Abraham and Sarah: A Normative Marriage (Doctrine of the Family) (Remastered)

The Key to Understanding

Throughout history men have sought a master concept by which to understand all things, yet every key that rests in human reason or material explanation falls short, because it cannot interpret the moral and spiritual meaning of life; Scripture instead provides the true key when it declares, “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things” (Prov. 28:5). Understanding is inseparably tied to faith, for a man’s moral and spiritual condition determines his capacity to grasp God’s dealings, and rebellion against God inevitably produces confusion, while trust in Him opens the eyes of understanding. What the natural man stumbles over the justice and judgment of God becomes for the believer the very principle that explains life, suffering, and providence, turning what appears a curse into a blessing. Thus faith is not blindness but true sight, and those who surrender human self-confidence and walk by faith are given spiritual knowledge by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to interpret all of life in the light of God’s sovereign purpose. In this way, faith becomes the true master key to understanding, illuminating the heart to know the hope, power, and rule of Christ over all things.

The Faith of St. Patrick

He called himself a coward but history called him brave. When a runaway freight train hurtled down a mountain grade, every confident man jumped off except one: H. C., too afraid to leap. Instead, trembling but clear-headed, he crawled across the boxcars and set handbrakes he’d never used before, saving the train and earning a medal for bravery. True courage, as H. G. Wells said, is doing what you’re afraid to do and Scripture reminds us that “with the lowly is wisdom.” Pride bailed out; humility held fast. When the crisis came, the humble man stood firm. The question is simple: when your moment comes, will pride make you jump or will humility give you courage?

Appendix: Law in Western Society (Remastered)

Notes on the Law in Western Society – The early church regarded biblical law as binding on believers, applying Levitical regulations to clergy, observing sabbath and moral law, and enforcing discipline, penance, and restitution (Ancyra, Basil, Gregory Thaumaturgus). Canon law reflected Scripture even while navigating Roman law, bureaucracy, and societal decay. The Theodosian Code and later Justinian’s Corpus Juris Civilis integrated Christianity with Roman law, while common law, medieval codes, and urban law drew heavily on biblical principles. Jewish communities, grounded in Scripture, contributed significantly to commercial, urban, and civic order in Europe, influencing figures like Maimonides and shaping Western legal culture. Puritans and New England colonists codified laws based on biblical precepts (Massachusetts Body of Liberties, New Haven Colony Laws), emphasizing God as Judge, Lawgiver, and King (Isa. 33:22). Humanistic or state-centered law, divorced from God’s law, fails to restore social order; true law is Scripture-based, ensuring moral, social, and civil flourishing. The decline of Roman and humanistic law demonstrates that only obedience to God and His law provides enduring justice, order, and salvation. #BiblicalLaw #CanonLaw #WesternCivilization #PuritanLaw #Maimonides #CommonLaw #DivineJustice #GodsOrder #ScriptureBasedLaw #SocialOrder

The Faith of St. Patrick

What made St. Patrick great wasn’t superior training, intellect, or strategy but an unshakable trust in God. Surrounded by danger, barbarian invasions, and threats of death, Patrick cast himself entirely on God’s providence, believing not that he would be spared hardship, but that God would bring good no matter the outcome. He preached both judgment and mercy without fear, confronted tyrants, pursued enemies with the gospel, and anchored his life in one book the Bible. While others were overwhelmed by obstacles, Patrick was impressed by God, and that faith changed a nation. The question remains just as sharp today: what impresses you more your problems, or your God?

Rationalism and History

Rationalism consistently detaches truth from history, treating abstract ideas and human reasoning as ultimate rather than God’s acts in time. This stands in direct opposition to Christianity, which is grounded in real historical events the Fall, the Incarnation, and the Atonement. Scripture proclaims that the Word became flesh, a claim Greek and modern philosophy reject because it unites truth with history. By presupposing man’s mind instead of God, rationalism ends in idolatry: gods made in man’s image and truth judged by human logic. Biblical faith begins with God’s revelation in history and sees human reason as fallen and limited. True knowledge is not autonomous but analogical thinking God’s thoughts after Him. When rationalism ignores history, it ultimately ignores God.