Tag Archives: the state

Laws both Civil and Religious (Exodus 23)

Posted on 16 March 2024 by Fr. Brench

Ancient Israel was supposed to be sort of a theocracy, God himself being their king. As such, their laws were a seamless mix of social, political, and religious legislation for the people to follow and live by. Sometimes people today … Continue reading →

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Economic Justice and Social Justice (Exodus 22)

Posted on 15 March 2024 by Fr. Brench

The string of laws that began with the Ten Commandments continue to unfold here in chapter 22. Let’s consider the opening verses: If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay … Continue reading →

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The Beasts and their Mark

Posted on 21 December 2023 by Fr. Brench

In the course of our yearly reading through the Bible, we come to the book of Revelation, naturally, at the end. There is much in this book that is difficult to understand; it’s written in a style that is particularly foreign … Continue reading →

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Metaxas’ letter to the American Church

Posted on 17 December 2023 by Fr. Brench

I don’t really follow any cultural influencers online; they tend to strike me as cringeworthy. The intellectual discourse these days is rarely intellectual at all, and a lot of people say or write a lot of things when they know in … Continue reading →

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On War & St. Matthias Day

Posted on 24 February 2022 by Fr. Brench

As I’m sure most of you have heard, the armed conflict in Ukraine has actually begun, after months of posturing.  I’m no political analyst, so I cannot comment on how NATO is (or should be) responding to this latest round … Continue reading →

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The night before Veteran’s (Remembrance) Day

Posted on 10 November 2021 by Fr. Brench

Having just completed Evening Prayer on the 10th of November, the eve of one of the more solemn “National Observances” in the Western world, I thought I’d jot down a few devotional notes that sprang up from this time of … Continue reading →

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St. Hilary and the Integrity of the Faith

Posted on 13 January 2021 by Fr. Brench

On this day, the 13th of January, back in 367 AD the church said good-night to a beloved Bishop, Hilary of Poitiers. He has been remembered as a Saint ever since, eventually to be honored by Rome as a “Doctor … Continue reading →

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Lest We Forget (Remembrance Day)

Posted on 11 November 2018 by Fr. Brench

INTRODUCTION Veterans Day, known in several other countries as Remembrance Day, previously named Armistice Day: as we have heard, this was originally a day set aside to celebrate the end of the War to End All Wars.  As further wars … Continue reading →

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King Aelfred the Great

Posted on 26 October 2018 by Fr. Brench

Many famous leaders, both of nations and within the church, have received epithets next to their names over the centuries.  Pope Gregory the Great, Czar Ivan the Terrible, St. John Chrysostom (the golden-mouthed), Vlad the Impaler, Charlemagne (Carolus magnus, or … Continue reading →

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How is civil life to be run – Summarizing Articles 37-39

Posted on 4 January 2018 by Fr. Brench

For the most part, the final three Articles dealing with the relationship between Church and State contain a political theology that is familiar to the American reader today.  Promises and solemn oaths are permitted, the ownership of property is upheld … Continue reading →

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