being built. Yet, whether one points a finger at a West which Russia mistrusts, or at Russia itself, the point now is rather moot, as both appear to lack the visionary capacity to overcome their inherent similarities when it comes to militarism and religion.
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, not only at the cost of their own existence, but that of civilization itself. A tragedy all-in-all, not due to 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 reasonable calculation.
That aside, Russia is perhaps of singular interest, as it has served as a crossroads between the Far East and Europe from its earliest advent until the present. Advertising the fact through its rather archaic notion of being the rightful heir and guarantor of the Classic European World, which can be seen in its adoption of French Renaissance architecture in the government space. Yet the effort, while admirable and quite contemporary I might add, is somewhat like trying to rebuild the glory of the Czarist past atop the colorless debris of a failed Stalinist futurism. Yet, for sake of comparison, America itself isn’t fairing much better, as its educational institutions have been left to molder in the fading light of intellectual curiosity and passive indifference to American idealism. The same could be said for its population as well, who seem hell-bent on erasing any memory of the national struggle it took to get there. A heart-felt repentance for past-deeds-done is one thing, but to “Cancel” the memory of a nation’s achievements, while at the same time attempting to render impotent the legacy of its ethos, begs the question. – “Where’s the devil now?”
That said, one 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 question which has yet to be sorted out. Ultimately it comes down to a simple equation, 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 like something out of Tolkien, the reality is far more fundamental; we still have a choice as to who we will serve
And so, lift up your heads you weary and pray, becoming that voice of conviction which stirs others to lasting works of faith. As R.C. Sproul once noted: “The only way the Kingdom of God will ever be made manifest on earth is when Christian believers reflect that ‘kingdom reality’ within themselves, not only spiritually, but practically, 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 American freedom, yet it’s a burden that’s shared, passing from generation to generation. Our brothers and sisters of the Isles have now countenanced the fact, expressing their outrage that a succession of Parliaments have ignored the obvious, Great Britain has been sold out, a pence for a pound. The upshot is that the English people in exercising their inalienable right to freedom of assembly and expression have discovered another right long forgotten, freedom of religion. Good on and waves across the water, even as we contemplate whether we’ll have the same courage as to be so bold. And while the English and their Irish compatriots have broken ground, pray their example is contagious, finding fertile ground here in America. Glory be to God, a pox on Parliament.
While immigration run amuck may best be described as multiculturalism gone awry, the reality signals sometime far more ominous – mob-rule by government consent. And yet, while confusion benefits neither the common-good nor the security of the state ideas of proper 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 for that very reason and by virtue of God himself. Ideals embedded within religious narratives for millennia, that we are only now rediscovering and finding worth defending. While inspirational, they are yet cautionary in their telling, these stories of old. The right and wrong of the matter, which in turn reveal much about the rise and fall of civilizations. And while some may ask, where is God in all this, it has been said, and rightly so, that “In Him we live and have our being” (Acts 17:28). In keeping with the holy writ, it may be of some interest to note that change rarely comes but at the expense of the oppressed, moving God to intercede in a very big way in moving heaven. Not surprisingly, one would not be wrong is saying that true religion is a justice movement just waiting to happen. One whose ideology is configured to either reform or upend any system that runs contrary to the will of God.
That there is this innate quality within humanity which seeks justice, mercy, and fair play, above everything else is plainly evident, as can be seen in the current course of events transpiring in the British Isles. A large and growing segment of the English population is beginning to argue for what they know is right, not only through a spirit of conviction, but by virtue of scripture alone, as it only serves to confirms what many already know in their heart. From a religious perspective then, the current trend is tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. If so, the Nero-cons have ample reason to be concerned, for if God is in it, no one can prevent it. In that token, it could be said that America itself is ripe for a Godly intervention; not through ANTIFA, Black Lives Matter, or any other wokeness, but an honest to God, regenerative spiritual revolution, comprised of ordinary people who’ve reached the limit of their sensibilities when it comes government and the consent of the governed.
“Out of the Many – One!”
As the timeline of my second vision draws to a close, I wouldn’t be surprised if the final chapter wasn’t just around the corner – the “emergence of the police state” and restrictions on interstate and international travel. If that were to happen, the effect would be much greater than many might realize. Practical considerations aside, America as a nation developed in regard to open-space, room for everybody and the freedom to go wherever, whenever. And while correct in a sense, those pioneers were soon to find was already occupied by its Indigenous inhabitants. Yet, the conundrum presented was more than mere coincidence, as it was linked to Jeffersonian agriculturalism and “Go west young man; go west!” It extended well back into the prehistory of North America, when the ancient civilizations of the New World were parcel to a vast, interconnected trading empire which spanned the width and breadth of the Americas.
This ancient panorama, which was already in decline by the time of the first European explorers, was subsequently given new life with the arrival of Spanish equistidors and their remudas. This in itself says something about the people already living here, as the land and open-space had formed them. Accordingly, they knew a good thing when they saw it, greater mobility. And seizing the opportunity they wasted little time in availing themselves of Spanish negligence. Mounted warriors now, with a disdain for farmers, this land which stirred the imagination, not only prompted people to travel, but to do so just out of curiosity. Yet the European explorers and those entrepreneurs which followed were motivated by a much different agenda; not commerce per se, but greed. Which, being part of their essential nature, put them at odds with a millennia of Indigenous peoples whose motivations were beyond the ken of the conqueror.
People came, from here, there and everywhere, first with their wagons, and later, with their cars. Ancient tracks became established trails, which eventually became railways and roads. Consider then, if all these thoroughfares we’ve become accustomed to were suddenly without cars. It wouldn’t take long for the weeds to sprout in the pavement. And, while the phrase, noxious weeds, was once used to describe American Indians, viable seed from the Indigenous past might prove more illustrative. As having lain dormant for centuries, it wouldn’t take long for that seed to sprout and break through every crack in the pavement. In time, another species might emerge; a people who would “…make the road by walking,” (Klein 2019). Yet that road would be a spiritual one, plain and simple, and with it a chance to start over if not to begin anew.
“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 then raises the question, as retired UK Forces General, Lord Dannitt queried: “Is it right to fight, and are they fighting right?” From that perspective, one might argue that war cam be likened to a game of moral jeopardy, wherein players not only expose themselves to ethical compromise and the very real possibility of being used as a tool in the greater game at play; a game whose objectives are often obscure and its methodology questionable. Conversely, engaging in war as a means of self-defense or in defense of others is not only permissible, but often praiseworthy. In that 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 something more in common. Both countries share similar principles of religious conviction and accountability. Yet, while one could argue that the evolution of those similarities was quite different, the emphasis that both placed on moral integrity and martial duty was not only parcel to their belief-systems, but intrinsic to their common development and identity. An identity so fundamental and characteristic of both cultures that if neglected or thwarted by some other means, would not only lead to moral atrophy, but lawlessness and the eventual criminalization of those 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, supplanting them with another ethic. Yet, while subversive ideologies have been circulating in the West as far back as the early 1900’s, a unified identity derived from a common religion and cause, was as yet a mountain too steep to climb Yet if such is the case why has there been so little moral outrage today? The answer is simply a lack of moral conviction on the part of the populace. As to the reasons why, I would offer this – while the pot has been slow to boil it has produced the desired effect, an erosion in the
social contract” between the government and the governed, with an end-game in mind – servility to another system.
But resistance is mounting, particularly in the UK. When the British Parliament can no longer make the distinction between common decency and moral decay, as can be seen in the trash accumulation and rat infestation in predominantly Muslim Birmingham, you’ve not only got a bloody problem, but administrative dysfunction, with officials lacking the will to call it what it is – a national disgrace. There can no longer be any excuse, as it’s become painfully clear that national unity cannot be derived through multiplicity, but only from those with a uniform 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, including its Book of Common Prayer remain not only representative of England’s history, but its Christian faith.
In that regard, while the Book of Common Prayer and Kings James version of the Bible may be seen by some as anachronisms, both continue to have an extraordinary relevancy when it comes to Christian conservatism from a historical perspective. Although earlier publications of the Church of England’s Prayer Book still exist as a reminder of what once was and what might have been, the more liberal element within the Church has taken upon itself the task of modernization, altering the (official) Prayer Book and Bible in such a way as to make it more relevant. As a result, its heavenly pronouncements have become somewhat watered-down, in the process serve the better interests of the muddle (middle) so they can wheedle their way out of moral accountability.
That said, we can identify certain methodologies being used to hasten the process. One is through increasingly obtuse translations of the text. Where is the meat? The other is 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, the perceived benefit begs the question. What is the perceived benefit when an ever-greater selection of ancient manuscripts comes at the expense of scriptural authority, in turn offering a more universalist and therefore less confrontational presentation of the Holy Scriptures – as truth.
By contrast, The King James Bible, derived from Tyndale’s earlier translation, which relied primarily upon the Greek and Hebrew texts, and the Vulgate, was not only uniquely English, but could be said to have been “cutting edge” for that time and place. As such, it became not only the primary text for The Church of England, but foundational for The Book of Common Prayer. As such, comparing certain passages in the historical KJV to that of the somewhat ubiquitous New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) it is somewhat like comparing apples to oranges. While it can be said that both are edible fruits, in a theological sense, their appearance and taste are arguably quite different. That difference being precisely the point, as in reading the KJV and earlier publications of The Prayer Book something becomes readily apparent. We’re not just reading theology, we are reading the ecclesiastical history and formative christology of England itself, and that according to some of the most brilliant minds of the time and doubly blessed. Educated in “The Classical Tradition,” they were themselves particle to The English Reformation. And for that reason I would offer that they were probably a little closer to the eternal flame!
And while it can be said that the NRSV is arguably more readable in a contemporary sense, providing greater accessibility for a modern audience, it hasn’t come without a cost. Parallels can be made between the ubiquity of modern English today, its literary devolution, and the atrophy of intellectual curiosity and lack of grammatical acuity that we find in many of our college graduates today. The point being that earlier translations of the Bible, such as the KJV, while no doubt less readable for the vast majority of the public today, remain unique in their ability to express The Word of God in such a way as to be not only concise, but expositionally illuminating. In short, one could say that it’s compositors demonstrated not only a rare command of the English language, but in turn raised it to an art-form 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 as well, remain of particular significance, as they are not only representative of 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 rendition, especially when viewed through 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 dissimilar to “bracing up,” a term which can no longer be found in the English vernacular. Yet, to say that the cup is tepid would be a misnomer, as the setting itself has changed, and with that, something uniquely British and of a peculiar beauty has been 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, regardless of the fact that it has become increasingly trivialized and therefore made irrelevant. Worse, the progressives in the punch-bowl 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 well, in that what was once saintly is now only sanctimonious, with the pulpit having become little more than a causation for cessation. In turn, the spiritual guardrails that once guided us on our merry way have gone missing, leading in turn 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 the survival of the English people themselves.
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 that of 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 the MoD has openly demonstrated what we already know to be true. – They are selling us out!
Yet, badging aside, a similar case could also be made for The Church of England itself, 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 the conservative Christian tradition within the Commonwealth. Sadly, the current effort by 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’s increasing due to a lack of vision and political resolve in doing the right thing when everything’s gone wrong. Unfortunately, the political environment in which war is allowed to germinate is not simply because of conflicted interests, but the lack of a world vision that everyone might get on board with. Yet, the prospect of unity is still far removed when the general public can’t even recognize the need. Whether due to political expediency, popular opinion, or as willing participants in some grand scheme, the diffidence of the political sphere speaks more of self-interest than it does of building a better world
If religion and government is no longer the answer, then, what is? Faith made incarnate in the image of a conqueror, not a victim but an overcomer of this world and world’s to come. Yet, the necessity will never become reality until such a time as those who embody “The Warrior Ethos” arise. And as that process occurs in response to a calling, it is an internal process first and foremost, it can be likened to a transmutation wherein the base substance is formed into something eternal, before finally emerging like a moth from a cocoon, drawn by the light. 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 what they perceive as US hegemony; not because of our ethical composure per se, but because the US still remains the only nation in the world that can unilaterally frustrate their ambitions. In spite of of the fact, America has become afflicted by what British historian Niall Ferguson referred to as our “weak-willed aspirations;” constantly vacillating between two perspectives, neoliberalism and conservatism, while juggling two identities, leader of the Free World or willing victim of its own invention, Western Capitalism.
In spite of the fact, when it comes down to real politiks, as retired US Army General Wesley Clark noted, – “Without a national defense strategy there there can be no way forward, and although we have a condominium of interests, we still fall short on ideology.” And, as socially subdivided as America has become, it will only be a matter of time before our enemies make fish-bait out of a population that has forgotten how to swim. Yet were not alone in that as many of our European allies are facing the same problem, the fracturing of the public space over vastly different ideologies, some of which are being exacerbated by our foreign adversaries. In truth, that’s one of the primary reasons why the U.S. appears to wax incoherent when it comes to articulating a unified defense posture, much less a clear rationale for its geopolitical gymnastics. As a result, the problem has now become a question of trust when it comes to American leadership, as we seem to have lost sight of a unified vision, one that the Almighty himself would endorse. And although the question of trust is very much relevant when it comes to diplomacy, it seems that it’s a topic that takes a back seat when it comes to the Rules-based Order, because the West, as the primary architect and enforcer of that order, takes liberties with that order whenever it suits its interests. Unfortunately, while the lingering influence of The Enlightenment and the hard-won lessons of history have sufficed up to this point to maintain a certain stasis, at least in the West, the question remains. Have the generational inheritors of that period of peace and prosperity now become so abstractly delusional in their thinking that they are in fact “…seeing the world as we imagined it to be, and not as it is?” (Ferguson)
Consequently, one of the biggest challenges we face in 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 fallen victim to “false narratives” populated through the digital information space. As a result, we now see the reemergence of secular nationalism within Europe, and even Germany of all places. The most recent evidence being that of the emergence of the German Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) Party, which just secured its first political victory since World War ll. In short, in order to mitigate this tendency among our allies, it’s on the U.S. to in turn demonstrate the preferable option of a liberal democracy; not just by having a clear, predictable and principled political ideology, but the cache and military capability to defend those very principles whenever challenged.
It follows then that any prospect of an Ukrainian NATO membership would not only remain dependent on a certain democratic standard when it comes to Ukraine, but from NATO members themselves in subordinating their several interests to that of the collective when it comes to democracy and defense. Yet, the stark reality is that the EU.’s often paralyzing lack of will when it comes to coherence and coordination does have historical parallels which are inherently dangerous and destabilizing, as the Prussian 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 warned recently that “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 as the table is being set for the main-course – conflict on the European continent. Say what you will, but President Trump, in calling the E.U. out for their reticence when it comes to defense spending, has in fact had a positive effect, particularly among the Baltic and Nordic nations. Yet, the creep of social liberalism in Europe may still be its ultimate undoing, as the-rot-at-the-top is now clearly plain to see. Put simply, the government’s pet interests have become 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, and while that may be true in the natural, the road we walk still has a supernatural dimension to it. The same can also be said for nations, whose progress or diminishment is determined by similar criteria. Perhaps the best example being that of Israel. Although a nation chosen by the Lord Hashem God to bring the wisdom of Torah to the nations, they yet railed at God for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Not only because it required that they leave everything they once knew behind, but that they lean on God rather than their own understanding in bringing his vision for Israel to fruition. Yet as to why Israel turned aside time and again not only remains central to the equation, but serves as an object lesson that those who seek God find him only through faith, believing.
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 our very purpose. Symbolically, the hoop has neither a beginning nor an end, with its circumference encompassing the world of 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 processes, whether it be seasons, cycles or galactic rounds. And this is where we find ourselves, at some point on that wheel of time. Accordingly, we can say then that our journey is not linear, but cyclic in nature, with our spiritual existence unwinding upward as we progress or downward if we so choose, eventually coming to the end of ourselves as we, spiritually speaking. Yet concerning this present cycle, we need not only to understand its intended purpose, but that of our place in it as well. This then speaks of the importance of what we call “the vision quest,” whose essential purpose is to help us discover, or rediscover our intended purpose. In pursuing 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 constitution, perishable. Although each part of a human being has its own separate identity and motivations, the process of discovering the nature and potential compliment between these two identities can ultimately determine whether we succeed or fail in our quest for spiritual unity. For that reason, we might turn to a Jewish teaching that provides some further illustration concern the differences and apparent contradictions between the two. The one referred to as the nefesh or “evil inclination,” is governed by the ego, which is almost totally absorbed with the physical 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 in 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 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 gradually join in collaboration with the neshama in expressing the “ever present reality” in the world as well. In doing so, cooperation between the two identities can become symbiotic to a point where the identity of the nefesh begins to converge with the intentions of the neshama. Interestingly, this process may often be accelerated during times of stress which threaten the ability of the nefesh to resolve, in turn giving way to the neshama‘s superior reasoning ability. As a result, the nefesh increasingly begins to identify with the neshama, which can ultimately lead to a who’s who equation, particularly during the intensity of conflict, when issues of life and limb which simply overwhelm the ego’s ability to resolve, which if not countered through the pragmatic influence of the neshama, can lead to any number of mental-health issues for the nefesh.
For further insight we might be advised to investigate the Bhagavad Gita, the literary epic of India, which may 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 choosing the most advantageous 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 often at its best, reasoning not from the limited perspective of the intellect, but from an innate wisdom that a heightened spiritual perspective provides. As for those engaged in geopolitics or military strategy often come to realize, problem solving in relation to conflict is complicated, often having ramifications far beyond the outcome of a single event. Battles can be won, yet wars lost, with even victory unable to secure a lasting peace. For that reason, wisdom would dictate that alternative courses of action which do not take into consideration a lasting peace are flawed by virtue of the fact that they are short-sighted. And that is the very reason why historical warrior societies, such as those of Native America or Japan, placed such great emphasis on spiritual disciplines which served to bring balance to the seemingly oppositional characteristics of yin and yang, as expressed through the relational dynamics 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 a prewar Britain, he was at the same time influenced 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 languish. 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 Airamathea had made their fortunes. Considering the fact, it would not be unreasonable to imagine that the Christian gospel itself 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 in his preface to Milton, wrote: “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, as well as 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 then that Churchill might have taken aim at the public’s evidential lack of Christian conviction at a time which demanded standing firm in the face of – Nazism. A possible consideration, particularly when accompanied by the din of the populist mantra of “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 in America and across the pond; particularly at a time when the general population is so preoccupied with shopping that they show little sign of concern, much less a bit of religious conviction or any sign of martial vigor. As the current trajectory toward factionalism and socialist solution gains momentum, one would be hard-pressed to imagine the hereditary stock of today being less indifferent than those of Churchill’s time, particularly in a nominally Christian sense. Yet, given the natural inclination of the American population today toward banality rather than severalty, the question arises, has allegiance to a higher cause become so unpalatable to the many that the few have little 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, and as the world turns, we finding ourselves written into the script once more. Yet, will we be found wanting? Apparently, if R.C. Sproul was right in offering: “While there are many who profess faith, there are few who possess it!” In a biblical sense, crossing-over is something more than a simple metaphor for transformational change, as the obstacle that lies before us is as much a barrier for us 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. We can either gird-up and get on with it, or dismiss from the obvious, in the process relegating ourselves to irrelevancy. The spiritual climate is changing, if you haven’t noticed. “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) That is of course if you can still “…discern the the face of the earth and sky?”
CoupStick Chaplain 