Half-MeasuresHalf-Measures
On the Battlefield
In this episode, our hosts discuss "half-measures" and how, when we hold back from fully engaging the Kingdom of God, we put ourselves at risk of nominalism and relapse. Drawing from the Lord's teaching about "cutting off our right hand", and the admonition in the Revelation of St. John, we see that being lukewarm avails us nothing and damages those around us. We must follow the advice of St. John Chrysostom to be strict with ourselves and merciful to others, for the culture in which we find ourselves isn't getting any holier, reducing truth to sentimentality and robbing us of the peace that surpasses all understanding. We must not be content with half-measures.
58:10•5 Jul 2022
Half-Measures: Avoiding Nominalism and Embracing True Faith
“If we believe the gospel, none of this stuff is on the mark. And that tells me we're living nominally as a whole, that we're just struck with this nominalism where we are orthodox Christians until there is something social that really has our goat, and then we're that and we'll devote A Whole Weekend to that cause, but we will show up late to church.”
Ever felt like you're just going through the motions when it comes to your faith? In this episode of 'On the Battlefield', Fr. Joseph Collins and Fr. Michael Marcantoni tackle the concept of 'half-measures' and the dangers they pose to our spiritual lives. They argue that holding back from fully engaging with the Kingdom of God puts us at risk of becoming nominal Christians, susceptible to relapse in both faith and addiction recovery.
Drawing from the Lord's teaching about 'cutting off our right hand' and the stern warnings in the Revelation of St. John, the hosts make a compelling case for why being lukewarm avails us nothing and can even harm those around us. They emphasize the importance of following Christ with full commitment, even when it's tough or goes against societal norms. Fr. Joseph and Fr. Michael also share practical advice inspired by St.
John Chrysostom: be strict with yourself but merciful to others. In a culture that often reduces truth to mere sentimentality, this episode offers a refreshing call to authenticity and wholehearted devotion. For anyone struggling with the balance between self-discipline and mercy, or feeling the pull of nominalism, this episode provides a roadmap for living out your faith more fully. Whether you're navigating addiction recovery or simply seeking to deepen your spiritual journey, Fr. Joseph and Fr.
Michael's insights are both thought-provoking and actionable.
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